#ThisIsCLE
East 4th Street
0.2 miles from the venue, with restaurants, shops, and the Corner Alley for bowling, this pedestrian-only street has it all. Cordelia is a newly-opened restaurant and food critic-favorite here, and Michael Symon's Mabel's BBQ is a Cleveland must-try. There are a variety of cuisines represented here and anything from casual to more fine dining, and the CLE Clothing Co. to buy some local merch.
The Arcade
0.2 miles from the venue Not a gaming arcade but a beautiful historical landmark to check out right near the East 4th Street District stores. Built in 1890, it was the first indoor shopping center in America. Now it has a few small businesses and a great coffee shop (Rising Star Coffee), among other food (Addy's Diner for breakfast) and snack places. Great place for photos.
Heinen's Downtown Cleveland
Why are we putting a grocery store on this list? Because it's not your average grocery store. Located right next door to the venue, this grocery has delicious hot and cold prepared food, a beautiful original Tiffany dome you can stare at while you eat, and wine tasting available on the second floor. And ice cream. Alex and Elizabeth loved to grocery shop here frequently when they lived downtown for a year. Do your grocery shopping at this...old bank!
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
0.7 miles from the venue. This is an obligatory no-explanation-needed inclusion on the Cleveland to-do list.
Five Iron Golf - Cleveland
This newly-opened golf simulator right around the corner from the hotel is a great place to hang out and try your hand at some swings, golfer or not! Alex, Elizabeth, Dom frequently try out new simulator places in the area; it's a family-friendly experience. As a non-golfer, even Elizabeth enjoys it! And the drinks. ;)
Fahrenheit @ Public Square
Up until this year, Fahrenheit was located in Cleveland's cozy, cute Tremont neighborhood for the last 20 years. We had our first date here at that location, and Alex pulled out all the stops, including ordering an expensive bottle of wine, but could not prevent Elizabeth from ordering the cheapest item on the menu, the white pizza. This year the restaurant moved downtown and closer to the wedding venue -- same great food, just a different location!
Playhouse Square
0.3 miles from the venue. This is where Alex planned the "second" date a week after the first date that eventually ended up being the fifth or sixth date. Alex let Elizabeth choose prime seating for the show, a parody musical of Game of Thrones. While you may not have time to catch a show, Playhouse Square is the largest theatre district outside of New York. That's a fact. Sorry, Chicago. And it has a giant outdoor chandelier for some reason that makes for fun photos.
West Side Market
Historic food market in the heart of Ohio City. Elizabeth was a frequent patron when she lived in this beloved neighborhood for 8 years, her first home when she moved to Cleveland
AsiaTown
Cultural gem of Cleveland. Amazing food. Check out Szechuan Gourmet, Li Wah, Superior Pho, LJ Shanghai, KoKo Bakery, and more! We are frequent patrons to all the places here for dim sum, soup dumplings, pho, clear wide cold noodle, Korean BBQ - all the food.
University Circle
The Cleveland Museum of Art (free to all!) is here, along with many other cultural institutions. Close to Little Italy, with delicious Italian restaurants (Mia Bella is the best) and gelato!
Tremont
Cute and trendy neighborhood close to downtown (but across some water and drawbridges, so take a ride share from the hotel) where we had our first date. While our first date restaurants there both suddenly closed this year, we still enjoy visiting Tremont for the trendy bars and other restaurants that remain -- and the local clothing and art boutiques and independent book store.
Cleveland Metroparks
Cleveland's "emerald necklace" is made up of connected nature reservations. Great places to spend time in nature across the Land.