As wonderful as it is to live in the big city, we all know it can be a little pricey. You love the arts, but like most of us you also have a budget to keep. What to do? Consider the following locations and events when planning for yourself or the family this year. You’ll have a great time without breaking the bank.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44144
216-781-7625
www.rockhall.com

Price: Adult – $22, children 9 to 12 – $13, children 8 and under – free with adult admission
General Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, every Wed till 9 p.m. (museum will close at 5:30 p.m. on 4/11/12)
Summer Hours (May 26 to Sept 1): 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, every Wed and Sat till 9 p.m.

No visit to the city of Cleveland would be complete without a stop at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, where every visit helps fund the Museum’s efforts to educate the world on the social significance of rock and roll. Take your time exploring all 150,000 square-feet of the various film theatres and ever-changing exhibits. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out U2 3D, the three dimensional concert film back by popular demand in the Foster Theatre, for a mere $3 at the Museum’s box office.

Related: Rock Hall Adds 6 Groups to List of Inductees

Blossom Festival
The Cleveland Orchestra
Severance Hall
11001 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 231-1111
www.clevelandorchestra.com

Price: Click here for event calendar and tickets
Hours: Mon to Fri – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat & Sun – beginning three hours prior to concert

The Cleveland Orchestra is one of the most well-known performing ensembles in the world. Catch it in the winter at Severance Hall or in the summer at one of its many Blossom Music Centers. Lawn ticket books represent one of the best values in Northeast Ohio and are the most affordable way to enjoy the Blossom Festival concerts. What’s more, Cleveland Orchestra is offering free lawn tickets to young people 17 and under for all its concerts, excluding July 2. This “Under 18 Initiative” is a program for future audiences made possible by the Maltz Family Foundation to provide access to the Orchestra’s music for the Northeast Ohio community.

Cleveland Museum of Art
11150 East Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 421-7350
www.clevelandart.org

Price: Free
Hours: Tue, Thur, Sat & Sun – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wed & Fri – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Closed Monday

Founded in 1913 “for the benefit of all the people forever,” the mission of the Cleveland Museum of Art is to help as many people as possible understand and engage with the greatest artwork our world has to offer. Here you will find arts and culture at its best, all for free.

Cleveland Crafts & Art Festival
Richmond Town Square
691 Richmond Road
Richmond Heights, OH 44143
(313) 446-2262
www.ccaaf.net

Price: Free admission & parking
Dates & Times: Fri, May 11 & Sat, May 12 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sun May 13 – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You won’t want to miss this year’s Cleveland Crafts and Art Festival at Richmond Town Square Mall. Produced by Culture Cleveland in association with the Author Collective, Inc., this event will showcase the talent of local artisans and others from all across the country. A festival of art, books, film and music, you’ll be amazed at this affair’s many features, including hand crafted jewelry, sculptures, wooden boxes, furniture and more.

Children’s Museum of Cleveland
10730 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44106 (in the University Circle)
(216) 791-KIDS (7114)
www.clevelandchildrensmuseum.org

Price: $7 per person, infants 11 months old and under free
Hours: Mon to Sun – 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (exhibit areas close fifteen minutes prior to museum closing)

From its modest beginnings in 1981 as a venue for outreach programs and a single traveling exhibit, the Children’s Museum of Cleveland has grown to become the major, if not only, cultural and educational resource dedicated entirely to the young children of Cleveland. Bring your family for the day and find out for yourself about the museum’s many innovative exhibits and educational programs, all dedicated to foster learning and development in children ages zero to eight, with a special emphasis on birth to age five. With an admission price as low as $7 per person, this is an affordable way to expose kids to culture.

Related: Best Museums in Cleveland