Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland is the second-largest city in Ohio and is often known as the birthplace of “rock and roll.” Here, visitors and residents alike enjoy beaches, breweries, performance arts, sports arenas, and so many other interesting activities that are well-known in the area. While there are many places to experience within the city itself, there is also a national park and a world-famous amusement park nearby, each located within an hour’s drive of the city. Finally, the Cleveland area is home to thirteen (as of now!) individual Harvest Hosts locations, each located within fifty miles of the city. In addition, we are constantly adding new locations to the program, so there will likely be even more locations to choose from in the future. Follow along as we explore some of the activities and the Harvest Hosts locations that this fantastic area has to offer.Be sure to visit these places in the Cleveland Area:
- The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
- West Side Market
- Great Lakes Science Center
- Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland
- Cedar Point
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Sandy Ridge Vineyard and Mercantile
- Paper Moon Vineyards
- Vermillion Valley Vineyards
- Whetsel Homestead
- Barrel Run Crossing Winery
- Halliday's Winery
- Midnight Rose Farm
- Grand River Cellars Winery
- Silver Crest Cellars
- Rainbow Farm
- Virant Family Winery
- Deer's Leap Winery and Restaurant
- The Winery at Spring Hill and Spring Hill Cider
Fun Activities in and around Cleveland
There are so many interesting and fun activities in and around Cleveland, leaving something for everyone in your crew to enjoy. Below are some of the most popular choices within the city, as well as two exciting attractions about an hour away from Cleveland. No matter what it is that you like to do on vacation, you are sure to find something here to see or experience.
In 1985, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation chose Cleveland as the site of its future museum, which then opened its doors in 1995 after two years of construction. Over twenty-five years later, the foundation remains dedicated to teaching, engaging, and inspiring others by bringing the power of rock and roll to life. Today the museum continues to offer world-class exhibits, showcasing the history, impact, and greatness of the rock and roll genre.
Established in 1917, Cleveland Metroparks spans over 24,000 acres of land in the Cleveland area, covering trails, golf courses, lakefronts, and the zoo. The zoo itself has been open for over two decades and strives to protect wildlife from around the world through conservation. They are open at various times throughout the year and offer memberships, programs, and occasional events. This is an excellent place to take the whole family when visiting the Cleveland area.
West Side Market is the oldest public market in Cleveland, offering over 100 vendors selling produce, seafood, meats, baked goods, ready-to-eat foods, dairy products, nuts, spices, and flowers. It began as an open-air market in 1840, eventually constructing a main building in 2004. Nowadays, each year, over one million guests from all over the world visit the market to experience the open market and enjoy the incredible foods. It is a quintessential Cleveland experience that is not to be missed.
The Great Lakes Science Center strives to be a place where science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) come alive. Through exhibits, a theater, camps, and events, they bring the world of STEM to their local community and to anyone who visits the state-of-the-art center. They offer general tickets and ticket packages for groups and/or theater access. This is an awesome stop for science and math lovers of all ages in the Cleveland area.
Our final recommended place within the city of Cleveland is the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa). As the only contemporary art museum of the area, moCa is constantly changing, introducing brand-new exhibits at least three times per year to create new experiences for both first-time and seasoned visitors alike. Since its opening in 1968, moCa has showcased the work of over 2,000 different artists, ranging from famous artists such as Andy Warhol to brand-new artists displaying their first-ever show. No matter when you visit the museum, you are sure to be dazzled by the exciting and fresh exhibits and incredible programs offered throughout the year.
Leaving the city itself, travelers can find Cedar Point, a world-class amusement park located just about an hour east of Cleveland. If you are camping in or nearby Cleveland, this makes for an awesome day trip choice. If you are leaving the city in your RV, Cedar Point also offers a fantastic campground, with pricing bundles that include both the campground and park admission. The park itself offers eighteen incredible roller casters, as well as three separate areas filled with rides and attractions for families and children. In addition, they offer an incredible water park in the warmer months, making this a favorite Cleveland area destination in the spring, summer and fall seasons.
