10 Must-Do’s in Cleveland, Ohio

6. Get back to nature at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

While Cuyahoga may not be the country’s most talked about national park, it’s got several things going for it. One, admission is completely free! Second, it is located within close proximity of many major cities, making it more easily accessible than beautiful, yet isolated parks like Yellowstone. Third, there are 125 miles of beautiful hiking trails to explore, with treks for both beginner and advanced hikers available. And finally, it’s a prime leaf peeping destination. One must-do here is the Brandywine Falls trail which leads you to one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Midwest. A beautiful 1.5 mile loop through the woods is all it takes to see this 60 foot tall waterfall wonder.

The hike to Blue Hen Falls is a bit more difficult, but also quieter and more woodsy. This waterfall is only 15 feet, but the setting amongst the woods is really pretty!

7. Relax at a beautiful beach

On a hot, humid summer day in the Midwest, nothing beats a relaxing day at the beach. Being close to the shores of beautiful Lake Erie means lots of easily accessible beaches. Whether you feel like sunbathing, collecting seashells, or playing a game of beach volleyball, there is a beach for you. Edgewater Beach is located close to the city and features kayak and paddleboat rentals, umbrella and cabana rentals, as well as a long lineup of summer events including a popular concert series. Headlands and Perkins are great for collecting sea glass – discarded glass which has had years to tumble and thus transform into beautiful gem-like pieces!

More great Cleveland area beaches

8. Cheer on a Cleveland team

Cleveland locals are very passionate about their sports teams, especially the Cleveland Browns. In 2022, Chris Russo named Cleveland the top sports market in the US. This ranking was based on fan loyalty and enthusiasm. Cleveland joined the rank of sports loving cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, and Detroit. If visiting in the summer, consider cheering on the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Wintertime is a great time to check out a Cavaliers or Browns game. On a side note, preseason games are a lot of fun, not to mention much cheaper. I took the opportunity to see my hometown team (The Chicago Bears) take on the Browns!

9. Explore historic neighborhoods

Many diverse neighborhoods make up the city of Cleveland. The Tremont neighborhood, established in the 1850’s, is home to a lot of great local businesses. My favorite stops include: Roasted coffeeshop, Civilization coffee, Affogato Cat Cafe, and Lincoln Park. Little Italy is another historic neighborhood to explore. Here you can enjoy authentic Italian food in the city’s oldest restaurants, enjoy authentic bakery treats, browse art galleries, and explore the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Ohio City, located just a mile from downtown, is known for the West Side Market, a popular indoor/outdoor public market dating back to 1840.

Historic Cleveland neighborhoods

10. Check out the food scene

You can find a bit of everything in Cleveland, and thus, it is no surprise that it usually ranks amongst America’s best foodie cities. Most notably, the city is know for pierogi and Polish food due to the rich history of Eastern European immigrants in the city. There are lots of great choices for authentic Pierogi including the Rowley Inn featuring a delicious & unique Pierogi pancake. While in town, you may also want to try out a Polish Boy, corned beef sandwich, or an authentic Italian pastry or pasta dish in the city’s historic Little Italy district.

A few local restaurants to try

• Grumpy’s – Great local diner with colorful artwork adorning the walls.
• Mama Santas – Old school charm, great pizza
• Le Petit Triangle Cafe – Excellent crepes, authentic vibe
• Tandul – Delicious local Indian restaurant in the Tremont neighborhood
• Rowley Inn – Historic bar located across from A Christmas Story House. Great pierogies!