Tours
“...Altogether my impressions of the place are very agreeable.”
– Persuasion
Important things to know about tours:
AGM registrants in the Attendee and Companion categories may purchase tours as part of AGM registration. If space remains, tours may be opened to Attendees’ non-registered traveling partners in late summer.
Tours must meet minimum headcounts in order to run. If a tour is canceled due to low enrollment, you will be given a full refund.
Tour prices include transportation where specified, meals where specified, guide services, destination entry fees, all taxes, and gratuities. All prices are in U.S. dollars.
Times shown for bus tours are times the buses arrive for loading. Please arrive at the assembly point no later than the times shown to allow for check-in and boarding.
We are offering a variety of tours, but every tour may not be suitable for every person. Please read descriptions and accessibility notes carefully.
Coach Tours
Holmes County Amish Tour
Cost: $130
Amish Tour 1: Wednesday, 7:30am to 5:00pm
Amish Tour 2: Monday, 7:30am to 5:00pm
Ticket includes transportation, lunch, guide, and gratuities. Tour departs from and returns to Hilton Cleveland Downtown.
Holmes County, located in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country, is known for its thriving Amish community. This tour includes a visit to the Amish Mennonite Heritage Center in Behalt, a stop at a one-of-a-kind store catering to the needs of the Amish, lunch in an Amish home or local restaurant, and time for independent exploration in Sugarcreek, including viewing the world’s largest glockenspiel cuckoo clock.
Accessibility notes:
- Lunch has various choices. Please indicate dietary restrictions during registration. Attempts will be made to accommodate at each tour location.
- Tour is suitable for most travelers.
- Bus has “kneeling” capacity at the curb to facilitate boarding.
- Leisurely walking at each destination.
- If required, please request a wheelchair-accessible bus during registration.
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Cost: $95
Football Tour 1: Wednesday 9:00am to 2:30pm
Football Tour 2: Monday 9:00am to 2:30pm
Ticket includes transportation, admission, lunch, guide, and gratuities. Tour departs from and returns to Hilton Cleveland Downtown.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is dedicated to preserving the history and honoring the legends of professional football in the United States. It 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. A voucher for lunch at the popular Hall of Fame Cafe is included.
Accessibility notes:
- Bus has “kneeling” capacity at the curb to facilitate boarding.
- Museum is wheelchair accessible throughout, with ramps available where there is a change in floor height.
- Wheelchairs are available free of charge at the front desk; advance reservations are not required.
- If required, please request a wheelchair-accessible bus during registration.
Garfield Presidential Tour: Lakeview Cemetery, Lawnfield, and Winery
Cost: $110
Garfield Tour 1: Thursday 8:30am to 5:00pm
Garfield Tour 2: Monday 8:30am to 5:00pm
Ticket includes transportation, admissions, lunch at winery, guides, and gratuities. Departs from and returns to Hilton Cleveland Downtown.
Lake View Cemetery, the final resting place of many notable individuals, is known for its scenic beauty, stunning architecture, and sculptures. Visit the James A. Garfield Memorial and Wade Chapel, one of the few remaining interiors totally designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and his studios. Enjoy lunch at a local winery. Tour Lawnfield, the former home of James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, and see the prototype of the modern Presidential Library established by the president’s widow Lucretia Garfield.
Accessibility notes:
- Bus has “kneeling” capacity at the curb to facilitate boarding.
- Please indicate dietary restrictions during registration. Attempts will be made to accommodate at each tour location.
- At Lake View Cemetery:
- Wade Chapel with Tiffany interior has a ramp for access.
- Garfield Memorial interior is only accessible by walking up 29 steps.
- At Lawnfield
- There is an elevator to the library level that can be used to avoid two flights of stairs.
- The bedroom level requires walking up an additional 5 or 6 steps from the library level; a video of the bedroom level is available for those who do not walk to that level.
- Ramps are available to enter and exit buildings.
- If required, please request a wheelchair-accessible bus during registration.
