Kids at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (photo: KFCrisafi)

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo welcomed more than 20,000 visitors on Monday, June 15, 2009, setting the highest single-day attendance in the past three years.  A final count showed 20,752 people passed through the Zoo’s gates on that one day alone. 

The biggest reason for the busy day was that the Zoo offers free admission on Mondays to residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township, according to Sue Allen, the Zoo’s Manager of Marketing & Public Relations.

These types of discounts are becoming more and more prevalent throughout Cleveland Plus. For instance, residents of Lake County receive free admission to Lake Metroparks Farmpark on the first Sunday and third Tuesday of each month.

So it’s no surprise that Positively Cleveland is getting a lot of questions about free things they can do with their children this summer. And we’ve got some great suggestions that are free, fun and kid-approved:

Wade Oval Wednesdays
Take a mid-week break and enjoy live music in the heart of University Circle.  Have a picnic on Wade Oval or relax in the beer and wine garden with a great view of the stage.  The lineup includes a wide variety of music to suit everyone’s tastes.  Location: Wade Oval is the park in the center of the circle formed by the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Cleveland Botanical Garden.

NASA Glenn Visitors Center
Explore the universe in a day as you learn about space exploration, aircraft and satellites through a variety of exhibits and demonstrations at the NASA Glenn Visitor Center.   See it now! It’s closing (and possibly moving) in September 2009. Open: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm, Saturday and holidays 10am-3pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm. 

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland – Learning Center & Money Museum
At this unique museum you’ll see examples of currency from the U.S. and abroad, from past and present.  Check out the 23-foot Money Tree featuring replicas of U.S. currency. Open: Monday-Thursday 10am-2pm, closed on bank holidays.  Groups of 10 or more need reservations in advance. 

Cleveland Police Museum
Delve into the history of Cleveland law enforcement at the Cleveland Police Museum—free of charge.  See confiscated firearms, uniforms, artifacts and more from Cleveland’s past including artifacts from the legendary crime fighter, Eliot Ness, and his Torso Murders investigation. 

Stearns Homestead
Stearns Homestead is a working farm is operated by the Parma Area Historical Society as an educational and historic farm.  It features a barn complete with animals, two homes dating from the early 1900s that now serve as museums, gardens and a display of historic farm and household items. Open:  May 17 through mid-October, Saturday and Sunday 1pm-4pm. 440.845.9770

Amish Country
Share in the Amish heritage through the discovery of horse-drawn buggies, homemade family-style foods and exceptional craftsmanship in Northeast Ohio’s Amish Country.  You’ll find antique stores, craft houses, traditional Amish restaurants and excellent inns. (Of course, if you buy a handmade quilt, that’ll cost you.)

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s Summer Sessions
Summer Sessions is a FREE live concert series beginning Wednesday, July 8 on the Museum plaza (weather permitting, if necessary it will be moved inside to the Main Stage) at 7pm. The concert series takes pl ace every other Wednesday evening through August 19, 2009, and features the country and the region’s most popular up-and-coming bands and artists performing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Lakewood Band Concerts
A long-time Lakewood tradition, Lakewood Band Concerts are held most Sundays during the summer at the Bandstand in Lakewood Park (located on the lake at Belle and Lake Avenues). The free concerts, which feature a variety of musical genres for kids of all ages, begin at 7pm. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair.

Lake View Cemetery
Filled with sculpture, architecture and tributes to those who made great contributions to the area’s industrial and civic development, the Lake View Cemetery features the James A. Garfield Memorial, Wade Chapel (with its Tiffany-designed interior) and the Rockefeller Monument. 

International Women’s Air and Space Museum
The International Women’s Air and Space Museum at Burke Lakefront Airport documents women’s past and present accomplishments and contributions to the fields of aviation and space.  A collection of memorabilia and historical artifacts preserve the memory of women aviation pioneers.  Open: Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm.  

