Tours and Self-Guided Outings

JASNA Ohio North Coast welcomes you to enjoy the many cultural attractions of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. JASNA members and companions can enhance their AGM experience by participating in a number of full-day and half-day tours with transportation provided, or in any of the walking and self-guided tours on offer. On Thursday, attendees can hop on a JASNA-provided bus to visit venues in Cleveland’s University Circle area.

Tours can be purchased as part of AGM registration in June. Complete times, prices, and accessibility information will be posted prior to registration. Please note: tours that do not meet minimum enrollments may be canceled.

University Circle Activities

Thursday, October 17

Visit University Circle for pre-arranged tours or self-guided exploration via the JASNA Bus. These private motor coaches will run on a loop from the Cleveland Hilton Downtown to several world-class cultural sites throughout the day, including Playhouse Square. Bus tickets will be available to purchase with registration.

University Circle Sites include:

Cleveland Museum of Art

Thursday Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
FREE admission for Self-Guided Tours on your own
Ticketed docent-led tours may be purchased at registration
Included as a JASNA Bus stop

This world-renowned museum houses more than 65,000 diverse works spanning more than 6,000 years of human achievement. Known for its extensive collection of Asian and Egyptian art, as well as stunning modern and contemporary works, CMA has something for every taste. A visit to the museum takes visitors back in time and to different cultures, with significant artifacts from world religions as well as a dazzling armor court glinting with medieval treasures. Pick up a map in the atrium, choose your favorite historical period, and dive in! Grab lunch in the atrium where you’ll also find a lovely gift shop.

Cleveland History Center/Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum

Thursday Hours: 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Purchase tickets on your own at the door
Admission prices range from $8 to $15
Self-Guided Tours available

The Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) is a trusted steward of the Cleveland—and the American—experience. This library and historical museum houses a wide array of artifacts and original manuscripts related to our region and its people. As Cleveland's oldest cultural institution, WRHS highlights include the Crawford Auto and Aviation collection, the Euclid Beach Carousel, and the Cleveland Starts Here® exhibit. On view now—and specially held over for the JASNA AGM—is "Fashion After Dark." This exhibition explores the relationship of fashion and artificial light, offering a visual feast of shimmering silks, dazzling sequins, and sparkling gemstones first brought to life in an otherworldly way after the invention of gas lighting in the 19th century. Expertly setting the mood, WRHS period rooms in the Hay-McKinney Mansion provide vignettes of dressing, dining, entertaining, and household service, simulating the atmosphere of an evening on Euclid Avenue with immersive lighting and sound.

Cleveland Botanical Garden

Thursday Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Purchase advance tickets on your own
Admission prices range from $13 to $19

Since 1930, the Cleveland Botanical Garden has existed as a 10-acre lush, beautiful, and peaceful urban sanctuary in University Circle. This enchanting space overflows, both inside and out, with plants and flowers from around the globe. Originally called the Cleveland Garden Center, it was the first organization of its kind in the US. Two climate-controlled glasshouses provide stunning experiences that transport visitors to other lands.

Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Thursday Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Purchase tickets on your own at the door
Admission prices range from $7 to $10

From dinosaurs to diamonds, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH) is a beautiful blend of traditional and interactive galleries related to history, art, and the natural world. Established over a century ago, CMNH has been recognized as one of the finest natural history museums in North America. The museum’s recent expansion provides space for collections encompassing approximately 5 million specimens. Celebrate the legacy of Regency fossil collector Mary Anning while marveling at the prehistoric beasts on display.

Tours At Your Leisure Near the JASNA Hotel

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Self-Guided Visit with Discounted Ticket

Open Daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Thursday to 9:00 pm
Discounted ticket may be purchased at registration and used any day from Oct. 15 to Oct. 22

“It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll”—but it’s not a long way to the top at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, only a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Just remember to go down first. Starting on Level 0 at this internationally-acclaimed museum is a must—with exhibits that span generations from rock’s earliest artists to newly emerging musicians of today. Moving upwards under the mesmerizing steel and glass pyramid, stop on Level 1 to shop or grab a bite to eat before heading to the upper levels, housing the Hall of Fame, theaters, and more exhibits. Get up close and personal with artifacts from the world’s most iconic artists from a myriad of genres, including rhythm & blues, jazz, rock, folk, heavy metal, and hip-hop.

