In a place as populated as Cleveland, it’s no wonder locals can find themselves feeling separated from nature. We live in something of a concrete jungle, but gorgeous natural spaces are only minutes from home. Hidden in our own backyard are gorgeous pieces of wooded space, historic structure and quarries, and other gorgeous landscapes awaiting discovery. Why not take a drive through the loveliest parts of Greater Cleveland?
There’s nothing like driving with the windows down along one of the most scenic roads in Greater Cleveland.
Ken Lund/Flickr Are you ready for an adventure? A drive along Riverview Road will take roughly 30 minutes, and it’ll fill your day with beauty and history.
Riverview Road begins in Independence by Brookside Road, and it runs almost parallel to the Cuyahoga River.
Google Maps Beginning in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, this road is bound to be surrounded by natural beauty. You’ll adore being immersed in the grandeur of the national park, and you’ll be amazed by what you’ll spot along the way.
Riverview Road ends nearly 20 miles south in Akron, right beside the lovely Sand Run Metro Park.
Google Maps Here you can hike the Towpath Trail, or perhaps challenge yourself on the exercise-friendly Parcours Trail. The land here was once a campsite for the Mingo peoples, and this area was (amazingly) once the western boundary of the United States.
Along the way, you’ll pass a number of historic homes and other places of interest.
Frank John Aleksandrowicz/Wikimedia Commons These homes once housed some of the most interesting area residents before the Cuyahoga Valley housed one of the most traversed national parks. This home once housed Helen Morris Conger and Robert Conger.
And, if you decide to stop in Peninsula, you could even ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park/Facebook The Boston Mill Station can be found at 7029 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, and it’s a journey that is well worth it. This gorgeous excursion will take you through the loveliest parts of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park from the comfort of an iron horse.
You may spot remnants of the region’s old industry…
Summit Metro Parks/Facebook The region is crisscrossed with remnants of mill towns, and you may even spot some well-worn quarries during your drive.
…and even the final resting places of many quarry workers.
Ohio Ghost Town Exploration Co./Facebook The aptly named Riverview Cemetery has been full since the 1950s, containing an astonishing 500-some graves in only an acre and a half.
It’s not unusual to see aspiring and professional naturalists stopped alongside this road, enthralled with something wonderful they’ve spotted.
Summit Metro Parks/Facebook
Truly, you never know what you’ll see in this road’s thick patches of wilderness.
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook
With so much beauty, this 30-minute drive is perfect for Cleveland and Akron residents alike.
Frank John Aleksandrowicz/Wikimedia Commons You’ll likely spot places along the way that you’ll want to visit, so be sure to allot some additional time for your trip.
And though it’s only miles from home, this scenic drive feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Cleveland life.
Summit Metro Parks/Facebook
If you’re ready to unwind, there’s nothing like a scenic drive through the national park. What’s the loveliest thing you’ve spotted alongside this underrated route?
Ken Lund/Flickr
Are you ready for an adventure? A drive along Riverview Road will take roughly 30 minutes, and it’ll fill your day with beauty and history.
Google Maps
Beginning in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, this road is bound to be surrounded by natural beauty. You’ll adore being immersed in the grandeur of the national park, and you’ll be amazed by what you’ll spot along the way.
Here you can hike the Towpath Trail, or perhaps challenge yourself on the exercise-friendly Parcours Trail. The land here was once a campsite for the Mingo peoples, and this area was (amazingly) once the western boundary of the United States.
Frank John Aleksandrowicz/Wikimedia Commons
These homes once housed some of the most interesting area residents before the Cuyahoga Valley housed one of the most traversed national parks. This home once housed Helen Morris Conger and Robert Conger.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park/Facebook
The Boston Mill Station can be found at 7029 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, and it’s a journey that is well worth it. This gorgeous excursion will take you through the loveliest parts of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park from the comfort of an iron horse.
Summit Metro Parks/Facebook
The region is crisscrossed with remnants of mill towns, and you may even spot some well-worn quarries during your drive.
Ohio Ghost Town Exploration Co./Facebook
The aptly named Riverview Cemetery has been full since the 1950s, containing an astonishing 500-some graves in only an acre and a half.
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook
You’ll likely spot places along the way that you’ll want to visit, so be sure to allot some additional time for your trip.
If you enjoyed this journey, you’ll love this scenic drive through the Cleveland Metroparks.
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