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The Best Things to Do, See, and Eat in Cleveland, Ohio

Your guide to visiting "The Rock 'n' Roll Capital of the World."

Set along America's Rust Belt, Cleveland is a former manufacturing capital turned bustling culinary and arts hub. Curious visitors have been increasingly drawn to this underrated urban destination. Not only is it affordable, but also there are plenty of fun things to do in Cleveland. World-class dining, craft beer, arts, and culture — it's all here, and for a fraction of the cost you'd find in bigger cities like New York City or San Francisco.

Where Is Cleveland, Ohio?

On a first visit to Cleveland, many travelers are surprised to discover it's a waterfront city with beaches and sailing. After all, Cleveland saddles right up to the shore of Lake Erie, and in warmer months you'll find locals sunning on their own blissful stretch of coastline. You can drive northeast to Niagara Falls (about four hours), or head to nearby Sandusky to rent a boat and explore the famous Lake Erie Islands.

Cleveland's Top Attractions

Considered by many the city's number one point of interest, the Cleveland Museum of Art is hard to beat. Located in museum-filled University Circle , it deserves an entire afternoon spent wandering through its frequently rotating exhibits (Alex Katz, Rodin, Yayoi Kusama); plus, admission is free.

Meanwhile, the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame tells the stories of rock legends, living and dead, while also scheduling frequent film screenings and live concerts. Visitors should also catch a Guardians game at the 35,000-seat, wonderfully modern Progressive Field stadium, which has a glass-enclosed restaurant.

What about if yours is a family of daredevils? Drive an hour west to reach Cedar Point , which boasts 17 roller coasters, including the terrifying Magnum XL-200. Once your stomach has been sufficiently flopped, grab lunch on Cedar Point Beach and watch the boats go by.

Best Beaches in Cleveland

The Lake Erie shoreline is dotted with laid-back, sandy beaches that are as delightful as anything you'd find on the East Coast.

Start with Huntington Reservation , a beautiful coastal hideout that's part of Cleveland Metroparks. When you're not leaping over the blue-green waves, you can sprawl out on the sand, go fishing on the breakwall, or have a picnic.

Meanwhile, Edgewater is a more convenient spot for those not looking to venture far from the city. Three miles from downtown, the resort-like park (a portion of which is dog-friendly) has cabanas, beach volleyball, and quite a few concession stands for when those ice cream cravings set in.

Major Events and Festivals

Local cultural events and festivals include the Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art , as well as the Cleveland International Film Festival (March 22 to April 1 in 2023), which showcases over 200 different features by emerging filmmakers from all over the world.

There's WonderStruck in July, which features a weekend-long lineup of music, arts, activities, and delicious culinary offerings. Meanwhile, the Asian Lantern Festival lights up the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and includes a food market.

Fireworks aren't just a tradition in Cleveland — they're a citywide event. With access to a sprawling coastline along Lake Erie, the light show is truly dazzling every July 4th, with Jacobs Pavilion , Superior Viaduct, and Edgewater Beach ranking among locals' favorite spots to see the colorful explosions reflecting over the water.

Shopping in Cleveland

Once home to the city's manufacturing jobs, the newly revitalized Gordon Square area has become a popular residential and commercial arts district, centered around the corner of 65th and Detroit Avenue. Prominent performing arts venues like Cleveland Public Theatre and the Near West Theatre make it a good option for couples seeking a cultured evening out.

During the day, visitors can do serious retail damage at places like Fount , where highly skilled artisans churn out handsome purses, clutches, totes, and backpacks in rich, high-quality leather. For a selection of delicate, handmade jewelry from French designer Anne Harrill, head to Océanne . Shop pendant necklaces, artsy earrings, and cuff bracelets along with other apparel and accessories. Or, if you're looking for a more eclectic vibe, there's Himiko's Cool World . The '80s-inspired shop stocks colorful notebooks, pins, apparel, and decor with a vintage feel.

Cleveland’s Best Restaurants

While Cleveland has yet to earn the recognition of culinary hot spots like Los Angeles and New York City, it's been quietly coming into its own over the last five years. To get a sense of Cleveland's best places to eat, start at the West Side Market . The indoor market has been in operation since 1912, and is crowned with a massive 137-foot clock tower. Inside, you'll find family-owned stalls selling homemade sausage, Cambodian sticky rice, and handmade pastas, among others.

The romance at L'Albatros Brasserie + Bar starts with its converted carriage house visage and continues on the plate with French brasserie fare. Enjoy dishes like a goat cheese tart or cassoulet with a glass of Billecart-Salmon in its cozy, red brick interior. End with a crème caramel or chocolate Napoleon and a glass of port.

Meanwhile, Nano Brew Cleveland features 24 craft beers and an affordable selection of bites that include rotating chef specials and its popular 100 percent certified Angus beef burgers.

For elevated Italian classics, from calamari to osso buco to bucatini bolognese, try The Palazzo Restaurant by chef Rafael Zaloshnja on Detroit Avenue. The resto also has a delectable pizza menu with pies that come with ingredients like truffle cream, prosciutto, and fennel sausage.

Stop by Edwins for a salade niçoise, escargots, frog legs, and plenty of fromage, of course. Don't leave before ordering the beignets and a French coffee.

Best Bars in Cleveland

Ohio City, the oldest neighborhood in Cleveland, also happens to be its culinary epicenter, with dozens of chef-driven restaurants and plenty of decent bars to choose from.

One particular stretch of West 25th Street became a destination for beer-seekers with the opening of Market Gardening Brewery , a 35,000-square-foot production facility that also offers tours and a brewpub.

For something a little more refined, there's Toast , which has a serious wine list. And The Harp is Cleveland's go-to Irish pub, complete with local beers, traditional Irish fare, and live music.

Easy Day Trips from Cleveland

Half an hour south of Cleveland is Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the state's only national park. Hugging the region's main waterway, Cuyahoga Valley has forested hiking trails, sandstone cliffs, and more than 70 waterfalls. It's also one of the nation's most visited national parks. It's particularly beautiful in the fall when the forest creates a multi-colored canopy over the green river. Kayaks are available to rent, too, making this the perfect family getaway from Cleveland.

Where to Stay in Cleveland

Downtown Cleveland is packed with hotels, each offering something for every kind of budget. While waterfront views are easy enough to accommodate (the lake sits just a few blocks away), other highlights include easy access to Progressive Field baseball stadium or the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

One of Cleveland's most upscale hotel properties is the Ritz-Carlton Cleveland , where all guests have views of either downtown or Lake Erie.

If it's a boutique hotel stay you're after, book a room at either the Kimpton Schofield Hotel or the swanky Metropolitan at the 9 . Affordable hotel options can be found in and around downtown as well. Budget-conscious travelers should consider the Holiday Inn Express and the Hilton Garden Inn .

Hotels aren't the only places to stay in Cleveland, however. Visitors will discover great, cost-friendly options on sites like Airbnb , where you can find everything from a guest room in Ohio City to a historic cottage on Lake Erie.

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Your Trip to Cleveland: The Complete Guide

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For too long, Cleveland was the object of mockery, derided as “the mistake on the lake.” But for those who know it, it can be fun, active … and maybe even a little trendy. There are restaurants that can be a veritable trip around the world, a fertile live music scene, museums, and art studios, and parks and beaches aplenty. Here are some tips to make your trip efficient – and fun.

Planning Your Trip

Best time to visit : Cleveland is known for its unpleasant winter (over 53 inches of snow fell in Winter 2017-2018   ), and that extends into the spring (it’s not uncommon to see snow in late March or even April). The summer is the best time to enjoy the lake – particularly if you want to swim in it – while the fall offers the chance to see the changing colors of the trees and temperatures that are typically pleasant but not oppressive.

Getting around : Depending on your destinations, a car isn’t mandatory. The Rapid Transit Authority offers a variety of trains and buses crisscrossing the city and Cuyahoga County. There are also ride-sharing services and car rentals if necessary.

Travel Tip: The Red Line of the Rapid hits most of the tourist hotspots, from trendy Lakewood to the near West Side of Ohio City to downtown and out to University Circle and Little Italy.

Things to Do

Whether you like to be active or prefer to be a spectator, if you’re into history or science, the beach or the ballpark, there are plenty of things to do . But if your time is short and you want the full Cleveland experience, here’s where you should go.

The West Side Market: Once upon a time, the city was served by massive markets, with dozens of vendors under one roof selling everything from produce to meat to baked goods to prepared food. The last one left is the West Side Market on West 25 th Street, just over The Hope Memorial Bridge from downtown in Ohio City. Opened in 1912, West Side Market is the city's oldest, still-operating market.   There’s plenty of food available, and it affords you a great opportunity for people-watching (and the obligatory photo looking down on the main floor from the mezzanine).

University Circle: Destinations in this neighborhood on the city’s east side include Severance Hall and the city’s natural history, art, and history museums. University Circle is also home to the Cleveland Orchestra. Established in 1918, it's one of the major U.S. orchestras,   colloquially called the "Big Five." Also, you’re not far from Little Italy, with everything from bakeries serving traditional Italian desserts to pizza places to more formal dining options.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: Because who doesn’t like to go see animals? Well-regarded throughout the country, the Cleveland Zoo displays animals from virtually every continent, as well as the popular rainforest exhibit. The zoo also has a variety of programming, from evening cocktails to morning special events with zookeepers. You can even spend the night there on some occasions.

For more things to do, check out our list of the best museums in Cleveland . Or, if you’re up for a trip out of town, our list of the best day trips from Cleveland .

Where to Eat and Drink

With a variety of ethnic backgrounds, there are no shortage of dining options, from places with no-frills, stick-to-your-ribs cooking to restaurants that display all the latest trends.

The city’s East Fourth Street downtown (adjacent to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and Progressive Field, home to the Cavs and Indians, respectively) has a variety of options, from “Cleveland-style” barbecue at Mabel's to standard bar food at the Corner Alley and Harry Buffalo and upscale options like Pickwick and Frolic and Greenhouse Tavern.

Cleveland (and Ohio) is also home to a growing craft beer scene , with a critical mass found in the city’s Ohio City neighborhood on the near West Side. Great Lakes Brewing is the granddaddy of the Cleveland microbrewing scene, but across the street is the Market Garden Brewery (right next to the West Side Market), and a little farther down Lorain Avenue is Platform Brewing, which has a more experimental feel. There are also several downtown-adjacent breweries near Playhouse Square, including Noble Beast and Masthead.

For more, check out our articles on Cleveland’s best bars and the foods you absolutely have to try while you’re in town .

Where to Stay

As a city that prided itself on conventions and at one point had a significant amount of corporate headquarters, the downtown area has always been accommodating to travelers. There are still a variety of hotels there, ranging from a Holiday Inn Express to more posh accommodations, like the Ritz-Carlton in Tower City. A couple unique experiences include the Drury, in a building that used to be home to the Cleveland Board of Education, and the newly-restored Schofield, part of the Kimpton chain and named for its architect, Levi Schofield, who also designed the Soldiers and Sailors monument on Public Square.

For more budget-conscious travelers, there are several hotels on the west side adjacent to the Red Line, and more options around Hopkins International Airport. There are also several hotels (and a variety of nearby restaurants) on Rockside Road in Independence, just off Interstate 77 and not far from downtown.

Getting There

The city is served by two airports. Burke Lakefront, adjacent to downtown, isn’t a large commercial airport, but serves mostly private planes and charter flights (it’s also home to the International Women’s Air and Space Museum, commemorating the contributions of women to flight and space exploration). The largest airport is Hopkins International Airport on the city’s western outskirts, with a variety of domestic and international flights. The airport offers a taxi service, and is also served by buses and trains of the Rapid Transit Authority (in fact, Cleveland was the first city in the United States to have train service from its airport to its city center).  

Ride-sharing services are available, and the airport has a full complement of car rental agencies. Cleveland is crisscrossed by several main highways, including Interstate 90 from east to west, and 71 and 77 from north to south. The inner belt of 490 and the outer belt of 480 also serve the city and adjoining suburbs.

Money-Saving Tips

For a low-cost glimpse into Cleveland’s history, visit Lake View Cemetery on the city’s east side. The historical importance is unparalleled, as the final resting place of John D. Rockefeller and James Garfield, among others. But it’s also a tranquil setting, full of lush trees, unique craftsmanship in places like Garfield’s monument and Wade Chapel and, as the name indicates, views of the lakefront to downtown and beyond.

The Cleveland Museum of Art and its expansive collection has been free to the public since its opening in 1915 (there are some ticketed exhibitions, though).

Wednesdays during the summer are particularly active. Lunchtime at Perk Plaza downtown is Walnut Wednesday, featuring a variety of local food trucks and live music. Wednesday evenings are Wade Oval Wednesday in University Circle, with activities, food trucks and live music as well.

The Baseball Heritage Museum at League Park is free.

In 1916, a statue commemorating William Shakespeare was dedicated and a garden was planted in Rockefeller Park on Cleveland’s East Side, the start of Cleveland’s Cultural Gardens, dedicated to the ethnicities that have populated the city. There are statues and landscaping displays, and occasionally events, including the annual Opera in the Italian Garden and One World Day every August.

Many local movie theaters offer dollar family-friendly matinees during the summer, a way to beat the heat or entertain the kids on a rainy day.

National Weather Service. "Winter 2017-18 Review."

Ohio City Incorporated. "West Side Market."

Encyclopedia Britannica. "Cleveland Orchestra."

