We hit Cleveland in a tizzy and stormed through the small downtown area engaging with as many sights and activities that could possibly be fit into a short, one-night stay. Take a look below at my suggestions that will guide you through a quick visit to The Forest City.
Walk Through the Downtown Area - Quite frankly, we were a little underwhelmed by the city's downtown area. During our visit, it was extremely desolate, completely closed down on a Saturday, and had some interesting characters roaming its streets. Surprisingly, we walked over three miles in search of a coffee shop with none to be found! The architecture isn't the most attractive either. However, we did enjoy perusing the streets which led us to some of the fun attractions that I have listed below. Also, keep in mind that there are lovely stretches of promenades along Lake Erie that offer expansive views of this massive body of water. There is some charm to be enjoyed here, despite the fact that it may not be so obvious at first glance.
Check Out The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame- This museum is one of Cleveland's most popular attractions. The Rock Hall is a massive collection of memorabilia from all of rock and roll's greatest legends. We were very impressed with the layout and compilation of anything from wardrobe pieces to handwritten letters that represent the lives of some of the most influential musicians in history. Adding to the fun, "The Garage" is a hands-on section of the museum inviting visitors to jam with the plentiful instruments provided to bring out the musicians in everyone. A visit here is definitely a must while in the area.
Hop Over to Trendy Tremont-
Just a seven-minute drive from downtown lies a tiny little neighborhood called Tremont which has quaint shops and several lively restaurants. Unlike downtown, there were loads of people out in this part of Cleveland enjoying the summer evening. We made reservations at Dante's, run by Cleveland's only Michelin-starred chef. While this restaurant would never pass as one run by a chef with a Michelin star in foodie cities like San Fransisco or New York City, the presentation of the food is lovely and so is the professional service. If you're looking for an upscale meal in Cleveland, I don't think you'll find anything better than Dante's but that doesn't mean the food is excellent per se.
Watch a Baseball Game Along With a Sunset-
If you can, snatch some tickets to an Indians' game at Progressive Field. The stadium is absolutely beautiful. Coupled with the crowd's energy and stunning sunset, this will be the highlight of your visit to Cleveland. Watching the Indians play against the Royals in this epic setting converted me into a baseball fall!
Stay at a Swanky Hotel-
If you're looking to stay in Downtown, consider The Metropolitan at the 9, Autograph Collection. The hotel is within walking distance to all of the attractions I listed above, has a very popular roof-top bar, and provides its guests with very spacious suites. My favorite feature of the hotel is the extra-large, well-stocked gym and a fully equipped pilates studio. Finally, the lobby houses a delicious restaurant, Adega, which serves brunch on the weekends. Be prepared for large crowds. The hotel was operating at full capacity during our stay.
Our visit was short and sweet. We found Clevelanders to be very sweet with quirky personalities. For a city, the pace is rather chill. I am not convinced that Cleveland is a tourist destination. However, if you do find yourself passing through downtown, you'll find yourself enjoying the area and ready to leave quickly thereafter. In my well-traveled opinion, twenty-four hours is more than enough time in this part of the city.
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