Top Drop Shadow
Home > Activities > Cuyahoga County Activities

Activities

Cuyahoga County Section

Welcome to the Canalway

 — Cuyahoga County Section

Birding along the shores of Lake Erie, sight-seeing in University Circle, exploring nature at seven Cleveland Metroparks reservations, getting up close to elephants at the Zoo or exploring the start of the Towpath Trail & Scenic Rail running through our Top 10 National Park — the Cuyahoga County section offers an amazing array of cultural, historical, recreational and natural fun!

Take a look below and head over to the Canalway activity of your choice — Bicycling, Hiking, Questing, Birdwatching and so much more!

Not quite sure where to start? Pick a Canalway Sampler and be on your way. Each Sampler shares a favorite Canalway outing from one of our local experts! 

Traveling in the Canalway

 
  • The Towpath Trail offers fun travels by bike and on foot! The northernmost Towpath Trailhead can be found here — the first stop on an 81+ mile journey south.
  • Have you heard about Bike Aboard! Bike Aboard! will resume full service in August. For more information on the Akron/Canton service please visit www.cvsr.com. This popular Scenic Rail and National Park program lets you bike the Towpath Trail one way and ride back on the train the other for $3. Don’t worry – volunteers lift and load the bikes for you! Head to Bicycling and learn more.
  • Driving through the Canalway is made easier by following the signed America’s Byway route to key Canalway locations.

Things To Do - Start your adventures!

Bicycling Cleveland has been named one of the top 50 bike-friendly cities in America. Head over to the Towpath Trail to start your journey in the Cleveland Metroparks — at Harvard Road, just east of Jennings — the northernmost Trailhead in the Canalway.

Questing Try our new outdoor adventure series. Two Quests are available in Cuyahoga County — a great way to spend an afternoon!

Photography A day starting with the scenic overlook at Cleveland Metroparks Tinkers Creek Gorge — a National Natural Landmark — might be just the thing!

Bird Watching & Wildlife Cleveland Metroparks Naturalist Jen Brumfield has highlighted seven of our area’s favorite spots for you to discover from the shores of Lake Erie to Metroparks Reservations.

Family Outings Look it’s a bird, and another bird and there’s a beaver! Outings are naturally fun in the Canalway whether traveling along the Towpath or visiting the new African Elephant Crossing exhibit at the Cleveland Zoo!

Heritage Find your inner historian, from the Rock Hall of Fame and the Mather Museum to canal-era history & industrial roots at the Leonard Krieger Canalway Center in the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation. Or point your cultural tuning fork towards beautiful University Circle – home to a multitude of museums and gardens.

On Foot Whether seeing history come to life on “Take a Hike” tours in downtown Cleveland, running in any one of the Towpath Trilogy events, or finding a lunchtime getaway along the Towpath near Thornburg Station — there’s so much waiting for you...

Rails The northernmost terminus for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s 51-mile Canalway journey can be found at the Rockside Station. However, it’s closed until mid-summer for improvements. Head one stop south to the Canal Visitor Center on Canal Road.

Byway Driving North of Canal Road and Granger – you can follow three signed routes on the America’s Byway — through working steel mills, Cleveland’s Public Square, or along the historic route running past the West Side market. South of Granger, on Canal Road, follow the signs to key Canalway sites all the way to our southern border.

Winter Activities Check back – we have plenty of ways to make winter fun.

Welcome! We hope you enjoy your journey.

Welcome! We hope you enjoy your journey.
© Gigi Muir

Canalway Samplers See All »

  • A Countryside Market Saturday - Taking it Old School!
    A Countryside Market Saturday - Taking it Old School!

    Dates: Winter & Spring Saturdays - 9 a.m. - Noon Nov. 17th, Dec. 8 & 22, Jan 26, Feb 9 & 23, March 9 & 23, April 6 & 27 Enjoy fresh food in winter and support local farmers, Grab lunch while you’re there, and then  Head over to the Towpath Trail for a brisk winter’s walk.  On snow-covered days, bring your cross-country skis for a great Towpath experience! Looking for fresh food and warm times during a long Canalway Winter? Head on over to the Countryside Winter Farmers Mark... More »

Did You Know? See All »

  • A Towpath was a Towing Path

    A Towpath was a Towing Path Bicyclists and walkers on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail today follow the same path that in the 1800s was used by mules and mule-drivers to pull canal boats—with some exceptions. Canal Fever , KSU Press, 2009 More »

Events in Cuyahoga See All »

Oct 13 Sun.
10/13/2013 - 10/13/2013
8:00 AM | Varies by race
1556 Boston Mills Road, Boston, OH 44264
Oct 06 Sun.
10/6/2013 - 10/6/2013
7:45 a.m. | $40
13512 Station Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141
Jun 29 Sat.
6/29/2013 - 6/29/2013
10:00 AM
6105 Riverview Road, Peninsula, OH 44264
Jun 09 Sun.
6/9/2013 - 6/9/2013
7:45 a.m. | $40
13512 Station Road, Brecksville, OHio 44141
Jun 07 Fri.
6/7/2013 - 6/9/2013
1:00 AM
1600 W Mill Street, Peninsula, OH 44264
May 25 Sat.
5/25/2013 - 5/27/2013
11:00 AM
7900 Old Rockside Road, Independence, OH 44131
Top Drop Shadow