The Cleveland Museum of Art — Attraction in Cleveland

This is an impeccable art museum. I visited here and was blown away by the quality of its collection and the intricate detailing possessed by several of the sculptures on exhibit. This museum exhibits dedicated to medieval European art, European art of the Romanticism style, and modern European art, including multiple works from Picasso. There’s a small exhibit of ceramic bowls from 1700s Europe, as well as a collection of beautiful, miniature figure pieces of French nobles with a shocking level of detail. These sculptures are so detailed that even the ruffles of the tips of the coats these sculptures are adorned in were sculpted. The South American and Meso American art exhibits, while smaller than others, still has several interesting pieces. The Maghreb exhibit possesses a small but delightful collection of rugs adorned with beautiful patterns, in addition to some nice earrings. The Asian art exhibit has several Japanese, Korean, and Chinese paintings and sculptures. The Chinese exhibit also has a beautiful porcelain pot collection and several Buddha statues, but these pale in comparison to the Buddha statues found in the Indian art exhibit, which have significantly more detail since they are carved much more intricately. There are also several Hindu statues in this exhibit, which are quite impressive. I was blown away as I was admiring a sculpture of Vishnu inside a frame, only to discover that the frame had miniature versions of that sculpture, carved with the same level of detail. The ancient Egyptian exhibit has a beautiful mummy with various scenes painted on it, and the Ancient Greek and Roman exhibits have several beautiful sculptures, but I sadly did not have enough time to look at them in great detail. I unfortunately missed the African art exhibit, but I did see an ivory tusk from the Kingdom of Benin with several scenes carved into it with a stupendous level of detail. However, I did have time to look at the Islamic art exhibit, which I am glad I did because the level of detail possessed by each beautiful work in this collection was staggering, mind blowing, and awe inspiring all at once. There was a miniature replica of a qibla wall that is a replica of the one found near the Great Mosque of Isfahan in Iran, which I found quite impressive. This exhibit had a decorative plate with beautiful craftsmanship, a scene of individuals painted on its interior rim, and intricate carvings inside it. There are also several small sculptures of people and objects here that are very detailed, as well as a small covenant like golden sculpture with writing carved into it, which is integrated into the covenant so well that it’s hard to notice. After I was done looking at this museum’s fabulous art collection, I ventured to its cafe to see what it offered. It has pizza, food bowls with rice and chicken, a Japanese food station, and a dessert table with chocolate chip, M&M cookies, and more. After walking through the cafe without buying anything, I used this museum’s bathroom, which was delightfully clean. This museum also has a sit down restaurant, but I didn’t eat there. I gave this museum five stars because it has a huge, fantastic collection of art on display in which each piece is as captivating or more captivating than the last. The European Romanticism, Indian, and Islamic art exhibitions are especially stunning. The Islamic art exhibit is so good that I actually saw it featured in a BBC 2 documentary when esteemed art critic Waldemar Januszczak came to visit it. Before I could trace his steps through this fabulous museum that is most certainly one of the best in the country, being on par with the Detroit Institute of Art and infinitely better than the Columbus Museum of Art, I had to drop off my bag at a cost check or wear it on the front of my body instead of the back. This museum has a parking garage beneath it and there is metered street...

We visited on both a Wednesday and Friday in mid-April 2025. We visited in the evening when the museum opened until 9PM.

We had so many things to do in Cleveland that we were happy we could fit these into the evening timeframe when many other things were closed. We stayed at Glidden House so it was only a 10 min walk or so for us.

We spent a total of at least 7 hrs in the museum over 2 days and it just wasn't enough time. We still found ourselves running through the upstairs exhibits our 2nd night just trying to see it all. Some of the docents laughed as we told them we had to see everything before it closed.

When we first visited we entered the ARTLENS gallery and a nice older gentleman was explaining to us how it worked and the tech behind all of it. It was the most amazing digital and interactive art museum we've ever been into. We wished all art museums were moving to this trend. The are also had a number of interactive exhibits for the kids to engage with. We were very concerned at first that our youngest (9 yr old) was going to get super bored and wanted to leave. He had so much fun with the interactive stuff we left him there with his older brothers while we went through the exhibits. When we got back we told him we had to leave and he asked to stay. We'd never seen him ask to stay longer in an art museum and we've been to over a dozen with him. I could see how this area may be crazy during the day with kids on field trips etc. BUT coming in the late afternoon/evening there was almost nobody. Best way to really explore and experience the museum.