Private Viewing of Rare Regency Portrait Miniatures at Cleveland Museum of Art
Cost: $90
Wednesday 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Private Viewing Group A: 2:00pm to 2:45pm
Private Viewing Group B: 3:00pm to 3:45pm
Ticket includes transportation and private viewing of miniatures with CMA curator. Lunch not included.
Explore the museum on your own before and after your private small-group viewing. Enjoy lunch on your own in the popular Provenance cafe in the museum Atrium. Tour departs from and returns to Hilton Cleveland Downtown.
The Cleveland Museum of Art is a world-renowned museum with over 65,000 works spanning 6,000 years of human achievement. This special event is a private viewing of approximately 25 portrait miniatures selected by the museum’s curator especially for JASNA AGM attendees, mainly from the time period during and before Jane Austen’s life. 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 appeal across the centuries to viewers today. The trip includes time to explore the museum on your own and enjoy lunch in the museum’s Atrium.
Accessibility notes:
- Bus has “kneeling” capacity at the curb to facilitate boarding.
- Most of the historic 1916 building is wheelchair accessible and accessible by elevators and escalators.
- Wheelchairs are available, free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis at the information desk.
- Elevators and escalators are located throughout the museum. All water fountains and public restrooms are accessible.
- If required, please request a wheelchair-accessible bus during registration.
Guided Walking Tours
Downtown Highlights Walking Tour
Cost: $25
Highlights Tour 1: Wednesday 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Highlights Tour 2: Thursday 10:00am to 12:00pm
Highlights Tour 3: Sunday 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Highlights Tour 4: Monday 10:00am to 12:00pm
Tour begins at the north side of Public Square, a 5-minute walk from the hotel, and ends at Playhouse Square. Please allow 20 minutes to walk back to the hotel.
Covering architectural highlights from Public Square to Playhouse Square, this tour includes local favorites like the Old Stone Church, Terminal Tower, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Cleveland Public Library, and the Federal Reserve of Cleveland. The gorgeous Cleveland Arcade, one of the earliest enclosed shopping arcades in the country, opened in 1890 and is a fine example of Gilded Age splendor. Cleveland leads the nation in converting office space to residential and repurposing beautiful buildings like the Cleveland Public Trust Company Building (now a Heinen’s grocery store).
Accessibility notes:
- This two-hour easy walking tour includes some opportunities for sitting.
- Requires walking through the city using sidewalks and crosswalks.
- Wheelchair-accessible.
Downtown Public Art Walking Tour
Cost: $25
Public Art Tour 1: Thursday 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Public Art Tour 2: Monday 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Tour begins and ends at the north side of Public Square, a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
This tour highlights public art in all its forms in and around the civic center of downtown Cleveland. Explore the artists, the people being depicted, and their connections to Cleveland. You will see sculptures by artists Claes Oldenburg, Isamu Noguchi, and Stacy Levy, along with statues of many historical figures.
Accessibility notes:
- Requires walking through the city using sidewalks and crosswalks.
- Wheelchair-accessible.
“Behind the Scenes” Playhouse Square Walking Tour
Cost: $25
Tour 1: Thursday, 11:00am to 12:00pm
Tour 2: Thursday, 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Tour 3: Thursday, 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Tour departure and pickup location included as a stop on the JASNA University Circle Loop Bus. Bus ticket sold separately; see below.
Playhouse Square is the largest theater restoration project in the world. Local devotees led the 40-year effort to rescue these beautiful buildings and bring live theater back to the district. Using original documents and surviving details, the restoration returned five theaters dating from 1921-22 to their original neoclassical splendor. The tour may include backstage areas depending on availability.
Accessibility notes:
- JASNA’s University Circle Bus has “kneeling” capacity at the curb to facilitate boarding.
- Playhouse Square lobbies and restrooms are wheelchair accessible.
- Tours include some stairs; notify guides and they will accommodate those with difficulty using stairs.
- If required, please request a wheelchair-accessible bus during registration.
