It’s finally the season of pleasant, sunny Ohio days, and Clevelanders are taking full advantage of it. With so many local opportunities for adventure, every day has the potential to become a new experience. Some locations, Clevelanders have discovered, are so endlessly enchanting that they seem to be right out of a movie. Whether you are looking for a spot for senior portraits, wedding pictures, landscape photography, or just an awesome selfie, there’s a location close to home that’s sure to dazzle you. Grab your cameras and let’s hit the road!
- The Cleveland Cultural Gardens, 750 East 88th Street, Cleveland
Stu_spivack/Flickr Did you know that you may find yourself face-to-face with the likes of William Shakespeare and Mahatma Ghandi in Cleveland? Well, nestled within the bounds of Rockefeller Park are the likenesses of more than sixty historical figures. They make their homes across 30-some distinct gardens, which frequently host celebrations and concerts. There is much to entertain the eye (and the lens) in this urban escape.
- Blue Hen Falls, 500 West Streetsboro Road, Peninsula
David Fulmer/Wikimedia Commons The entirety of Peninsula is dazzling, but this epic waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley National Park will leave you speechless. Hike the half mile Haskell Run Trail to find this hidden wonder. Stay a moment and drink in this scenic wonderland.
- St. Casimir Church, 8223 Sowinski Avenue, Cleveland
Owen M. Dabek/Wikimedia Commons One odd side effect of living in Cleveland is that we eventually come to expect exquisite architecture around every corner, as we encounter it everywhere we turn in our beloved city. Some stunning buildings, like St. Casimir, overflow with elegant fine details.
- Edgewater Marina, 6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland
Erik Drost/Wikimedia Commons Admire the majestic vessels of Lake Erie where they dock at this picturesque Lake Erie site. With stellar views of the Cleveland skyline and lake effect clouds, your camera will love this location.
- The Arcade, 401 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
Adam Jones/Wikimedia Commons The Arcade is an elegant Victorian structure featuring an impressive 300-foot skylight. The Arcade solidified its historical significance when it opened its doors as one of the earliest American shopping malls in 1890. Today it carries on that tradition with food vendors and merchants occupying the spaces of its lower levels. This location features grandeur and unusual angles that your inner photographer will swoon over.
- Peter B. Lewis Building, 11119 Bellflower Road, Cleveland
Daderot/Wikimedia Commons If you are seeking flying buttresses and grand granite facades, you will be sorely let down. However, if you are looking for the weirdest monument to local eccentricity, you have just found the perfect site. This unusual building is home to Case Western Reserve’s Weatherhead School of Management, and it was designed by celebrated architect Frank Gehry.
- Riverside Cemetery, 3607 Pearl Road, Cleveland
Tim Evanson/Flickr Riverside is a historic cemetery founded in 1876. It features stunning Gothic Revival gems among its sprawling 102.5 acres. With around 56,500 burials, there are countless stunning structures on this lovely piece of land.
- Fountain of Eternal Life, 3 Public Square, Cleveland
Ricky Rhodes/Wikimedia Commons Within Veterans’ Memorial Plaza is a stunning likeness of a man rising out of the flames of war. This awe-inspiring fountain pays homage to those served, and especially to those who died or were declared missing while serving. This work of art is even more spectacular at night, when it is bathed in a warm orange glow from the recently revitalized Public Square area.
- Wade Memorial Chapel, 12316 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
CoffeeDoc03/Wikimedia Commons This Neoclassical structure is one of the many breathtaking structures of Cleveland’s famed Lakeview Cemetery. This lovely chapel, which was constructed in honor of the founder of the Western Union Telegraph, is treasured for its glass-encrusted interior designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
- The Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland
Franchécomte/Wikimedia Commons When you enter Cleveland’s most extravagant museum, it is easy to get lost in the beauty of its exhibits. Did you know, though, that the museum is photography-friendly? While flash, additional lighting, tripods, selfie sticks, and other things that may interfere with visitors’ experience are prohibited, handheld photography is allowed. As a bonus, the grounds surrounding the museum are simply stunning.
- Museum of Divine Statues, 12905 Madison Avenue, Lakewood
Museum of Divine Statues/Facebook Historic and eccentric Lakewood makes the perfect home to retired religious statues. Open only from 12 to 4 p.m. on Sundays, a visit to this location is well worth the $10 general admission fee. As with the Museum of Art, avoid using flash or tripods around these historic artifacts.
