Things To Do

MUSEUMS:

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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The classic Cleveland tourism spot! The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame tracks the evolution of this musical and cultural phenomenon through more than 50 exhibits. It's a ton of fun and is also right downtown. Highly recommend!

The Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 63,000 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. It's FREE and a great way to spend a few hours in beautiful University Circle.

Great Lakes Science Center

Exceptionally kid-friendly and tons of fun! Sara came here a bunch growing up and is now dreaming of going back. Maybe we should've had the wedding here...

Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland

A smaller, more niche museum in University Circle. If modern art is more up your alley, give this museum a visit!

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FOOD & DRINK:

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Phoenix Coffee Co

Looking for a great downtown coffee shop? Phoenix is a classic Cleveland coffee shop chain with six locations around the city, and this one is closest to the hotel blocks!

Rising Star Coffee Roasters

Another great Cleveland coffee shop chain with a handful of locations around the city. Try both Rising Star and Phoenix and let us know which one is your favorite!

Luna Bakery & Cafe

If you're looking for more of a café/lunch spot that also has great coffee, Luna is the place! They have excellent baked goods, and their menu has a variety of dietary-friendly options. It's one of our favorite spots whenever we visit!

Great Lakes Brewing Company

If breweries are more up your alley, give Great Lakes a try! We've never actually been there for their beer before (we looked at their tasting room as a wedding venue, but it smelled too much like beer...) — but we know they have a pretty significant cult following, so what could go wrong?

Little Italy Cleveland

Craving some Italian delicacies? This charming neighborhood continues to be a hot spot for award winning cuisine, trendy artwork, and one of a kind boutiques. It's right next to University Circle, so if you're checking out any of the museums there, pop by for a quick bite!

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PARKS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:

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Whiskey Island

Whiskey Island is a peninsula at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River at Lake Erie. If weather permits, check out the beautiful city and lake views!

Nature Center At Shaker Lakes

A remarkably kid-friendly nature center (Sara went here countless times growing up, and even volunteered here in high school!) Just minutes from downtown Cleveland in the heart of historic Shaker Heights and surrounded by the Shaker Parklands, the Nature Center is free and open to the public, providing wonderful nature experiences and discovery for all ages throughout all seasons.

Holden Arboretum

If the timing is right, go leaf-peeping at the Holden Arboretum! Located in Kirtland, Ohio, it is one of the largest arboreta and botanical gardens in the United States, with more than 3,600 acres, including 600 acres devoted to collections and gardens.

Lake View Cemetery

Might seem like a strange recommendation, but if the weather is nice, Lake View Cemetery is a beautiful, peaceful place to walk around and admire some of the monuments. Founded in 1869, the cemetery was favored by wealthy families during the Gilded Age, and today the cemetery is known for its numerous lavish funerary monuments and mausoleums. Be sure to check out the James A. Garfield Memorial!

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HISTORIC GEMS

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West Side Market

The West Side Market is a historic, open-air market with over 100 different vendors in the heart of Ohio City. If you plan to spend some time in or near Ohio City, make this one of your stops!

The Cleveland Arcade

If you're an architecture buff, you must stop by The Cleveland Arcade, which is a short walk from both the Kimpton and Crowne Plaza hotels. It opened in May of 1890 as the first indoor shopping center in America, quickly became one of downtown Cleveland’s most popular landmarks, and was nicknamed Cleveland’s Crystal Palace.

Baseball Heritage Museum at League Park

If you're a big baseball fan, check this one out! League Park is considered America's Historic Ballpark and was the original home of Cleveland baseball. The field opened in 1891 and was a place where baseball pioneers played. Recommended by Helen, my wonderful sister-in-law!

House from A Christmas Story

The House from “A Christmas Story,” immortalized in the beloved holiday film, presents a unique opportunity for fans and visitors to immerse themselves in the cinematic world of Ralphie Parker and his family. This iconic residence, meticulously restored to capture the essence of the movie’s setting, offers year-round tours and the option for overnight stays, providing a distinctive experience that goes beyond traditional film memorabilia appreciation.