Cleveland Museum of Art Docent-Led Walking Tour
Cost: $15
Docent Tour 1: Thursday, 10:30am to 11:30am
Docent Tour 2: Thursday, 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Docent Tour 3: Thursday, 2:30pm to 3:30pm
While admission to this world-class museum is free, your ticket covers a guide and gratuity for our docent-led walk. The JASNA University Circle Loop Bus provides transportation to CMA from the Hilton Cleveland Downtown. Bus tickets sold separately; see below.
The Cleveland Museum of Art is a world-renowned museum with over 65,000 works spanning 6,000 years of human achievement. Explore the museum on your own throughout the day. Enjoy lunch on your own in the popular Provenance cafe in the museum Atrium. Enhance your visit by joining a docent-led group to see highlights and layout of the museum.
Accessibility notes:
- JASNA’s University Circle Bus has “kneeling” capacity at the curb to facilitate boarding.
- Most of the historic 1916 building is wheelchair-accessible, and serviced by elevators and escalators.
- Wheelchairs are available, free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis at the information desk.
- Elevators and escalators are located throughout the museum. All water fountains and public restrooms are wheelchair-accessible.
- If required, please request a wheelchair-accessible bus during registration.
Self-Guided Tours
“Choose Your Own (Cultural) Adventure” University Circle Bus Loop
Cost: $15
Bus departs from Cleveland Hilton Downtown. Stops include Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland History Center, Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, and Playhouse Square.
University Circle is home to the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland History Center, the Cleveland Botanical Garden, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, all arranged around the easy-to-walk Wade Oval.
Sit back and enjoy a short trip on a well-appointed 55-seat coach, as you travel in style from the Hilton directly to University Circle. Buses will run on a route which loops every 20 to 30 minutes between the hotel, University Circle, and the Rock Hall, with additional stops at Playhouse Square for those enjoying Thursday walking tours. The coach will stop at the Cleveland Museum of Art and the History Center on every loop. Playhouse Square and Hall of Fame stops will be made as needed throughout the day.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Cost: $29
Discounted tickets available for purchase during Registration, for a savings of $6 off regular admission at the door.
Open every day 10am to 5pm; Thursday, 10am to 9pm
Short walk from hotel, or ride JASNA’s University Circle Bus Loop ($15 at Registration) on Thursday
The museum, starting from Level 0, spans generations from Rock’s earliest artists to today’s emerging musicians. Find thousands of items on display plus feature films, interactive kiosks, and plenty of music. On other floors, explore rotating exhibits, visit the shop and cafe, play musical instruments, and explore Hall of Fame history. The current special exhibit, “Revolutionary Women in Music: Left of Center” is located on Level 0.
Cleveland Public Library
Cost: FREE
Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm
Short walk from hotel. Self-guided tour brochures available at the library’s front desk
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.
Cleveland Museum of Art
Cost: FREE
Tuesday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Wednesday, 10:00am to 9:00pm
Thursday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Friday, 10:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
The Cleveland Museum of Art is a world-renowned museum with over 65,000 works spanning 6,000 years of human achievement. Explore the museum on your own throughout the day. Enjoy lunch on your own in the popular Provenance cafe in the museum Atrium.
Cleveland History Center
Cost: $10 to $15
Thursday, 12:00pm to 8:00pm
Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm
The Cleveland History Center comprises The Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS), the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, and the Hay-McKinney House & Garden. As Cleveland's oldest cultural institution, WRHS is a trusted steward of one of the finest library and museum collections relating to the American experience. The people, artifacts, and manuscripts in this vibrant collection provide provenance for our region.
On view now is Fashion After Dark. Imagine a visual feast of shimmering silks, dazzling sequins, and sparkling gemstones. In the 19th century, gaslight brought evening wear to life in an otherworldly way. This exhibition explores the relationship of fashion and artificial light. The Hay-McKinney Mansion’s period rooms and vignettes of dressing, dining, entertaining, and household service simulate the atmosphere of an evening on Euclid Avenue with immersive lighting and sound.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Cost: $7 to $10*
Tuesday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Wednesday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Thursday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
For more than 100 years, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History has been recognized as a global leader in scientific research. With vast collections containing more than five million research specimens and artifacts, it is Ohio’s largest museum devoted to the natural sciences and one of the top 10 natural history museums in the United States. The Museum’s renowned curators conduct world-class research around the globe and advance the frontiers of scientific knowledge by making groundbreaking discoveries in the field and contributing research to top peer-reviewed journals and publications.
