44. Little Italy

Being Italian, I have a soft spot for all things delicious.  That being said, heading down to Little Italy with your little ones is a great family evening.  I don't recommend going on a Friday or Saturday night, just so that you can keep your sanity!  But we love to go down, order a pizza from Mama Santa's, eat it at the play ground, play for a while then wander over to Presti's Bakery for some gelato or a cookie (or two or four...shh!).  It's a wonderful, fun, relatively inexpensive, delicious family evening!

Find all things Little Italy HERE!

Location
Murry Hill
Mayfield Road East of Euclid

Image Provided By:  jenniferrt66

1. First Thursday Free Dinos

If your kids are anything like mine they ask to go to the "Dino Museum" almost daily.  While that would be cost prohibitive, this new offer from Target makes the possibility of going at least monthly attainable.  From April 1, 2010 through March 3, 2011....admission to the museum is free!  It is extra for the Planetarium and special exhibits.

Location:

1 Wade Oval Drive 

University Circle

Cleveland OH 44106

216.231.4600 

Hours:

Monday through Saturday:  10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 10pm
Sunday:  Noon to 5pm

Parking:  Although there is a small parking lot in front of the museum, your chances of getting in there any day (let alone a free day) are about as good at Junior sleeping in till 11am.  I recommend going to the parking garage directly South of the CMNH that also services the Art Museum.  There is a fee to park in both areas so bring your cash!

Get all the info here!

I highly recommend making the 5 min drive over to Little Italy for lunch after, Presti's Bakery has great quick pastas and sandwiches for hungry impatient toddlers.  And how can you go wrong with their hundreds of baked goods and gelato!

Image Provided By:  Tasslehoff Burrfoot