My friend Frank Ortzen-Abbott, who owns the Harrington House & Gardens (along with his lovey and talented wife Rebecca), is a native of Nottingham (that’s in England for all you Warrenites who think a trip to Vegas is international travel) and he is trying to get a school in Nottingham to consider a student swap for a month or so with a local kid.

He thought it might improve his chances if he gave them a list of all the things he could find to do within a 100 mile radius of Courthouse Square. Frank solicited suggestions and compiled an impressive list which seems worth sharing. So here it is. Feel free to comment or add suggestions.

NE Ohio

Octagon Trails at Virginia Kendal Park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Brandywine falls

Nelson Ledges (above)

Elm Road Drive in

Ghost walk

River rock at the amp

Packard music-hall

Wineries

Cedar point (amusement/water park)

Opera Cleveland – Presents opera, operettas and the best of American musicals in extraordinary productions at the spectacular State Theatre in Playhouse Square.

Nautica Entertainment Complex – A mixed use waterfront development located on the West Bank of Cleveland’s Flats. The river front complex currently includes the Nautica Stage (a 4,100 seat outdoor amphitheater), the Powerhouse, the Sugar Warehouse, the Nautica Queen, the former U.S. Coast Guard Station, and the Brewer-Chilcote building— all located along the Cuyahoga River.

I-X Indoor Amusement Park – Held at the International Exposition (I-X) Center in Cleveland, the I-X Indoor Amusement Park is completely indoors spanning over 20 acres and offering over 150 rides, games, and attractions to provide lots of high-flying, belly-turning rides and attractions, as well as live entertainment for guests of all ages.

Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom – Get Set To Get Wet! No matter where parents are on the adventuresome spectrum, they usually find plenty of wet, fun things to do at Wildwater Kingdom. Of course, there’s always the option of just kicking back in a lounge chair or in a private cabana with a tall cool beverage and a snack.

Historic Roscoe Village – Take a step back in time to Historic Roscoe Village, a 19th century Living History Community. History comes alive as costumed interpreters escort you along red brick paths and historical buildings. Experience a modern exhibit hall with intricate dioramas featuring the construction of the Erie canal, see a working mini lock model, journey to the Village Blacksmith and witness the forging of iron t

Canton Classic Car Museum – More than just a building filled with classic automobiles. The museum also houses a unique array of memorabilia that reflects a nation in transition. Cars from the past, clothing that reveals the fashions of the times, along with photographs and other collector items fill a building that can be, in itself, called a historical site.

Great Lakes Science Center – More than 340 interactive exhibits available for you to see, touch, and explore on 3 floors make the Great Lakes Science Center one of the largest science museums in the U.S.

Kent State University Museum – Housed in Rockwell Hall, the original University Library, the Museum contains important collections of costume and decorative arts. Its nine galleries feature changing exhibitions of work by many of the world’s great artists and designers.

Library of the Western Reserve Historical Society – A principal repository for histories, records, and papers relating to the growth and development of Cleveland and the Western Reserve. Many patrons visit to learn about their family’s history; and important archival collections include urban, African American, ethnic, Jewish, and Labor histories.

Akron Art Museum – Located in the heart of downtown Akron, the Akron Art Museum’s walls are filled with exciting pieces, from folk art and photography to sculptures and paintings.

Allen Memorial Art Museum – Ranked among the finest college or university collections in the nation, and is one of the greatest cultural assets of Oberlin College. The comprehensive collection, which contains over 11,000 works that span the entire history of art, is particularly strong in the areas of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish painting, European art of the l

National Packard Museum – Commemorates the Packard family, The Packard Motor Car, and other Packard enterprises which have influenced the growth and history of both Warren and the American Automotive Industry.

Pro Football Hall of Fame – Serves as a hallowed honoring spot for the greats of the pro football world. Two large galleries in the five-building complex are devoted to the display of the niches of the enshrines of the Hall.

