The best things to do in Lakewood

10 things to do we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

Browse another shelf: all of Lakewood’s best · Restaurants · Nightlife · Beauty · Bakeries & Sweets · Arts & Culture · Cafes · Shopping · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · Health & Wellness · Parks & Outdoors

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Entertainment · 10 places · showing the latest additions first

Animal exhibits, a simulated rainforest, an interactive kids section, a gift shop & restaurants.

3900 Wildlife Way (Cleveland)

Animal exhibits, a simulated rainforest, an interactive kids section, a gift shop & restaurants.

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Fin Fest is on through August 11, so Greater Cleveland Aquarium is an easy win this week... wander the walk-through experience, check out…

2000 Sycamore St (Cleveland)

Fin Fest is on through August 11, so Greater Cleveland Aquarium is an easy win this week... wander the walk-through experience, check out the mock research vessel, and get face time with stingrays and other locals of the deep without leaving town.

From the Cleveland newsletter, August 4, 2026

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Playhouse Square

Entertainment

Playhouse Square is Cleveland’s home for the big stuff, from touring Broadway hits and opera to stand-up, dance and those jaw-dropper set…

1501 Euclid Ave #200 (Cleveland)

Playhouse Square is Cleveland’s home for the big stuff, from touring Broadway hits and opera to stand-up, dance and those jaw-dropper set pieces you can feel in your seat. The Lion King is roaring right now through August 16, so snag a night and treat your inner theater kid.

From the Parma newsletter, August 8, 2026

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This week, Parma crews can step into Game Show Duels Lakewood (Ohio) for a TV-style showdown where you and your friends become the…

13000 Athens Ave

This week, Parma crews can step into Game Show Duels Lakewood (Ohio) for a TV-style showdown where you and your friends become the contestants. Expect energetic hosts, rapid-fire trivia, team challenges, and surprise minigames that crank up the laughs and rivalry, then go home with epic bragging rights.

From the Parma newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Museum of Illusions

Entertainment

Family-friendly place featuring optical illusions, holograms and interactive exhibits, plus gift shop.

186 Euclid Ave (Cleveland)

Family-friendly place featuring optical illusions, holograms and interactive exhibits, plus gift shop.

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Capitol Theatre

Entertainment

A mix of studio & indie films fill the calendar at this refurbished 1921 venue serving beer & wine.

1390 W 65th St (Cleveland)

A mix of studio & indie films fill the calendar at this refurbished 1921 venue serving beer & wine.

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From a 1930s Eliot Ness investigation to a fantasy quest and a sneaky clockwork heist, Perplexity Games Escape Room - Cleveland builds…

2515 Jay Ave #B3 (Cleveland)

From a 1930s Eliot Ness investigation to a fantasy quest and a sneaky clockwork heist, Perplexity Games Escape Room - Cleveland builds multi-room adventures that actually feel like adventures.

From the Cleveland newsletter, August 15, 2026

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Straightforward course featuring par-3 and par-4 holes, plus a par-5, all set against a forest backdrop.

18599 Old Lorain Rd (Cleveland)

Straightforward course featuring par-3 and par-4 holes, plus a par-5, all set against a forest backdrop.

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If you’ve been meaning to catch a buzzy new release or something a little artsier this week, Atlas Cinemas Shaker Square 6 has you covered…

13116 Shaker Square (Cleveland)

If you’ve been meaning to catch a buzzy new release or something a little artsier this week, Atlas Cinemas Shaker Square 6 has you covered with first-run hits, indie and foreign picks, plus the occasional local film fest. All in an art deco setting that makes movie night feel special without trying too hard.

From the Cleveland newsletter, August 12, 2026

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Mastick Woods Golf Course serves up a relaxed, executive length loop with an Appalachian forest feel, perfect for new golfers, juniors, or…

19900 Puritas Ave (Cleveland)

Mastick Woods Golf Course serves up a relaxed, executive length loop with an Appalachian forest feel, perfect for new golfers, juniors, or anyone who just wants trees and sky with their swings this week. Or skip the sticks and play FootGolf, then remember this spot when snow arrives for sledding.

From the Cleveland newsletter, August 14, 2026

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