*Note: The museum is undergoing renovation. During our AGM, the Main Exhibit Galleries will be closed. Visitor Hall, Perkins Wildlife Exhibit, the Planetarium, 3D movies, Animal Encounters, Special Exhibits, and Gift Shop will be open. Admission prices have been lowered for the duration of the construction work.
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Cost: $20
Tickets available at the door
Open Tuesday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Wednesday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Thursday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday, 12:00pm to 5:00pm
This 10-acre campus, located in the heart of Cleveland’s iconic University Circle, offers an enchanting escape from our bustling city. Visitors will experience mesmerizing, manicured gardens and specially curated glasshouses. Open year-round, rain or shine, for enjoying seasonal beauties.
A Night on The Town
Cleveland shines with a special event or performance in the city on each night of the extended AGM weekend. JASNA has secured blocks of tickets for concerts and theatrical performances; the Lady Caroline event is private for JASNA guests only.
Choral Evensong at Trinity Cathedral Episcopal Church
FREE*
Transportation on your own; accessible via rapid transit (RTA Healthline)
Trinity Cathedral welcomes AGM attendees with a special Evensong dedicated to Jane Austen.
Evensong is an evening service of readings and music. It combines elements of the ancient observance of the monastic offices of vespers and compline, usually featuring musical settings of two biblical canticles, the Magnificat and the Nunc Dimittis. The service provides a space of rest at the end of the day, meditating on the contrast between darkness and light. The cathedral is delighted to welcome JASNA AGM attendees to join us for this hour of contemplation.
*An on-site donation to the church is suggested.
Accessibility notes:
- When entering from the parking lot on Prospect Avenue, all public areas in the building are on a single level, with fully accessible restrooms.
- Trinity Cathedral utilizes a Hearing Loop system inside the church.
A Night at the Theatre: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Cost: $92
Thursday, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Ticket covers the cost of direct coach transportation, theater ticket, and fees. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase at the venue. Coach departs from and returns to Hilton Cleveland Downtown.
Performed by Great Lakes Theatre, Cleveland’s Classic Theatre Company. Relax and enjoy a modern verse translation by Tony Award-winning playwright Jeff Whitty in partnership with Play On Shakespeare. The woods are the stage for a hilarious whirlwind of mismatched love, mischievous fairies and theatrical blundering. Shakespeare weaves a comedic tapestry where love’s arrows fly wild, mistaken identities create chaos, and laughter reigns supreme. Great Lakes Theatre performs at the Hanna Theatre, one of the original theaters built in the Playhouse Square district in 1921. The intimate theater with 550 comfortable seats is arranged so there is no bad seat. The actors use the entire space, bringing the audience into the play. Snacks and drinks are sold in the lobby and the bar serves drinks before the play and during intermission.
Note: Contact AGM coordinators to purchase discount tickets for performances on other AGM evenings.
Accessibility notes:
- Bus has “kneeling” capacity at the curb to facilitate boarding.
- Restrooms, drinking fountains and telephone facilities are provided for wheelchair guests.
- There are 12 accessible seats in the Hanna Theatre. All are wheelchair accessible and provide room for companion seating. Please note any mobility issues on the Registration form.
- If required, please request a wheelchair-accessible bus during registration.
A Night at the Orchestra: Mahler’s Symphony No. 3
Cost: $99
Ticket covers coach transportation, ticket, and fees. Refreshments are available for purchase at lobby bars during intermission. Coach departs from and returns to Hilton Cleveland Downtown.
