Best Chocolate in Cleveland, Ohio

Photo by Brett Sayles free to use under Pexels Between the ages of 1 and 3, toddlers begin to develop cognitive skills, learn coordination and play, and enjoy exploring the world around them. One of the best ways to help enhance these attributes is to expose your toddler to fun activities such as interacting with animals, climbing on walls and obstacles, and trying age-appropriate hands-on activities. When you're looking for fun things to do with your toddler in the Cleveland, Ohio, area, use this handy guide that our team at Nissan Streetsboro has put together. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo From baby cats to full-size elephants and more, you and your toddler will be spellbound by the diverse range of animals that live at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. When your little one gets tired of looking at lions, bears, giraffes, and monkeys, you can stop and have a bite to eat at one of the zoo's cafes, watch a movie about animals, or take the free open-air tram car. The tram is stroller-friendly and passes by the Asian Highlands, Rainforest, Primate, Cats, and Aquatics exhibits to the African Savannah and then heads back to the African Elephant Crossing. Location: 3900 Wildlife Way Telephone: 440-331-5530 Great Lakes Science Center The Great Lakes Science Center is a tremendous place for kids of all ages to enjoy fun activities that help to educate them in science, math, technology, and engineering. When planning your visit to the science center, make sure to stop at the Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater, where you'll be surrounded by sights and sounds of the natural world. Shows that play in the theater include Ancient Caves and Dinosaurs of Antarctica. After the show, head over to the Cleveland Creates Zone so the youngsters can play with the Light Sculpture Pod, explore the Rocket Pod, or create hats or shoes at the Shoe Cobbler/Hat Maker Pod. Every month, the Great Lakes Science Center hosts special events and programs such as Bubblemania or Candy Loves Chemistry Workshop. Location: 601 Erieside Ave. Telephone: 216-694-2000 Cuyahoga Valley National Park Just a short distance from downtown Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers visitors young and old a respite from the city. This beautiful park has thick forests, open farmlands, rolling hills, and the beautiful Cuyahoga River. The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail can accommodate strollers, including bicycle strollers. As you walk along this popular trail, you'll cross over Beaver Marsh, where you may spot turtles and beavers. If you have older toddlers who are adventurous, take the 1.5-mile trail that includes a boardwalk to the scenic 60-foot Brandywine Falls. A fun way to see Cuyahoga Valley National Park with small children is by taking the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's National Park Scenic excursion. This train ride runs from Akron to Independence, and you'll have views of the park from the comfort of the train cars. Before heading out to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, you'll want to fuel up on breakfast so everyone has plenty of energy for the day. Location: 6947 Riverview Road in Peninsula Telephone: 440-717-3890 Cleveland Public Library Begin your toddler's love of literature by taking them to the Cleveland Public Library. Sign your child up for their library card so you can help them decide which books to bring home or download titles from the library's digital collection. The Cleveland Public Library offers programs and workshops for young ones like the Wee Read and Play program for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years. A popular program hosted by the library is the Young Scholars Academy that's part of its Kindergarten Readiness workshop. The free beginner's program for kids 3-4 years old, helps prepare them for kindergarten with fun activities that include reading, writing, singing, and socializing. While your child is at home, they can hear stories read to them by library staff members during virtual story time hours. The library also has a dial-a-story program where kids can hear stories anytime by dialing 216-777-6500. Location: 325 Superior Ave. (main library) Telephone: 216-623-2800 Greater Cleveland Aquarium Watch your toddler's face light up with delight when they get up close to sea life at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. All nine galleries inside of the aquarium give little ones eye-level 360-degree views of the over 300 species of animals that live there. You'll see freshwater and saltwater animals from Lake Erie as well as from around the world. Young kids get a thrill at the 11,000-gallon touch pool in the Coastal Boardwalk gallery, where they can feel what the skin of a stingray feels like or have their fingertips tingled by cleaner shrimp. Everyone in the family will feel excited as they walk through a 175-foot underwater sea tube surrounded by sharks and other large sea creatures in the Shark Gallery. You'll feel like you're on a scuba diving adventure as you see a variety of sharks and eels swimming above and around you. After your visit to the aquarium, stop by the gift shop to pick up souvenirs to remember your trip to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. Location: 2000 Sycamore St. Telephone: 216-862-8803 Cleveland Botanical Garden Kids can spend hours exploring the grounds of the Cleveland Botanical Garden with its butterflies and intriguing garden displays. Stop by the Madagascar Glasshouse to see exotic plants and pet the free-roaming chameleon. Little kids enjoy playing in the Hershey Children's Garden, which features a sandbox, a pond where the kids can search for frogs and box turtles, and a place to plant seeds. They'll feel a sense of awe as they watch honeybees at work inside of their hive. After exploring the gardens, head over to the Garden Cafe for sandwiches or grab-and-go snacks to recharge with. Location: 11030 East Blvd. Telephone: 216-721-1600 We hope that you and your family enjoy visiting these six Cleveland locations and attractions that are ideal to take your toddler to. Which one was your favorite? What site or activity did your toddler enjoy the most and why? If you can recommend another Cleveland spot to take your little one to, please let us know and we'll add it to our list.