Canton Museum of Art – The Permanent Collection of the Canton Museum of Art contains the treasures of the Museum. The collection’s focus is American Watercolors of the 19th and 20th Centuries and Contemporary Ceramics.

MAPS Air Museum – Dedicated to educating people about the history of aviation and its impact upon society. It accomplishes this mission by acquiring, restoring, preserving, and exhibiting the impact of aviation on the culture of man.

The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum – The Museum collects and preserves historically and technically important automobiles, aircraft, bicycles, motorcycles, spacecraft and related accessories and archival materials that illustrate the development of transportation and its connection to the culture and history of Northeast Ohio, the United States and the world.

Lake Metroparks – The mission of Lake Metroparks is to conserve and preserve the natural resources of Lake County while providing a variety of safe, affordable, and enjoyable educational and recreational programs and activities that enhance the quality of life in Lake County now and for the generations to follow.

Nautica Queen – Experience the excitement of the Nautica Queen, offering a unique adventure in lakefront and river cruise dining for people of all ages and interests in Cleveland.

Akron Zoological Park – The zoo is a wooded park that sits on 24.5 acres. The Akron Zoo houses over 500 animals from around the world.

Cleveland Botanical Garden – For more than seventy years, Cleveland Botanical Garden has been one of Northeast Ohio’s treasures. Offering ten beautifully landscaped acres, Cleveland Botanical Garden is home to many different formal and natural gardens.

The Cleveland Orchestra – Long considered one of America’s great orchestras, The Cleveland Orchestra stands today among the world’s most-revered symphonic ensembles.

Quicken Loans Arena – There’s a whole entertainment experience that awaits you! It’s Cavaliers basketball action on the hardwood. It’s the hottest concerts on stage. It’s the most spectacular family shows under one roof!

Clay’s Park – Offers a 500-acre camping and waterpark facility featuring a 10-acre, sand-bottom, man-made lake with 2 winding water slides, a fleet of paddle boats, a barrel roll, cable slide and ring swings across the water.

Memphis Kiddie Park – Since 1952 Memphis Kiddie Park has been putting smiles on the faces of children in the greater Cleveland area. With many of the original rides still in place, Memphis Kiddie Park is truly a landmark of the Cleveland area which has thrilled generations of children.

Hale Farm & Village – Hale Farm & Village is the premier outdoor, living history museum in Northeast Ohio. For over 50 years Hale Farm & Village has provided school children, adults and families a slice of life on the Western Reserve in the backdrop of the 19th century.

Century Village Museum – Owned and operated by The Geauga County Historical Society. It is a non-profit institution maintained for public education and historic preservation. The museum offers a variety of events and activities throughout the year.

William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum – Interactive history and science exhibits encourage visitors of all ages to explore fossils, dinosaurs and the lives of historic people.

Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland – The Center brings the latest and most important developments in contemporary art to Cleveland. Through broad-based programs that are reflective of artistic and cultural diversity, the Center celebrates national and international artistic achievements, while recognizing the contributions of artists from the region.

Cleveland Museum of Natural History – The mission statement for The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is To inspire, through science and education, a passion for nature, the protection of natural diversity, the fostering of health, and leadership to a sustainable future.

National Inventors Hall of Fame – Hands-on interactive exhibits and displays, each encouraging visitors to explore the ideas of discovery, creativity, and invention. Also featured is the Hall of Fame, which showcases inventors who have significantly changed our lives for the better.

NASA Glenn Research Center – Since 1971, NASA Visitor Centers have provided information to the public on NASA aerospace programs and their benefits to humanity. The NASA Glenn Visitor Center opened its doors to the public in 1976 and has an estimated annual attendance of 150,000.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum – Honors the legendary performers, producers, songwriters, disc jockeys and others who have made rock and roll the force in our culture that it is. The museum contains equally remarkable interactive exhibits, films, videos and priceless and poignant artifacts, and serves as host of the permanent Hall of Fame exhibit.

University Circle – An extraordinary cultural, medical, and educational district — its concentration of institutions in one beautiful square mile is unsurpassed in the world. The Circle is a prime tourist destination, a renowned medical center, and an incomparable place of learning.