RIDE RTA "Airport Service"

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Cleveland wears its Rust Belt badge with honor. While smoke-belching steel mills no longer rule the scene, the city still wafts an evocative industrial look. Railroad tracks, vertical lift bridges and stark warehouses pepper its shores on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River, only now stylish eateries, breweries and galleries fill the old factories, and bike trails have emerged along the waterways. Star attractions include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum of Art, but the best action is in Cleveland’s walkable neighborhoods. Meander around Ohio City, Tremont, Collinwood or Asiatown and you’ll be among locals in the markets and corner taverns. Sit for a pint and hear about generations-deep businesses started by Slovenian grandparents, about epic sports team grudges and about how the city clawed its way back from financial and environmental ruin. Rust Belt realness is Cleveland's calling card.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum

Cleveland's top attraction is like an overstuffed attic bursting with groovy finds: Jimi Hendrix's Stratocaster, Keith Moon's platform shoes, John Lennon…

Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland's whopping art museum houses an excellent collection of European paintings, as well as African, Asian and American art. Head to the 2nd floor…

Rockefeller Park Greenhouse

The 1905 hothouse bursts with cacti, orchids, ferns and irises. On cold days the sultry rooms provide a sweet refuge, and you’ll likely have the place to…

Whiskey Island

Whiskey Island floats at the edge of downtown, where the Cuyahoga River empties into Lake Erie. The area consists of a boat-filled marina, a raucous bar…

Edgewater Park Beach

This wide swath of shore is a local hot spot. It has lifeguards, cabana rentals (per day $20), paddleboard rentals (per hour $20), pick-up volleyball…

The Flats, an old industrial zone turned nightlife hub on the Cuyahoga River, has had a checkered life. After years of neglect, it's on the upswing once…

Lake View Cemetery

Beyond University Circle to the east, don't forget this eclectic 'outdoor museum' where President James Garfield rests in an eye-poppingly enormous tower …

Transformer Station

This provocative gallery partners with the Cleveland Museum of Art to showcase avant-garde paintings, photography and new media inside a repurposed…

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11 Best Things To Do in Cleveland

Updated April 21, 2022

Although not nearly as big as NYC , Los Angeles or Chicago , Cleveland's 78 square miles are jam-packed with things to do for visitors of all ages and interests. Foodies, adventure-seekers, nature-lovers, sports fanatics and history buffs alike

• All Things To Do

Cleveland Metroparks Cleveland Metroparks free

More than 21,000 acres of nature preserves make up Cleveland's extensive metropolitan park system. There are 18 parks and reservations throughout the Cleveland area that offer a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, fishing, boating, horseback riding and more. Visitors can learn about the reservations at any of the 10 nature visitors centers or partake in group programs like animal tracking and nature explorers. Bring lunch and rest your legs in the picnic areas located throughout the parks.

Although all the reservations provide endless amounts of outdoor fun and gorgeous scenery, the Rocky River Reservation and North Chagrin Reservation come highly recommended from past visitors who said the views were incredible and the nature sightings were aplenty. Many reported seeing a variety of ducks, frogs and birds. The thousands of trails are also great for walks, hikes and bike rides. The Lakefront, Brookside and Washington reservations are within the downtown Cleveland area, and are convenient alternatives if you don't feel like making the trek to the Rocky River and North Chagrin reservations.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Beating out NYC for the location of choice, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is one of Cleveland's most popular attractions . In fact, since its opening in 1995, more than 9 million visitors, musicians and celebrities alike have walked through its doors. The museum houses a number of permanent and temporary exhibits, as well as special collections and artifacts from some of the best rock 'n' roll musicians of all time, such as The Beatles, Metallica, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and many more. The museum also offers lectures, films, panel discussions and, of course, live rock music performances. But perhaps the museum's most famous event is the annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony that takes place every April.

You don't need to be a die-hard fan of rock music to enjoy the country's one and only Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Recent visitors loved the museum's massive collection of memorabilia and enjoyed the historical aspects behind each exhibit. The short films and inductee videos come highly recommended, as well as the outdoor patio and cafe, and the museum shop. Although, some warn that this may not be a great place to bring youngsters who aren't all that familiar with rock 'n' roll legends. Also, be sure to call ahead if you have a particular exhibit you want to see because the displays are constantly changing.

West Side Market West Side Market free

Dating all the way back to 1840, Cleveland's oldest publicly owned open-air market began on a simple tract of land. After undergoing intense renovations and repairs, the West Side Market reopened to the public in 1912, unveiling its indoor yellow brick markethouse and its iconic 137-foot-tall clock tower. Over the years it has continued to grow, and the market is now home to more than 100 different vendors selling items from all over the world. And you don't have to be a foodie to appreciate the wide array of fresh produce, baked goods, dairy and cheese products, meats and even fresh flowers sold here. This historic market also houses food stalls selling ready-to-eat items, candies and nuts. Having been featured on the Travel Channel and Food Network, West Side Market is an original must-see Cleveland attraction luring more than 1 million visitors each year.

Both locals and visitors recommend strolling the market and enjoying the fresh samples before making any purchases — there's a lot to see, so try before you buy. Travelers also note the European-feel of the market is especially appealing. Many applaud the fresh produce and meat selections, as well as the low prices, while some say the architecture of the building alone is worth a visit. Just be careful if you plan on driving, because the parking lot fills up fast.

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Cleveland Museum of Art Cleveland Museum of Art free

This art museum may be small, but it competes with the best of them, drawing more than 550,000 visitors from around the world each year. Founded in 1913 "for the benefit of all the people forever," The Cleveland Museum of Art currently houses more than 61,000 pieces of artwork spanning 6,000 years. The exhibits are arranged in chronological order and include photographs, paintings, sculptures, objects and installations by world-renowned artists, including Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso. There are also special exhibits and events, such as Parade the Circle and the Solstice summer music festival, hosted by the museum annually.    

Past museumgoers have nothing but good things to say, with many lauding the museum for its extensive collection of world-class art. The majority praise the CMA's huge and impressive selection of modern and contemporary works, specifically the paintings, while others highly recommend visiting the museum restaurant and resting your legs in the atrium. What's more, kids will enjoy the hands-on art activities offered in Studio Play.

Cleveland Botanical Garden Cleveland Botanical Garden

The Cleveland Botanical Garden offers a natural oasis located within the concrete jungle. Founded in 1930, the property features 10 acres of outdoor gardens and an 18,000-square-foot Glasshouse. Visitors can spend the day strolling through 11 different gardens, such as the Japanese Garden and Inspiration Garden, before grabbing a bite at the on-site cafe and heading indoors to the Glasshouse. The greenhouse features everything from butterfly-filled rainforests of Costa Rica to deserts reminiscent of Madagascar, as well as 350 species of exotic plants and 50 species of birds, reptiles, amphibians and more. Children will especially love running around the Hershey Children's Garden, which features a fountain and a treehouse. The gardens also offer a variety of adult, family and children's programs like arts and crafts, butterfly releases and yoga.

The gardens receive stellar reviews from past visitors, who said it's a great place to relax and enjoy the serene surroundings. Travelers particularly loved the variety of themed gardens, as well as the flowers inside the Glasshouse. Even those who weren't interested in plants said they had a fantastic time strolling the grounds, and many noted that the gardens are beautiful year-round.

Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall

Originally opened in 1931, Severance Hall is home to The Cleveland Orchestra and regarded as one of the world's most beautiful concert halls. If you happen to be in town when there is a concert, you should consider shelling out the money for a ticket to see the world-renowned orchestra play pieces by Mozart and Beethoven, among other composers. But if you're on a tight budget, you can still tour Severance Hall and revel in its impressive architecture. There is also an on-site restaurant for those who want to grab a bite to eat.

Visitors who had the chance to see The Cleveland Orchestra perform at Severance Hall call it a once-in-a-lifetime experience and say the building is one of Cleveland's hidden gems. The hour-long tour also comes highly recommended as you'll have the chance to better appreciate the architecture and learn a bit about the building's history. Many past visitors particularly enjoyed The Cleveland Orchestra's Christmas performance.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

With more than 3,000 animals representing 600 different species, you'll find plenty to do at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Beyond regular zoo amenities, such as animal viewing, gift shops and dining, this zoo introduces animal lovers to more educational experiences, allowing visitors to participate in a variety of hands-on activities like giraffe and lorikeet feedings, camel rides and overnight programs where guests spend the night at the zoo in safari tents and partake in night hikes, s'mores making and behind-the-scenes tours.

Visitors of all ages will enjoy the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, with past visitors fawning over the exhibits and attractions, particular favorites include the Elephant Crossing and carousel, and the informational docents. Many said this is a must-see family-friendly activity thanks to the zoo's plethora of programs. Some also recommend calling ahead as certain exhibits can be closed for renovations. And to avoid the crowds, consider visiting Tuesday through Friday.

USS Cod Submarine Memorial USS Cod Submarine Memorial

Located next to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum , this National Historic Landmark is a must-see. The World War II sub was placed in commission on June 21, 1943, under the leadership of Cmdr. James Dempsey and is famous for performing the only international submarine-to-submarine rescue in history. It still stands exactly how it did years ago during wartime, with no alterations. Visitors can enjoy a self-guided or guided tour of the submarine, as well as the Mark 14 steam-driven torpedo, a five-bladed bronze submarine propeller and a search periscope. Make sure to stop by the memorial and pay your respects to the nearly 4,000 men and women who lost their lives aboard U.S. submarines.

Visitors say the USS Cod is a hidden gem and perfect for the family as the kids will love the deck gun. Many said the best part of their visit was being able to walk around a genuine, historic unrefurbished WWII submarine and talking to the informational volunteers. Travelers should be warned that the entrance and exit are through the original hatchway, meaning the hallways are narrow and the ladders are steep, so it may not be easily accessible for small children, handicapped or those who are claustrophobic.

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Cleveland Museum of Natural History Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Learn all about the natural world and millions of years of history at Cleveland's Museum of Natural History. With a variety of permanent exhibits, such as dinosaurs from different prehistoric eras, Balto the Alaskan sled dog and Ohio's first planetarium, museumgoers are bound to find something that suits their interests. Visitors can even experience what a 5.5 magnitude earthquake feels like or put their paleontology skills to the test and dig up faux dinosaur bones. After visiting the museum, head to the Smead Discovery Center, Perkins Wildlife Center and the Shafran Planetarium & Mueller Observatory, all on the same property. The museum has a ton of temporary exhibits and events, so be sure to check out the schedule before visiting.

The dinosaur exhibits and interactive dioramas and artifacts received heaps of praise from past visitors who also recommended bringing the entire family and taking a guided tour.  Although, some said that the live outdoor animal enclosures need some major sprucing up as the cages seemed too small and the animals looked unhappy. The high admission costs also made some second guess their visit. 

"A Christmas Story" House and Museum "A Christmas Story" House and Museum

Cleveland was the primary site for the filming of Bob Clark's classic 1983 movie, "A Christmas Story." If you're a fan of the movie, you won't want to miss visiting Ralphie's house now, would you? The Parker house used in the film has been restored to its original cinematic glory. Visitors can go on a guided tour as well as visit the official "A Christmas Story" Museum, which features costumes, props and lots of movie memorabilia. There's even a gift shop if you want to take some of the movie magic home with you.

Whether or not you've seen the movie beforehand, you'll leave as "A Christmas Story" fan. Past travelers said a visit here left them feeling nostalgic and reminiscing of their childhood, and many raved about the entertaining and funny tour guides who shared plenty of behind-the-scenes details and filming trivia. You'll even discover a few hidden secrets. Watching the movie after touring the house is recommended as you'll probably notice more of the smaller filming details. And those who visited during Christmastime said it felt extra special.  

Progressive Field Progressive Field

Home of Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians, Progressive Field promises sports fans a good time whether it be for an actual game or just a tour. If you're in town for game, you should consider going as you'll get the most authentic Progressive Field experience. However if there's not a game, you can still visit the facility via a guided tour. The one-hour tours cover the entire premises, so visitors will be able to see the batting cages, FanCave, the party suite, the club lounge, the bullpen and the Heritage Park Indians Hall of Fame Museum.

Those who visited Progressive Field for a baseball game said they had a blast thanks to the vendors' tasty food and the cheap tickets, some of which cost only $10. The majority of visitors say there's not a bad seat in the house, so you're pretty much guaranteed a quality view of the field. And the tours also come highly recommended, as many noted the guides are knowledgeable and provided a wealth of information to visiting fans.

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• 1 Districts
• 2.1 Climate
• 2.3 Visitor information
• 3.1 By plane
• 3.3 By train
• 3.5 By boat
• 4.3 By bicycle
• 6.2 Outdoors
• 8.1 Upscale
• 8.2 Artwork & crafts
• 8.3 Groceries and other basics
• 12.1 Wireless connectivity
• 13 Stay safe
• 14.1 Newspapers
• 14.2 Alternative radio + weeklies
• 14.3 Consulates

Cleveland is a culturally diverse city on the shores of Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes , in Cuyahoga County , Ohio , USA . Recreational, cultural and educational opportunities are abundant throughout Northeast Ohio . You'll find world-class museums and cultural events, professional sports and amusement parks, and the most golf courses per capita in the United States . Places Rated Almanac ranks the area second in recreational options out of 354 US metro areas. This region ranks fifth in the nation in number of major cultural resources per one million residents.