One of the best summertime activities is dining outdoors. While eating on a patio or enjoying a picnic in the park can be fun, having a meal by the water may be something new and special to try. To help you know where to go this summer, our team at Nissan of Streetsboro created this list of some waterfront restaurants in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Lindey's Lake House kites over Lake Erie 02 - Cleveland Ohio by Tim Evanson is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0 If you're looking for a waterfront restaurant to enjoy a casual night out with family or friends, head to Lindey's Lake House. Inspired by the Michigan lake house where the Doody family spent a few weeks of summer, this Flats East Bank restaurant provides the perfect spot to relax and share a delicious meal with your loved ones while taking in beautiful views. It serves fresh ingredients sourced from local farms. The menu at Lindey's Lake House features a selection of soups, salads, appetizers, and sandwiches. Choose from other entree options like shrimp and grits, barbecue ribs, fish and chips, or Walt's shrimp platter. Finish your meal with one of its tasty dessert offerings, such as a slice of key lime pie or a serving of creme brulee. Location: 1146 Old River Road, Cleveland, OH 44113 Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday Collision Bend Brewing Company Collision Bend Brewing Company is your destination for local craft beer and delicious food. Named to honor the commercial ships that navigate the Cuyahoga River, this microbrewery restaurant occupies a renovated building with a history that dates back to the 1860s. While the building previously served as a location for Civil War-era merchant ships to gather supplies before sailing, it's now how to this award-winning brewery. Because of its unique location, Collison Bend Brewing Company also offers private parking and docking for boats right along the Cuyahoga River. The dinner menu at Collison Bend Brewing Company includes a selection of dishes inspired by Southern California street food, such as wood-fired pizzas, blackened shrimp tacos, and stout-braised rib tips. Pair your meal with one of the dozens of beer options that it brews right on site. The microbrew also serves brunch on the weekends, offering dishes like brioche French toast and fried green tomato benedict. Location: 1250 Old River Road, Cleveland, OH 44113 Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday Don's Lighthouse Grille Don's Lighthouse Grille is located along the scenic Lake Erie waterfront near Edgewater Park and a host of other Cleveland attractions. Its dining options make it an excellent choice no matter what your plans may be for the evening. For example, the dining room offers an upscale setting, perfect for an intimate night out, and the lounge provides a more relaxed environment to enjoy an excellent meal paired with an adult beverage. The menus at Don's Lighthouse Grille focus on classic American cuisine, and they vary based on time of day and dining location. The menu for the dining room focuses on entrees with seafood, steak, and chicken, and the lounge features tasty fare like salads, sandwiches, and appetizers. While not a requirement, Don's Lighthouse Grille encourages reservations for the dining room. Location: 8905 Lake Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102 Dining Room Lunch Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Dining Room Dinner Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday Lounge Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday Pier W Consider Pier W for an evening of romantic waterfront dining on Lakewood's Gold Coast. This award-winning restaurant offers an impressive selection of fresh seafood, prime meats, and seasonal offerings. Pair your entree with a selection from a wine list that Wine Spectator awarded with Awards of Excellence for more than 15 years. Helmed by executive chef Regan Reik, the Pier W menus focus on serving the freshest seafood, beef, pork, and lamb options. While options rotate seasonally, some entree options you may enjoy include oysters, roasted Alaska halibut, Maine lobster pasta, or overnight slow-braised beef short rib. The restaurant also serves a selection of vegetarian and vegan options, such as local tofu poke. Pier W also serves Sunday brunch each week. The buffet includes options like a carving station with prime rib, eggs benedict, salads, smoked salmon, and more. When making your plans to dine at Pier W, be sure to make your reservations in advance so you don't miss your chance to enjoy the stunning Lake Erie views. Location: 12700 Lake Ave., Winton Place, Lakewood, OH 44107 Lunch Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Dinner Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday Lunch Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday Summer House Enjoy beautiful views of Lake Erie from the comforts of Summer House. Located approximately 20 minutes from Cleveland in Lakewood, this contemporary American restaurant serves modern interpretations of classic entrees. The menu at this scratch kitchen includes a variety of shareable small plates and appetizers, a selection of seafood entrees, and pasta and flatbread options. Consider pairing your meal with one of the options from the expansive drink menu, and be sure to check out the happy hour specials available during the weekdays. Summer House is also an excellent option for a waterfront brunch this summer. Its brunch menu features breakfast favorites like eggs benedict, chicken and waffles, and omelets. It also offers a selection of brunch cocktails, such as mimosas, bloody Marys, and martinis. Regardless of when you choose to dine, Summer House welcomes walk-ins but strongly recommends reservations. Location: 12900 Lake Ave., Unit 2, Lakewood, OH 44107 Hours: 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Sunday That brings us to the end of our list of some of the waterfront restaurants in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. We hope our guide helped you learn about some new spots to try. Don't see your favorite waterfront restaurant included? Drop us a line to share your recommendation with us! Our team at Nissan of Streetsboro may even update our list to include your suggestion.