Just thirty minutes south of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley is one of America’s sixty-three incredible national parks. The park serves as a refuge for many species of plants and wildlife, while also providing a scenic landscape of rivers, forests, farmlands, and hills for park visitors. Park guests typically enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, paddling, backpacking, horseback riding, picnicking, and many other activities while visiting. There are no campgrounds within park boundaries, but there are many private campgrounds and some Harvest Hosts locations nearby.
Harvest Hosts Locations
As mentioned above, the following thirteen Harvest Hosts locations are each located within fifty miles of the city of Cleveland. They are listed below in order from west to east for your convenience.
Sandy Ridge Vineyards and Mercantile opened its doors in 2018 with a focus on community, wine, and food. The location is a neighborhood gathering space, highlighting the farm’s history as an agricultural hub, and now spotlighting viticulture and wine. Community events include seasonal farmers markets, concerts, antique car shows, wine and food events, and maker workshops. In addition to incredible wines, cocktails, and bottled and canned beers. Sandy Ridge also offers an impressive food menu with dips, salads, charcuterie, seafood, desserts, and many fantastic entrees to choose from. They offer six pet-friendly spaces for RVs of any size.
Just east of Sandy Ridge lies Paper Moon Vineyards. The winemakers here brew seven varieties of white wine and seven varieties of red wine, with one homemade rosé wine, and their own craft cider, as well. In addition to delicious wines, they offer local beers, non-alcoholic beverages, and a menu of light fares, such as charcuterie, appetizers, soups, salads, pizza, paninis, and desserts. They offer a large outdoor lawn space, fire pit, gift shop, and opportunities for hiking and wildlife on their wooded property. Hours vary throughout the year, so be sure to check their website or host profile page for more details. Currently, they offer four pet-friendly spaces for RVs of any size.
Located nearby the first two wineries, Vermilion Valley Vineyards is an estate winery set into the rural landscape of the Vermilion River Watershed. They offer a unique assortment of white, red, and fruit wines, with over twenty-three estate varietals available. Their scenic property also features a gift shop and opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and U-pick blueberries in season. The owners have a deep commitment to sustainably farming and producing wines, and this shows in every aspect of their business. They currently offer two spaces for RVs of any size.
4. Whetsel Homestead - Norton, OH
Whetsel Holmestead is a small hobby farm located about fifteen minutes west of Akron. They have mowed nature trails to walk, a fire ring to sit by (bring your own wood), a large playground for kids, a picnic table, and a catch and release pond (bring your own rod/reel & bait). There's also a large metro park, Silver Creek, located about two miles from the homestead with horse trails, hiking, fishing, and swimming in the summer. In addition, they offer free WiFi and have some products available seasonally, which may include free-range eggs, raw honey, maple syrup, jam, and applesauce, all sourced on site. They have one pet-friendly space available for an RV under forty-four feet in size.
5. Barrel Run Crossing Winery - Rootstown, OH
Barrel Run Crossing Winery and Vineyard is a meticulous eleven-acre vineyard in a scenic, rural setting. They offer handcrafted wines made from their own grapes, along with a menu of locally-grown and produced foods. Menu items include appetizers, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, salads, and dessert. Currently, they offer five pet-friendly spaces for RVs of any size, along with free WiFi.
Halliday’s Winery is a beautiful winery offering views of Lake Milton in a serene setting. In addition to a variety of reds, whites, fruit wines, and sangria, they also offer beer and a menu of light fares. These include appetizers, sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, and desserts. They offer a golf course, fishing opportunities, and live music on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as monthly themed events. Because of its unique offerings and awesome location, this Harvest Hosts is a member favorite and is not to be missed. They offer four pet-friendly spaces for RVs of any size.
