Top 11 Things to Experience in Cleveland, an Underrated Destination
Cleveland, Ohio, offers a mix of family-friendly activities and urban charm, making it a great weekend getaway destination. Located along the shores of Lake Erie in northern Ohio, Cleveland’s 78 square miles are packed with things to do for visitors of all ages.
The Land offers eclectic neighborhoods, a world-class culinary scene, arts, and year-round professional sports. My family and I recently visited for a long weekend and will say to anyone who will listen, “you’ve gotta get to Cleveland.” This underrated destination may surprise visitors with its vibrant energy and Midwest hospitality.
Spend a weekend here to catch a Guardians game, enjoy a meal at one of the nation’s best restaurants, explore the free museum of art, and so much more.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is one of Cleveland’s most popular attractions for a reason. Since opening its doors in 1995, more than 9 million visitors (and musicians) have experienced rock and roll’s historical and cultural impact.
The glass-enclosed hall of fame reminds visitors why Cleveland is considered by many to be the birthplace of rock and roll. Exhibits include Prince’s “Blue Angel” guitar, John Lennon’s Sgt. Pepper jacket, and the original, handwritten lyrics to The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows.”
Currently, the museum is highlighting what is arguably the best year in pop music—1984. The neon-hued exhibit showcases artifacts from superstars like Madonna, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Jackson, and Bruce Springsteen. If there were ever a time to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, now would be it.
Grab Biscuits at Juneberry Table
I love a stop-in-all-day, quaint neighborhood spot, and Juneberry Table delivers– a menu serving regionally inspired, locally sourced dishes in a cozy, welcoming fashion.
Pop in for breakfast and grab one of their famous cheddar-chive biscuits with laminated layers of dough, cheddar, and chives. Baked fresh daily and served with house-made sorghum butter, there’s a reason they often sell out by the end of the day. The popular gravy & biscuit is also a must, a hybrid of biscuit sandwich with scrambled eggs, topped with an earthy gravy made with local mushrooms and greens.
Explore West Side Market
Cleveland’s West Side Market has served the community as a public market since 1912. Home to over 60 vendors, offering fresh produce, quality meats, seafood, prepared food, fresh baked pastries, cheeses, and more. As a national historic landmark, the market offers visitors a shopping experience that has remained nearly unchanged since it opened its doors over 100 years ago.
For an authentic taste of Cleveland, head to Frank’s Bratwurst, which has been selling its world-famous bratwurst sandwiches since 1970. Then, stop by Vera’s Bakery, which has offered handcrafted breads and pastries for over 70 years and is known for their nut crispies, Russian tea cakes, and my son’s favorite– their freshly fried apple fritters.
View The Ice Cream World Headquarters
Sweeten your Cleveland trip with a stop at Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream’s Ohio City flagship, conveniently located a block from the West Side Market.
Grab your ice cream flavor of choice (the black raspberry chocolate chunk is memorable), then head to the back of the shop to watch them create their small batch flavors. Large windows offer a view directly into the kitchen!
Grab a Drink at Larder Delicatessen and Bakery
Larder Delicatessen and Bakery is located in a historic firehouse in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood and offers a celebrated take on Jewish Eastern European deli and bakery classics. Popular items include their pastrami, fried chicken sandwiches, and a variety of traditional baked goods.
After visiting the West Side Market, we stopped at the James Bears Nominated restaurant for lunch. We enjoyed Reuben sandwiches, Korean pickles, and my kids’ favorite, their homemade strawberry pop-tarts.
Watch a Performance at Playhouse Square
One of the largest theater districts in America (second only to Broadway), Playhouse Square consists of 10 performance spaces hosting over a thousand events a year. Whether you attend a show or not, any of the five main theaters is worth seeing in person. Built between 1921 and 1922, each has undergone major restorations recently.
But it’s not just theater; Playhouse Square features concerts, comedy, dance performances, children’s programming, and more. After a show, grab a photo under the world’s largest outdoor chandelier, located on East 14th Street.
Pre-Game Dinner and Drinks at Betts
Pop by Betts, located in the Kimpton Schofield, for a convenient pre-show or pre-game meal. Located just a short walk from Playhouse Square, Progressive Field, and Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Betts offers classic American food focusing on fresh, quality ingredients.
We enjoyed several of their salads, including the ‘i-can’t-believe-this-is-dairy-free’ grilled Caesar salad and the homemade ricotta gnocchi.
Stroll University Circle
Make time to stroll around University Circle, a campus-like atmosphere that’s been dubbed Ohio’s “most spectacular square mile.” Surrounded by gardens, green spaces like Wade Oval, and impressive architecture, this was one of our favorite Cleveland neighborhoods to explore.
Start at Cleveland’s Museum of Natural History to see the 3.2 million-year-old human ancestor “Lucy”, the interactive Evolving Life Wing, and the outdoor garden with native Ohio wildlife. Just a short walk away, the Cleveland Museum of Art welcomes visitors with free general admission to its impressive 61,000 artworks spanning 6,000 years. The rotating and permanent exhibits are perfect for any art lover.
Pizza, Pasta, and Cannoli at Little Italy
Located just minutes from University Circle, Cleveland’s Little Italy is a quaint, walkable neighborhood filled with cafes, restaurants, shops, and art galleries. After enjoying the culture at University Circle, we grabbed pizza and pasta at La Dolce Vita, an established spot with outstanding Italian cuisine.
And, as we can never pass up cannoli, we stopped by Presti’s Bakery, where they’ve been serving Sicilian delights since 1903. As Cleveland’s oldest bakery, you can’t go wrong popping in here, either before or after lunch, for fresh piped cannoli, tiramisu squares, cake, and more.
Dining at Cordelia is a Must
The moment you think about visiting Cleveland is when you should make reservations at Cordelia. Named Cleveland Magazine’s 2023 Best New Restaurant and one of Tasting Table’s 22 Best New Restaurants in the US, Cordelia is led by James Beard Award Finalist Chef Vinnie Cimino. Its atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, with a menu that encourages sharing.
Highly recommend starting with a selection of their party snacks, like pimento cheese with smoked chili, jammy eggs, carrot muhammara with hazelnut dukkah, and za’tar farmers cheese. From there, the spring pea toast with whipped ricotta and mint was so good, I was tempted to order another the moment we were finished.
Open for supper and Sunday brunch, Cordelia also offers the “Bellie Up” tasting menu, which is a must for fellow food-lovers. With six to eight dishes, depending on the night, the goal is to feed you like your Grandma did – generously and with heartfelt, creative takes on familiar flavors that showcase the best of the Midwest.
Catch a Game
Sports fans, Cleveland is your town. All the major stadiums are within walking distance of downtown– the lakeside Huntington Bank Field hosts the NFL Browns, and the nearby Rocket Mortgage Field House is a must for Cleveland Cavaliers NBA enthusiasts.
We were there on opening weekend to grab a game at Progressive Field and support the Cleveland Guardians, formerly the Indians.
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