Museums in Cleveland, Cleveland

Museums in Cleveland (Self Guided), Cleveland

Cleveland, Ohio, boasts a rich cultural scene, with a variety of museums comprising some of the best in the American Mid-West, catering to a wide range of interests.

Among these, the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA) stands out as a hub for modern and contemporary art enthusiasts. MOCA features thought-provoking exhibitions, showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists. Its sleek, avant-garde architecture complements the innovative art within.

For those with an appreciation for art of a different era, the Reinberger Galleries within the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) – not to be confused with the other CIA;) – and the Cleveland Museum of Art offer vast collections that span centuries and continents. From ancient artifacts to European masterpieces, these institutions provide a comprehensive art experience. They also regularly host temporary exhibitions.

If you're an automobile or aviation enthusiast, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum is a must-visit. Located within the Western Reserve Historical Society Center, this museum showcases a stunning collection of vintage cars and aircraft. It's a journey through time, allowing you to marvel at the evolution of transportation.

For a more educational experience, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History provides a captivating exploration of the natural world. Dinosaur fossils, gemstones, and interactive exhibits engage visitors of all ages, making it an ideal destination for families and science enthusiasts.

If the arts, history, or science are among your strong passions, do make time to visit these cultural gems! Embark on this self-guided journey of discovery and explore Cleveland’s extraordinary museums now!
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Museums in Cleveland Map

Guide Name: Museums in Cleveland
Guide Location: USA » Cleveland (See other walking tours in Cleveland)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 5
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Author: Chris
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland
  • Reinberger Galleries
  • Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
  • Cleveland Museum of Natural History
  • Cleveland Museum of Art
1
Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland

1) Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland

The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, better known as MOCA, was founded in 1968 by Marjorie Talalay, Agnes Gund and Nina Castelli Sundell as the New Gallery. It was renamed the Cleveland Center for Contemporary Art in 1984. In 1990 the museum moved to its present location and in 2002 got its present name. Works by such artists as Andy Warhol, Christo and Claes Oldenburg are shown regularly, and past exhibits have featured art by Jim Hodges and Hildur Ásgeirsdóttir Jónsson, among others.

The museum has a special focus on artists from Greater Cleveland and Northeastern Ohio. During the course of its three annual exhibition seasons, MOCA presents works by emerging local artists through the PULSE series and works by local female artists under 30 through the Wendy L. Moore Emerging Artist Series.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
2
Reinberger Galleries

2) Reinberger Galleries

The Cleveland Institute of Art is a private college of art and design located in University Circle. Founded in 1882 as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women, from 1891 to 1948 it was named the Cleveland School of Art. The CIA's Reinberger Galleries offer free changing art exhibits, events and lectures. Visiting artists often present slide lectures and symposia. There is also a Student Coffee House gallery in the McCullough Center for the Visual Arts.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
3
Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum

3) Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum

The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, in University Circle, is part of the Western Reserve Historical Society. Founded by industrialist Frederick C. Crawford of TRW in 1965, the collection began as the Thompson Products Auto Album. Its eclectic collection of classic vehicles includes a replica of an 1890s Cleveland main street, antique carriages, early Harley Davidson motorcycles, a Willys Custom Sedan and a P-51 Mustang racing plane used in the National Air Races.

The oldest car in the collection is an 1897 Panhard et Levassor and the most modern car is a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser concept coupe. As of 2009 the museum has 34 cars over 100 years old, the largest such collection in the world. One of the rarest cars in its collection is an aluminum bodied 1932 prototype Peerless designed by Frank Hershey, which was never put into production and was the last passenger vehicle made in Cleveland.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
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Cleveland Museum of Natural History

4) Cleveland Museum of Natural History

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum located approximately five miles (8 km) east of downtown Cleveland. The museum was established in 1920 to perform research, education and development of collections in the fields of anthropology, archaeology, astronomy, botany, geology, paleontology, wildlife biology, and zoology.

Donald Johanson was the curator of the museum when he discovered "Lucy," the skeletal remains of the ancient hominid Australopithecus afarensis. The current Curator and Head of the Physical Anthropology Department is Yohannes Haile-Selassie. In 2002, the new Fannye Shafran Planetarium was built near the entrance to the museum, containing displays on the planets in the Solar System, and historical instruments of exploration, such as compasses and astrolabes.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
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Cleveland Museum of Art

5) Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art has 15 departments including Chinese Art, Modern European Art, Greek & Roman Art, Medieval Art, Decorative Art & Design, Photography and Contemporary Art. Significant works include Caravaggio, El Greco, Poussin, Rubens, Goya, J.M.W. Turner, Dalí, Matisse, Renoir, Gauguin, Church, Corot, Monet, van Gogh, Picasso and Bellows. It has been active recently in acquiring late 20th century art, having added important works by Warhol, Pollock, Christo, Kiefer, Richter, Clemente, Kossoff, Close, Mangold, Tansey and LeWitt, among others.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.

Walking Tours in Cleveland, Ohio

Create Your Own Walk in Cleveland

Create Your Own Walk in Cleveland

Creating your own self-guided walk in Cleveland is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Little Italy Walking Tour

Little Italy Walking Tour

Whether you’re new to the Cleveland area or a lifelong resident, there’s plenty to explore in the dynamic “Forest City.” And if you’ve never been to local Little Italy, you’re in for a treat. Apart from historical landmarks and delicious plates of pasta, in this lovely urban enclave you will find plenty of culture.

One of the neighborhood's central features is the Holy Rosary...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Cleveland Introduction Walking Tour

Cleveland Introduction Walking Tour

The City of Cleveland dates back to 1796 when the Connecticut Land Company laid out the area into a township. They named the new town after their leader, General Moses Cleaveland.

With its waterfront location, the city became a major center for trade and commerce over the next few decades. When the railroad arrived in the area in the mid-19th century, the town began to evolve into a central...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles