You’ve booked your flights, found your accommodation and sorted your game ticket to see the Cleveland Browns. Now let’s look at the best things to do in Cleveland, Ohio.
Whether it’s rocking out to music legends inside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or viewing Monets and Picassos at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland is a city that mixes equal parts grit and sophistication. Enjoy award-winning food in historic buildings, tip back some craft beers amid a Lake Erie beach party or cheer on a championship team with a hardball of locally distilled spirits. You can enjoy it all in Cleveland.
Take in a little tourism
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, on the shore of Lake Erie, recognizes and archives the history of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers, and other notable figures who have had some major influence on the development of rock and roll.
The Cleveland Museum of Art – The Cleveland Museum of Art is an art museum in Cleveland, Ohio, located in the Wade Park District, in the University Circle neighbourhood on the city’s east side. The museum features over 45,000 works covering 6,000 years plus films, music, lectures & a restaurant.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo – The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a 183-acre zoo in Cleveland, Ohio. The Zoo is divided into several areas: Australian Adventure; African Savanna; Northern Wilderness Trek, The Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building, Waterfowl Lake, The Rain Forest, and the newly added Asian Highlands.
Cleveland Botanical Garden – The Cleveland Botanical Garden, located in the University Circle neighbourhood of Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States, was founded in 1930 as the Garden Center of Greater Cleveland. It was the first such organization in an American city.
West Side Market – Grand, bustling public market from 1912 featuring vendors for meat, produce, bread & hot food. The West Side Market is the oldest operating indoor/outdoor market space in Cleveland, Ohio. It is located at the corner of West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue in the Ohio City neighbourhood. On December 18, 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Enjoy amazing food at these restaurants
Michael Symon’s Mabel’s BBQ is a cool, bi-level, industrial-chic BBQ spot with communal tables. They serve Cleveland-style barbecue, dishing up house-smoked meats, ribs, sandwiches and sides paired with a long list of bourbon, plus cocktails and beer. If you fancy somewhere a bit more formal, then Michael Symon’s ‘Lola Bistro’ is the crown jewel of Cleveland’s vibrant culinary scene.
If you want to be in the place where anyone big comes to town (for example, Barack Obama), then you must visit Slyman’s Restaurant and have the Corned Beef Sandwich.
If you’re after somewhere where the local’s love to go, then you must enjoy some traditional polish food (Yes, in Cleveland!) at Sokolowski’s University Inn.
Indulge in the best local beer and bars
You’ve already seen that I mentioned West Market, well, close by is the Great Lakes Brewery Company which is an iconic microbrewery with house suds which also has free tours (winning!). They do a 73 Joe Thomas Kolsch, so make sure you check that out. It’s also in a cool area so worth sticking around.
Some other great places to check out are the Barley House which is a lively spot for eclectic eats, beer and a post-10 PM bar scene with a dress code and bottle service, Maproom which is a neighbourhood hangout with an aviation theme, extensive beer list, TV sports, pizza, subs and pub grub, and finally but by no means least, Corner Alley Bar which is a Bowling alley with an American bar and grill serving creative starters, pizza, burgers and sandwiches.
Take in the incredible views
If you’re looking to find the best view of the Cleveland skyline (you know… for an amazing sunrise photo!) then make sure you visit Edgewater Park and run up to the Cleveland Sign. It is without a doubt the most photographed script sign in the city. Its location overlooks Edgewater Park Beach and the Cleveland skyline.
You can find it at the far western end of Edgewater Park, and there’s free parking in two different lots near this location as well as free parking at the other end of Edgewater Park. It’s also worth sticking around in the area specially if the weather is nice, as you can stroll over to Edgewater Park Beach where there’s a place to grab snacks and drinks (including alcoholic ones). Not far away are also the Detroit-Shoreway and Gordon Square neighbourhoods. Both have cool street art and some great restaurants (I’ve heard great things about Happy Dog, Toast, Spice, and Sweet Moses – so enjoy!).
… and finally
Check out this video of Paul Brown massive Cleveland Browns fan, vlogger and podcaster from his recently trip to Cleveland where Freddie Kitchens turned up to meet for Paul’s bar crawl.
Huge thanks to Paul, for sharing his top Cleveland tips with us. Follow him on Twitter or Instagram.
Thinking of taking a trip stateside? Check out the Travel section on the blog to discover more about your team, it’s stadium and the incredible city they call home.
Photo credit: Erik Drost