What a cool park with a scenic railway that comes through the area - waterfalls, woodlands and all…read morethe things you would expect for a national park to have - plus it's close to the city(ites) of Akron and Cleveland! I have driven through several times as I work in the area. It's a beautiful site and so refreshing to drink in the natural beauty and enjoy a fresh relief from work!

Cuyahoga Valley wasn't so much a National Park as it was a collection of overgrown back yards that…read moreyou had to drive between. The layout of the "park" makes it feel like a constellation of loosely connected pockets of nature in an otherwise developed suburb. I visited the major sites, including Brandywine Falls, Beaver Marsh, and the Ledges. They were fine, some decent hikes and views of different natural formations. Did I feel like I was seeing something truly unique, a natural wonder? No. Of the 20+ parks I've been to, Cuyahoga Valley struck me as the most ordinary and least cohesive experience thus far.

Never been to the CLE before? If you're in the downtown area, check this place out for all your…read moresouvenir needs. They have clothing, pens, pins for your jacket, postcards, wall-art, books, stickers. They even have clothing from the Rock Hall museum in case you didn't get anything there on your visit. Centrally located, you're right in the heart of Cleveland with many shops, restaurants, bar, the pavillion arcade mall nearby. You're within walking distance to the Progressive Ball park and the stadium where the Cleveland Cavaliers play. I enjoy my time in CLE. I always say "I'm going to move here." We shall see... See you some more on Yelp 2026

This marks my 700th Yelp Review…read more What an amazing experience. Customer service is amazing and they were full of ideas. I went in as I was looking for some suggestion after many trips to CLE and seeing what I felt the main attractions. We talked through all we had seen on other trips and came up with some awesome suggestion. I left with a small "to go" bag with maps, brochures, and even a thing of Lip Balm and hand sanitizer. I would absolutely recommend a visit. Parking - we couldn't find parking on Euclid and parked on Prospect Avenue and an app meter street parking spot. We had a pleasant short walk through the East 4th Street Pedestrian Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA). It connects Euclid and Prospect Avenues. (Yelp review #700!)

Gorgeous waterfall within Cuyahoga Valley Nat.Park, second most photographed (after Brandywine)…read morecan be reached by steep Buckeye Trail from Boston Mill Visitor Center. Pictured in a late summer..

One of my bucket list falls has finally been checked off -- Blue Hen Falls! It's quite a hike but,…read morepersonally, worthwhile for a nature lover like myself. It's not a huge fall but, definitely a beautiful, scenic view and easy to miss. GPS will definitely guide you directly to the fall but, it guides you right above the fall.

This significantly exceeded my expectations. This place is either new, or really well-maintained…read more There are trails, and bike trails, and the canal remnants, and an entire house/tavern/shop that has been converted into a museum with all this information about the canals. There were rangers here and they were super friendly and helpful, and good with kids. I hate people and I was thoroughly impressed. We got to see a snapping turtle laying eggs, and there's an actual lock that was restored so you can basically see exactly how it works. I bet they move that thing sometimes to show people. I didn't ask them to, but I bet they do.

The Canal Exploration Center is a great stop in Cuyahoga Valley. It does, however, have limited…read morehours so be sure to check in advance. The location is very neat - it is housed inside of a historic shop & tavern and now features two floors of exhibits and a small gift shop. They have also fully restored Lock 38 that sits right outside of the center, and it is neat to go out and take a look at this, as well. The staff here were really kind and helpful, and we enjoyed chatting with them. There is a nice combo of reading, video, and interactive elements to the exhibits here.

Im from the Dayton area but came near Cleveland on my hubby's work trip. I met up with ol friends…read morehere to walk and catch up after 18 yrs apart. Weather was absolutely gorgeous low 70s sunny no bugs no mud. I had never been here and they hadn't done the trails with the rock ledges and caves. We started with the easy meadow loops then went in the woods. The trail in the woods wasn't marked and there were times it was questionable which way to go. I regretted not bringing a stick or hiking poles for the woods but all turned out great. Nice park! I saw in a review someone complained dogs weren't allowed but I think that was just certain trails because several were walking with dogs.

Today we walked in the woods a ways, then walked the paved circle path through field. We stopped at…read morethe Nature Center. Here you can get snow shoes, brochures, play Chess, sit near the fire place, play games. In aquariums are a snake and turtle. There are a few hands-on activities. Next door is an open shelter house with a fireplace you can reserve. Restrooms are plentiful. This is a nice park with trail signs. Plenty of parking.