7. Midnight Rose Farm - Thompson, OH
Midnight Rose Farm is a rather unique working farm that focuses on flowers, the farm-to-table movement, and their summer monarch butterfly hatchery. Their farm has farm-fresh eggs and honey available all year long, and, in season they have fresh produce and a U-pick flower operation. When available, they also offer butterfly hatchery information tours and butterfly releases to guests. They offer one pet-friendly space for an RV under twenty-nine feet in length.
Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant is located in the heart of the beautiful Grand River Valley Wine Region, where the four seasons are perfect for grape growing and wine drinking. Here, visitors can sip on a glass of wine on the outside patio among the colorful trees of the surrounding woodland or cozy up to the fireplace inside the winery. The interior dining room offers a cozy atmosphere during the week and transforms into a more upscale dinner club on the weekends. Their menu includes food items such as appetizers, pretzels, sandwiches, salads, pizzas, burgers, entrees, and a variety of desserts. They offer two pet-friendly spaces for RVs under forty-four feet in length.
Located in the Grand River Valley, Silver Crest Cellars is one of the newest additions to the locally grown wine scene in Northeast Ohio. Founded by local grape growers, this winery uses grapes from their family vineyards which date back as far as the 1930s, in addition to grapes grown by other local vineyard owners. This Harvest Hosts location is located just 700 feet north of the Riverview Park walking trail system along the Grand River. In addition to selling their fantastic wine varietals on site, Silver Crest Cellars also ships wine to forty states nationwide. Currently, they offer two pet-friendly spaces for RVs of any size.
10. Rainbow Farm- Madison, OH
Rainbow Farms is a first-generation, family-owned and operated farm, purchased in 1983 by Larry and Tina Klco. They operate a farm market between Monday and Saturday from May through October offer. They also offer several U-pick options seasonally, including strawberries, raspberries, currants, blueberries, blackberries, tomatoes, and peppers. In addition, they have many more produce options available at their farm store and market. Furthermore, the property is scenic and peaceful, and the location has nearly ninety positive reviews from previous visitors. Currently, they offer four pet-friendly spaces for RVs under forty-four feet in length.
11. Virant Family Winery - Geneva, OH
The Virant Family Winery is located just a short distance from beautiful Lake Erie. They have Friday and Saturday night dinners each week, with wine and a limited food menu available on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Their food menu features items such as cheeseburgers and fries, chicken, appetizers, charcuterie, and more. Their Friday and Saturday night menu features upscale, more exclusive options such as shrimp, steak, and ribs. Finally, their outdoor seating area features picnic tables and a viewing deck for ultimate relaxation. They offer two pet-friendly spaces for RVs of any size.
12. Deer’s Leap Winery and Restaurant - Geneva, OH
As Geneva’s newest winery, Deer’s Leap offers a casual atmosphere with a covered deck and a spacious showroom. With thirty-five years of experience, international award-winning winemaker Robert Bostwick welcomes visitors to enjoy his incredible wines. In addition to wine, Deer’s Leap also serves lunch and dinner each day, as well as brunch on Sundays. Also, they offer water, electric, and WiFi, and they have a total of four pet-friendly spaces for RVs of any size.
This unique winery and cidery offers housemade wine, hand-crafted cider, and amazing food all in one beautiful location. They have twenty-two total wines and a handful of ciders to try, plus local craft beer, offering something for everyone. In the summer, they are open from Wednesday through Sunday, with live music offered on Friday and Saturday nights. Their menu includes foods such as appetizers, pizza, burgers, soups, salads, and desserts, all of which previous guests have enjoyed. Finally, they offer three pet-friendly spaces for RVs of any size.
As you can see, the Cleveland area has so many incredible Harvest Hosts locations to choose from. Whether you are from this part of the country or are simply passing through, there is always an awesome farm or winery for you to choose from. Consider one of these hosts and some of the activities shared here on your next trip to Cleveland, Ohio.