- The Politician: A Toy, Chester Avenue and East 18th Street, Cleveland
Balaji.sukumaran/Wikimedia Commons This icon is truly an odd piece of Cleveland history. This 42-foot sculpture/political statement was created by Billie Lawless in the mid-90’s, and it found a new home on the campus of Cleveland State University in 2009. It is a kinetic statue, complete with a moving mouth and wheels. It’s just one of many features that enhance the artistic atmosphere of CSU and make it a fabulous location for photography projects of all kinds.
Cleveland seems to be in a constant state of change, due to both road construction or revitalization projects. However, one thing remains consistent: we live in an amazingly picturesque place. Where is your favorite Cleveland backdrop? Let us know in the comments, and please share some of your photos; we’d love to see Cleveland through your lens!
Stu_spivack/Flickr
Did you know that you may find yourself face-to-face with the likes of William Shakespeare and Mahatma Ghandi in Cleveland? Well, nestled within the bounds of Rockefeller Park are the likenesses of more than sixty historical figures. They make their homes across 30-some distinct gardens, which frequently host celebrations and concerts. There is much to entertain the eye (and the lens) in this urban escape.
David Fulmer/Wikimedia Commons
The entirety of Peninsula is dazzling, but this epic waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley National Park will leave you speechless. Hike the half mile Haskell Run Trail to find this hidden wonder. Stay a moment and drink in this scenic wonderland.
Owen M. Dabek/Wikimedia Commons
One odd side effect of living in Cleveland is that we eventually come to expect exquisite architecture around every corner, as we encounter it everywhere we turn in our beloved city. Some stunning buildings, like St. Casimir, overflow with elegant fine details.
Erik Drost/Wikimedia Commons
Admire the majestic vessels of Lake Erie where they dock at this picturesque Lake Erie site. With stellar views of the Cleveland skyline and lake effect clouds, your camera will love this location.
Adam Jones/Wikimedia Commons
The Arcade is an elegant Victorian structure featuring an impressive 300-foot skylight. The Arcade solidified its historical significance when it opened its doors as one of the earliest American shopping malls in 1890. Today it carries on that tradition with food vendors and merchants occupying the spaces of its lower levels. This location features grandeur and unusual angles that your inner photographer will swoon over.
Daderot/Wikimedia Commons
If you are seeking flying buttresses and grand granite facades, you will be sorely let down. However, if you are looking for the weirdest monument to local eccentricity, you have just found the perfect site. This unusual building is home to Case Western Reserve’s Weatherhead School of Management, and it was designed by celebrated architect Frank Gehry.
Tim Evanson/Flickr
Riverside is a historic cemetery founded in 1876. It features stunning Gothic Revival gems among its sprawling 102.5 acres. With around 56,500 burials, there are countless stunning structures on this lovely piece of land.
Ricky Rhodes/Wikimedia Commons
Within Veterans’ Memorial Plaza is a stunning likeness of a man rising out of the flames of war. This awe-inspiring fountain pays homage to those served, and especially to those who died or were declared missing while serving. This work of art is even more spectacular at night, when it is bathed in a warm orange glow from the recently revitalized Public Square area.
CoffeeDoc03/Wikimedia Commons
This Neoclassical structure is one of the many breathtaking structures of Cleveland’s famed Lakeview Cemetery. This lovely chapel, which was constructed in honor of the founder of the Western Union Telegraph, is treasured for its glass-encrusted interior designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Franchécomte/Wikimedia Commons
When you enter Cleveland’s most extravagant museum, it is easy to get lost in the beauty of its exhibits. Did you know, though, that the museum is photography-friendly? While flash, additional lighting, tripods, selfie sticks, and other things that may interfere with visitors’ experience are prohibited, handheld photography is allowed. As a bonus, the grounds surrounding the museum are simply stunning.
Museum of Divine Statues/Facebook
Historic and eccentric Lakewood makes the perfect home to retired religious statues. Open only from 12 to 4 p.m. on Sundays, a visit to this location is well worth the $10 general admission fee. As with the Museum of Art, avoid using flash or tripods around these historic artifacts.
Balaji.sukumaran/Wikimedia Commons
This icon is truly an odd piece of Cleveland history. This 42-foot sculpture/political statement was created by Billie Lawless in the mid-90’s, and it found a new home on the campus of Cleveland State University in 2009. It is a kinetic statue, complete with a moving mouth and wheels. It’s just one of many features that enhance the artistic atmosphere of CSU and make it a fabulous location for photography projects of all kinds.
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