Districts [ edit ]

The following are districts of the city of Cleveland. For the Cleveland Metropolitan area see Cuyahoga County .

Understand [ edit ]

Cleveland is the urban center of Northeast Ohio , with 363,000 people in 2020. It is the center of the 15th largest combined metropolitan area in the United States. From 1890 until 1970, Cleveland was ranked as one of the 10 largest cities in the U.S. Like most U.S. cities, Cleveland began to lose population to suburban areas in the 1960s and 1970s. However, in the mid-1980s, Cleveland earned the nickname the "Comeback City" as the urban core experienced a dramatic revitalization process that continues today. As its "comeback" has continued, the official moniker is now the New American City as Cleveland has rightfully earned the reputation as a model of effective public-private partnership for urban planning.

Despite the common perception that Cleveland is an industrial town, just beyond the automotive and steel plants, a clean and beautiful downtown rises at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River on the southern shore of Lake Erie (often marveled over by visitors who are surprised you can't see the other side, i.e., Canada). Like other cities in the so-called "rust belt", Cleveland has endured growing pains as it makes its transition from a manufacturing-based economy. While Cleveland continues to play a leading role in building the U.S. industrial base, it has also developed economic prowess in the fields of health care, law, finance, insurance, real estate development, and professional services. In fact, Cleveland's economy frequently ranks amongst the most diverse and most dynamic in the USA.

Cleveland's long history of industrial wealth has left it chock full of cultural riches as well as the beginnings of a "sustainable city" movement. Serving as a global model for urban rebirth, Cleveland has been named one of the top 10 international visitor hotspots by Travel and Leisure magazine.

Climate [ edit ]

Cleveland experiences four seasons, with vibrant spring blossoms, hot humid summers, colorful autumns, and frigid winters.

• July, on average, is the warmest month with a mean temperature of 71.9 °F (22.2 °C); however, Cleveland summers often experience temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s °F (low 30s °C) with relatively high humidity.
• January, on average, is the coldest month with a mean temperature of 25.7 °F (−3.5 °C). Cleveland winters are cold, but the city usually experiences just a handful of heavy snowfalls, but does have the occasional windchill factor below 0 °F (-18 °C). Also, Cleveland gets lake effect snow from mid-November until the surface of Lake Erie freezes, typically by early February. This is snowfall due to Cleveland's position on the southern shore of Lake Erie, at the point where the shoreline shifts from an east-west direction to a northeast-southwest orientation. The East Side primarily experiences lake effect snow. Cleveland's snow belt, which receives substantially more snowfall than the West Side, begins on the East Side of the city (spreading southward from the Lake for up to 10 mi (16 km) in Greater Cleveland) and stretches northeast along the I-90 corridor past Buffalo as far as Syracuse .
• Due to its proximity to Lake Erie, autumn in Cleveland has some enjoyable weather of the year. Some years, high 60 °F (16 °C) weather can be enjoyed through Halloween , without the humidity of the summer months.

Read [ edit ]

• Showplace of America: Cleveland's Euclid Avenue - once considered among the most beautiful and wealthy corridors in the world, read about the tightly knit community where Corporate America was born (including the likes of John D. Rockefeller).
• The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History - the rich history of Cleveland includes the story of the industrial revolution, the roots of a vibrant arts and cultural mecca, and description of the proto-typical 'melting pot' of America. This is a thick book, but answers just about any question that arises - perhaps plan a stop at a Cleveland or Cuyahoga County Public Library.

Visitor information [ edit ]

• 41.49951 -81.69068 1 Cleveland Visitors Center ( CLE+ Visitors Center ), 334 Euclid Ave ( corner of Euclid and E. 4th Street ), ☏ +1 216 875-6680 , [email protected] . Tu-Sa 10AM-6PM . ( updated Nov 2022 )

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

By car [ edit ]

Four two-digit interstate highways serve Cleveland:

• Interstate 71 runs primarily west before heading due south into the suburbs, and most directly connects downtown to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (via Ohio 237), the lower west suburbs (via I-480), the southwest suburbs, and eventually the state capital of Columbus . The curved section of I-71 that runs between W 25th Street and I-90/490 is referred to as the Metro Curve , due to its proximity to MetroHealth Medical Center .
• Interstate 77 , shown on maps as the Willow Freeway is Cleveland's oldest freeway, and heads due south from the Innerbelt along the east side of the Cuyahoga Valley and most directly connects downtown to the south suburbs, southeast suburbs (via I-480), Ohio Turnpike (I-80), and the city of Akron . The stack interchange at I-480 is sometimes referred to as The Cloverleaf , although the actual cloverleaf is located at the junction of Brecksville Road and Granger Road, which is just west of the later extension of the Willow Freeway.
• Interstate 80/Ohio Turnpike is a toll road that connects the Greater Cleveland with Toledo to the west, and Youngstown and Pittsburgh to the east. Access to the city and its suburbs is from I-90, I-480 Eastbound, I-71, I-77, Ohio 8, and I-480 Westbound.
• Interstate 90 connects the two sides (the terms "East Side" and "West Side" have deep root in defining this region) of Cleveland, and is the northern terminus for I-71 and I-77. I-90 separates from the Ohio Turnpike just west of Elyria and joins with Ohio 2 until Ohio 2 separates at Detroit Road in the west side suburb of Rocky River. I-90 then proceeds to I-71, I-490, and the Jennings Freeway (Ohio 176) in the Tremont neighborhood, and over the Innerbelt Bridge into downtown; from this confluence of freeways, I-90 is known as The Innerbelt , until it again merges with Ohio 2 at Dead Man's Curve and becomes the East Shoreway . I-90 once and for all splits from Ohio 2 near the Cuyahoga-Lake County line at the Euclid Spur , which connects to the northern terminus of I-271 and then parallels the lakeshore to Erie, PA .

Several other freeways also serve the city:

• Interstate 271 runs primarily north and south through the city's east suburbs, forming The Outerbelt East , which connects to I-90 at the end of the Euclid Spur in Lake County and I-71 just north of Medina. I-480 briefly follows I-271, and Ohio 8 connects I-271 to Akron in the south.
• Interstate 480 runs east-west along the southern edge of the City of Cleveland, forming The Outerbelt South . It is a loop route into the city that both begins and ends at the Ohio Turnpike (I-80). I-480 is also the primary route to access Hopkins Airport from the east suburbs.
• Interstate 490 connects I-71, I-90, and the Jennings Freeway (Ohio 176) on the near west side to I-77 on the near east side just south far enough to bypass much of downtown traffic.
• The West Shoreway , which is also Ohio 2 , follows the lakeshore across downtown west from I-90 past the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Edgewater Park to just short of the west side suburb of Lakewood .
• The Jennings Freeway (part of Ohio 176 ) connects I-90/490 to I-480 on the west side of the Cuyahoga Valley. It serves as an effective alternate route to I-71 and I-77 from I-480 to downtown.
• The Berea Freeway (part of Ohio 237 ) connects I-71 and I-480 to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and the southwest suburb of Berea.
• Ohio 2 connects far east lakeshore suburbs in Lake County to I-90 and I-271 (via the Euclid Spur).
• Ohio 10/US 20 connects Oberlin in southern Lorain County to I-480 at its western terminus at the Ohio Turnpike.
• US 422 becomes a freeway at I-271/I-480 and connects to the far southeast suburbs and Warren farther to the east.

By train [ edit ]

• Capitol Limited operates daily between Chicago and Washington, D.C. including stops in South Bend , Elkhart , Waterloo, Toledo , Sandusky , Elyria , Cleveland, Alliance , Pittsburgh , Connellsville , Cumberland , Martinsburg , Harpers Ferry , and Rockville .
• Lake Shore Limited operating daily between Chicago and Boston or New York City . It makes stops at most stations along the route, though it does not stop at some of the smallest stations. Trains consist of train cars from both branches between Chicago and Albany ( Rensselaer ). The trains split into separate branches between Albany (Rensselaer) and both Boston and New York City. Stops between Chicago and Albany (Rensselaer) include South Bend , Elkhart , Waterloo, Bryan , Toledo , Sandusky , Elyria , Cleveland, Erie , Buffalo ( Depew ), Rochester , Syracuse , Utica , and Schenectady . Stops between Albany (Rensselaer) and Boston include Pittsfield , Springfield , Worcester , Framingham .

By bus [ edit ]

• 41.4251 -81.7585 6 Barons Bus , (office) 12800 Brookpark Rd , toll-free: +1-888-378-3823 . ( updated Oct 2019 )
• 41.503402 -81.68224 7 Go Bus ( Operated by Barons Bus ), Greyhound bus station at 1465 Chester Ave ( Additional stop at the airport. ), toll-free: +1-888-95-GOBUS (46287) . Travels to Parkersburg through Parma, Broadway Heights, Ankron, Canton, Mt Eaton, New Philadelphia, Newcomerstown, Cambridge, Caldwell and Marietta.  
• 41.503402 -81.682243 8 Greyhound , (bus station) 1465 Chester Ave ( between E 13th and E 17th Sts ), ☏ +1 216 781-0520 . Station and ticketing hours: 24 hours daily . Greyhound offers passenger bus service from many U.S. cities. Buses arrive and depart from Greyhound's Art Deco station in downtown Cleveland.  
• 41.499924 -81.674935 9 Megabus , E 22nd St and Prospect Ave ( Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center ). Low-cost bus company offering service to Cleveland from Chicago and Toledo ( updated Jan 2017 )

By boat [ edit ]

Many boaters use the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway and their connection points as a travel route. There are many marinas and public boat ramps available for this purpose. Also, the Great Lakes Cruising Company [dead link] provides cruises that include Cleveland on the itinerary.

Get around [ edit ]

Cleveland might be one of the easiest cities in the world to navigate. There are almost no one-way streets, because the city was planned to have "European Avenues" (which resulted in the foresight to make them broad enough for vehicular transportation that couldn't have been imagined in the late 1700s). Traffic is generally not a problem relative to other major U.S. metro areas. Throughout the downtown area, purple signs direct visitors to let you know where you are and what district you are in. The streets that run north-south are numbered, except for Ontario Street (the north-south street bisecting Public Square). Numbered streets are named "West", west of Ontario and "East", east of Ontario. (Broadview Road becomes the primary geographic boundary between 'East' and 'West' addresses to the south of the city.) The major east-west streets are generally named as "avenues".

Finding an address is simple as well. Numbers on north-south streets increase as you head south from Lake Erie, numbers on east-west streets increase as you head away from downtown and coincide with the numbered streets (i.e. 6500 Detroit Ave is located at the corner of Detroit Ave and W 65th St). Odd addresses on north-south streets are for buildings on the east side of the street, and even addresses are on the west side; on the west side of Cleveland, odd addresses on east-west streets are located on the south side of the street, while even addresses are on the north side—the reverse is true for east-west streets on the east side of Cleveland. This addressing scheme continues into most of the suburbs (some exceptions include Berea and Bedford) and even most cities and townships in Lake and Lorain Counties.

Most of the city is laid out in grids and has very clear signage enabling you to easily know where you are. Throughout the area, signs are thoroughly placed to indicate the route to the nearest major freeway, making the city extremely visitor-friendly!

Cleveland rush hours (7AM-9AM; 4PM-6:30PM in the afternoon) are light compared to many metropolitan areas, with traffic still moving near posted speed limits throughout most of the area. Some places notorious for slow or stop and go traffic are:

• I-71 Northbound from W 25th St into Downtown and from Bagley Rd to I-480
• I-77 Northbound from I-490 into Downtown and from the Ohio Turnpike to I-480
• I-90 Eastbound from W 25th St into Downtown
• I-90 Westbound from E 55th St into Downtown
• I-271 Northbound approaching I-480
• I-480 Eastbound from the Jennings Freeway (Ohio 176) to I-77 and approaching I-271
• Jennings Freeway (Ohio 176) approaching I-90/490
• I-71 Southbound from I-480/Ohio 237 to Bagley Rd
• I-77 Southbound from downtown to I-490 and from I-480 to Pleasant Valley Rd
• I-90 Westbound from downtown to the Innerbelt Bridge
• I-90 Eastbound from downtown to Dead Man's Curve
• I-271 Southbound approaching I-480
• I-480 Westbound from W 130th St to I-71/Ohio 237

Road construction can impact travel times at rush hours, and usually occurs only from March to November. Any point in Cuyahoga County is normally reachable from any other point in the county by car in 45 minutes or less at non-peak driving hours.

By public transit [ edit ]

Greater Cleveland is also served by a public bus and rail transit system, operated by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority , also known as "RTA". The rail portion is officially called the Cleveland Rapid Transit, but is known by locals as "The Rapid". It consists of two light rail lines, known as the Green and Blue Lines (which extend to the east side suburbs), and a heavy rail line, the Red Line (which connects Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and the west side suburbs with Tower City Center downtown and continues past University Circle to the inner-ring suburb of East Cleveland.) RTA's Waterfront Line is a short track specifically catering to tourists by connecting Tower City Center to the Flats Entertainment District, Cleveland Browns Stadium, Great Lakes Science Center, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Burke Lakefront Airport.

Bus [ edit ]

A bus rapid transit line, called the "Health Line", runs along Euclid Avenue, providing a direct route between Cleveland's primary tourist attractions from downtown to University Circle. A $5 All-Day Pass is good for unlimited rides on the trains and the buses.