Cleveland Public Library Self-Guided Tours

Open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Saturday
FREE Admission; reservations not required
Ten-minute walk from the hotel

The Cleveland Public Library houses significant collections, including the Superman Exhibit, the Map Collection, the Photograph Collection, and the state’s Center for the Book. CPL librarians are preparing special exhibits to welcome JASNA, including an exhibit in the Special Collections Department on the East India Company. The library campus encompasses two large buildings: the Louis Stokes Wing and the historic Main Library, separated by the Eastman Reading Garden. The neoclassical Main Library, which opened to the public in 1925, doubles as an art and cultural center.

Coach Tours

Cleveland Museum of Art Portrait Miniatures Private Viewing

Wednesday, October 16
Scheduled private viewings approximately 45 minutes
Ticket includes afternoon at CMA for self-guided exploration

This special event is a private viewing of approximately 25 portrait miniatures selected by the museum's curator especially for JASNA AGM attendees. These splendid works of art date mainly to the time period during and before Jane Austen's life (1775-1817). One of the finest collections in North America, the Cleveland Museum of Art’s miniatures span six centuries, bridge eight European countries as well as America, and number nearly 170 objects. These intimate portraits were exchanged by friends, lovers, and family members as tokens of affection and often commissioned on occasions of departure, marriage, or death. Delicate paintings in watercolor on ivory and vellum or enamel, they might function as relics incorporating human hair, can be set in elaborate boxes or simple frames, and were worn on the body or tucked away in a pocket.

Amish Country Tour

Wednesday, October 16
Monday, October 21
Bus tour departs from Hilton Cleveland Downtown
Approximately 9 hours, including transportation
Ticket includes lunch, admissions, transportation, guide services, and gratuities

Holmes County, located in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country, is a picturesque destination known for its thriving Amish community. The Amish people adhere to a traditional way of life, marked by a rejection of modern technology and a strong emphasis on family, community, and faith. Led by a knowledgeable tour director, this day trip will include a visit to the Amish Mennonite Heritage Center and a stop at a one-of-a-kind store where customers can find a wide range of products that cater to the needs of the Amish as well as those who appreciate traditional craftsmanship and sustainability. The Wednesday tour includes an impressive lunch buffet at the Dutch Valley Restaurant, while Monday travelers will lunch in an Amish home. Tours include a short time for independent exploration in downtown Sugarcreek.

Lakeview & Lawnfield Tour

Thursday, October 17
Monday, October 21
Bus tour departs from Hilton Cleveland Downtown
Approximately 8 hours, including transportation
Ticket includes lunch with wine tasting, admissions, transportation, guide services, and gratuities

Lake View Cemetery, the final resting place of many notable individuals, spans over 285 acres and is known for its scenic beauty and stunning architecture. Under the expert direction of a local guide, you may find it impossible not to marvel at the Tiffany-designed interior of the breathtaking Wade Chapel, as well as the impressive President James A. Garfield Memorial. The 20th President of the United States, Garfield was tragically assassinated in 1881 at age 49. After this scenic portion of the tour, ready your appetite for lunch and wine-tasting at Grand River Cellars, included in the ticket price. The tour then moves to Garfield’s historic home at Lawnfield, located in Mentor, OH, and now a National Park. The house was originally built in 1831 and enlarged by Garfield—who added 19 rooms. His widow Lucretia further expanded the home to its present size. Her innovations in collecting and displaying her husband’s artifacts set the standard for future Presidential Libraries. More than 80% of the historic furnishings in the home belonged to the Garfield family.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Tour

Wednesday, October 16
Monday, October 21
Bus tour departs from Hilton Cleveland Downtown
Approximately 5-1/2 hours, including transportation
Ticket includes lunch, admissions, transportation, guide services, and gratuities

Established in 1963, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH, is recognized worldwide as America’s premier sports Hall of Fame. An exhilarating museum and attraction, the Hall of Fame pays tribute to the talents and triumphs of pro football’s greatest legends. Dedicated to preserving the history and honoring the legends of professional football in the United States, the HoF features an impressive collection of memorabilia including Super Bowl rings, iconic jerseys and interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience the thrill of the game.

Guided Downtown Walking Tours

Playhouse Square Walking Tour

Thursday, October 17
Exact tour times TBA
Guided walking tour lasts approximately 90 minutes
Included as a JASNA Bus stop

Playhouse Square—the largest performing arts center in the nation outside of New York City—welcomes more than 1 million guests to over a thousand shows and events each year. With five fully-restored historic theaters dating from the 1920’s, Playhouse Square is home to the largest theater restoration project in the world. Using original architectural drawings, photo archives, and remnants of surviving ornamental details, the restoration returned the theaters to their original neoclassical splendor. Tours take participants through gorgeous public spaces, and may include behind-the-scenes backstage areas depending on availability.

