Things To Do
West Side Market
One of our favorite places to grab food in Cleveland! The West Side Market is an indoor, European-style market. Founded in 1840 as an open air market, the many vendor stalls outgrew its space, leading to the current West Side Market Building, which was constructed in 1912. It’s filled with colorful produce, cheeses and meats, family-owned stands of baked goods, and many ready to eat foods like local bratwursts, pierogis, Cambodian sticky rice, crepes, etc. Walk through and grab a bite to eat! Still hungry? Within blocks you can walk towards several restaurants, breweries, bars with games, and the factory of one of our favorite ice cream places in Cleveland, Mitchell’s.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll was coined by Alan Freed, a local Cleveland disc jockey, and Cleveland had the country’s first official “Rock n’ Roll” concert in 1952, though shut down due to rioting and overcrowding. Check out the many films, special exhibits, and displays, including John Lennon’s guitar, Notorious BIG’s leather jersey, Taylor Swift’s VMA outfits, and much more! If weather allows, walk over to the North Coast Harbor and Voinovich Bicentennial Park for a closer look at the lake!
Great Lakes Brewing Company
One of Cleveland’s many breweries, located on West 25th. Drink one of our favorites during this season, Great Lake’s Christmas Ale! Grab a beverage, Bavarian pretzels, and consider taking a tour!
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Ranked as one of the best art museums in the US, check out over 61,000 works of art—free to the public! After exploring, consider walking around Cleveland’s Museum Campus in University Circle. Though University Circle is home to the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital, it’s also surrounded by Severance Hall, Cleveland Botanical Gardens, Rockefeller Park, Millionaire’s Row (ie. Homes of Rockefeller, Hanna, Brush, Mather, etc.), and many museums!
Want To Walk Around The Hotel Block?
- In the immediate area of the hotel block, walk around Tower City, which connects The Ritz, The Renaissance, Terminal Tower, and the downtown train station. It’s frequently contains small markets in its center! - Feeling Lucky? Go to Jack’s Casino next door! If it’s cold, you actually don’t need to go outside/leave Tower City to get there. - Walk two blocks from Tower City on Euclid Ave to The Arcade, another one of our hotel blocks! It opened in 1890 as the first indoor shopping center in America. Check out its beautiful, old architecture and the coffee shops and art stores on the first two floors! - Across from The Arcade is East 4th, where you’ll find local stores, restaurants, and breweries! - Continue walking along Euclid Ave and you’ll end up in Playhouse Square, where you'll see the world’s largest outdoor chandelier!
Have A Car? Consider These Options:
- Hike: Called the “Emerald Necklace” for a reason, the Cleveland Metro Parks surround Cleveland with over 24,000 acres of land making up 300 miles of trails! - Toboggan: Ride the Toboggan Chutes in Strongsville, if there's snow! - Snowshoe: Snowshoe along The Penitentiary Glen Reservation! There’s over 7 miles, and you can rent shoes from Chapin Forest. - Coventry Village: Described as a bohemian district, coventry road between Euclid Ave and Mayfield hosts several interesting shops like vinyl record stores, paperback books, vegan restaurants, and art galleries.
Coming Again or Staying A Bit Longer?
- Sports: Check out a Cavs game, a Guardians game, or a Brown’s game! - Suburbs: Trust us, the suburbs are gorgeous! For example, see the historic Shaker Heights and walk around Shaker Square or Chagrin Fall’s and it’s iconic Popcorn Shop (delicious popcorn, ice cream, and an impactful history as part of its involvement in the Underground Railroad) and the falls! - Cleveland Orchestra: Ranked one of the best orchestras in the world! - Playhouse Square: The largest performing arts center in the US outside of NYC! - Lake View Cemetery: It may sound a bit morbid, but this national historic place dating back to 1869 is filled with beautiful landscapes of gardens and famous memorials. Stunning memorials such as President James A. Garfield’s and Wade’s Chapel, and even John D. Rockefeller’s grave lie here.
Food & Drink Recommendations
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH West Side Market (This is our favorite spot!) $ Yours Truly $$ Slymans $ Larder $ The Cleveland Bagel Company $ Brewnuts $ Milk+Honey $ Rebol $$ Rising Star Coffee $ Juneberry $$ Lucky’s Cafe $$ LUNCH/DINNER Taza (Mediterranean) $$ Cordelia (American) $$ Mia Bella (Italian) $$ Momocho (Mexican) $$ Mabel’s BBQ (Barbecue) $$ Barrio (Mexican) $$ Pho Thang Cafe (Pho) $$ Jaja (American) $$ Geraci Slice Shop (Pizza) $ Amba (Indian) $$ Saucy Brew Works (Pizza) $$ The South Side (American) $$ BARS Great Lakes Brewery (This our favorite brewery, try their Christmas Ale this season!)$ TownHall $ Butcher & Brewer $ Collision Bend Brewing Company $ Literary Bar $ Table Top Board Game Cafe $ 16 Bit Bar + Arcade $ ABC Tavern $ the Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar $ Punch Bowl Social $ Beerhead Bar & Eatery $