Top Things to Do in Cleveland, Ohio
The City of Rock and Roll has a playlist of attractions that includes University Circle’s 10 museums and galleries, and Little Italy’s hillside bakeries and restaurants. Oh, and there’s that rockin’ hall of fame too. Check out our trip guide of what to do, where to eat, and where to stay.
Pandemic-related closures and restrictions may be in place. Please check destinations' websites before making travel plans.
Do
The Arcade Cleveland Shop, dine or simply pop inside for photos at one of the city's most iconic public spaces. The Victorian-era retail center features a massive glass ceiling, sparkly railings and the Hyatt Regency Cleveland hotel. theclevelandarcade.com
Cleveland Botanical Garden Eleven outdoor spaces feature roses, topiaries, perennials, herbs, a Japanese garden and more. If you're visiting with kids, try the new scavenger hunt for 19 gnomes in the Hershey Children's Garden. cbgarden.org
Cleveland Museum of Art The impressive collection spans 6,000 years of art. Look for highlights like Andy Warhol's Marilyn x 100 and a 5,000-year-old statuette believed to be from Western Anatolia. clevelandart.org
Cleveland Museum of Natural History In addition to displaying favorites such as dinosaur skeletons and gemstones, this University Circle attraction puts on planetarium shows daily. cmnh.org
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Thirty minutes from downtown, forests, waterfalls, bike trails and a scenic train promise a family-friendly retreat. cvsr.com
Great Lakes Science Center Kids learn about living in space, the Apollo command module and the history of space exploration in the NASA Glenn Visitor Center. Other experiences, such as a tour of the steamship William G. Mather, are expected to reopen in 2021. greatscience.com
Lake View Cemetery This cemetery feels like a park with views of Lake Erie. Visit the James A. Garfield Monument and the Tiffany-designed interior of Wade Memorial Chapel. lakeviewcemetery.com
Playhouse Square An outdoor chandelier with more than 4,200 crystals reflects the ornate lobbies of surrounding movie palaces. playhousesquare.org
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Look for treasures like Jimi Hendrix's childhood drawings, checkout special exhibits, or get a taste of annual induction ceremony performances through the Power of Rock Experience show. rockhall.com
West Side Market More than 100 booths and stalls sell everything from soup to nuts at the indoor market; vendors reflect Cleveland's melting-pot heritage. westsidemarket.org
Eat
Alley Cat Oyster Bar Views of the Cuyahoga River complement seafood dishes (including, of course, oysters) in the buzzy Flats East Bank area. alleycatoysterbar.com
Cleveland Tea Revival The husband-and-wife team of owners will happily explain the secrets of kombucha, puerh and oolong. clevelandtearevival.com
Great Lakes Brewing Company Sample from a dozen or so craft beers on tap in an 1870s tavern. Flights pair well with a plate of locally sourced meats, cheese and produce. greatlakesbrewing.com
Mabel's BBQ Ribs, brisket and pork belly slow-cook to juicy perfection in wood-fire smokers at this downtown joint, an endeavor of celebrity chef and Cleveland native Michael Symon. Mabel's BBQ facebook page
Melt Bar and Grilled The grilled cheese-centric menu lists more than 20 options. We love the Monte Cristo, with honey ham, turkey, two cheeses and berry preserves. meltbarandgrilled.com
Noble Beast Brewing Company The family-run brewery and restaurant turns out exceptional brews, as well as creative dishes like pickled watermelon rind salad with edible flowers. noblebeastbeer.com
Presti's Bakery and Cafe Baseball-size cream puffs, cannoli and tiramisu are just a few of the sweet treats at the 116-year-old family-owned spot in Little Italy. prestisbakery.com
Sweet Moses Soda Fountain and Treat Shop Get your fix of nostalgia with drinks and desserts at this old-fashioned joint. sweetmosestreats.com
Stay
Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown Two fully restored 1931 murals by Cora Holden highlight a two-story lobby in the former Cleveland Board of Education Building. The hotel opened in 2016 after a $52 million renovation. druryhotels.com
Glidden House A converted 1910 French Gothic mansion gives guests a choice of vintage suites in the original structure or more modern rooms. gliddenhouse.com
Metropolitan at the 9 Sensuality rules in guest rooms equipped with glass-walled showers and gold lamé pillows. Chill at the rooftop bar, Azure, or try Mediterranean fare at on-site restaurant Adega. metropolitancleveland.com
The Schofield Hotel Playful nods to the city's musical and manufacturing history—acoustic guitar loaners, sock-monkey-and-argyle-sweater carpet design—elevate the experience at this 122-room Kimpton lodging. theschofieldhotel.com
The Tudor Arms Restored murals and sculptures in public areas contrast with guest rooms' sleek Euro-style furnishings in the 1929 hotel. doubletree3.hilton.com
For more information thisiscleveland.com