By bicycle [ edit ]

Greater Cleveland is expanding its bicycle trails and bicycle paths throughout the city. In addition, the city has numerous bicycle shops, mostly located on the near west side

• 41.48993 -81.70113 10 Ohio City Cycles , 1840 Columbus Rd , ☏ +1 216 830-2667 , [email protected] . A non-profit bike co-op. Provides rentals of fitted bikes, bike repair services, and. ( updated Oct 2019 )
• 41.48421 -81.70878 11 Bike Cleveland , 3000 Bridge Ave , ☏ +1 216 245-3101 , [email protected] . A local bicycle advocacy group. Hosts events and provides information about cycling in the area. ( updated Oct 2019 )

See [ edit ]

• Most attractions in Cleveland are Downtown . These include the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, all in and around the University Circle neighborhood. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum, Great Lakes Science Center, and the Steamship William G. Mather Maritime Museum, are all on the lakefront.
• Churches: Particularly visit the Tremont district in West Side (where the movie The Deer Hunter was filmed) and the Church Square district along Euclid Avenue between Downtown and University Circle (where you can see a broad sampling of houses of prayer, many of which are used by their second or third generations of faith). There are also several monumental churches in near east side suburbs of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights along Cedar Road, Fairmount and Shaker Boulevards.

Do [ edit ]

Sports [ edit ].

Enjoy a game with the world's best sports fans . Cleveland is home to the second longest span of sold out baseball games (5 consecutive seasons in the late 1990s), the largest American League baseball attendance (72,086 on 8/9/1981) and the birthplace of Monday Night Football (9/21/1970). But given its storied sports past coupled with its weathered but dedicated fan base (ESPN named Cleveland the "Most Tortured Sports City"), terms like The Drive , The Fumble , The Shot , The Move , The Decision , 2 More Outs will ring in the ears of Cleveland sports fans for generations to come. After the Cavaliers finally ended the city's half-century long championship drought in 2016, The Block will also ring in fans' ears, but with a far happier note. Win or lose, Clevelanders (obviously) just love sports.

Outdoors [ edit ]

• Historically nicknamed the "Forest City" (due to a famous description of a highly sophisticated society amid a heavily forested environment in Alexis DeTocqueville's "Democracy in America" (1831)), Cleveland is a great place for outdoor activities. USA Today ranked Cleveland among the 10 best big cities for hiking. If you think Cleveland is just a "rust belt" city, get out to the nearest Cleveland Metropark . The parks form an Emerald Necklace around the Cleveland metropolitan area, so no matter which direction you go from downtown, you're headed toward a park. Biking, horseback riding, jogging and rollerblading are easily accommodated by the miles of trails (paved and unpaved) encircling Cuyahoga County. In the winter, visitors can cross country ski these same trails. Sitting upon the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, Cleveland also provides downhill skiers with slopes throughout the area.

• A river winds through it. Boaters, rowing crews, canoers and kayakers enjoy the diverse scenery along the Cuyahoga (a Mohawk Native American term, meaning "Crooked River"). The Cuyahoga provides a mosaic of the nightspots of the Flats (dockage available at restaurants and bars), downtown's towers rising up the hill, active industrial remnants of the birthplace of the petroleum and steel industries, pastoral settings and the Ohio and Erie Canal (which in the 1800s provided the connection between the Great Lakes and the Ohio River, ultimately enabling shipping from the Atlantic Ocean (via the St. Lawrence Seaway and the East Coast) to the Gulf of Mexico (via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers)). The Ohio & Erie Canal has been preserved as a core element of Cuyahoga Valley National Park . In Ohio's only National Park, walk or bike the Canal Towpath . The National Park starts 8 miles south of downtown and stretches for miles down to Akron. The Towpath extends from Lake Erie in Downtown Cleveland through the southern suburbs past Akron , Canton , New Philadelphia and into rural Bolivar and Historic Zoar .

Tours [ edit ]

• 41.51029 -81.695374 1 Goodtime III , 825 East Ninth St ( Pier ), ☏ +1 216 861-5100 . Monday-Saturday 9AM-10PM, Sunday 9AM-9PM . See Cleveland by water via Lake Erie and/or the Cuyahoga River. Dining and entertainment available. ( updated Jul 2019 )
• 41.497296 -81.703679 2 Nautica Queen , 1153 Main Ave , ☏ +1 216 696-8888 . Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM . Lakefront and river dining cruises departing from the west bank of the Flats. ( updated Jul 2019 )
• 41.496143 -81.705506 3 Lolly the Trolley , 1101 Winslow Ave , ☏ +1 216 771-4484 . Trolley bus tours offering a variety of routes and lots of information about Cleveland, its history and its modern landmarks. ( updated Jul 2019 )
• Walking Tours of Cleveland , ☏ +1 216 575-1189 . Various tours, some by foot, others by wheels.  
• African American Heritage Trail , ☏ +1 216 921-4246 . This tour provides a perspective of the experience and impact of Cleveland's African American community.  

Work [ edit ]

Five major industries have evolved to become the economic strength of the region: Health & Medicine, Science & Engineering, Biotechnology & Biomedical, Manufacturing and Education. In addition to 12 Fortune 1000 headquarters, more than 150 international companies have a presence here. Site Selection magazine ranked Ohio as first in the U.S. with the most corporate facility projects and expansions in 2007.

Of particular note, the Cleveland Clinic Health System is a world-renowned treatment center that has treated dignitaries from all over the world, most notably King Fahd of Saudi Arabia .

Also of note is Quicken Loans and their Cleveland Web Center. This medium size company founded by Dan Gilbert (also owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers) boasts being the fourth largest Veteran Lender in the nation as well as the tenth best place to work for in the entire nation rated by Fortune. Quicken Loans has been listed many times as one of the best places to work at years before as well.

Buy [ edit ]

Upscale [ edit ].

Shoppers have been flocking to Northeast Ohio since the development of several lifestyle centers have attracted upscale retailers. On the East Side, Legacy Village (in Lyndhurst) has been added to Cleveland's fashion district along Cedar Road (which includes Beachwood Place and La Place in Beachwood). Nearby, Eton Collection (on Chagrin Boulevard in Woodmere) provides even more upscale options for shopping and dining. On the West Side, Crocker Park (in Westlake) provides a mixed-use "new town" environment with upscale shopping.

Artwork & crafts [ edit ]

Cleveland's active art community has galleries throughout the area with larger concentrations in Tremont , Ohio City (just across the Cuyahoga River from downtown), and Little Italy . Unique boutiques abound in the inner ring suburbs of Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights and Lakewood. New England charm and "mom-and-pop" shops can be found along the public squares of Western Reserve towns (settled as the Connecticut Western Reserve), including Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Olmsted Falls, Willoughby, Medina, Chardon and Painesville.

Groceries and other basics [ edit ]

The major supermarket chains in the Cleveland area are Giant Eagle, Dave's, Heinen's, Aldi, Whole Foods Market, and Trader Joe's. In addition the nation's two largest discount store chains Walmart and Target each have a store in Cleveland as well. The CVS and Walgreens drug store chains are also ubiquitous throughout Cleveland with many locations open twenty four hours a day.

Eat [ edit ]

Cleveland is host to a wide variety of restaurants and is culinarily much more diverse than an outsider might suspect in the Midwest drawing on large enclaves of ethnic neighborhoods and immigration (Ohio City, Slavic Village , Parma, Hough, Little Italy , Chinatown and others). Certainly, Eastern European food and Soul food are big in a city where Hungarians, Slavs, Poles, Czechs, Bohemians and Southern African Americans were drawn to the steel and automotive industries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; however, recent emigres have spiced up the mix, adding many more influences including Indian, Chinese, Southeast Asian, Puerto Rican and Central American, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean.

In the mid-1990s Cleveland was in step with the resurgence of the restaurant industry, and has many restaurants on-par with their larger-city counterparts, many of which are located in the Historic Warehouse District , the Flats , Ohio City , Tremont , the Gateway Neighborhood and along the Restaurant Row in the East Side suburbs. In fact, the area boasts of 6 AAA Four Diamond restaurants, the most between New York and Chicago.

Today's Cleveland goes beyond your grandfather's sausage and pierogi steel town.

Most restaurants in Cleveland are closed on Sunday and many have reduced hours or are closed on Monday.

Cleveland has two varieties of spicy mustard that are found at sports games and sports pubs, Stadium and Bertmans. Local fans are very opinionated about which one is best, similar to how Americans generally prefer either Coke or Pepsi.

Drink [ edit ]

There are plenty of bars in Cleveland - most are located Downtown . However, many are closed on Sundays and some have reduced hours or are closed on Mondays.

Sleep [ edit ]

Hotels are mostly located Downtown , with a few additional East Side options around University Circle, and some properties near the airport on the far West Side . The only hostel in the city is in Ohio City on the West Side . Neighboring suburbs also provide numerous lodging choices.

Connect [ edit ]

Wireless connectivity [ edit ].

• Most coffee shops offer wireless internet connection as do the campuses of Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve. Library branches also offer WiFi. The Tower City Center in the downtown area is another spot with free WiFi access.

Phone [ edit ]

Greater Cleveland, including all of Cuyahoga County, is served by AT&T. Several other local telephone companies have networks in different portions of the county, and most cable companies also offer phone service through their networks.

• Area code 216 serves the City of Cleveland and the inner ring suburbs.
• Area code 440 serves the balance of the suburbs along with Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain Counties.
• Area code 234 and 330 together serve the rest of Northeast Ohio, including Medina, Portage, Summit, and Stark Counties to the south.

All calling within Cuyahoga County (which includes all of the 216 area code) is toll-free, and includes toll-free calling into and from western Lake County, Chesterland in Geauga County, Columbia Township in Lorain County, and the communities abutting Cuyahoga County in Medina, and Summit Counties.

Area code 216 callers in the City of Cleveland can call toll-free into other communities in Lorain County, such as Elyria and North Ridgeville, while the remaining callers in Cuyahoga County can call certain areas at a reduced rate. Some phone companies provide the extended calling area toll-free as an added benefit to compete with AT&T.

Stay safe [ edit ]

When driving at night in the city, stay in your car along major urban corridors (like Euclid, Chester and Carnegie Avenues heading east and Detroit and Lorain Avenues heading west). At night, you may want to avoid inner city neighborhoods and the City of East Cleveland in its entirety.

Many of the city's so-called "rough" neighborhoods are on the east side. However, tourists in general wouldn't have any reason to visit these neighborhoods, and University Circle on the east side, where all the city's main cultural institutions are, is safe. Eastern inner-ring suburbs such as Cleveland Heights, University Heights, Beachwood and Shaker Heights are all very safe.

The city of Cleveland is ranked 7th in violent crime rate among major US cities.

When walking at night, avoid eye contact, walk assertively, stay in lit areas, be aware of your surroundings, and travel in groups if possible.

Cope [ edit ]

Newspapers [ edit ], alternative radio + weeklies [ edit ].

• WAPS 91.3 FM (south of Cleveland) Adult alternative (M–Sa), international folk (Su)
• WBWC 88.3 FM Non-commercial alternative music of Baldwin-Wallace College
• WCSB 89.3 FM A little bit of everything from Cleveland State University
• WJCU 88.7 FM College alternative of John Carroll University
• WOBC 91.5 FM Free-form noncommercial radio of The Oberlin College Student Network
• WRUW 91.1 FM [dead link] Noncommercial multi-format of Case Western Reserve University
• WZIP 88.1 FM [dead link] (south of Cleveland) Rhythm radio/rock of University of Akron

Other music publications

• Jazz + Blues Report
• Alternative Press

Consulates [ edit ]

Go next [ edit ].

• Not amused by nature? If you prefer to step up the pace, Northeast Ohio offers world-class amusement parks including Cedar Point (1 hour drive west to Sandusky ) and Memphis Kiddie Park (in Brooklyn, Ohio), a small but fun park for the little ones (toddlers to pre-teens).
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park . Located south of Cleveland, this park follows the course of the Cuyahoga River and the historic Ohio & Erie Canal between Cleveland and Akron. A number of older buildings are preserved here. The Cuyahoga Scenic Railroad , with train cars from the 1940s and 1950s also runs through the park. Pick up the train in Valley View near Thornburg Station [dead link] (8111 Rockside Rd), a mixed-use retail, restaurant and office complex sitting between the river and canal.
• North Coast Beaches . Along the southern shore of Lake Erie are a large number of public beaches. The largest natural sand beach in Ohio, Headlands Beach State Park , is located east of Cleveland, in Mentor. Edgewater Park , located just west of downtown Cleveland, includes a large beach. Many other beaches are available throughout Northeast Ohio, including Huntington Beach, Euclid Beach and Fairport Harbor.
• Lake Erie Islands . Located west of Cleveland, a group of picturesque and festive islands in Lake Erie are accessible via ferry. In addition to several Ohio State Parks located on the islands, there is plenty to do including wineries, restaurants, bars, marinas and beaches.
• Hall of Fame Cycle . Tourists can plan visits to the Rock Hall, Inventure Place (the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron ) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (in Canton ).
• Historic Downtown Painesville . Visit quaint Painesville for specialty shops, ethnic restaurants, relaxing spas, college nightlife from nearby Lake Erie College , historic homes, and bed and breakfasts.
• Sandusky . Sandusky is home to Cedar Point , the world's largest amusement park, and Kalahari Resorts, a massive water park. Also home to Ghostly Manor, a top rated year-round haunted house, a Carousel Museum, and a historic downtown.