Cleveland Museum of Art – Considered one of the world’s great art museums, the Cleveland Museum of Art hosts a collection of more than 40,000 works of art which ranges over 5,000 years, from ancient Egypt to the present, and includes masterpieces from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It is renowned for its superb quality and cultural breadth.

Children’s Museum of Cleveland – The Museum’’s focus on the younger child, in combination with its experienced educators, quality programs, dynamic new leadership and interactive exhibits, has gained the Museum recognition and credibility in the local Cleveland community as the premier cultural resource for children ages 10 and younger.

Malabar Farm – Operating a working demonstration of grass-based animal agriculture and to provide a place where visitors may explore and learn about life on a farm and appreciate the beauty of nature.

Mohican Reservation Campgrounds and Canoeing – Offers Ohio’s most scenic rustic riverfront sites. The facility also offers RV’s, tent camping & Canoeing. The location is also home to the Great Mohican Indian Pow-Wow.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad – Runs through the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area. Each trip is a different adventure filled with fun, excitement, natural beauty and historic sights. Spend a little or a lot of time exploring the things you like to see and do.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens – One of the finest examples of Tudor Revival architecture in America. The majestic 65-room country house sits on 70 acres of artfully landscaped gardens and grounds.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo – Features thousands of animals from 7 continents in its 165 rolling wooded acres and 2 indoor acres of tropics.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Just a short drive from the major metropolitan areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park encompasses 33,000 acres along the banks of the Cuyahoga River. Whether you want to hike, bike, birdwatch, picnic, golf, fish, ski, ride Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, explore the history of the Ohio & Erie Canal, or attend national park ranger-guided programs, concerts, and art exhibits, Cuyahoga Valley National Park has it all.

David Berger National Memorial – This site honors the memory of David Berger, an American citizen who was one of the 11 Israeli athletes killed at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany. The Memorial is dedicated to his memory and to the memory of the ten other athletes whose lives were taken.

First Ladies National Historic Site – First Ladies National Historic Site is currently located at the Saxton McKinley House. The City National Bank Building has been renovated for use as the National First Ladies’ Library Education and Research Center. The library functions as a national archive of the contributions of America’s first ladies and other notable American women.

James A. Garfield National Historic Site – James A. Garfield National Historic Site preserves the property associated with the 20th President of the United States. Garfield acquired the home in 1876 to accommodate his large family. The home, named Lawnfield by reporters, was the site of the first successful front porch campaign in 1880. James A. Garfield was President from March 4, 1881 until his death on September 19, 1881.

North Country National Scenic Trail – The North Country National Scenic Trail links scenic, natural, historic, and cultural areas in seven northern states. The approximately four thousand mile long trail incudes a variety of hikes from easy walking to challenging treks. When completed, through the efforts of many people, the trail will become the longest continuous hiking trail in the United States.
Alpine Valley – Alpine Valley, Ohio’s premier winter “Snow Fun” area, invites you to visit their mecca of snow fun for downhill skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. Alpine’s totally awesome XTreme Park features one of the midwest’s longest permanent half-pipes plus slopes just for the shredders with challenging XTreme runs. The resort also features a Snow Tube Park, offering the longest slopes with custom tube lift.

Big Creek Ski Area – Home of the Cleveland Ski Club, Big Creek Ski Area is a family-oriented place with five slopes, two lifts, plenty of snowmaking, a cozy chalet, free ski lessons for kids and some non-skiing partying festivities as well.   Miles and miles of scenic cross-country trails are also available as the Lake County Park System is immediately adjacent to the Concord Slopes.

Boston Mills / Brandywine Ski Resort – From the gentle glide of the beginner slopes to the more challenging pitch of the advanced slopes and moguls, Boston Mills/Brandywine serves skiers & snowboarders of all ages and levels of expertise. Each resort has a halfpipe, a terrain park and snow tubing.