Rainy days don't have to be dreary or boring in Streetsboro, Ohio. There are many activities available for the entire family on wetter days. Here are some of the best options for family fun when it's raining in the area. Gaze into Space at the Hoover Price Planetarium The Hoover Price Planetarium is part of the William McKinley Museum and National Memorial. It's an ideal spot to dodge showers, educate your family, and see some beautiful sights. The planetarium's main projector system is a powerful Spitz A3P model, and it's capable of showing 3,200 stars simultaneously. Its LED unit can create a breathtaking replica of the entire Milky Way galaxy. Its special effects projectors can show viewers the more fantastically colorful aspects of space, including meteor showers, auroras, and complex constellation patterns. Each planetarium show is unique, and planetarium operators use a control board with more than 200 switches to interact with audiences in unique ways. The planetarium has 65 seats, and it opened in 1963. Shows are held in the mornings and afternoons, and you can visit Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Game and Escape at The Malted Meeple Gaming, escape room adventures, and delicious food and drink come together at The Malted Meeple. This place offers an astonishing range of gaming possibilities to visiting families. The board game library has 358 titles, and it features two-player, classic, co-op, competitive, dexterity-based, party, trivia, social education, and many other genres of board and table games. In it, you can find everything from chess sets to games based on the popular Attack on Titan and Game of Thrones series. The Malted Meeple offers two escape room experiences, Area 53 and The Sorcerer's Eclipse. You can figure out sci-fi or fantasy-related puzzles to find your way out of these uniquely furnished, exciting escape rooms. A wide range of snack food and drinks are available, and you can visit from 4 to 11 p.m. on weekdays or from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturdays. Skate the Day Away at Brunswick Skate Station Image by Devin Avery is free to use under the Unsplash License If you feel like having fun and getting fitter at the same time, you can skate away on a rainy day at Brunswick Skate Station. It's in Brunswick, about 40 minutes away. Taking a few spins around this skating rink is entertaining and fun, especially with popular music playing in the background. Brunswick Skate Station is more than your standard skating location. It offers classes for children and adults of all skill levels. Adult classes are open on Saturdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m., and kids' classes are open Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Those who stay around after the kids' class can see the trainers demonstrate their skills in style during their weekly skate sessions. Brunswick Skate Station often hosts birthday parties for a minimum of ten participants. Special group rates are available for scout groups, youth groups, and daycare providers. If you want to see some truly spectacular skating, you can ask about their Artistic Skating Club. This place is open Friday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., and Sunday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. Hide Away in The Troll Hole About half an hour away in nearby Alliance, Ohio, you can find the Guinness World Record-holding Troll Hole. This place has the largest, most varied collection of troll dolls in the world, from the limited edition Smoky Mountain trolls to the Chupacabra, Jersey Devil, and Swedish Troll Vikings. You'll be amazed at the things you'll find here, including a little Uncle Sam, Troll Presidents, a Troll Rosie the Riveter, and a wide variety of fantasy and sci-fi troll variants. If you or your children see a few that you love, you can usually find versions of them for sale in The Troll Hole's expansive gift shop. The Troll Hole holds regular events, including cookie crawls, comedy shows, meet and greet parties, and holiday-specific troll parties. Admission is free for toddlers two years old and under, and the Grumpy Troll Cafe offers waffles, pancakes, gourmet coffee and teas, and troll-themed candles. You can visit from Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Improve Your Family's Swing at Mac's Indoor Golf If your family is full of golf lovers and you can't get out and play because of the rain, Mac's Indoor Golf has you covered. This full-swing, simulated golf experience can excite kids and adults. Their system can simulate any of 50 world-famous golf courses down to the last hole, water hazard, and sand trap. Unlike a standard course, you can come and practice at Mac's at any time of year without having to buy special clothing or expensive equipment to handle weather conditions and varied tee-offs. Mac's offers a wide range of drinks, hot dogs, and snacks. You can also order food for delivery from anywhere. Mac's Indoor Golf is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. Challenge the Family to Pool at Fiddlestix Fiddlestix Billiard Cafe has been the primary destination for pool enthusiasts in the area for over 20 years. It's in Canton, about 45 minutes away, and it hosts a number of billiard leagues for players of all ages. Your family can sign up if they're feeling competitive, and various league games take place every day but Friday. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are for in-house leagues, and on Thursday, a traveling league shows up to give patrons an extra challenge. Saturday and Sunday feature a women's league and a 9-ball league. Dart games are also available. From 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, rates are just one dollar per person per hour or two dollars per hour with two or more people. Fiddlestix is open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. The range of activities available on a rainy day near Streetsboro is surprisingly large. Did we miss any of your family's favorite things to do? Contact us and let us know what you like doing on rainy days.