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16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Cleveland, OH

Written by Anietra Hamper Updated Dec 28, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Anietra Hamper is an Ohio native and has traveled the state extensively seeking out some of the best experiences in cities like Cleveland that have so many diverse offerings for visitors.

Cleveland is the second largest city in Ohio and represents modernization with a rustic flare. The city has a strong cultural side, with theaters, museums, and a thriving social scene in the Flats East Bank, where the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie converge. Tourists will find no shortage of things to do and interesting places to visit.

In the 1800s, Cleveland was one of the most important canal ports in the eastern United States and an industrial center where some of the richest American entrepreneurs made their fortunes. Among those who lived here around the turn of the 19th century were John D. Rockefeller and Samuel Mather.

Today, the remnants of Cleveland's historical railway and canal notoriety serve as an eclectic backdrop for a vibrant city that is turning warehouses into boutique hotels and is a prominent destination for world-class sporting events and concerts near the waterfront.

Take a stroll along Cleveland's popular Historic Warehouse District, spend an evening enjoying some of the city's major sports complexes in the Historic Gateway District, or explore some of Cleveland's spectacular museums.

For more ideas, see our list of the top attractions in Cleveland.

See also: Where to Stay in Cleveland

1. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

2. cleveland museum of art, 3. go shopping at the west side market, 4. cleveland museum of natural history, 5. great lakes science center, 6. soak up a bit of nature at the cleveland botanical garden, 7. progressive field, 8. visit the animals at the cleveland metroparks zoo, 9. greater cleveland aquarium, 10. tour the graves at the lake view cemetery, 11. enjoy a performance at the playhouse square, 12. museum of contemporary art, 13. have a night out in the flats district, 14. a christmas story house, 15. cleveland metroparks, 16. uss cod submarine memorial, where to stay in cleveland for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions in cleveland.

One of the most popular things to do in Ohio is to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame . Designed by I.M. Pei, it is more of an experience than a museum.

The history of popular music is spread over six floors in an atmosphere of multimedia exuberance, with such rarities as the manuscript of Purple Haze , written by Jimi Hendrix. It is here that the rock and roll music industry honors its finest entertainers.

Music enthusiasts could spend days going through all the museum has to offer, with permanent exhibitions and traveling national and international shows. This eye-catching, state-of-the-art building sits on the shores of Lake Erie.

The best way to experience the museum is to start on Level 0, where you find the Hall of Fame Inductees, and work your way to the top.

Address: 1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio

The Cleveland Museum of Art features a variety of art from around the world. It has a particularly strong collection of American art and medieval art from Europe and Asia . Visitors will also find art by North American Indians as well as Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Indian, and Southeast Asian art.

The museum was founded in 1913 and remains one of the most respected cultural entities in the state, with an international reputation for its fine collections. Step into the ARTLENS Gallery to see how art and technology merge as you create your own works of art.

If you are interested in the history of specific art pieces you can also access the Ingalls Library and Museum Archives. A convenient way to explore the art museum is by downloading the free ArtLens app and using it as a guide to make your way through the galleries.

In addition to the permanent collection, the Cleveland Museum of Art hosts special exhibitions and events.

Address: 11150 East Boulevard, University Circle, Cleveland, Ohio

West Side Market is the longest running public market in Cleveland. It was renovated in the early 2000s and has been gaining in popularity over the years with both locals and tourists.

The central feature is the 1912 market house with a 137-foot-tall clock tower that has stood for more than a century.

In total, the market accommodates more than 100 vendors selling vegetables, fine meats, baked goods, cheese, flowers, and other specialty items . The products and people are ethnically diverse, and the market is a fun place to visit and stroll, even if you do not buy anything.

Address: 1979 West 25th Street, Cleveland, Ohio

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is home to some outstanding exhibits showcasing collections and research in areas from paleontology to botany.

Chief among these is that of a three-million-year-old human ancestor, Australopithecus afarensis, known as "Lucy," which was a key discovery in the field of anthropology.

Perhaps more dramatic in a visual sense are the dinosaur skeletons that tower over visitors as they walk through the Kirtland Hall of Prehistoric Life.

There are also many other exhibits, from geology and astronomy to gems and minerals. Children will enjoy the many interactive displays, like the "living galleries" in the Perkins Wildlife Center.

Address: 1 Wade Oval Drive, University Circle, Cleveland, Ohio

A visit to the Great Lakes Science Center is an educational experience that will spark your curiosity about the science behind things like space travel and wind. The center offers hundreds of interactive displays designed to engage visitors of all ages.

From spring until fall, visitors can tour the 1925 steamship William G. Mather to learn about life on the ship and the history of the great lakes. One of the main features at the center is the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater , a movie experience beneath a six-story domed screen that is a multi-media experience of sound and visuals.

The center has an active event calendar, be sure to check out their website prior to visiting.

Address: 601 Erieside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio

The Cleveland Botanical Garden features 20 unique gardens showcasing flora and fauna from around the world . Take a walk through the rainforest and desert, or get up close to rare orchids.

Among the attractions here are the Hershey Children's Garden, a Japanese Garden featuring a dry rock stream, the Mary Ann Sears Swetland Rose Garden, the Western Reserve Herb Society Garden, the Woodland Garden, the Elizabeth and Nona Evans Restorative Garden, the Campsey-Stauffer Gateway Garden, and the CK Patrick Perennial Garden.

There are always public events happening at the botanical gardens , or you can take one of the day-visit classes offered on topics like mindfulness in nature, bee pollinators, and culinary herbs.

Address: 11030 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland is big on sports, so you better believe a night of baseball at Progressive Field will be an unforgettable experience. The baseball field is home to the Cleveland Guardians Major League Baseball Team.

The ballpark sits right in the center of downtown Cleveland, so it is easy to plan an afternoon lunch or evening dinner downtown and walk to the gates when there are games.

There is never a dull moment with fan-friendly events and fireworks on game nights. Get some Guardian gear from the vendors outside the ballpark and cheer on the home team!

Address: 2401 Ontario Street, Cleveland, Ohio

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. Located near Brookside Metropolitan Park, the zoo has domestic and exotic animals from around the world, including the largest collection of primate species in North America .

Besides enjoying the many renovated animal exhibits, you can spend time at the 4D Theater or take part in one of the many behind-the-scenes experiences and seasonal programs.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is also a botanic garden with beautiful year-round foliage.

Address: 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, Ohio

The Cleveland Aquarium is housed in one of the city's premier historical buildings, the First Energy Powerhouse. But the real attraction is inside, where you will be treated to colorful and unusual creatures from the deep.

The aquarium has eight different galleries with over 50 exhibits and 2,500 animals spread across 300 species. Learn about aquatic life in categories like tropical reefs or in Ohio's lakes and Rivers.

Animal interactions are available, including the ability to get up close and personal with stingrays and touch a blue-tongued skink at the petting tank.

Address: 2000 Sycamore Street, Cleveland, Ohio

The Lake View Cemetery was created in the style of those found in Victorian England and France , as a garden with monuments. Referred to as Cleveland's Outdoor Museum and designed as a peaceful park, the 285-acre cemetery features elegant gardens and horticulture.

The cemetery was established in 1869 and contains more than 100,000 graves, including some famous names . James Abram Garfield, 20th President of the United States; John Davison Rockefeller; and Eliot Ness are among the few who made Lake View Cemetery their final resting place.

The cemetery is a popular place for photography in Ohio , and its park-like setting makes it easy to just wander and be curious about the many unique gravesites. Lake View Cemetery holds history walking tours and even concerts on the lawn during the year.

Address: 12316 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio

Playhouse Square is in the heart of Cleveland's Theater District . There are multiple theaters that operate separately in the district, bringing in Broadway performances, comedy, dance, opera, concerts, and family shows.

The theaters are The Allen Theatre, Hanna Theatre, Mimi Ohio Theatre, Keybank State Theatre, Connor Place, Westfield Studio Theatre, and Kennedy's Cabaret.

These theaters, primarily built in the 1920s, were saved from demolition in the 1970s by local community organizations and individual people who undertook a gradual restoration of the properties. Most of the restoration took place in the 1980s and 1990s and the project was one of Cleveland's greatest urban renewal success stories.

You can plan an arts weekend out of just this area with plenty of dining and lodging options right near the square. Have a look at the Playhouse Square events schedule to see what's happening during your visit.

Address: 1501 Euclid Avenue, Suite 200, Cleveland, Ohio

The Museum of Contemporary Art , more commonly referred to as the MOCA , features rotating temporary exhibits by national and international artists as well as local artists in the Cleveland area.

The museum's new building, which opened in 2012, is a unique and impressive structure designed by Farshid Moussavi. This mirror-finished structure begins from the ground as a hexagon and rises to become a square at the top, creating all kinds of angles.

MOCA has public programs throughout the year, including artist talks and gallery tours.

Address: 11400 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio

A night out in the Flats District in Cleveland is a must-experience at least once. The Flats is the entertainment district on the banks of the Cuyahoga River . The area is filled with a variety of casual to fine dining options, live music, and entertainment like comedy shows.

The urban vibe of the area is one generated by the district's rebirth over the years, becoming the he art of Cleveland's social scene . It is a great spot to spend an entire evening, or to wrap up the day on the riverfront enjoying the city lights and the skyline.

One of the most admired attractions in Cleveland is the A Christmas Story House that was the hallmark of the famous 1983 holiday movie . This movie-set home is open to visitors for tours, and it has remained just like it appears in scenes from the nostalgic movie classic.

You will recognize the interior of the home, especially the famous leg lamp. You can even buy your own replica of it in the gift shop across the street. There are a couple of buildings to see including the museum that has preserved some of the costumes from the movie and props like the family's car.

The home and tourist attraction are tucked away in a residential neighborhood, making it even more charming. True movie fans can even book an overnight at the A Christmas Story House or the Bumpus house next door, which was home to the fictional neighbors.

Address: 3159 W 11th Street, Cleveland, Ohio

While Cleveland is a thriving metro city, it maintains a spectacular interconnected Metroparks system . There are 18 parks to visit with many types of hiking and biking trails, golf courses , outdoor adventures, water sports, fishing and other attractions.

There are so many types of green spaces and recreational activities available at the parks that it should be on the top of your list to explore. You can even try toboggining in the winter.

If you prefer to just enjoy the views, you can take in the waterfalls and wildlife like the birds and butterflies that are regular residents in the Metroparks system.

The USS Cod Submarine Memorial, a National Historic Landmark , is located on the shores of Lake Erie. This World War II submarine has a storied history of battles and rescues. It was responsible for the first submarine-to-submarine rescue, which occurred in 1945.

You can visit the USS Cod during the summer months and are invited to board the vessel. Entrance is through the original hatchways as it has not been modified since wartime.

Address: 1089 East 9th Street, Cleveland, Ohio

Official site: http://www.usscod.org

For fun and sightseeing, the best place to stay in Cleveland is right downtown. On the waterfront are the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center. A few blocks off the water are the East 4th Street Entertainment District and sports venues, as well as shopping and dining. The hotels listed below are popular choices in good locations:

Luxury Hotels :

• In a great position near the waterfront, and just a short stroll from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Convention Center, is The Westin Cleveland Downtown .
• A few blocks inland from here, and frequently rated as one of the top hotels in the city, the Metropolitan at The 9, Autograph Collection , near Playhouse Square, has an indoor dog park.
• The Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade , in a historic building downtown, is conveniently located near the East 4th Street Entertainment District, with good restaurants and shopping.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• Within walking distance to the major downtown attractions, the recently renovated Holiday Inn Express Cleveland Downtown, an IHG Hotel is in a late 19th-century historic bank building,
• Nearby is the Hampton Inn Cleveland-Downtown , an upper-end mid-range option serving a free hot breakfast.
• Just a little farther out from the action is the Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown , near Progressive Field.

Budget Hotels:

• Quality budget hotels are few and far between in the city center, and travelers may want to look further afield for better deals. The Comfort Inn Downtown offers comfortable rooms and a good location at a reasonable price for a downtown hotel.
• Near the airport, the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cleveland-Airport North is a 15- to 20-minute drive from the city center.

More on Ohio

Cleveland’s Ohio City Guide (18+ Things To Do, Photo-Ops & More)

One of Cleveland, Ohio’s Most Popular Neighborhoods

Ohio City is one of Cleveland’s most popular neighborhoods, and my guide will take you through 18+ things to do plus all the best photo ops and more. This is the perfect guide to share with friends from the suburbs who don’t get downtown often or visiting guests who want to know what’s good.

Just west of Downtown Cleveland, Ohio sits the historic neighborhood of Ohio City. Once a fierce competitor of the city of Cleveland, it’s now one of Cleveland’s most interesting and fun historic neighborhoods. Minutes away from Downtown Cleveland, Lake Erie, The Flats, Tremont, and the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, you won’t run out of things to do anytime soon.

Cleveland’s Ohio City Highlights

• Visit the historic West Side Market for delicious food and amazing people-watching.
• Enjoy one of the several outdoor festivals and events from City Stages , Station Hope , and the Ohio City Street Festival .
• Visit one of the many breweries in town, including a book-themed brewery called Bookhouse Brewing.
• Have fun at The Vibe Garden where a variety of fun events are held throughout the year from yoga to markets, and concerts.
• Find all of the amazing street art throughout the neighborhood, the perfect photo-op.
• Get your art on at Spaces Gallery or The Transformer Station .