Cleveland Plus Beaches
Cleveland Plus offers a variety of accessible (and FREE) beaches along its Lake Erie Coast with swimming, sailing and some of the best walleye, perch and bass fishing anywhere. After a beach-bum weekend on Lake Erie, visitors might forget about their yearly pilgrimmage to the shore. Check out some of these notable beaches:

o Fairport Harbor Beach – Fairport Harbor Beach was made for adventure seekers. With activities ranging from kayaking, canoeing, boating and fishing, this beach offers water-related programs, festivals and events suitable for every member of the family.
o Headlands Beach State Park – Forget about a trip to the shore when you can experience the Mentor Headlands, Ohio’s longest natural sand beach. The size of Headlands Beach allows plenty of room for travelers to play beach volleyball, Frisbee, cook out, sunbathe and relax.
o Edgewater Beach – Fly a kite, have a picnic or take a swim. With an unmatched view of the Cleveland skyline, Edgewater Park is a popular west side beach boasting a variety of summertime activities like swimming, boating and fishing.  Enjoy the upper level for a shaded picnic, or head to the lower level for swimming and beach access.
o Huntington Beach – Known for its family-friendly environment and its commitment to cleanliness, the Huntington Reservation Beach caters to swimmers and sunbathers alike. After a day at the beach, visitors can head to the nearby Honey Hut Ice Cream Shoppe for some of the famous handmade ice cream.
o Lakeview Park Beach – Think: relaxation. Rich with history, adorned in rose gardens and engulfed in the natural beauty of Lake Erie, Lakeview Park Beach is the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Almost Free for the Kids (Under $5)

Lake Metroparks Farmpark
Dscover more than 50 breeds of farm animals on a trip to this hands-on science center.  While here, milk a cow, take a wagon ride, stroll through gardens and enjoy animal shows and demonstrations.  Free to Lake County residents on the first Sunday and third Tuesday of every month.
Admission: adults $6, children (2-11) $4. 
Open:  daily 9am-5pm. 

Holden Arboretum
Enjoy the great outdoors all year round with more than 3,100 acres of beautiful plant collections and spectacular fall and summer gardens, beautiful colors, winter splendor, trails and picnic areas at the Holden Arboretum.  Trails offer a variety of distances and levels of difficulty. 
Admission:  adults $6, children (2-11) $4. 
Open: daily 9am-5pm. 

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage showcases the history of Northeast Ohio’s Jewish community through artifacts, unique exhibits and interactive displays. 
Admission: adults $7, students $5.
Open: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday 11am-5pm, Wednesday 11am-9pm, Saturday 12pm-5pm. 

Century Village Museum
Experience more than 100 years of history as you explore the restored 1806 village of Burton at Century Village Museum.  You’ll find treasures including a cabin from 1798, vintage barns, an 1872 schoolhouse, five furnished historical homes, a jail and a country store. 
Admission: adults $7, children 6-12 $5. 
Open: April 15-November 15, guided tours available Saturday and Sunday 1pm and 3pm. 

Western Reserve Historical Society
Cleveland’s oldest cultural institution is home to a library and two museums in University Circle.  The Western Reserve Historical Society’s History Museum features a 1911 mansion and the Chisholm Halle Costume Wing.  The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum displays nearly 200 antique, vintage and classic automobiles and aircraft. 
Admission: adults $8.50, children 17 and under $5. 
Open: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. 

USS Cod
Take a tour of the USS Cod, an unaltered World War II vintage submarine and the only submarine in history to perform a submarine-submarine rescue. 
Admission:  adults $6, students (7 and over) and those with military with ID $3, military in uniform and wives and family of active duty submariners are admitted free. 
Open: daily May-September, 10am-5pm, entrance closes at 4:45pm. 

Kent State University Fashion Museum
Explore the history of fashion as we know it today at the Kent State University Fashion Museum.  Find European and American gowns as well as traditional dress, celebrity dresses and nine galleries devoted to great fashion designers and artists from the 18th century to the present. 
Admission:  adults $5, children (7-18) $3. 
Open:  Wednesday-Saturday 10am-4:45pm, Thursday until 8:45pm, Sunday 12pm-4:45pm. 