Mad River Mountain Ski Resort – If you are looking for some winter fun, Mad River Mountain is the place for you.  You will find over 17 trails for skiing or snowboarding including a terrain park for those who want a little altitude. Mad River also features a tubing park.

Ski Clear Fork – Clear Fork Ski area offers 9 slopes, 1 quad chair lift, 1 triple chair lift, 1 double chair lift. A separate beginners area.  Snow-making, night skiing, a cafeteria and 2 lounges.

Snow Trails – As Ohio’s first resort, Snow Trails features six chairlifts, broad slopes and a warm and comfortable day lodge.  Visitors can enjoy fine skiing, radical riding, casual comfort and the atmosphere of a large mountain resort.

Spicy Run Mountain – Nestled in the Appalachian foot hills, Spicy Run Ski Mountain provides the Midwest’s tallest vertical, longest terrain park and steepest trails.

 

NW Pennsylvania

All An Act Productions – The Arts should be accessible to everyone and live theatre is no exception. Providing a venue where those who can’t regularly go and see Erie Theatre can, and those who already do can go more often.

Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum – Once the home of a U.S. Supreme Court Justice and two mayors of Meadville, this gracious, four-story home is now open to the public as an historic house museum. The flowering bushes and trees, the herb garden and a spring fed pond give the three acre grounds a park-like atmosphere.

Coolspring Power Museum – Stationary gas hit and miss engines, throttle governed engines, flame ignition engines, hot tube ignition engines, and hot air engines ranging in size from a fractional HP up to 600 HP. All are among the permanent exhibits at the Coolspring Power Museum.

Eldred World War II Museum – The Museum opened on Memorial Day, 1996, dedicated to the memory of the U.S. fighting forces and the 40 million people on the home front who provided our fighters with the war materials they needed. During World War II, Eldred produced eight million bombs, mortar shells and fuses.

expERIEnce Children’s Museum – Provides children the chance to explore the world around them by getting their hands dirty with science and art related topics. Over 8 exhibits to fascinate children and get them involved in science and more.

Erie Maritime Museum – Presents the story of Niagara as the reconstructed flagship of Pennsylvania and the warship that won the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812. Offering a wide range of multi-media and interactive exhibits and coupled with lively interpretive programs, Erie Maritime Museum vividly illustrates Niagara’s history and the region’s rich maritime heritage.

Grice Clearfield Community Museum – Come see this collection of over seventy antique and classic cars from the early 1900′s to today’s specialty cars. The museum also features the late William J. Evans’ display of African game mounts appraised at $250,000.

Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad – You’ll travel back in time just by arriving at this 1892-vintage freight station. A three hour trip will take you to where oil history began. Tour guides describe the people and places that make up Pennsylvania Oil Country.

Mountain View Ski Resort – Offers you a variety of challenging runs that are sure to thrill and test your abilities. Best of all you won’t see those long endless lines you may be accustomed to at other facilities.

Susquehanna Art Museum – From the beginning, the Susquehanna Art Museum has thought of itself as a “Museum Without Walls.” This concept reflects the Museum’s accessibility to the general public. The Museum emphasizes flexibility by featuring the VanGo!, a museum on wheels.

Venango Museum of Art Science – Presenting science and technology instruction to students and creating opportunities for the public to enjoy art and musical programs.

Zippo/Case Visitors Center – Offers unique exhibits of Zippo lighters and Case cutlery, interactive displays, and entertaining audio/kinetic sculpture.

Alleghany Arms & Armory Museum – A collection that consists of military vehicles, fixed wing and rotary aircraft, watercraft, tracked armor, artillery and a large assortment of military memorabilia. Some displays are changed every week so you can see something new at every visit.

Station Dinner Theatre – Operates year-round and is the home of the original “A Canterbury Feast”, the longest running medieval dinner theatre in the United States. Along with it’s many original themed musical comedies, the Station Season also includes a variety of comedies, farces and musical reviews.