There is a pretty intuitive path if you want to explore the exhibits chronologically which we opted to do. The info desk right in the middle of a the atrium was very helpful and the lady there was super helpful and provided us with many options. The thing we probably failed to do was plan the appropriate amount of time.

The highlights for us were the armor hall upstairs. Don't miss this. Also the ancient Egypt with the sarcophagus were really cool. Also don't miss sunset on the balcony upstairs. There are little outdoor balconies and it was a beautiful sunset with nice breeze. The two glass rooms that were adjacent were also amazing. One had Buddhist and Hindu Sculptures. Even the contemporary and modern art exhibits were great.

We did not eat in any of the restaurants but we did take a look and they looked really nice. A bit on the pricey side. A short 10 min walk into town and you had tons of restaurants options though. The museum store was also very large with a large selection of items. I was hoping for more merch with the museum name on it but a lot of it was generic stuff I've seen at other art museums. We did end up buying something quite pricey in the glass box by the window and the staff member who helped us was super nice and helpful.

Over all we would 100% visit again if we were in Cleveland. We've been telling all our friends to check it out. I think this has officially topped our list of favorite art museums and will be how all our future art museums will be compared to. Exquisitely executed, amazing staff and amenities. Just the ambiance was amazing. Plan ahead for the amount of time you need, it's going to take longer than you think. Best of...

The doors slide open, and I step into a place strong in the Force. The Cleveland Museum of Art—an archive of beauty, knowledge, and boundless creativity. I sense the presence of countless masters whose works have endured through the ages. But this temple is not merely a relic of the past. No, it hums with the energy of innovation, a fusion of tradition and technology unlike any museum I have visited before.

As I step forward, I sense a disturbance… the parking lot. A valuable lesson, young Padawan: arrive early ⏳, for the lot fills quickly on weekends 🚗💨. I was fortunate to find a spot, and for only 14 credits 🪙, it was well worth securing my landspeeder. Best of all, general admission is free—a rare gift in this galaxy! 🎟️✨

The ArtLens Experience: Training in the Ways of the Artist 🎨🖐️

Before me stands a vast space of interactive displays, illuminated like ancient Jedi holocrons 📜🔮. I reach out, and with a wave of my hand, the art responds. Much like wielding a lightsaber ⚔️, precision and movement guide the experience. The technology allows me to break apart compositions, to see the layers beneath, to understand the brushstrokes and textures as if I were in the mind of the artist themselves.

Here, younglings and seasoned scholars alike can challenge their perceptions. They learn to see not just with their eyes, but with their instincts—just as a Jedi hones their senses in battle. This is not passive observation; it is training in the ways of artistic mastery.

ArtLens App: A Jedi’s Holocron 📱📡

But every Jedi must have a map, a guide through the vastness of knowledge. The ArtLens App is precisely that—a digital holocron, rich with wisdom. It synchronizes with my journey, unlocking insights as I approach each artifact. I can view high-resolution details 🔍, explore hidden stories 📖, and even craft my own path through the galleries 🗺️.

With this tool, I navigate not just by sight, but by curiosity. The Force of knowledge flows freely here, unburdened by outdated methods of study. This is the way of the future—an archive that adapts to the seeker.

The Living Force of the Museum & A Hard Lesson Learned 🌌🎭

As I wander further, I reflect on the harmony of this place. The past and the future exist here in balance ⚖️. Ancient sculptures stand beside digital projections, oil paintings coexist with augmented reality. This museum is not frozen in time; it evolves, it breathes, it invites all to engage with it in their own way.

However, a word of warning, my young apprentice. Some exhibits require a reservation, and the most sought-after time slots vanish like stars in hyperspace 🌠. I, too, was careless and failed to book my place in time. The Picasso on Paper exhibit—gone, all slots taken before I could act 🎭❌. Do not make my mistake. If there is a paid experience you wish to see, secure your reservation in advance 📅🔒.

To visit the Cleveland Museum of Art is to embark on a journey—one of discovery, one of enlightenment. Whether one is an apprentice in the arts or a master of the craft, there is always something new to uncover. I leave the museum not as I entered, but with a mind expanded and a spirit awakened.

The Force is strong here. And for those who seek it, knowledge...