Dunham Tavern Museum
Built in 1824, this is Cleveland’s oldest building still standing on its original site.  It was once a stagecoach stop on the old Buffalo-Cleveland-Detroit post road, and today features an original parlor, taproom and items of early Americana including 19th century Ohio antique furniture. 
Admission:  adult $3, children (3-12 ) $2. 
Open: Wednesday and Sunday 1pm-4pm, for groups on other days by appointment. 

Events Free for Kids 12 + Younger

This year’s event might be over, but doesn’t mean you can’t start planning for next year’s Parade the Circle. Be there as international and national guest artists join the Cleveland Plus’ community of artists, families, schools and community groups to parade around Wade Oval in University Circle.

The free event, which celebrates the community arts, draws more than 60,000 people every year.  The celebration incorporates the drama and artistry of colorful floats, giant puppets, bright costumes, handmade masks, stilt-walkers, dancers and musicians.

After the parade, children and adults can enjoy a bevy of free make-and-take arts and crafts projects, food and beverage. Many of the area museums throughout University Circle offer day-of discounts.

But if you’re still looking for some great things to do with the family this year, check out some upcoming events where kids 12 and younger receive FREE admission!

Boston Mills ArtFest II
7/2/09 – 7/4/09
Boston Mills, 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula
• The Boston Mills Artfest is a nationally-recognized fine art and fine craft show. 2009 marks the 38th consecutive year that the Artfest will be held (rain or shine) at Boston Mills Ski Resort, nestled in the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park midway between Cleveland and Akron.

Cain Park Arts Festival
7/10/09 – 7/12/09
Cain Park, 14591 Superior Road at Lee, Cleveland Heights
• The Cain Park Arts Festival is a juried fine arts and fine crafts event, featuring the work of 150 artists working in painting, watercolors, hand-pulled prints, photography, sculpture, ceramics, all media of jewelry, wood, leather, glass and other materials.

Ingenuity Festival of Art & Technology
7/10/09 – 7/12/09
Downtown Cleveland – PlayhouseSquare, Cleveland
• The Ingenuity Festival returns for the fifth year with a weekend-long celebration of art and technology, designed for audiences of any age and experience, staged in and around PlayhouseSquare in Downtown Cleveland.

Nature at Night
7/11/09
North Chagrin Nature Center, North Chagrin Reservation, Mayfield Village
• Night time is the right time for a little shut eye, unless you’re a nocturnal animal. Experience the park after dark, and discover the night life at Cleveland Metroparks “Nature at Night” event. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities related to the night, including live nocturnal animal programs, astronomy and stargazing through telescopes, songs and stories around a roaring campfire, children’s crafts, and night hikes.

Dive-In Movie II – “Dr. Seuss: How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
7/17/09
Ledge Pool & Recration Area, Hinckley Reservation
1151 Ledge Road, Hinckley
• No snow here, but plenty of warm thoughts and holiday cheer.  Celebrate halfway to the holidays at Cleveland Metroparks Dive-IN Movie – “Dr. Suess: How the Grinch Stole Christmas” – on Friday, July 17 at Ledge Pool & Recreation Area in Hinckley Reservation.

Brookstock – A Celebration of Music and Nature
7/18/09
Brookside Valley Event Site, Brookside Reservation, Cleveland
• Celebrate the outdoors with great music.  Along with several live bands and musical performances, visitors can enjoy arts and crafts, games, live animals, refreshments for sale and more. Bands include: Open Range Torch Songs (Americana/acoustic rock), New Dixon Family (blues), Blond Boy Grunt & the Groans (Rockabilly/Folk), Crookneck Chandler and the Tibbee Bottom Boys (Appalachian Swamp Rock) and Cats on Holiday (Swamp Pop)

Taste of Tremont
7/19/09
Tremont, Professor Street
• This delicious street fair is held in the heart of Tremont’s “restaurant district” and showcase the best of Tremont’s food, art and entertainment.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival
7/31/09 – 8/9/09
Canton, Ohio
• Experience the 10-day Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival in Canton, featuring 15 diverse events enjoyed by nearly 700,000 people. Events include fireworks, hot air balloon flights, concerts, races and much more. Many of the events are free for children and adults. Visit the website for more information.

