Cleveland aerial views are some of the best available in the state of Ohio! OK, we may be a little biased since we are based in the Cleveland area. We are lucky to have an extensive lakefront with Lake Erie spanning much of the Northeast Ohio border, downtown Cleveland, and its suburbs.
Drone photo of downtown Cleveland skyline and historic Cleveland Coast Guard Station
1. Downtown Cleveland has many scenic locations: Cleveland sports stadiums, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Public Square, Playhouse Square, etc. You can't beat the Cleveland skyline aerial view with Lake Erie in the background!
But be aware, if you intend to fly your drone downtown Cleveland, that Burke Lakefront Airport is located there just next to the Voinovich Bicentennial Park. Burke Lakefront Airport is in controlled (class D) airspace, requiring you to obtain FAA authorization to fly your drone within 5 miles of its location (you can read our blog post Where Can I Fly My Drone for detailed information and tutorial on FAA authorizations).
Aerial photo of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Burke Lakefront Airport and Lake Erie in the background
In addition, during any major league baseball (MLB) or national football league (NFL) open-air stadium games there is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) that is in effect, which applies to the MLB and NFL games at the stadiums located downtown Cleveland. TFRs can also go into effect for other reasons, such as VIP movement, which prohibits all drone flights in the area.
2. Lakefront locations in Cleveland that offer some scenic lakefront drone photography: Lakewood Park with the Solstice Steps and Cleveland downtown skyline, Lorain Lighthouse in Lorain, and Fairport Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse in Mentor. Make sure you check municipality ordinances when you are choosing where to launch and land your drone.
Aerial view of the Edgewater Park with downtown Cleveland Skyline
3. University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland offers plenty of scenic architectural and natural sites with Wade Oval, Cleveland Museum of Art and its lagoon, Museum of Natural History, Case Western Reserve University campus, and Little Italy nearby. Some of this area is within 5 miles of the Burke Lakefront Airport, so you may need FAA authorization to fly your drone there.
Aerial photo of Cleveland Museum of Art in Fall
4. Unfortunately, you cannot launch and land your drone in most Cleveland Metroparks, including their lakefront locations: Edgewater Park, Wendy Park, Whiskey Island, E 55th Street Marina, East 72nd fishing area, North Gordon Park Boat Ramp, Euclid Beach Park, and Huntington Reservation Beach in Bay Village. There are several designated areas where you CAN fly your drone in the Cleveland Metroparks, see the details in their Drone Policy.
If you have any questions about flying in Cleveland and surrounding areas, need a drone project quote, or are looking for drone training classes that we provide, Contact us!