Canalway Center-Cleveland Metroparks

I’ve taken my family to this nature center for two events now, and both have been a smashing success! First we took my 2 year old son to one of the Family Movie Nights they host, and we were so surprised at how awesome it was! They have these cushy seats with foot stools (come early to snag the best spots), not just hard folding chairs like we were expecting, and you can buy candy or popcorn, or even better bring your own. We saw families coming with pillows to really get comfortable during the film. My kid wasn’t ready to sit through a whole movie, but he absolutely loved playing on the ‘boat’ in the nature center. My toddlers could easily burn a couple hours here.
We came again this past weekend for a child’s birthday party, and they really did a fantastic job. One of the naturalists brought in a cart full of critters and told the kids all about them and even let them pet a few (toad, frog, salamander, turtle, snake, etc.).
Some other awesome things at the Canalway Center: step stools in the restrooms and at the water fountain for small people, coffee and rockers in an all-​windows room — perfect for bird watching or reading the paper, smooth, wide trails for wagons and strollers, a movie theater room with a long list of films to choose, and a beaver lodge too!
They have a ton of organized activities and events here, most of which are free. We will definitely be back often.

This is a great area to do many things. I love the Metroparks in northeastern Ohio. They are so scenic, well taken care of, and fun for hiking. I took the family to the Canalway Center last weekend and we played on the playground, hiked, took pictures, and hiked some more.
There is so much to see here from the Canalway Center’s indoor attractions, to the Erie Canal down the hill, to the little swamp walkway, to the mountain biking trail, to the playground, to the old train track memorabilia, and finally, to the towpath along the canal. I come here often to ride the towpath and mountain bike trail, which is viewable on Google Maps. Now, as far as mountain bike trails are concerned, this is not a destination, but since it is right next to the towpath, it makes for a nice challenge.
There is a kids fishing tournament here once per year in the Canal. It’s great!
Fun place!

I expected a historic waterway with tow paths and locks. If there’s one here, I didn’t see it.
This is probably a good location for children. First, they can run off some of their stored energy by trying to ‘be first’ on area trails. The visitor center has displays, including information on invasive species, but the kids will like the animals. There is a snake and turtle on display. There are also bird feeders that attract local feathered animals from the woods. I think they had a coloring book activity. Along the paths you may happen on a heron or some loitering geese.
There are functional public restrooms.
The trails are steep. The visitor center looks wheelchair accessible.