A Mix Of Old & New in Ohio City

A stroll through Cleveland’s Ohio City Neighborhood will show you many beautiful old homes with a quaint and cozy feel to them. While venturing to the outskirts of the neighborhood and near the popular W.25th Street , you’ll see a lot more new construction mixed in. One of my favorite new rooftops (seen below) is part of the Church & State Apartments which recently opened, but I also love seeing the older homes and their beautiful styling.

Amazing Street Art

Murals galore.

Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood is full of murals and my guide will help you find them. In the past 5 to 6 years there was a huge influx of public art popping up around the neighborhood. These colorful and fun murals brought the brick-covered industrial parts of the neighborhood bursts of color and fun.

The neighborhood even hosted International artists to leave their mark around Ohio City. Check out my post on Ohio City Murals to learn more.

The Best Breakfast & Brunch Spots Cleveland’s Ohio City Guide

These shops have some of my favorite breakfast and brunch offerings in Ohio City!

Le Petit Triangle

French-inspired cafe. I recommend the roasted potatoes. So good.

West Side Market Cafe

A simple market cafe. Try the Market Breakfast or Belgian Waffle.

Hingetown Grocery

Small grocery & cafe. Try the most unique hashbrowns I ever saw.

Juneberry Table

Stylish cafe. Try the Juneberry breakfast and Coffee Cake.

Neighborhood Enclave

An enclave of Ohio City that spans a few city blocks and includes a lot of the newness in the neighborhood. From new apartments with awesome community space to weird domes dubbed Creative Hangers (being built now), shops, restaurants, and unique outdoor spaces.

Hingetown is also known for its rich history for the Cleveland LGBTQ community, most particularly W. 29th Street ( Read more ), and having historical significance to the Underground Railroad with Saint Johns Church, one of the last stops before making it to Canada.

While it’s all technically part of Ohio City, Hingetown has its own unique vibe. With art galleries and museums, historical spaces, unique apartments, fun outdoor community spaces, restaurants, bars, and shopping there’s a little something for everyone.

Hingetown Photo-Ops

The Living Wall

Succulent city.

Located on the outside wall of The Cleveland Tea Revival , this green wall changes each year and is a beautiful touch of nature in the heart of the city. The plants are watered with stormwater from the roof, so cool.

Mirrored Corner

A moment to reflect.

On the corner of W. 28th and Detroit is a unique building my photographer’s eye is always attracted to. The curved, mirrored corner makes for a fun photo-op.

Rainbow Crosswalk

Church + w29th street.

An homage to the history of the street in the LGBTQ+ community, these rainbow crosswalks have been painted in 4 crosswalks and add a vibrant burst of color in Hingetown.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jen | Local love + Wanderlust (@localloveandwanderlust)

Coffee & Breweries

I’m not a coffee or beer drinker, but I would be remiss to not mention the huge amount of breweries and coffee shops in town.

Great Lakes Brewery   for a locally brewed beer and German-inspired fare Bookhouse Brewing  is the cutest and only book-themed bar and brewery in town Platform Beer  local brewery and taproom Nano Brew small brewery that serves yummy food Market Garden Brewery local brewery with a huge production brewery nearby Hansa Brewery authentic Eastern European restaurant and brewery North High Brewery is a new addition to the brewery scene Passport Cafe  located inside the Cleveland Hostel Rising Star Coffee  is my husband’s favorite spot to get beans to grind duck-rabbit coffee  ethically sourced beans Lekko Coffee serves living wage coffee Koffie Cafe small local coffee shop Edda Coffee Roasters huge coffee shop & cafe Index Coffee & Books: Bookstore & Coffee Shop

Best Places To Get Lunch Cleveland’s Ohio City Guide

There are many great restaurants in the Ohio City neighborhood and these are some of my favorites to grab a quick bite to eat at. These shops serve quick and delicious meals that are perfectly portioned for lunch.

Ohio City Burrito

Small, buffet-style Mexican. Tacos, Burritos, & Bowls.

Citizen Pie

Neapolitan pizza cooked in 2 mins. Try the Cacio e Pepe pizza. Yum,

Music-themed bar & restaurant. Often having vegan & gluten-free items on the menu.

Souper Market

Small cafe serving up soups, salads, and sandwiches.

Ohio City Photo-Ops

unique & fun

Many restaurants in Ohio City were built in existing buildings, or are just funky and unique. One of my favorites is inside Heck’s Cafe (shown), it gives me New Orleans courtyard vibes to me.

classic views

While many complain about the new construction, there are still many old homes throughout the neighborhood that are enjoyable to view. You’ll find plenty of unique paint color combinations as well as renovated gems.

West Side Market

Historic + food.

The historic West Side Market makes for an incredible photo-op from the incredible brickwork in the ceiling to the unique food stands and crowds of people.

Shopping In Ohio City

There are a handful of great shops sprinkled throughout Ohio City. Here are some of my favorites.

The West Side Market: An over 100-year-old marketplace that you must see when in town. Shore Society : Coastal apparel and accessories. Him & His : Curated and stylish home goods. Helm Collective: A small but beautifully curated vintage goods shop. Avalon Exchange: A buy, sell, trade, and resale clothing boutique. Cleveland Candle Co : A candle shop where you can buy a unique scent, or make your own. Rising Boutique: Cute clothes and accessories. Index Coffee & Books: Bookstore & Coffee Shop All Things For You : Two floors of amazing vintage and antique goods. Joy Machines Bike Shop: A small community bike shop. Harper & Ivory: A bridal boutique shop Urban Orchid: An upscale floral and gift boutique. Lake Erie Pet Food Co. : Fresh, local small-batch dog, and cat food. Cleveland Brew Shop: For all the homebrewers. Ohio City Provisions: a small grocery/ butcher shop with all local goods and much more. Fridrich Bicylcle, Inc: An institution in Cleveland that’s been around since the late 1800s! Luca’s Barkery: Recently opened dog bakery & pet store with a huge selection + of handcrafted treats for your favorite doggo.

Are you loving my Ohio City Neighborhood Guide? Then you should follow me on Instagram to keep up with all things Cleveland (Travel & More). Follow along at @localloveandwanderlust . Got questions about Ohio City or Cleveland, Ohio? Send me a DM!

Best Places For Dinner Cleveland’s Ohio City Guide

What I love the most about Ohio City is its incredibly diverse food scene. You can get food from around the world in just one neighborhood. Here is a curated list of some of our favorites and places we’re looking forward to. Note that several of the lunch spots listed above are also open for dinner. Enjoy!

Modern Mexican and the best guac in Cleveland. Try sitting at the Chefs Table, so fun.

Huge indoor and outdoor brewery serving up comfort food.

Avo Modern Mexican

Tacos, burritos, and cheese dip galore. Indoor & outdoor space.

Saucy Brew Works

Huge brewery & pizza shop. Known for their apizza-style pizza.

You should also check out these spots: Soho Chicken + Whiskey , Heck’s Café , Banana Blossom Thai Cuisine , The Harp , Ohio City Pizzeria , Hansa Brewery , North High Brewing , Heart Of Gold , and Great Lakes Brewery . A few on our to-visit list : Alea , Johnny Mango World Café . Amba , Bartleby , and Choolaah

More Ohio City Photo-Ops

Ohio City Flags

You’ll find them all over the neighborhood including a don’t give up the ship flag. Flags in Ohio City are like the Leg Lamp to Tremont (A Christmas Story home location). I love seeing them around town.

deliciously photogenic

With so many delicious things to eat, you’ll want to remember it all. What better way than to take a picture of your meal? My tip is to do it quickly and move on, but it makes a nice memento.

POPS OF COLOR

There was once a time when there was hardly a mural to be found in all of Cleveland. Those days are gone, and Ohio City harbors a lot of the best murals in all of Cleveland. I’ve even posted about how to find many of them here!

Favorite sweets & treats in Ohio City

Mason’s creamery

Unique and tasty flavors can be found at Mason’s, plus they have hyper-color spoons. Love it.

Mitchell’s ice cream

This is their main hub, so you can watch them make ice cream-so fun! Popular, go-to flavors and seasonal delights.

Larder dELICATESSEN

They are a deli so there is more than just delicious baked goods. Their Black & White cookies are my fave.

The West Side Market

Historic marketplace.

At over 100 years old, this historic marketplace is an institution to the neighborhood and the city of Cleveland. This is the place you recommend to out-of-towners, people watchers, photographers, and those just looking to buy their daily or weekly groceries.

The market is overdue for a change which is something often talked about by locals. Looking forward to a bright future for the market. My favorite thing to do is to grab a light bite to eat or snack on and make my way up to a small viewing deck and people watch. (It’s also how you get a shot like this!)

Events & Entertainment Cleveland’s Ohio City Guide

Ohio City is a vibrant neighborhood that hosts several annual events welcoming the community and its visitors to celebrate music, art, and history. The neighborhood also has a lot of fun places to visit, play, create, and experience. Scroll to see more.

Station Hope

An annual event that celebrates hope and tackles contemporary topics and historic events through art, spoken word, and performances. See the image directly below for more details on the church that hosts this event.

City Stages

Hosted by the Cleveland Museum of Art, this summertime concert series is a beloved event in Ohio City that brings the entire neighborhood together for an evening of music in the city.

Street Festival

An inclusive neighborhood celebration for residents and visitors full of food, music, art, and fun. Family-friendly performances, games, and activities. A great time for everyone.

Station Hope, the last stop on the Underground Railroad in Cleveland, Ohio

Saint John Episcopal Church on Church Street in Cleveland’s Ohio City Neighborhood has huge significance in our nation’s history when it comes to enslaved people seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad. Cleveland was nicknamed “Hope”, and the church was dubbed “Station Hope”. It was one of the last stops before freedom seekers were able to find their way to cross Lake Erie to Canada. It served as a lookout, a safe haven, and shelter before making that journey. You can visit and experience this historic landmark annually at the Station Hope event noted above.

16 Bit Bar & Pins Mechanical

Both are new to Ohio City and just opened in a huge, two-story building on the popular W. 25th Street. Looking forward to checking them out soon!

Forest City Shuffleboard

Shuffleboard is for everyone at this cool arena that also serves beer, wine, cocktails, and food.

Glass Bubble Project

Learn how to blow glass, or watch the pros do it.

Cleveland Candle Company

Learn how to make your very own candle, or buy one of their many fun-themed scents.

Saucy Brew Works Vibe Garden

This outdoor space transforms to the occasion. It’s a beer garden, a makers market, a yoga studio, and beyond. Great use of what was once an empty lot.

Coming Soon: Irishtown Bend Park Cleveland’s Ohio City Guide

Imagine a park with views of the city like this. In roughly four years, you won’t have to imagine as this is the site of the future Irishtown Bend Park project and I am so excited for what will be an incredible addition to the neighborhood and Cleveland alike.

The history of Irishtown Bend is deep, and I cannot tell it better than this Wiki article here (take a look for an interesting background). The L|A|N|D| Studio is working on this project and shares visuals of the plans and progress on their page here . I add this to the neighborhood guide because construction has already begun and visitors to Ohio City may notice as it’s right at the northern entrance to the neighborhood. We are so excited to see how this park develops!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my Ohio City Neighborhood Guide! Are you a business in the neighborhood and want to collaborate, or did you have an update on something I shared here?  Contact me . Be sure to check out my other Cleveland Ohio Neighborhood Guides below!

Pin This Post For Later

No time to read through it all, or want to reference it for later? Pin one of these images so you can reference them when you visit Cleveland, Ohio neighborhood Ohio City!

Looking for more Cleveland Ohio neighborhoods to explore? Here are some posts we think you’ll like:

• Tremont Neighborhood Guide
• Detroit-Shoreway Neighborhood Guide
• Downtown Cleveland, Ohio Neighborhood Guides

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Cleveland Travel Guide

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Cleveland travel guide

Cleveland tourism | cleveland guide, you're going to love cleveland.

When you think about how many sporting attractions, museums, fantastic restaurants and music venues the city has, it's amazing how many people overlook Cleveland as a vacation destination. Well, that's a big mistake, as this charming city on Lake Erie has everything, and a little bit more.

If you want to stay outdoors, there's plenty to do in Cleveland. Picnic on the lakefront, climb Terminal Tower to see the city skyline at sunset, wander down the Erie Canal path or book a round at one of the hundreds of local golf courses.

Join the masses as they cheer on the Browns or the Indians, or pay homage to your favorite artists at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Get lost in the massive collection of the Museum of Art, marvel at the beauty of the Cleveland Arcade and then head to the House of Blues for a night of raw musical energy.

These kind of experiences are what make Cleveland great. Whether it's music, sports, outdoor attractions or museums that you love, Cleveland is a city that delivers, so why not make it your next getaway destination?

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Cleveland

Cleveland is up there with Nashville and New Orleans as one of America's musical capitals. Boasting fantastic live music venues like the House of Blues and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, visiting the city is a must for serious music lovers.

Few cities love their sports as much as Cleveland, as you'll find out when you attend a game featuring the Browns (in the NFL), the Indians (in Major League Baseball), the Cavaliers (in the NBA) or the Monsters (in the NHL).

World-Class Museums

Cleveland also has a taste for art and knowledge, with some of the Midwest's finest museums and galleries. See the 45,000 pieces in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, walk with dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History or dive into the history of transport with the old cars and planes at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum.

