Top Things to do in Kirtland
Countries
Things to do in Kirtland, Lake County: The Best Nature & Parks
Discover the best top things to do in Kirtland, United States including Lake Metroparks Penitentiary Glen Reservation, Chapin Forest Reservation, Penitentiary Glen Wildlife Center, The Holden Arboretum, Lake Metroparks Farmpark.
1. Lake Metroparks Penitentiary Glen Reservation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By Bobo185 - Chardon, United States
I went to Penitentiary Glenn Reservation in Mid-November for a good walk. This is one of my favorite parks and I used to volunteer here. There are many well maintained trails here, but I had never hiked the entire Rabbit Run Loop Trail…what a great hike. This trail is mostly unimproved, has two creek crossings, and takes you into nooks and crannies of the park the other trails miss. Good footwear is a must. My walk was just at 3 miles from the parking lot with a fair amount of up and down. Highly recommend.
2. Chapin Forest Reservation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Bobo185 - Chardon, United States
I went to Chapin Forest Reservation on Friday October 31st and Monday November 2nd with the goal of hiking all the trails. It had been many years since I had been here, and I forgot how unique the various rocks and geological formations were. This is a large park with over 6 miles of trails…more if you count the connectors… and two entrances. The main entrance to the park is off rt 306 and there is another entrance off Hobart Road. This park had quite a few people in it, but I was able to have alone time walking the trails too. Most of the trails are crushed stone but most all have some up and down. There are a few trails such as the Lucky Stone Trail that have sections that are more rugged, and I was glad I had on my hiking boots as it had been raining all morning. On Friday I started at the first parking area on the 306 entrance and stitched together the Sone cutters, Quarry, Turkey, and Lucky Stone loop trails for a hike of just under 4 miles. The only place I had to backtrack was the Turkey Trail as it connects the Quarry and Lucky Stone Trails together. The Stone Cutters trail is short, leading to a creek where you can see evidence of the stone blocks being cut out of the stream bed. The Quarry Trail has great views going all the way out to Lake Erie and the Fall color was excellent. The lucky Stone Trail takes you through some cool geological formations. Nice hike. On Monday I parked at the Hobart Road entrance and made a hike out of the Beach Woods, Whispering Pines, and Arbor Lane trails of just over 2 miles. This is a nice walk with only moderate up and downs. Most of the paths here are also crushed gravel but the short Whispering Pines trail is unimproved and there were quite a few trees over the path. A windstorm over the weekend may have contributed and it also took away most of the fall leaves too. I prefer the section off route 306.
3. Penitentiary Glen Wildlife Center
4. The Holden Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 316 reviews
The Holden Arboretum is 3,500 acres of the most beautiful gardens and natural areas in Northeast Ohio, including the Holden Wildflower Garden, featuring Ohio native plants; the Holden Butterfly Garden, which attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; the 20-acre Layer Rhododendron Garden and the 4.5 acre Paine Rhododendron Discovery Garden; and collections of lilacs, viburnums, crabapples and conifers. Admission to the Arboretum includes the Murch Canopy Walk and the Kalberer Emergent Tower, which are open from April 1 through Nov. 1. Guided walking tours of the grounds are available from April through May, and tram tours are available May through October. Winter activities include snowshoe hikes in January and February, weather permitting.
Reviewed By kimsX7442XV - Cuyahoga Falls, United States
Nice area to walk around with all the trees, plants and ponds. Decorated very nice for Halloween. The canopy walk was nice and the Emergent tower had breathtaking views of the area and you can see Lake Erie. With COVID you do need to purchase your tickets online. The canopy walk and tower only allow a certain number of people on them at one time.
5. Lake Metroparks Farmpark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Lake Metroparks Farmpark is a family-oriented science and cultural center devoted to agriculture, farming and country life. Visitors can experience milking hands-on with our dairy cows. Machine-milking is also demonstrated. Learn how cheese is made and on weekends and during special events you even may help make ice cream the old-fashioned way! Discover pigs, sheep, chickens, rabbits and even a turkey In the Well Bred Shed. Horse- or tractor-drawn wagon rides are the mode of transportation throughout the park. Meet dozens of breeds of livestock including llamas, alpacas, chickens, pigs and goats in the Barnyard. The arena is home to the horses at Farmpark. We have all sizes including draft horses, light horses and miniatures. Explore the Plant Science Center which houses the Great Tomato Works hydroponic exhibit, and a greenhouse. Watch the border collie at Farmpark help to keep the sheep together as they move from one end of the field to the other in our sheep herding demonstrations (offered mid-April through mid-October, weather permitting). The fleece from the sheep is used for its fibers to make sweaters, fiber-art, and other wearables. Watch the sheep be shorn and touch the fleece and feel the lanolin on your fingers during sheep shearing demonstrations (offered mid-May through Memorial Day). Discover modern and antique tractors and farm equipment used on the farm in the Farm Technology building. Harvest activities take place in Field Crop. Discover corn fields, wheat fields, and learn how apple cider is pressed and taste apple butter seasonally. See hands-on how the soil is tilled, wheat and corn fields are cared for and harvested by the farmer. Put your sense of direction to the test as you wind your way through a multitude of twists and turns through a three-acre corn maze. The maze is open daily mid-August through mid-October, weather and field conditions permitting.
Reviewed By LSQRD1 - Kent, United States
This is a great place for animal lovers of all ages. There are some really nifty play areas for kids including a unique water features. Many different animals to see and friendly staff. A local gem.