Downtown Public Art Walking Tour

Wednesday, October 16
Thursday, October 17
Monday, October 21
Tour departs from Public Square
Approximately 2 1/2 hours

The Downtown Public Art Walking Tour highlights public art in all its forms in and around the civic center of Downtown Cleveland. On this tour you will not only visit the art but explore the artists, the people being depicted, and their connections to Cleveland. Walkers will see contemporary sculpture by Claes Oldenburg, Isamu Noguchi, and Stacy Levy, and take in statues of many historical figures, as well as some often-overlooked pieces in this informative ambulatory review.

Downtown Highlights Walking Tour

Wednesday, October 16
Thursday, October 17
Monday, October 21
Tour departs from Public Square
Approximately 2 1/2 hours

On the Downtown Highlights Walking Tour, explore notable Cleveland sites from Public Square to Playhouse Square, and everything in between. This easy walking tour includes a brief history of Cleveland, embracing the Old Stone Church, the Terminal Tower, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, the Cleveland Public Library, the Federal Reserve of Cleveland, Playhouse Square, the Arcade, and the Cleveland Public Trust Company Building. Includes some opportunities to sit.

Evening Delights

Jane Austen Evensong at Trinity Cathedral

Wednesday, October 16
No charge; donations appreciated
Transportation not provided

Those arriving early for the AGM are invited to a Wednesday evening Evensong service memorializing Jane Austen at the historic and beautiful Trinity Cathedral. The Cathedral is approximately 7 minutes by car, or 30 minutes’ walk, from the Hilton Cleveland Downtown. Carpooling may be available. RTA Healthline bus stops near the Cathedral every 15 minutes; all-day bus passes are $5 at riderta.com.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Great Lakes Theatre

Thursday, October 17
Approximately 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Ticket includes transportation

Great Lakes Theatre, Northeast Ohio’s professional classic theater company since 1962, is one of the nation’s preeminent regional theater companies. Join us for a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, mindfully adapted in a modern verse translation by Tony Award-winning and Oscar-nominated storyteller Jeff Whitty, in partnership with Play On Shakespeare. In this adaptation of the Bard’s famously mischievous play, Shakespeare weaves a comedic tapestry where love’s arrows fly wild, mistaken identities create chaos, and laughter reigns supreme. The play is presented in Hanna Theatre, offering an intimate experience where you are never more than 13 rows from the stage.

Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall

Friday, October 18
Approximately 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Program TBA
Ticket includes transportation

The Cleveland Orchestra is hailed as one of the best orchestras on the planet, noted for its musical excellence as well as its devotion and service to the community it calls home. Under the direction of Franz Welser-Möst, the Orchestra performs in Severance Hall, with summer concerts at Blossom Music Center. When not delighting local audiences, the Orchestra tours the globe. Severance Hall opened in 1931 and is known as one of the world’s most beautiful concert halls. The exterior is a Georgian/Neo-Classical construction of Ohio sandstone and Indiana limestone. Inside is an eclectic mix of inspiration from Victorian, Egyptian, classical and ornamental styles, with a recurring lotus theme.

Apollo’s Fire at St. Paul’s Trinity Church

Friday, October 18
Approximately 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Ticket includes transportation

Named for the ancient god of music, healing, and the sun, Apollo’s Fire is a GRAMMY®-winning ensemble. The 17th- and 18th-century baroque period-instrument orchestra was founded by award-winning harpsichordist and conductor Jeannette Sorrell in 1992. The group is known for its musicianship and historical accuracy. Dedicated to the baroque ideal that music should evoke the various Affekts, or passions in the listeners, Apollo’s Fire brings to life the music of the past for audiences of today. The Apollo’s Fire musicians are creative artists who share Sorrell’s passion for drama and rhetoric.

Lady Caroline Moonlight Dinner Cruise

Sunday, October 20
Approximately 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Ticket includes transportation

With four decks, a freshly prepared buffet, a DJ, and sweeping Cleveland skyline views, every Lady Caroline cruise is a celebration. The Lady Caroline is a 120-foot-long, 15,000-square-foot, four-deck luxury yacht used for private parties, weddings, and other events, as well as sightseeing lunch and dinner cruises. The Lady Caroline docks on the West Bank of the Flats overlooking the Cuyahoga River. Three of her decks are fully enclosed and climate-controlled. The DJ entertains on the third deck, which includes a dance floor, while deck four features a covered bar and open views for panoramic sightseeing. Please note, October weather limits cruises to views of the city from within the breakwall, and/or from the river.