DeBence Antique Music Museum – Thousands of visitors, young and old, have been captivated by this incredible collection of automatic music machines spanning two centuries. Intricate, beautifully-tuned music boxes, created by nineteenth-century German and Swiss craftsmen, tinkle enchantingly in the same manner as they did one hundred years ago.

Erie Art Museum – Offers year-round programming which includes exhibitions, concerts, classes, workshops, guided tours, lectures, and special events.

Warner Theatre - Home to the Erie Philharmonic, Erie Civic Music Association, Lake Erie Ballet and the Erie Broadway Series, it also hosts a wide range of lectures and entertainment shows. The theatre hosts an aggressive schedule of more than 150 events per year.

Erie Zoo – Home to over 500 animals, representing more than 100 species, from around the world. Winding walkways take visitors through the beautifully landscaped grounds which feature 2500 specimens from 600 species of plants.

National Civil War Museum - The only museum in The United States that portrays the entire story of the American Civil War. Equally balanced presentations are humanistic in nature without bias to Union or Confederate causes.

Port Erie – Located on the southeast shore of Lake Erie in a natural bay formed and sheltered by Presque Isle peninsula. The crystal clear waters of Lake Erie offer local residents and visitors from around the world yearlong recreation and relaxing natural beauty.

Splash Lagoon Water Park Resort – Over 14 water attractions at this indoor lagoon. Treasure Island Arcade is one of the largest in the area with over 100 games to choose from!

Theatre Harrisburg – Throughout its more than eight-decade history, there is one aspect of Theatre Harrisburg’s operation that has never changed – volunteers are the backbone of its success. It is truly a place where community takes center stage!

Waldameer Park and Waterworld – This family-fun complex combines a beautiful amusement park with one of the greatest water parks in the entire country. Offering over 75 rides, slides, and attractions, Waldameer Park & Water World is specifically designed to provide entertainment for your entire family.

SW Pennsylvania

Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden – The largest of its kind in North America and the only one with an ongoing program of research and publication. Featuring more than 100 temperate and tropical plants in addition to special new program plantings each season.

Hartwood – A 629 acre estate park and it’s main attraction is the Hartwood mansion. Designed in 1929 the mansion houses a fine collection of English and American Antiques. A large part of Hartwood’s charm lies in its scenic setting. Reflect upon a time of elegance and style while strolling through the formal gardens or hike or horseback along its wooded trails.

National Aviary – Located in Pittsburgh, features more than 500 residents, representing over 200 different species of birds.

Caddie Shak – Offers 50 acres of action packed family entertainment. Miniature golf, go karts, bumper boats, batting cages, paint ball and much more.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History – Travel back in time to the land of the pharaohs; witness the awesome beauty of precious minerals and gems; explore the practices and beliefs that link Native people to their homelands; or discover the variety of life at the Earth’s extremes.

The Duquesne Incline – Take a step back in time on a century-old cable car and see the best views of downtown Pittsburgh while riding one of the few remaining inclines in the country.

Frick Art and Historical Center – A fascinating complex of museums and historical buildings located on over five acres of lawns and gardens in Pittsburgh. Exhibitions of fine and decorative art are also presented. The Center is devoted to the interpretation of the life and times of industrialist and art collector Henry Clay Frick.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park – A wooded campground is nestled in the beautiful Laurel Highlands close to white water rafting, bike and hiking trails. The park offers recreational facilities and activities for all ages.

Just Ducky Tours – For more than 10 years Just Ducky has been taking riders on Pittsburgh’s only adventure through the city on land and water! Each excursion begins in historic Station Square before waddling into downtown for the ride of your life.

Living Treasures Animal Park – A wonderful setting for a great family experience. The petting zoo is the thrill of the day for young visitors, while the exotic animals fascinate young and old alike.

Pennsylvania Trolley Museum – Experience the sights, sounds and feel of an earlier era as a vintage streetcar takes you on a three mile round trip and more than a century of history! Climb aboard for a ride into the past!

