Cleveland Winter Staycation

1. SPEND THE DAY IN THE RAINFOREST FOR UNDER $7
If you can’t take a trip to the really thing, you can at least pretend you have. The Rainforest at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is one of my favorite places–especially in the cold winter months! Since it’s all inside, it’s perfect even on a cold or rainy day. Walk around listening to the sounds of the jungle as birds fly free and a rainstorm occurs every 12 minutes complete with lightning, wind, and thunder. Porcupines, anteaters, monkeys, alligators and more! Adults, $6.25. Children (2-11), $4.25. Under 2, free.

Don’t miss Noon Year’s Eve at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 31, celebrate the New Year twelve hours early with a special countdown to a ball drop over the Zoo’s Welcome Plaza at noon. Fun for the whole family, Noon Year’s Eve features music, dancing, crafts, an ice carving demo, ‘ReZOOlutions’ and a special Professor Wylde’s Live Animal Show featuring a crew of critters.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland OH 44109. clevelandmetroparks.com

2. The Great Lakes Science Center
Explore interactive exhibits. Watch entertaining and educational live science demonstrations performed right before your eyes. Discover the magical world of bubbles, learn about space and aeronautics, uncover the “shocking truth” behind electricity and more.

601 Erieside Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114

3. A Christmas Story House
A Christmas Story at Ralphie’s house don’t forget to visit the museum gift shop for your own Major Award Leg Lamp. Tours run every half hour starting at 10:15 am. The last guided tour is an hour before closing. Self-guided tours continue to run through 30 minutes before closing.
Open Year Round – 7 Days a Week, 3159 W. 11th St., Cleveland, OH 44109

4. Winter Lights at the Art Museum • thru Dec 31 2016
The Winter Lights Lantern Festival features artist lantern displays inside the museum and the Environment of Lights installation on Wade Oval. Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. www.clevelandart.org

5. TAKE A GASTRO-FIELDTRIP
If you have never been to the West Side Market, you are missing out on culinary delights beyond your wildest thoughts. And if it’s been awhile since your last visit, this week is the perfect time to go. Here you’ll find the highest quality and largest selection of food in town from seafood, meats and cheeses, olive oil and tea to baked goods. Grab a canolli or pick the perfect steak for dinner. Mon & Wed: 7am – 4pm. Fri & Sat: 7am – 6pm.
West Side Market, 1979 West 25th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44113.

6. Cleveland Botanical Garden’s Glow
It’s like a winter wonderland of twinkling lights and beautiful creatively decorated trees. This year, there’s also an all-new outdoor light display. While you’re there, grab a family photo in front of the 2 story Christmas tree;make crafts; take a ride on the Garden Express train; be inspired by the display of whimsical gingerbread houses and then decorate your own! Kids can shop at the Tree Top shop for cute kids to give family members.

Tickets available online; at the Botanical Garden ticketing desk; or by calling 216.721.1600, ext. 100.
Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Boulevard | Cleveland, OH | 44106

Emily’s Luscious Lemon Squares:
That Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart.