Cleveland boasts some famous restaurants and chefs, and also has a strong local foods culture of farmers' markets and CSAs (community supported agriculture).
Many of the links above have restaurant guides as well.
- Cleveland Independents is a consortium of locally owned Cleveland restaurants
- Edible Cleveland magazine has food stories, seasonal recipes, and upcoming foodie events
- West Side Market is a Cleveland tradition with fresh produce, meat, fish, cheese, fresh pasta, spices, crepes, and more!
- Fresh Fork Market CSA distributes local, sustainably-produced foods from family farms within 75 miles of Cleveland. Subscribers pick up a bag every week containing items such as fresh produce, whole grains, farm-fresh eggs, grass-fed dairy products, and pasture-raised meats.
- North Union Farmers Markets are “certified producer-only” markets: farmers agree to sell only food they’ve raised themselves or items made locally.
- Pick your own apples (and other fruit in season) at Patterson Fruit Farm or Eddy's Fruit Farm
Cleveland Museum of Art is newly renovated and general admission is always free. CMA has a large collection and broad spectrum of art.
The Cleveland Orchestra is considered one of the top five orchestras in the world. The music is phenomenal and the restored Severance Hall is beautiful. During the summer, the Orchestra plays at the Blossom Amphitheater - buy lawn seats and bring a picnic dinner!
Cleveland Museum of Natural History Lucy’s bones were formerly housed here (they now can be observed as a cast of the original). The museum has an active research staff and frequently hosts evening lectures.
Cleveland Botanical Gardens has large outdoor gardens during the spring and summer months and year-round indoor tropical and desert gardens. The indoor portion is particularly nice during the cold winter months (it’s warm!). They host a yearly orchid show, herb/plant sale, and holiday show.
The Holden Arboretum located in Kirtland, OH, houses a great collection of plants and sponsors many activities throughout the year.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame They say that Cleveland Rocks, and we have the museum to prove it. Learn about the origins of rock & roll, and see artist artifacts from Jimi Hendrix's guitar strap to dresses worn by the Supremes.
Shaker Lakes Nature Center is close to campus, has trails around the lake, near Doan Brook, and through the woods. Surrounded by beautiful homes and near the Shaker Historical Society.
Cleveland Metroparks: Dubbed “The Emerald Necklace,” the greater Cleveland area has a series of parks with hiking trails that encircle the area.
Edgewater Beach and Park: Part of the Metroparks, Edgwater provides a stunning view of the horizon above Lake Erie as well as the Downtown skyline. You can even play some beach volleyball or check out the Edgewater Pavilion!
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) is one of the newest national parks and the only one located in Ohio. Lots of hiking options. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad travels through the CVNP. A beautiful trip particularly in the fall.
Lake Metroparks: just east of Cuyahoga County, Lake County is home to beautiful parks for summer hiking and winter sports. The Farmpark is a fun place to learn about farming, and you can try your hand at milking a cow!
Mentor Headlands Beach State Park is the longest stretch of undeveloped Lake Erie shoreline in Ohio. A nice place to swim, relax, have a picnic, and walk the trails.
Triangle Lake Bog: This nature preserve is one of many State Nature Preserves in Ohio, and one of the most beautiful places in Ohio - a kettle lake bog that is home to many carnivorous plants!
Novak Audubon Sanctuary & Education Center frequently has evening and Saturday naturalist programs with knowledgeable folks leading the hikes.
Live Music Venues
Theaters
- Playhouse Square is an historic building in downtown Cleveland, as well as the destination for visiting Broadway productions. The largest theater district in the United States outside of Broadway.
- Cleveland Playhouse hosts various plays and productions.
- Beck Center is a great cozy theater in Lakewood showing a variety of plays and musicals.
- Dobama Theatre is an off-Broadway theater that mainly features plays written by local artists
- Cleveland Public Theater has a national reputation for developing new plays and producing innovative interpretations of classic works.
Movie Theaters
- Cleveland Cinemas: This locally-owned set of movie theaters has multiple locations in the Cleveland area and specializes in independent films.
- Atlas Cinemas at Shaker Square and EastGate: Mainstream films.
- Cleveland Cinematheque: Hosted by the Cleveland Institute of Art - specializes in arthouse and foreign films
Media Guides
Sports are HUGE in Cleveland. You can’t go very far without bumping into a Guardians, Cavs, or Browns fan. Cleveland also has a minor league hockey team. Stay here long enough, and you may discover your inner sports fan, if you haven’t already.
- Cleveland Guardians (baseball)
- Cleveland Browns (football)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (basketball)
- Lake Erie Monsters (hockey)
- Lake County Captains (minor league baseball)
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority was voted best in the U.S. in 2007. Bus lines and light rail (the Rapid) are available. The Rapid is the best way to get to and from the airport, as well as to the sporting venues downtown. One-way trips (without transfers) are $2.50. A one-day pass (unlimited rides, valid for both bus and Rapid) is $5.50. Weekly and monthly passes are available as is mobile ticketing. Bus and Rapid schedules are available online. The trip planner is great if you are trying to determine the best way to get from point-to-point.
Wondering what to do with those kiddos? There are several attractions geared towards children and guides to help parents navigate events happening at museums and attractions in the area:
- Great Lakes Science Center
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
- Children’s Museum
- Macaroni Kid East and West
- Northeast Ohio Family Fun
- Northeast Ohio Parent
- Amusement Parks / Water Parks