Food from Around the World

Cleveland is also Ohio's dining capital, with highly rated eateries from the Mediterranean, Latin America, Asia and the American heartland. Any gourmet food lover will be satisfied by the tacos at La Bodega, the seafood at Blue Point Grille or the Neapolitan pizzas at Citizen Pie.

If you love playing golf, Cleveland is a wonderful vacation destination. Nearby Bridgestone hosts the World Golf Championship every year, while public courses like Mastick Woods will challenge any amateur player.

What to do in Cleveland

1. rock and roll hall of fame: explore the history of rock.

The most famous and influential artists, recording industry figures, and others who have played pivotal roles in the history of the rock-and-roll genre are recognized and paid tribute to at the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Seven floors of exhibits explore different aspects of this musical genre, from its roots in gospel and blues, to the cities that influenced its development and the individual artists who have played key roles in its evolution. Along with the permanent exhibits, there is a movie theater, temporary exhibits, and a calendar packed with live music events.

2. Cleveland Museum of Art: Art on the East Side

This museum houses an impressive and diverse array of art from around the world, including approximately 45,000 pieces in its permanent collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art has earned an international reputation for its renowned collection of Asian and Egyptian art, and is one of the most-visited art museums in the world. The museum is located in Wade Park, a 75-acre landscaped green space with outdoors sculptures and a Lagoon. Opened in 1916, the park and museum are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

3. West Side Market: Oldest Market in Cleveland

The busy, bustling West Side Market is a landmark of the city, offering the wares of over a hundred vendors. Fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, and fish are for sale along with some prepared foods such as gyros and delicious baked goods. Many of the stalls have been held by the same families for more than a century, and they include a diverse range of products ranging from European to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern specialties. Along with shopping, visitors can take a guided tour of the facility to learn about its history.

4. Great Lakes Science Center: Learn About the Natural World

The Great Lakes Science Center is both a museum and educational facility dedicated to the Great Lakes region of the United States. Along with permanent and temporary exhibits, the Science Center houses an IMAX Dome theater and cafe. Exhibits revolve around the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and math, and include the NASA Glenn Visitor Center devoted to space sciences. Along with the exhibits, there are daily demonstrations exploring various scientific phenomena, along with interactive displays.

5. Cleveland Botanical Garden: A Gorgeous, Green Garden

The Cleveland Botanical Gardens offer visitors both an escape and an education in urban green spaces. In addition to a variety of outdoor gardens to explore, The Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse offers an 18,000 square foot glassed-in conservatory, housing 350 types of plants and 50 different animal species from Madagascar and the cloud forests of Costa Rica. Along with simply enjoying the meticulously-kept grounds and gardens, the Botanical Garden hosts a calendar of activities and events throughout the year. If you have the time, check out the Holden Arboretum located in nearby Kirtland, OH which covers 3,600 acres of forest and gardens.

Activities & attractions in Cleveland

Food, drinks, & nightlife.

Art & Performing Arts

Other activities

Where to Eat in Cleveland

Cleveland offers a huge variety of gourmet food options, with Asian, Mediterranean and traditional American restaurants as good as any in the USA. Tremont is the best dining neighborhood, where you'll find Mexican restaurants like La Bodega and Barrio Tremont, along with bistros like Bac Asian and Crop, which blend Asian and American dishes. The East Side is also a great place to eat. Check out eateries on Restaurant Row like Chinato and Lola for affordable, delicious meals. Expect to pay $20 for a high-quality meal and $10 at most mid-range eateries.

When to visit Cleveland

Cleveland's weather can be extreme, with cold winters and hot, humid summers. For these reasons, the best times to visit are the in-between seasons. Late spring (April and May) or the fall (September and October) are the best times to go.

How to Get to Cleveland

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is about 13 miles southwest of the city center and it's easy to get from there to Downtown Cleveland. The best route is to take the RTA Red Line Rapid Transit train connection, which takes around 30 minutes and costs $2.25. Expect to pay around $20 for a taxi.

Cleveland's Amtrak Station is located at 200 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, not far from the center of town. It's a stop on the Capitol Limited, which runs from Washington D.C. to Chicago, and the Lake Shore Limited, which connects Cleveland to New York City and Boston (although both services offer a limited number of daily connections).

If you are coming into Cleveland by car, I-71 runs from southern Ohio and Kentucky, I-77 links the city to Virginia and the Carolinas, while I-90 connects Cleveland to Boston in the east and Seattle to the west, so there should be a convenient approach route from almost any American state.

Greyhound and Megabus both provide intercity bus services into Cleveland, linking the city with Chicago, Columbus, Pittsburgh and plenty of more distant destinations. The Greyhound stop is at 1465 Chester Ave (which is handy for the center of town) while Megabus stop at 2110 Prospect Ave (which is convenient for the University).

Airports near Cleveland

Airlines serving cleveland, where to stay in cleveland.

Basing yourself in Downtown Cleveland makes sense if you want to have access to the major museums, cultural venues and sporting stadiums and the area is home to plenty of upscale options, like the Ritz-Carlton and the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade. There are also excellent cheaper accommodation options, such as the Downtown Hampton Inn and the Cleveland Hostel, a popular hangout for visiting students.

Popular Neighborhoods in Cleveland

Downtown Cleveland – The main action in Cleveland takes place Downtown by the shores of Lake Erie, where you'll find major attractions like West Side Market, which is the best place in the city to buy fresh produce. Climb the Terminal Tower for the best views of the city's skyline and shop at the Arcade - a stunning late 19th-century mall that is one of the most beautiful in the world.

The East Side – East Side is located east of the Cuyahoga River and seems a world away from Downtown Cleveland. Partly, that's because of its student vibe. Being home to University Circle, there are plenty of music venues like Nighttown to visit after dark. It's also Cleveland's museum district, with great galleries like the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History.

Tremont – Located in the western part of central Cleveland, Tremont is the city's creative hub. Check out up and coming local talent at the Asterisk Gallery or join the Tremont Art Walk to see what's going on during your visit. It's also a great place to eat out, with popular bistros like Fahrenheit and Dante offering high-quality, affordable dishes.

Where to stay in popular areas of Cleveland

Most booked hotels in cleveland, how to get around cleveland, public transportation.

The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) provides an extensive bus and train network that reaches across Cleveland. The Green and Blue lines of the Rapid Transit rail link are the quickest way to get around, while the Waterfront Line is useful for getting from Downtown to attractions like the Browns' stadium. The best idea is to buy a day pass for all public transit, which costs $5.50.

Cleveland has a reputation as one of the easiest cities to drive around in the USA. Partly, that's due to the absence of one-way streets and the wide, often traffic-free boulevards. The grid system is also fairly simple, with numbered north-south streets and avenues running east-west. Parking shouldn't be hard to find either, with plenty of metered spaces and parking lots at Canal Basin, Willard Park and on South Marginal Street.

Best car rental deals in Cleveland

2 Adults, 2 Bags

Intermediate

5 Adults, 3 Bags

The Cost of Living in Cleveland

Shopping streets.

If you want to shop for branded goods, the Tower City Center in Downtown Cleveland is the place to go, but is closely rivaled by The Galleria at Erieview. Both malls host big names like Macy's, J.C. Penney and Forever 21. Anyone interested in the history of shopping should also head to the Arcade. Its glass skylight, balconies, and metal railings are stunningly beautiful. Even if many stores remain unoccupied, it's not to be missed.

Groceries and Other

If you are hunting for fresh produce, West Side Market is the place to go. This vibrant market hosts artisan cheese producers, bakers, brewers and all manner of food producers from across the world. There are also a number of supermarkets in the central Cleveland area, including local chain Dave's and major brands like Publix, Whole Foods and Walmart. Grocery prices tend to be lower than the American average. Expect to pay $3.10 for a gallon of milk and around $1.80 for a pound of apples.

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15+ Things to Do in Cleveland This Weekend (May 2-5)

Tk kirkland performs at house of blues and cleveland's museum of art's mix adopts a k-pop theme.

By Jeff Niesel on Wed, May 1, 2024 at 7:02 am

• Things to do in cleveland this weekend

About The Author

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First Look: Oliva, an Italian-Themed Steakhouse, Opening 'Any Day' in the Warehouse District

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Where to buy your garden: 2024 Northeast Ohio plant sale guide

• Updated: May. 01, 2024, 11:00 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 30, 2024, 11:01 a.m.

Shoppers browse the Master Gardeners of Cuyahoga County yearly plant sale at the Kiwanis Pavilion in Independence. Lois Rose

• Susan Brownstein, special to cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The month of May is upon us, which means plant sale season has arrived in Northeast Ohio.

This year’s guide is bigger and better than ever, and will be updated throughout the month of May, so if you don’t see your organization’s plant sale listed, drop me a line at [email protected] .

A variety of plants and planters awaits at the Master Gardeners of Cuyahoga County yearly plant sale at the Kiwanis Pavilion in Independence. Lois Rose

Plant sales are typically hosted by garden clubs as their major annual fundraiser. The money is then used to beautify local parks and communal spaces, support club programming, and sponsor scholarships for high school seniors. Because most of the plants are donated by club members from their own gardens, the prices are far lower than at retail establishments. Best of all, you know the plant was successfully grown in a nearby garden and you can get expert advice from the grower.

Read all of Susan Brownstein’s gardening columns here.

Avon Garden Club Plant Sale

Saturday, May 18, 2024

8 a.m. to 12 noon

Next to the Avon Senior Center, in front of Little League Park

36786 Detroit Road

https://www.facebook.com/avongardenclub/

Members will be selling plants from their gardens. Perennials, house plants and seeds will be available for purchase. Cash or PayPal accepted.

Avon Lake Garden Club Plant Sale

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Goddard School

430 Avon Belden Rd.

https://avonlakegarden.club/home/calendar-of-events/

Bedford Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

Friday, May 17, 2:30 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ellenwood Recreation Center

124 Ellenwood Rd.

Selection of annuals, perennials, herbs, flowers, vegetables, and shrubs.

Brecksvillle

Emerald Necklace Garden Club Plant Sale

9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Brecksville United Methodist Church

65 Public Square

https://emeraldnecklacegardenclub.org/special-events/

There will be ready-to-plant perennials, annuals, herbs, native plants and indoor plants. More than 100, foot-tall tomato plants, including heirlooms, are of special interest if you’re a veggie gardener! All grown in your local neighborhood and mostly deer resistant! All at incredible prices. Pay with cash, check or credit card. Proceeds from this club fundraiser are contributed to scholarships and also fund monthly speakers for ENGC.

Chagrin Falls

Kelly's Working Well Farm Spring Plant Sale

Sunday, May 19, 2024

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

16519 S. Franklin St.

morethanafarm.org

Native plants, fruit and nut shrubs and trees, herbaceous perennials, flowers, annual herbs and veggie starts, farm and garden crafts. More than a dozen growers selling plants in an informal festival atmosphere. Certified organic vegetable seedlings.

Friends of Greenhouse/Gardeners of Greater Cleveland Plant Sale

May 16, 17, 18 (Thursday - Saturday)

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rockefeller City Greenhouse

750 E. 88th St.

https://rockefellerparkgreenhouse.org/spring-plant-sale

Native plants, annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, houseplants, hanging baskets, upcycled arts, and special feature, irises from RPG's celebrated Willott Iris Garden.

Nature Center at Shaker Lakes Annual Plant Sale

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Nature Center at Shaker Lakes

2600 South Park Blvd.

https://www.shakerlakes.org/plantsale/

Perennials and annuals, flats, edibles, hanging baskets, and ready-to-go pots. Enjoy the hands-on shopping experience of exploring and seeing what is available to purchase with experts available for planting and purchasing guidance. Parking is available on nearby streets and curbside assistance with purchases is provided.

Northeast Ohio Pollinator Summer Festival

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Gateway Elementary School Auditorium & Outdoor Learning Center,

229 Gateway Ave.

https://u.osu.edu/neops2020/2024-summer-festival-june-8th/

More than 10 Ohio native plant nurseries will be selling quality trees, shrubs, and perennials. Guided tours of the award-winning Outdoor Learning Center Butterfly & Pollinator Garden Guided hikes led by area naturalists. Kid activities led by local non-profit service groups, musical groups, and food trucks.

Gates Mills

Gates Mills Garden Club Plant Sale

Saturday, May 25, 2024

8 a.m. to noon

Esquire’s Cottage & Barn

1280 Chagrin River Rd

https://www.thegatesmillsgardenclub.com/2024-plant-sale.html

Shop for a wide variety of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and houseplants gathered from Gates Mills gardeners. Browse our Vintage Boutique offering an array of whimsical, unusual, and utilitarian gardening and flower arranging items for sale. Cash, Checks, and Credit Cards accepted. No dogs please.

Shoppers wait to enter the Master Gardeners of Cuyahoga County yearly plant sale at the Kiwanis Pavilion in Independence. Lois Rose

Independence

Master Gardeners of Cuyahoga County Plants in the Park Sale

Saturday, June 1, 2024

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kiwanis Pavilion

6363 Selig Dr.

https://www.cuyahogamg.org/MGSpecEvents/MGSpecEvents.html

Plants in the Park is held each year by the Master Gardeners of Cuyahoga County. This one-day sale includes a wide variety of perennials, annuals, herbs, ground covers, house plants, containers and more. All plants have been grown by Master Gardeners around the Cleveland area. In addition to the sale there will be a reference table staffed with Master Gardeners ready to answer all your gardening questions.

