The Cleveland Grays Armory Museum
The Cleveland Grays Armory Museum
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
634 within 3 miles
Attractions
273 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
17 reviews
Excellent
5
Very good
10
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
2
VAvisitor
Annandale, VA135 contributions
My husband and I toured this museum as part of a conference on World War I that we attended in October 2010. The conference was held in the armory. The armory is a wonderful old building that was built in 1893 and houses artifacts from a private, local militia group that was called the Cleveland Grays. It looks like a stone castle. The Grays were founded in 1837. They were the first uniformed militia founded west of the Allegheny Mountains. They protected local property and citizens of Cleveland and assisted other military units in the area. They existed as a private militia until the National Guard became the norm in the early 1900's. Some of the Grays were incorporated into the Ohio National Guard. The Grays were present at many military campaigns in the Civil War, Spanish American War and World War I. This organization still exists today as a social and charitable organization within the city. The armory houses many artifacts and historical items related to the Grays and really looks like an old gentlemen's social club. The rooms are homey and have dark wood which lends to a certain coziness to the environment. There are stuffed animal heads on the walls. There are military posters, pictures of military personnel, uniforms, guns, and other historical items throughout the building. Most of the artifacts are from the Cleveland Grays militia group. The armory has been used by many organizations throughout the years and has been the home to many concerts, a car show and other events. It can be rented out now for social events. There is a huge pipe organ in the gymnasium. Although there are no official scheduled tours, one can tour the facility by calling their number and setting up an appointment. I think this building is quite unknown in the Cleveland area and is very worth your while to tour especially if one is interested in military history. It is very unique and the Grays are interesting because they were a private military organization. There is a very small gift shop that sells a few items including a book on the history of the Grays and you can get a nice button that says "I toured Gray's Armory".
Written 28 October 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara R
Erie, PA940 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
We recently spent the night in Cleveland and were within walking distance to Grey's. A tour was scheduled for us around 1 p.m. A very nice young lady who has been with Grey's for many years and helped with its restoration gave us our very interesting tour. Her 8 month old male grey long haired tiger cat Diesel, came along for part of the tour-(what an adorable animal!). We were overwhelmed by all of the history! This militia was one of the first to serve in the Civil War, they also were heroes at Normandy. The huge heavy, hardwood entry doors were equipped with a large sliding bolt lock in case of a Canadian attack! The building is gigantic with many floors and a shooting range in the basement that is often used. There is a pipe organ in the gym/ballroom that was originally from the Warner in Erie Pa, and is indeed in working order and is played for scheduled functions. Great place if you're interested in American history.
Written 25 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
50states5years
Charlotte, NC83 contributions
Jun 2013 • Solo
My last stop in Cleveland was the Cleveland Grays Armory Museum, home to the second oldest organization in the city of Cleveland, and the oldest known armory in the US that is still owned by its militia (I think I got that right.) It also was the site of the first ever Cleveland Symphony Orchestra performance, held in 1918. History nerd that I am, I HAD to see this place...The tour was a little under an hour long, and involved lots of stairs and HEAT (a built in 1893, the building doesn't have elevators or air conditioning) but that was okay with me. I just feel badly for the poor event crews that have to lug tables and heavy plates and foods to the upper levels for weddings and other celebrations. (The smaller reception areas are on the highest levels of the building because, at the time, being high up meant you would avoid the smell of horse dung in the busy streets below)...One of the places recommended that I request to see was actually in the basement- the shooting range. I've been told it is now the only gun range in the city of Cleveland. Police officers still use it, and sometimes other security classes come through to practice shooting as well, but for the most part, the range is off limits to non Grays members. For mor infor, visit my blog www.fiftystates5years.blogspot.com!
Written 5 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael K
3 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
I heard the building was open for tours on the first Wednesday of each month between noon and 4pm. I'm standing outside at 12:30pm on November 2, 2022 and there's no sign of anyone here, just like the last time I passed by. Very disappointing.
Is the group still active? There's no website, no phone number, no email, just an old building with a padlocked iron gate in front.
Is the group still active? There's no website, no phone number, no email, just an old building with a padlocked iron gate in front.
Written 2 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gwen j
cleveland1 contribution
Apr 2011 • Solo
It's a must see place. they have a lot of history to be told to the city of cleveland. Alot of pictures an story to go with them. they have a library,cannon,uniforms. I enjoyed the tour as well as reading the book. its a nice family day event.
Written 27 December 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn A
4 contributions
Nov 2019
Being a history lover, I was excited to visit the "Living History" event they had at the armory. This was my first visit. I wasn't sure how it would go. It surpassed my expectations. The Armory museum itself is well worth the visit. The Cleveland Militia, probably best described as a voluntary precursor to the National Guard, played major roles in wars from 1837 to the end of World War. The military artifacts were outstanding and showed the life of a Militia Man throughout the wars. The Living History element highlighted different people in the Civil War, such as a former black slave turned spy and a women who dressed as a man to fight in the war. In addition my six year old grandson also came with us and especially enjoyed the scavenger hunt. If you want to learn more about Cleveland, it's history and its militia, this is the place to go.
Written 18 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mike w
Brunswick, OH204 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Your should check the website because there are some different ways to tour. Right now they are going under renovations so some of the rooms are closed. What we did see was nice. The rooms are spacious and the woodwork is interesting. This is the second oldest building in Cleveland, behind The Old Stone Church. The first Cleveland Auto Show was held here. The members bar had private lockers for their liquor, because liquor licenses were not around at that time. The tour guide will give you some good info on the members bar, lounge area, and the billiard room. The soldiers locker room looks like a scene out of an old movie. The RNC is donating money for air conditioning for the building, for this they will have complete access during the convention. They are also installing an elevator so now everyone will have access. In the basement they still use the firing range. One can become a member by paying a yearly initiation fee, that will allow you access and benefits for the volunteering for the club. graysarmoy.com. Worth the admission. I will visit in the fall when all the renovations should be complete.
Written 19 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
btm5711
Darien, IL8 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
We were fortunate the tour was on the 2nd Wednesday for June, as opposed to the usual 1st Wednesday, while we were in town. A great museum with the history of the Grays and their involvement through different wars and their social involvement in Cleveland and the rest of the country.
Written 22 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy M
Cleveland, OH237 contributions
May 2018 • Family
I've walked past this place tons of times but didn't know it was there. A very interesting historical building home of the Cleveland Greys. Lots of history in the building as well as the organization themselves. There is also a Wurlitzer organ! Worth a look if you enjoy Cleveland's history.
Written 3 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OHweezy
Kirtland, Ohio92 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
While downtown Cleveland, my husband and I decided to take a tour of the armory. We walked in and were told that you need an appointment for a tour. -- FYI, call ahead! However, the woman there was kind to give up a quick tour without one.
Interesting !! The woodwork inside is amazing. The history behind the armory is fascinating. They are doing some renovations, so be prepared to see some pipes, boards, etc. The outside of the building is an awesome sight too. They do weddings, conferences, and other things too.
Price is $10.00 per person. Seniors and children discounted.
Interesting !! The woodwork inside is amazing. The history behind the armory is fascinating. They are doing some renovations, so be prepared to see some pipes, boards, etc. The outside of the building is an awesome sight too. They do weddings, conferences, and other things too.
Price is $10.00 per person. Seniors and children discounted.
Written 20 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing