Cleveland has always been the punchline of a joke that hasn’t been funny since the late '70s. People talk about the river catching fire like it happened last Tuesday. Honestly, if you’re still clinging to that "Mistake on the Lake" vibe, you’re missing out on one of the most textured, weird, and genuinely soulful cities in the country. There are so many things to do in and around Cleveland Ohio that have nothing to do with outdated stereotypes and everything to do with a city that finally figured out how to use its industrial bones for something cool.
It's 2026. The city is different now.
The Classics (And Why They’re Actually Worth It)
You can't talk about Cleveland without the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I know, it feels like a "tourist trap," but here’s the thing: it just opened a massive $175 million expansion. They added 50,000 square feet, which basically means more room for the stuff that actually matters—the grit and the handwritten lyrics that make you realize these legends were just people. The new performance venue there holds about a thousand people, and catching a show with Lake Erie as the backdrop is something else.
Then there’s the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Most people assume a "free" museum is going to be small or dusty. Wrong. This place is world-class. You can walk in for zero dollars and see a Caravaggio or a Monet. Right now, in early 2026, they have that Pintoricchio Magnified immersive experience running through August. It lets you basically walk through the layers of a painting. It’s trippy and beautiful and, again, totally free.
University Circle, where the museum sits, is probably the most "intellectual" square mile in the Midwest. You’ve got the Cleveland Museum of Natural History right there too. They just got voted one of the top five best new museums in the country because they completely reimagined their galleries. It’s not just skeletons in glass boxes anymore; it’s about how we actually fit into the world.
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The Food Scene Is Messy in the Best Way
If you go to Cleveland and only eat at a chain, you’ve failed.
Basically, you have to go to the West Side Market. It’s been around since 1912. The yellow brick ceiling is massive, and the smell is a mix of smoked meats, fresh bread, and way too many pickles. It’s loud. It’s crowded. You’ll probably get elbowed by a grandmother buying pierogies, and that’s part of the charm.
But the real magic is happening in the neighborhoods around it.
- Hingetown: There’s a new live-fire restaurant called Rosy opening up right about now (late January 2026) from the team behind Cordelia.
- Ohio City: Little Cloud Sandwiches is doing things with bread that should be illegal.
- Asiatown: Head to Pho Lee. Seriously. It’s authentic, no-frills, and exactly what you need on a gray Cleveland afternoon.
Middle Eastern flavors are exploding here too. It’s not just hummus anymore. We’re talking bold Yemeni brews at Qahwah House and cardamom-infused everything.
Beyond the City Limits: The "Around" Part
One of the best things to do in and around Cleveland Ohio is to actually leave the city for a few hours.
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a 30-minute drive south. It’s one of the few national parks that’s tucked right between two major cities (Cleveland and Akron). If you’re there in the spring or fall, the Brandywine Falls are a mandatory stop. The boardwalk is easy, but if you want to feel like you’re actually "hiking," hit the Ledges Trail. It’s a two-mile loop around these massive moss-covered sandstone cliffs. It feels more like the Pacific Northwest than Northeast Ohio.
The Weird Stuff
You want the real Cleveland? Go to Lake View Cemetery.
I know, a cemetery. But it’s where President James A. Garfield is buried in this massive, ornate tomb you can actually go inside. Also, check out the "Crying Angel" statue. Local legend says it cries real tears, which is creepy, but the craftsmanship is incredible.
And if you’re into the supernatural, the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick is a tiny, weird gem. It’s only about $8 for a tour. It’s small, intimate, and carries the collection of Raymond Buckland, who was a big deal in the occult world. It’s the kind of place that makes Cleveland feel like it has secrets.
Sports and the 2026 Calendar
Clevelanders are obsessed with their sports teams in a way that is bordering on unhealthy. But that passion makes for a great atmosphere.
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If you’re here in the spring, the Guardians' home opener on April 3rd is basically a city-wide holiday. If baseball isn't your thing, the NCAA Division I Men's Wrestling Championships are taking over Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in March.
Wait. You like music but hate the "Hall of Fame" vibe?
Brite Winter is moving to the Waterloo Arts District this year. It’s an outdoor music and art festival in the dead of winter. It’s cold, there are fire pits everywhere, and everyone is drinking local craft beer while wearing three layers of flannel. It’s the most "Cleveland" thing you can possibly do.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Cleveland is a "summer-only" destination.
Sure, the Lake Erie islands (like Put-in-Bay or Kelleys Island) are great when it’s 80 degrees out. You can rent a golf cart, drink a Brandy Old Fashioned, and pretend you're in Key West. But Cleveland is built for the cold. The museums are warm, the bars are cozy, and the "conveyor belt sushi" trend (look for Funshi in Beachwood) is a great way to spend a snowy Tuesday.
A Few Practical Insights:
- The "Script" Signs: You’ll see these giant "Cleveland" signs in cursive around the city (Edgewater Park, Tremont, etc.). Yes, they are for Instagram. Yes, you should take the picture anyway.
- Transportation: You kind of need a car if you want to see the "around" parts like the National Park or Cedar Point. But if you’re staying downtown or in University Circle, the RTA (the rapid) is decent enough.
- The "Mistake" Mentality: Don't call it that. Locals can say it; you can't. It's like a sibling—only we get to make fun of it.
If you’re looking for a polished, perfect Disney-fied experience, go somewhere else. Cleveland is rough around the edges. It’s brick buildings and Lake Erie wind. But it’s also $150 million museum expansions and some of the best food in the Midwest.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the exhibition schedule for the Cleveland Museum of Art to see if any timed tickets are required for the special galleries.
- Book a table at Cordelia or the new Rosy at least two weeks out; the Hingetown food scene is currently the hardest ticket in town.
- Pack for four seasons. Seriously. You might need a parka and a t-shirt on the same afternoon.
Cleveland doesn't care if you like it. And that’s exactly why you probably will.