Located in University Circle in Cleveland, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum houses a collection of the Western Reserve Historical Society. It contains  historically significant automobiles (over 200 vehicles from Model T to contemporary Jaguar), bicycles, aircraft, spacecraft, motorcycles and even a boat, Tinkerbelle.  It’s fascinating.

If history is your thing, and even if it isn’t, a ticket to the Crawford includes admission to the History Museum and Library, too. Active members of the military enjoy a 50% discount on admission.  This is an interesting historical museum and is worthy of inclusion on your visit to Northeast Ohio. I visited this museum several times during my tenure at college in University Circle, and I was never bored.

Photo Credit: Craig Hatfield

I personally love, love, love museums of science. The hands-on approach, designed primarily to entice children, is a big draw for me as well!  I always learn something. I’m always in awe of something. I’m always stumped by something. There is no way a visitor can be bored.

The Arizona Science Center in Phoenix is one such venue.  It is a marvelous way to spend a day. Admission for one day is very affordable.  For a knock-out deal for multiple visits, though, consider a membership.  For a family of four, annual membership is $80.  Two visits and your membership is paid for.  One of the basic benefits of membership is really the biggest benefit, in my opinion. Any membership gets you admission not only to the Arizona Science Center, but, with the included ASTC Passport Program, to a total of 250 science and technology centers (give or take) worldwide!  Five of those are in Arizona. To me, that is an amazing perk.  I could make a vacation around that.

Photo credit: Simax

This is an amazing venue. Anyone who’s listened to the radio any time between 1950 and today will know someone in the Hall of Fame whose music s/he holds dear. But the Hall of Fame in the peak of this building designed by I.M. Pei is just the beginning of what’s to see here. The museum holds an incredible amount of items of historical relevance. A lot of performers are represented within this structure. Exhibits are always changing.

Even though there is a fee to get into the main exhibits and the Hall of Fame, there are many events during the year that are free to the public. Check the website to see what’s coming up. If you may be visiting the Hall more than once, annual membership is completely reasonable.

Consider taking in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum if you are anywhere near Cleveland. It’s well worth the trip.

Photo credit: artifishall