Pittsburgh Children’s Museum – Visitors to the museum can build and launch airplanes from Flying Machines, riddle the Poodle Sphinx, raise themselves up into human-powered elevators, learn about health and anatomy with their seven-foot tall blue-haired mascot Stuffee, learn the basics of street safety and enjoy the original puppets from Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood and much more.

RiverQuest – Programs engage students of all ages in hands-on learning while exploring Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers. The rivers themselves are at the center of RiverQuest’s education program.

Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Museum – Dedicated to honor the greatest vocal groups of all time. The museum’s magnificent floors offer an exciting journey back into time. View, hear and learn why vocal group music has left a lasting and memorable place in the hearts of millions of people around the world.

Westmoreland Museum of American Art – A vital, ever-changing place. Newly renovated. Family-friendly. And full of opportunities to explore your heritage, your country, and the art that has captured it all so beautifully.

Allegheny-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum – Glass, Steel, and Aluminum industries were the economic growth engines for the A-K river valley towns that grew in the shadow of Pittsburgh, attracting entrepreneurs, immigrant labor, and union organizers. You are invited to join in the efforts of the Allegheny-Kiski Valley Historical Society to preserve and celebrate the unique history of this region.

Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve – Offers five miles of trails and 134 acres of sanctuary for animals, birds and more. Its facilities include a Discovery Room for children, the Education Building, the Teacher Resource Center, a Natural History Library, and the Audubon Center for Native Plants.

The Bradford House – Built in 1788 and was home to the Whiskey Rebellion, the first domestic challenge to the new American government.

Carnegie Science Center – Offers visitors of all ages a fun-filled, firsthand look at science and technology. Explore the world from the ocean depths to the farthest reaches of space flight; travel through the galaxy in a world-class, interactive planetarium; see science come alive in three theaters; and discover the sheer fun of science with more than 250 exciting, hands-on exhibits.

Carnegie Museum of Art – Offers a distinguished collection of contemporary art that includes film and video works. Other collections of note include works of American art from the late nineteenth century, French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, and European and American decorative arts from the late seventeenth century to the present.

Fort Ligonier – You can relive the stirring days of young Colonel George Washington, General John Forbes and the encounters of the British and Americans against the French and Indians.

Idlewild Park – Features exciting rides, water slides and roller coasters. There are seven theme areas of fun to explore! It’s what family fun is all about!

Jimmy Stewart Museum – See how Jimmy Stewart has been a surrogate brother, father, and friend to fans of American films. His projections on the screen are so much more than the words in his scripts. He helped teach us how to live, and how to appreciate living.

Kennywood Park – The park features thirty-one major rides, including three wooden roller coasters, the fastest steel roller coaster, the new Exterminator Roller Coaster, three water rides, and fourteen Kiddieland rides.

The New Castle Playhouse – Providing Western Pennsylvania with live theatre since 1958. Located in the historic former State Theatre, it presents a variety of comedies, dramas, and musicals.

Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center – Pennsylvania’s largest history museum. Step inside a 1790′s log cabin. Discover how immigrants shaped this region. Uncover the myths of the Underground Railroad, experience the thrill of an unmatched sports legacy and climb aboard a 1940′s Pittsburgh Trolley. The History Center brings more than 250 years of Western Pennsylvania to life.

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium – Located approximately five miles east of downtown Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is a 77-acre facility that is home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of diverse species.

Sandcastle Water Park – Enjoy fifteen twisting, turning, plunging, and churning waterslides. There are pools for adults (including the world’s biggest hot tub) and pools for kids (including Wet Willie’s WaterWorks). Surrounding it all is the Lazy River, a gently flowing stream where you can float on an inner-tube for hours. The park also offers a Formula One Speedway, arcade, gift shop and more.

Andy Warhol Museum – Inspired by Warhol’s artistic vision, The Andy Warhol Museum strives to be a dynamic art center and resource for anyone who wishes to gain insights into contemporary art and popular culture.

Falling Water – Located in western Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands area, a beautiful natural area with spectacular mountain vistas, river valleys, numerous waterfalls, and rich forests.