The coronavirus pandemic claims another victim. According to Cleveland.com, the I-X Center in Cleveland, Ohio and home to the annual Indoor Amusement Park announced they will close permanently. Cleveland’s International Exposition Center (I-X Center) has largely been closed for events and shows since the pandemic began in March. “The global pandemic has decimated the event industry as well as many other businesses and has ultimately led to this decision,” the I-X Center said in a release.
The I-X Indoor Amusement Park was held annually at the I-X Center typically from mid-March through Mid-April. The best way I can describe it is it’s like a state fair but is located indoors. The family friendly attraction featured rides, games, shows, animals, and food. I really regret only getting one of the park’s five roller coaster credits.
All the rides at the indoor amusement park are portable except one: the central Ferris Wheel that juts out above the roof of the building and offers a view of the surrounding airport. The 125-foot wheel premiered at the 1992 Greater Cleveland Auto Show, at which time it was the world’s tallest indoor Ferris wheel. The top of the wheel is enclosed in a glass atrium and rises approximately 35 feet above the main roof, making for a very unique ride experience that you can see in the video below.
Because of the ban on mass gatherings, the 2020 I-X Indoor Amusement Park had been cancelled due to COVID-19. There’s hope that the city or another operator can step in and save the center. Perhaps the annual indoor amusement park can be relocated to another facility in another city.
Remembering the I-X Center Indoor Amusement Park
Our last visit to the I-X Center Indoor Amusement Park was in 2018. Relive the experience by watching our walk-around video below then read our review here. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this visit was possibly the second to last opportunity to visit the park ever.
Did you ever get to visit the I-X Indoor Amusement Park? What did you think?
i never been to this i guess i can never go
i never been to this place i guess i will never go
OMG COVID 19 has killed so many of our loved ones. We have gone to The IX…. Indoor… Amusement Park (you have to say it with the tune) almost every spring break and around my tax return time. As a single mom this was an awesome way for me to allow myself and my kids to enjoy time together and for me to feel like I’m splurging on my kids. My mom brought me, I took my kids and God kids, my mom joined us a time or two. It was an expected part of our Cleveland experience. When I just read today 3/21/21 that it is permanently closed, as I began to plan our trip, I’m in tears. I’ve lost to many to COVID and I know this sounds dramatic but it feels like I lost another loved one that I just expected to be there for me to love on and them to love me back…RIP IXIAP.