I enjoyed visiting here, but it would appear that setting up an appointment is the preferred method…read moreof getting into a tour of the area. They did accept me and allowed me to be in another group. The tour was nice and informative. I was a bit surprised the tour ended in the middle of the compound and the sisters just walked away without saying goodbye or inviting us back to the visitor center.

We attended the Full Moon Hike at Wellington Reservation on Monday night, and it was absolutely…read morebeautiful. My daughter and I went together, and it was such a relaxing and refreshing experience. We walked about a mile up to the hill and watched the moon come up, which honestly felt magical. There were lightning bugs all around us, almost like little fairies, and the whole setting felt peaceful and secluded. The group was small, which made it even nicer, and the park ranger leading the hike was so sweet and did a wonderful job. I wish I had gotten her name because she really made the experience feel welcoming and special. I loved the property, and we will definitely be back to hike there again. Such a beautiful park and such a memorable night.

Paddling trip My…read morehusband and I did a glow paddle one night. They need to be booked in advance since spots are limited but all seemed reasonably priced. They helped us get fitted with jackets and kayas. Offering singles and doubles. The lake was great to paddle on and much larger than it looks. We were able to see so many animals - bald eagle, heron, fish, bats, etc. Plus Lexie was a great guide!

One of my favorite places to walk, run and bike. Every time I am in the area, the towpath is a…read moremust. I have been fortunate to see beavers, herons, redwing blackbirds and many other beautiful creatures. Everyone that I pass is always friendly. I always feel safe- especially when I see trail ambassadors.

Don't get fat with your corporate coworkers. Walk down the hill away from the salty restaurants and…read morepeople. You might see a duck or a heron in the canal. Or a Wooly Bear that will tell you how the coming winter will be.

Lucky to have access to a great park system. Even in the winter months, the access, paths, and…read morescenery are great. Always wildlife to observe. Clean facilities.

I visited Strawberry Picnic Area at North Chagrin Reservation over the weekend for a picnic. I have…read morebeen to this nature reservation multiple times, and always enjoy my experiences. It's one of my favorite local nature reserves. There are always a lot of groups in this area enjoying picnic tables and pavilion. The picnic area itself is well-kept and welcoming, with plenty of space to relax, enjoy a meal, or simply sit and take in nature. The meadow at the entrance has 2 convenient tables. The pavilion nestled more in the park has many picnic tables, grill, and fire place. It accommodates large parties. I have seen a lot of big groups have different holiday celebrations or just gather on a sunny day. What I enjoy the most is the space between picnic tables and inside the pavilion to offer privacy to various groups and a space to roam. The reservation also has a lot of great trails. They're far enough from the road to offer a serene experience. As I walked along the quiet paths and took in the scenic views around Strawberry Pond, I felt an immediate sense of calm. The sounds of birds calling and leaves rustling in the breeze added to the tranquil atmosphere. The bathrooms are conveniently available at the entrance. They are a little gross but available. The parking lot is pretty spacious. The picnic area is very easy to find, just follow the signage or your GPS. Whether you're walking the nearby trails or just lounging with family or friends, this place feels like a hidden gem. Overall, my time at Strawberry Picnic Area reminded me of the importance of reconnecting with nature and making space for simple, quiet moments. It's a place I'd return to in any season. I'll be back again in a few weeks.

Kathy is top notch! My partner and I will never go to anyone else for help planning vacations. She…read moretakes everything into consideration when developing your travel plans. Communication is a strength of Kathy, as is customer service. We first had Kathy help us plan a winter getaway. She took our wishlist and found the perfect resort in Punta Cana. We were so happy with Kathy's service that we went right back when we planned an Ireland and London vacation. She is extremely knowledgeable and truly wants you to have the best experience possible. Although we have not met Kathy in person, she feels like a friend. That's the kind of genuine service you'll get when you go with Kathy.

Kathy from Travel Connex helped me plan my Disney vacation for my family of four to the Art of…read moreAnimation and it was fabulous! I am not much of a traveler and a Disney vacation takes a tremendous amount of planning so I felt that I needed the help of an expert. I certainly found that in Kathy. I sent her countless emails over several months to iron out all the details of my vacation but the result was better than I could have ever imagined. My husband and I and our 6 year old twins had the vacation of a life time!! We visited all the Disney Parks and truly enjoyed our week in Orlando. Thanks Kathy and when we plan our next trip we will be sure to contact you.