Lakewood Arts Festival
8/1/09
Lakewood, Detroit Avenue between Belle and Elmwood Avenues
• This unique arts festival features a juried exhibition of all media in fine arts and crafts, 160 artists from all over the country and more than 30 booths operated by not-for-profit organizations that offer food, beverages, products and activities for children. Check out all the free activities and live music for kids.

Summer Beach Party
8/1/09
Huntington Beach, Huntington Reservation, Bay Village
• Cleveland Metroparks invites all “beach bums” to enjoy the “Summer Beach Party” event on Saturday, August 1 from 5pm to 11pm at Huntington Beach in Huntington Reservation in Bay Village. Beach-goers can enjoy an evening filled with fun in the late afternoon sun and even more excitement after the sunsets. From 5 to 8pm, families can enjoy a variety of games and activities in which prizes will be awarded. Activities include: a sand castle-building area for visitors, king of the beach volleyball, a fishing demonstration area, dive team exhibiting, and more!

Dive-In Movie III – “Freaky Friday”
8/7/09
Ledge Pool & Recreation Center, Hinckley Reservation, 1151 Ledge Road, Hinckley
216.635.3200, www.clevelandmetroparks.com

Bug City
8/8/09
Garfield Park Nature Center, Garfield Park Reservation, Garfield Heights
• Visitors of all ages are introduced to the cool world of insects.  Learn what insects do, why they are important and even what they taste like.  Tour the Bug House to view a wide variety of bug exhibits from Ohio to Africa.  Stop by the Garden District to learn about gardening to attract certain bugs with OSU Master Gardeners, and learn to identify each bug at the Bug IQ. And, enjoy bug cooking demonstrations, bug recipes and crafts at the Culinary Bugstitute. 

Shaker Woods Festival
8/8/09 – 8/9/09, 8/15/09 – 8/16/09, 8/22/09 – 8/23/09
Columbiana
• Visit the 27th Annual Shaker Woods Festival where you’ll watch as more than 200 of the country’s best juried craftspeople dress in Shaker period clothing while demonstrating and selling their remarkable handmade wares.

Feast of the Assumption
8/13/09 – 8/16/09
Little Italy, Cleveland
440.391.0386
• Whether you’re Italian or not, this festival is popular for all walks of life. There is a traditional religious processional through the ethnic neighborhood streets following a mass at the church. Crowds are enormous as it seems all of Northeast Ohio ascends on this little Italian-American community making it “Big Italy” if only for a few days. There is plenty of music, dancing, artwork, rides, and yes, great food.

Snakes, Turtles & Fun!
8/22/09
The Shelterhouse Picnic Area, South Chagrin Reservation, Bentleyville
• Discover the world of native Ohio reptiles by playing a giant reptile board game, walking through our Who’s Who Hall of Reptiles, crafts, learning from the experts, live music

Cleveland Dragon Boat Festival
8/29/09
West Bank of the Flats, Cleveland
• Stop by the West Bank of the Flats on the Cuyahoga River to experience the 2009 Cleveland Dragon Boat Festival. These unique 22-person boats race for approximately 500 meters, taking about 2 – 4 minutes to complete by a team working in unison. The Festival promotes the people and unique cultures of Cleveland’s Asian community. No admission fee for spectators.

Minor league baseball nights, Coventry’s street fairs, county fairs, biking events . . . we know there are plenty of free and cheap things to do. For more ways to save money in Cleveland Plus, link here. If you have other ideas, add them to our list by commenting on the blog.–submitted by Lexi Robinson-Hotchkiss, Communications