Cleveland’s beloved Veterans Memorial Bridge tours are back!

Inside the Veterans Memorial Bridge.On Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the streetcar level of the Veterans Memorial Bridge will be open for public access.

Visitors to the historic bridge can learn about the bridge’s history with self-guided tours. The Veterans Memorial Bridge opened on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, 1917, as the Detroit-Superior Bridge and was renamed on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 1989.

The lower level of the new bridge was first used for streetcars but the level closed to streetcar operations in 1954. Now, the Veterans Memorial Bridge is closed year-round except for the few times when summer tours are held.

Fortunately, thanks to routine maintenance and large infrastructure rehabilitation, the streetcar level of the bridge is in good condition for visitors to see. Additionally, the Veterans Memorial Bridge has a breathtaking view of the Cuyahoga River and many parts of the City of Cleveland.

Walking on the bridge is free on Saturday, but a waiver is required for everyone. All guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The waiver can be completed online beforehand or at the bridge entrance.

Due to the large amount of interest in the tours, event coordinators recommend that people plan to leave extra time for parking or to ride the RTA.

The bridge’s story shared through History Days
The Veterans Memorial Bridge public walkthrough is one of the final events of Canalway Partners’ 11-day series Cleveland History Days, which highlights Cleveland’s abundant history.

Canalway Partners communications director Meghan Tinker Paynter says the Veterans Memorial Bridge tour on Saturday is the perfect way to cap off this week’s History Days festivities.

Veterans Memorial Bridge pictured in front of the Superior Viaduct.Construction of the Veterans Memorial Bridge—originally known as the Detroit-Superior Bridge—began in 1912. The bridge was completed in 1917, cost more than $5 million and revolutionized travel for Clevelanders.

The 1917 bridge was a vast improvement when compared to the 1878 structure it replaced—the Superior Viaduct, which had to swing open to allow for large boats to pass through.

The viaduct incorporates a series of arches to carry a road or railroad across a valley. The Superior Viaduct was originally built to easily move the rapidly growing city traffic across the Cuyahoga River without having to navigate the steep river banks, but had become congested.

The Veterans Memorial Bridge was the first fixed high-level bridge in Cleveland. Its design allowed cars to drive on the upper level and a streetcar to operate on the lower level. The upper level is still fully operational.

Visitors on the bridge will have an extraordinary view of the surrounding area: the Cuyahoga River, The Flats, Lake Erie, the Towpath Trail, and even the Ohio City and Tremont neighborhoods.

“The bridge is the connector of the city itself, but it really connects different parts of history,” says Tinker Paynter.

As part of the countrywide semiquincentennial celebration, America 250 is partnering with Cuyahoga County for the bridge tours to incorporate as much of this history as possible. In addition to seeing the bridge’s original stations and railway tracks, visitors can learn more from Canalway staff about the historical significance of the bridge.

Additionally, guests are encouraged to chat with the Cuyahoga County team working on a Connectivity Plan to revitalize the lower deck of the Veterans Memorial Bridge. Their goal for the future is to implement regular public access on the streetcar level of this bridge.

Take-a-Hike tours
While Saturday’s bridge tours are self-guided, history buffs can reserve a 60-minute guided tour of the Veterans Memorial Bridge every Friday from June through September at 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. These tours are led by Take-a-Hike, which offers tours of more than 45 historic sites in Cleveland.

The view from the Veterans Memorial Bridge.Take-a-Hike often has characters on its tours who represent figures in Cleveland history. Guests can meet the character John Donahue, who portrays a streetcar conductor when the lower level of the bridge was operational.

Unlike other Take-a-Hike tours, reservations are required for the Friday guided tours because space is limited. All tours in June and July are sold out, but registration for the August tours opens on Wednesday, July 1.

Every third Friday of the month, Take-a-Hike offers an optional add-on lunch gathering after the tours at the Flat Iron Café—Cleveland’s oldest Irish bar. During the ticketed lunch, guests learn about the history of infrastructure and commerce along the Cuyahoga River.

Picnic in the Park
A new addition to the Veterans Memorial Bridge public walkthrough is its connection to Picnic in the Park, a community event at Canal Basin Park celebrating America 250 and Ohio history. Canal Basin Park is located directly under the west exit of the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

“We really think it's the perfect place to mark this anniversary of America and also allow us to talk about Ohio and Cleveland's role in the growth of our nation,” says Tinker Paynter.

Picnic in the Park is on the same day as the bridge walkthrough, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 27. The all-day celebration includes food trucks, a beer garden, live music, family-friendly activities, and history tents.

Tinker Paynter estimates that about 8,000 people walked across the Veterans Memorial Bridge in 2025. She says she hopes that some of this year’s attendees take a moment to walk down to Picnic in the Park to experience the unique community celebration.