Hear Mahler’s Third Symphony performed by the Cleveland Orchestra with Conductor Klaus Mäkelä, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston, the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and the Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Chorus.
The Cleveland Orchestra, founded in 1918, is one America’s “Big Five” orchestras. Known for its musical excellence and service to the community, the Cleveland Orchestra has a reputation for disciplined work ethic, refined artistic style, and crystalline sound. The orchestra’s primary home, Severance Hall, opened in 1931 as one of the world’s most beautiful concert halls. The exterior combines neoclassical and Art Deco styles. The interior combines a variety of styles, including Art Deco and Egyptian Revival. The stunning grand foyer is surrounded by marble columns. The intricate patterns of the main concert hall ceiling are based on 18th century English point lace. The combination of beautiful architecture and world-class music will transport you to the golden age of classical music.
Note: The Orchestra will also perform Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Accessibility notes:
- Bus has “kneeling” capacity at the curb to facilitate boarding.
- There are accessible entrances curbside and at the garage level.
- Accessible Seating: Special seating options are available for mobility-impaired persons and their companions and families. There are seating locations that are wheelchair-accessible and scooter-accessible, where patrons can remain in their wheelchairs or transfer to chairs. At Severance Hall, aisle seats with removable armrests are also available for persons who wish to transfer. Please note any mobility issues on the Registration form.
- If required, please request a wheelchair-accessible bus during registration.
A Night of Baroque Splendor:
Grammy-Winning Apollo’s Fire
Cost: $74
Friday 6:45 pm to 10:00 pm
Ticket covers coach transportation, ticket, and fees. Coach departs from and returns to Hilton Cleveland Downtown.
Hear Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos (nos. 2, 3, 4 and 6) performed by Grammy-winning baroque orchestra Apollo's Fire. The group has performed around the world, including Carnegie Hall and the BBC Proms in London, but they are proud to call Cleveland their home. The 17th- and 18th-century baroque period-instrument orchestra was founded by award-winning harpsichordist and conductor Jeannette Sorrell in 1992. Sorrell is credited with “forging a vibrant, life-affirming approach to early music” (BBC Magazine). Apollo’s Fire brings to life the music of the past for audiences of today. Catch them in Bach's magnificent Brandenburg Concertos at St Paul's Episcopal Church in Cleveland Heights.
Accessibility notes:
- Bus has “kneeling” capacity at the curb to facilitate boarding.
- There are sections for patrons in wheelchairs. Please note any mobility issues on the Registration form.
- If required, please request a wheelchair-accessible bus during registration.
A Night on the Water: Moonlight Dinner Cruise on the Lady Caroline
Cost: $99
Ticket covers coach transportation and dinner, coffee, tea, and water; cash bar is available. Coach departs from and returns to Hilton Cleveland Downtown.
October cruises include views of the city from within the break wall, and/or from the river. Dazzling city lights flicker on as the city falls into dusk, with buildings and bridges lit in vibrant colors against the evening autumn sky. Delicious buffet meals combined with friendly service make for a lovely evening. Dinner includes a plated salad selection and your choice from a served buffet including side dishes and three entrées. Choices will include beef, chicken, and vegetarian options.
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 Cuyahoga River, on the West Bank of the Flats. Three of her decks can be fully enclosed and climate controlled. The fourth deck features a covered bar and open views for sweeping panoramic sightseeing. The third deck has a dance floor and lounge area with disc jockey (“DJ”). All three lower decks have large windows for sightseeing. Note: Weather can interfere with boat travel on the river and within the break wall; destination will be determined on the day of our event to ensure passenger safety and comfort.
Accessibility notes:
- Meals are served on the first and second decks. Lady Caroline needs advanced notice of guests with mobility issues, so accessible seats on the first deck can be set aside.
- Lady Caroline’s first deck is boarded by ramp. Other decks are accessible only via stairs. Passengers unable to use stairs are served dinner on the first deck, where large windows allow for full views from the boat.
- Bus has “kneeling” capacity at the curb to facilitate boarding.
- If required, please request a wheelchair-accessible bus during registration.