Honestly, people still make jokes about the river catching fire. It happened in 1969. Let it go. If you’re looking at cleveland what to do lists and expecting a gray, industrial wasteland, you are going to be so confused when you actually get here. The city is green. It’s loud. It smells like stadium mustard and Great Lakes brewing hops.
Cleveland has this weird, chip-on-the-shoulder energy that makes it one of the most authentic places in the Midwest. It isn't trying to be Chicago. It certainly isn't trying to be New York. It’s just Cleveland.
The Museum Scene is Actually World-Class (No, Seriously)
Most folks start at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It’s the glass pyramid on the lake designed by I.M. Pei. It’s iconic. You’ll see Jimi Hendrix’s guitars and Beyonce’s leotards. But here’s the thing: if you spend your whole day there, you’re missing the actual crown jewel of the city.
The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) is free.
Yes, completely free for the permanent collection. We’re talking about a collection that rivals the Met in New York or the Getty in LA. You can walk in and stand inches away from a Caravaggio or a Monet without paying a dime. The Gallery One space uses massive touchscreens to let you "curate" your own tour. It’s high-tech but doesn’t feel gimmicky.
Then there’s University Circle. This neighborhood has the highest concentration of cultural institutions in a small footprint in the country. You’ve got the Museum of Natural History—check out "Lucy," the famous hominid fossil—and the Cleveland Botanical Garden.
- Pro tip: Walk through the Wade Lagoon right in front of the art museum. If it’s spring, the cherry blossoms are unreal. If it’s winter, it looks like a scene from a moody Russian novel.
- The Cleveland Orchestra plays at Severance Music Center. They are consistently ranked in the "Big Five" of American orchestras. The acoustics in that room? Total magic.
Where to Eat When You’re Sick of Chains
If you want to understand the soul of this city, go to West Side Market in Ohio City. It’s been there since 1912. The yellow brick building with the massive clock tower is hard to miss. Inside, it’s chaos in the best way.
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You’ll hear vendors shouting about bratwurst and pierogis. Grab a beef jerky stick from J. & J. Czuchraj Meats or a crepe from the stand near the back. Take your food up to the balcony seating to watch the madness below. It’s a literal melting pot of the city's Eastern European roots.
Speaking of pierogis, you have to eat them here. It’s a legal requirement. Prosperity Social Club in Tremont serves them up in a wood-paneled room that feels like your Polish grandma’s basement, but with better cocktails.
The Food Scene Beyond the Classics
- Larder Delicatessen and Bakery: This isn't just a deli. Jeremy Umansky is a fermentation wizard. He uses koji (the mold used for sake) to cure meats in days instead of months. The fried chicken sandwich is life-changing.
- Cordelia: Located on East 4th Street. It’s "Midwest Nice" fine dining. Think nostalgic flavors but elevated.
- Momocho: Also in Ohio City. Mod Mex. The goat cheese guacamole is the specific thing you need to order.
Cleveland What to Do: The Great Outdoors and the "Emerald Necklace"
People forget Cleveland is on a Great Lake. Lake Erie is massive. It looks like the ocean, except the water doesn't sting your eyes. Edgewater Park is where everyone goes. There’s a beach, a massive "Cleveland" script sign for your Instagram photos, and a beach house that serves decent tacos and local beer.
But the real secret is the Metroparks.
Locals call it the "Emerald Necklace" because it circles the city in a ring of green. Over 24,000 acres. You can hike through the Rocky River Reservation and see massive shale cliffs that look like they belong in the Pacific Northwest.
Then there’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It’s a short drive south. It’s one of the most visited national parks in the US, but it rarely feels crowded if you know where to go. Brandywine Falls is the big draw—a 65-foot waterfall that’s spectacular after a rainstorm. You can even take the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad through the park. In the fall, the colors are staggering.
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Sports is a Religion Here (Even When We Lose)
You can't talk about Cleveland without mentioning the fans. We are a loyal, sometimes tortured, bunch.
- The Cleveland Guardians: Progressive Field is widely considered one of the best ballparks for sightlines. The "District" in right field has a massive bar and standing-room areas that stay packed.
- The Cavaliers: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is loud. Even in rebuilding years, the energy is high.
- The Browns: If you go to a game at Huntington Bank Field, prepare for the Dawg Pound. It’s intense. It’s cold. It’s beautiful.
The Neighborhood Guide
Don't just stay downtown. Cleveland is a city of neighborhoods.
Tremont: Old churches, art galleries, and some of the city's best restaurants. This is where the A Christmas Story House is located. You can tour it. You can even stay overnight if you want to sleep in Ralphie’s bed.
Ohio City: Across the river from downtown. It’s the craft beer hub. Great Lakes Brewing Company started the revolution here. Visit the tasting room and try the Dortmunder Gold.
Little Italy: Brick streets and incredible bakeries. Stop at Presti’s for a cannoli. Don't argue about which bakery is better (Presti’s or Corbo’s); just try both and decide for yourself.
Waterloo Arts District: This is the gritty, cool part of town. The Beachland Ballroom is the legendary music venue here. If a band is on their way up, they’re playing the Beachland.
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Practical Next Steps for Your Trip
Stop overthinking it and just book the trip. Cleveland is affordable. Your money goes twice as far here as it does in Chicago or Nashville.
Start by booking a hotel near East 4th Street or in the University Circle area. If you want a cool boutique vibe, check out The Metropolitan at the 9 or the Kimpton Schofield.
Pack layers. The weather is unpredictable because of the lake. It can be 70 degrees and sunny at noon and snowing by 4:00 PM. We call it "Lake Effect," and it’s a very real thing.
Rent a car. While the RTA (Rapid Transit) exists, Cleveland is a driving city. You’ll want the freedom to get from the West Side Market to the Art Museum without waiting for a bus.
Check the schedule for Playhouse Square. It’s the largest performing arts center in the United States outside of New York City. The chandeliers in the lobbies alone are worth the price of a ticket.
Go to the Flats at night. The East Bank has been completely revitalized with waterfront dining and boardwalks. Watch the massive iron ore freighters navigate the tight turns of the Cuyahoga River. It’s a feat of engineering that never gets old.
Cleveland doesn't need your approval, but it definitely earns it. It’s a city built on steel and grit that somehow turned into a hub for world-class art and James Beard-winning food. You’ll come for the Rock Hall, but you’ll stay because you realized the city is actually kind of amazing.