Larchmere Neighborhood

Larchmere Community Association Annual Plant Sale

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Our Lady of Peace Cummins Hall

12601 Shaker Blvd.

http://www.larchmere.com/new-events

We’ll have annuals, perennials, pots, flats, and hanging baskets. Welcome spring and beautify your home, porch, yard and neighborhood throughout summer and fall. Preorder your plants on the website before May 4th and receive 10% off your order. Special requests and arrangements can be made in advance. All proceeds benefit Larchmere Community Association activities.

The Lyndhurst Garden Club plant sale features plants grown by club members. Lyndhurst Garden Club

Lyndhurst Garden Club Perennial Sale

Little Red Schoolhouse (behind the South Euclid/Lyndhurst Administration Bldg)

1532 Richmond Rd.

Our plants are very reasonably priced, and all the proceeds from the sale benefit our community gardens, civic donations, and programs. Our club members will also answer any questions to help new or experienced gardeners. We accept cash or checks only.

Nordonia Hills Garden Club Plant Sale

9 a.m. to noon

Macedonia Service Department

9691 Valley View Rd,

https://www.nordoniahillsgardenclub.com/

We typically have over a thousand perennials, annuals, herbs and vegetables at VERY reasonable prices, as well as beautiful hanging baskets. Proceeds help fund a scholarship awarded to a Nordonia Hills High School senior.

Wildwood Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

1 to 3 p.m.

Wildwood Cultural Center (inside the Wildwood Manor)

7645 Little Mountain Rd.

facebook.com/wildwoodgardenclb

Wide variety of outdoor plants and flowers, including both annuals and perennials. All proceeds benefit the Wildwood Garden Club.

Multiple locations

Cleveland Metroparks Native Plant Sale

9:30 a.m to 4 p.m.

Brecksville Nature Center 9000 Chippewa Creek Drive Brecksville, OH 44141 North Chagrin Nature Center 401 Buttermilk Falls Parkway Mayfield Village, OH 44143 Rocky River Nature Center 24000 Valley Parkway North Olmsted, OH 44070 Canalway Center 4524 East 49th Street Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125 Watershed Stewardship Center 2277 West Ridgewood Drive Parma, OH 44134

https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/calendar/2024/native-plant-sale/2024-native-plant-sale-%e2%80%93-brecksville-nature-center

Be a steward for wildlife by adding native plants to your landscape. These beautiful, hardy, low-maintenance plants will make your yard an oasis for important native pollinators while creating attractive garden spaces around your home. While supplies last.

Munroe Falls

Summit Metroparks Native Plant Festival

Munroe Falls Metro Park

521 S. River Rd.

https://www.summitmetroparks.org/ProgramsAndEvents.aspx?id=12271

Kick off summer by welcoming wildlife into your yard with beautiful, beneficial native plants! Join Summit Metro Parks staff and local native plant nurseries to learn more about the vital role of native plants in our ecosystem. Browse a wide variety of plants available for purchase or attend an educational session to better understand how to incorporate native plants into your landscaping.

Newburgh Heights

Washington Park Horticulture Spring Sale

May 10 - 15, 2024

Washington Park Horticulture Center

3875 Washington Park Blvd.

Hanging baskets, geraniums, and combination flower pots. All sale proceeds support horticulture students.

Olmsted Falls

Olmsted Falls Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

Sunday, May 5, 2024

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Between City Hall/Community Center and Olmsted Falls Library

26100 Bagley Rd.

https://www.olmstedfallsgardenclub.com/plant-sale

Our large (1,000+ plants) selection offers plants and flowers for both sun and shade in over 100 varieties, all locally grown. In fact, most of our plants come from the gardens of our members or their friends. They're called divisions.

Ridgewood Garden Club of Parma Plant Sale

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Parma Memorial Hall (next to the Parma City Hall)

6637 Ridge Rd.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Ridgewood-Garden-Club-of-Parma-100064551741566/

Perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, house plants, herbs, garden veggies & bulbs. Cash or checks only.

Citizens of Hale Farm & Village Plant Sale

Early Bird Sale - May 16, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and May 17, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Main Event - May 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hale Farm & Village Greenhouse

2686 Oak Hill Rd.

https://www.wrhs.org/do-see/events/2024/05/16/citizens-of-hale-farm-village-plant-sale

Discover a rich array of herbs, vibrant annual flowers, and native plants friendly to pollinators, all available for purchase through the Citizens’ of Hale Farm volunteer auxiliary! Proceeds from the plant sale contribute to supporting Agriculture & Horticulture Programming at Hale Farm & Village for the upcoming season. While this event is open to the public free of charge, please note that the grounds of Hale Farm & Village will not be accessible to the public during our annual plant sale.

South Euclid

South Euclid Garden Club Green Elephant Plant Sale

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

1636 South Green Rd.

[email protected]

Wide variety of perennials grown by members. An OSU Master Gardener will be available to answer questions. Proceeds help provide scholarships for Brush High School horticulture students and beautification of garden sites around South Euclid.

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A trail of two cities: an alternative guide to Salford and Manchester

Sunday’s Sounds from the Other City festival is a joyful celebration of Greater Manchester’s leftfield culture

O n the first Sunday of May every year, Chapel Street, where central Manchester and Salford meet, comes alive with DIY art, music and spectacle at the Sounds from the Other City festival. It is a vibrant public celebration of the “community spirit and collaborative working” which co-director Emma Thompson says sustains much alternative culture in the region.

“Collaboration is core to what we do, to Greater Manchester as a city,” Thompson says. “People come together, and it crosses genres and art forms. Sounds from the Other City wouldn’t be turning 20 next year if it wasn’t for that. The fees we offer aren’t huge but people really get behind it, do it for the love of it.”

Thompson is forthright about the challenges facing those making experimental art: “It’s precarious. It feels unstable.” Costs are high, affordable space is scarce, funding is “very competitive”. Such forces are reshaping the creative landscape, literally. Manchester’s Northern Quarter still has its quirkier, arty hangouts, but generic bars and restaurants dominate. Leftfield culture is migrating to the city’s edges – or into Salford.

For the past 18 months, the band WH Lung have been based at Salford’s Islington Mill, a complex of artist-maker studios. Keyboard player Tom Sharkett says that a time when, in many ways, you’d “have to be mad” to pursue a life in music and art, it is inspirational to be surrounded by people “doing cool stuff for the right reasons”.

Opened in 2000, Islington Mill has latterly expanded into new buildings, including an adjacent trading estate. “The Mill feels like it’s taken on a new life. It feels strong,” says Sharkett. That’s also true of wider Manchester and Salford’s creative vigour. The obstacles are many, but the urge to make great art endures.

Music and nightlife

Arguably, Manchester music is as vibrant right now as at any point post-punk – from Anz to Space Afrika, Blackhaine to Sockethead, Mandy, Indiana to Michael J Blood. Much of that is down to the nurturing influence of The White Hotel , a former garage near Strangeways prison. In contrast with the bland gentrification of modern Manchester, this singular entity (grimy location, great sound, art school ethos, all-night-rave energy) has created space for new music to grow. “It’s a really important space,” says Thompson.

In the Northern Quarter, but in similar creative territory, club and gig venue Soup proves that all you need is a basement, a red light and, as well as a feeling, a programme that challenges its audience.

Other city-centre venues that defy convention include punk and indie haven the Star & Garter , Aatma , the Peer Hat and Peste (see Drink section below). But interesting things increasingly happen just outside the centre, often in unexpected places.

Two of Manchester’s vital grassroots venues – the Old Abbey Taphouse , on a science park in Hulme, south of the city centre; and DBA on Cheetham Hill to the north – are historic pubs that now double as club and music venues. “Stood outside the DBA,” says Sharkett, of this traditional Victorian boozer, “you wouldn’t have a clue what’s going on in there.” He once took veteran Glaswegian DJs Optimo in: “They’ve seen it all, but loved it.”

In these relatively obscure corners, music is encouraged to get weird: at warehouse venue Hidden ; Salford’s Eagle Inn ; the musically out-there N/OM ; the Yard ; and Partisan at Islington Mill. Affordable, inclusive and home to “a huge array” of LGBTQ+ events, the Partisan collective is one of the city’s most exciting venues, according to Thompson. “It’s a glorious place.”

Arts and culture

At 24 years young, Salford’s Islington Mill remains an essential creative hub. Its public events are led by Partisan, which hosts club nights, exhibitions, discussion groups and creative workshops, and “radioactive queer bar” Mirage . This bar-gallery-event space is home to genre-fluid evenings of art, performance and experimental music, from outfits including Kunstlicker and Short Supply .

Also in Salford, artists’ studio space Paradise Works regularly hosts exhibitions (entry by appointment), as does Oceans Apart , a contemporary painting gallery at OA Studios (by appointment, mainly weekends).

In central Manchester, visitors might spot pop-up exhibitions in multi-use spaces such as Studio Bee . HappeningInMCR curates a “micro-gallery” at alternative shopping emporium Affleck’s Palace , and the foyer of the Great Northern Warehouse leisure complex (already home to a collection of artist Stanley Chow’s illustrations) will soon feature work from 30 creatives based on site at GRIT Studios MCR ’s new space.

For more established contemporary art there is Castlefield Gallery , currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, and ESEA Contemporary , which showcases work of east and south-east Asian heritage. Jane Jin Kaisen ’s current Halmang exhibition explores themes provoked by the female seafood divers of South Korea’s Jeju island.

Book lovers in the Northern Quarter can explore LGBTQ+ bookshop Queer Lit , or Anywhere Out Of the World , which focuses on philosophy and poetry – and hosts similarly thought-provoking music events on its upper floor. Nearby, Village Books is a feast of pop-cultural periodicals and ’zines and houses a neat basement exhibition space.

Eager to drink different? You are in the right cities. There are exceptional cocktails at Schofield’s (currently number one on the UK Top 50 Cocktails Bars list); natural wine at KERB and Flawd ; and incredible beer at Port Street Beer House , the Marble Arch or Smithfield Market Tavern . Further off-piste, the trading estate behind Manchester’s Piccadilly Station (dubbed the Beermuda Triangle by resident brewery Sureshot ) is home to tap rooms from Track , Cloudwater and funky, mixed fermentation explorers Balance Brewing & Blending .

Want some cultural stimulation with your pint? In Salford, the Kings Arms is a real ale pub and theatre; YES is a student-friendly complex of bars, gig venues, DJs and pizza; and there is storied underground record shop, Eastern Bloc . By night, the latter morphs into a late bar for techno larks. Prefer guitars? Head to Oldham Street pub and music venues Gullivers , the Castle Hotel and cafe-bar Night & Day , which recently resolved its noise complaint issues with Manchester city council.

Newer venues include the Peer Hat , a brilliantly ramshackle boho pub and basement venue geared to marginal scenes. It is an all-ages refuge from the shinier, more commercial aspects of the Northern Quarter – somewhere, says Thompson, that promoters can put on weird, noisy stuff. “It’s intimate enough you can have 20 people in and it feels great. You can experiment. You need that.”

A little way north on the edge of Ancoats, White Hotel spin-off O! Peste Destroyed is a handsomely styled (ecclesiastical chic) bar, record and bookshop devoted to head-stretching work, with exhibitions and art installations in its basement. On Fridays, DJ Conor Thomas leads drinkers on ear-opening excursions into downtempo electronics, frazzled pop-edits and all points in between. A1 cocktails served by friendly bar staff complete this gem of a bar.

Manchester’s food scene is growing at astonishing speed, with distinctive independents frequently setting the pace. A medium wrap from Go Falafel is still the best way to spend £5.50 in the Northern Quarter. The meat-free half of the menu at nearby Asmara Bella , a cosy, laid-back Eritrean and Ethiopian bistro, is a similar flavour-packed boon for vegans and vegetarians, as is Piccadilly’s Bundobust , with its Gujarati sharing plates.

Idle Hands has you covered for coffee and brunch. Pollen bakery-cafes are also good. Across town, Grub , hidden in an old light-industrial unit, is a bar and creative events space (home, for example, to Cultplex cinema and classes from Floating Art ) and hosts street-food traders in its quirky, upcycled beer garden.

For something more refined, Another Hand on Deansgate Mews offers stellar plates of roasted cabbage in cider, smoked mussel and pancetta cream, or butter bean cacio e pepe . At nearby Exhibition , there is food from three different kitchens, including Baratxuri, a compelling homage to the Basque Country.

Higher Ground is arguably Manchester’s most singular dining experience. Using heritage and rare-breed ingredients from small producers (including Higher Ground’s partner, Cheshire market garden Cinderwood), chef Joe Otway creates dishes – coal-roasted pork, yellow peas and sprouting cabbage, or leek with smoked cod’s roe and thyme – which, although simple in outline, are generous, surprising and flavour intense.

Set around an impressive, five-floor atrium within Ducie Street Warehouse , Native Manchester ’s 162 aparthotel rooms are modish, comfortable spaces. The keen aesthetic (post-industrial via Copenhagen) continues into the buzzy, ground-floor public areas. DJs soundtrack the weekend and spaces host events ranging from film screenings to pop-up vintage sales. Doubles from £100 B&B.

Also convenient for the Northern Quarter, Cow Hollow is a stylish, 16-bed boutique bolthole. Clever use is made of the building’s 19th-century industrial heritage, with ironworks and winding gears incorporated as features. Its small, glamorous bar evokes Rimini or Ibiza Town. Doubles from £99 B&B.

Sounds From The Other City is on 5 May , tickets £40 plus booking fee

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