Downtown Cleveland is the heart and soul of the city. It is one of the oldest districts, with Public Square having been mapped out by Moses Cleaveland himself back in the late 1790s. The city truly grew around this vast area, expanding into sections once considered to be rural (which is why there's a historic cemetery across the street from Progressive Field. that area used to be countryside!). Today, Downtown Cleveland feels massive, and it's a bit of a concrete jungle. However, it is overflowing with incredible attractions. If you're looking for awesome things to do in Downtown Cleveland, these 18 hot spots in town belong at the top of your local bucket list.
Downtown Cleveland is downright iconic. When it comes to touristy sites, these top attractions are highly admired by out-of-towners and are often on visitors' bucket lists. To locals, these sites might feel a bit mundane. but they're worth bragging about!
The Cleveland skyline is made instantly recognizable by the silhouette of Terminal Tower. Built in the late 1920s and dedicated in 1930, the Terminal Tower is a lovely Jazz Age skyscraper with Art Deco architectural elements. Over the years, the building has amassed quite a story to tell. Today, its campus and Tower City Center are in a period of growth. Recently, the 367,000-square-foot shopping mall has unveiled the magnificent Skylight Park, and it truly adds an earthy element to the structure. Snack in the food court, sit amidst the splendor of the indoor park, and shop 'til you drop.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, or the Rock Hall, is a unique and eye-catching landmark. The museum includes some of the most iconic pieces of rock memorabilia in the nation. You'll spot clothing, instruments, records, and all sorts of items that once stood parallel to rock and roll history in the making. The best part? You'll be standing in the birthplace of rock and roll as you enjoy this experience. A local DJ, Alan Freed, coined the term "rock 'n roll" in 1951 on live radio. The phrase stuck.
Looking for a bit of late-in-the-day fun? There are many things to do in Downtown Cleveland at night. Plus, traffic in the area evens out significantly as the day wanes, so it's an oddly rewarding time to admire the cityscape at your own pace.
JACK Cleveland Casino is open 24 hours a day, so it's truly the best late-night attraction in the city. At any hour of the day, you have the opportunity to engage in 100,000 square feet of gaming and gambling fun. Play table games, poker, slot machines, electronic games, and more for a chance to win big. Since the casino opened as the first in Ohio in 2012, it has remained a fan-favorite nighttime destination.
East 4th Street is one of the most beautiful streets in Cleveland. Cars aren't allowed on this petite stretch of road between Huron and Prospect, so it's perfect for foot traffic. And it's highly walkable. after all, its storefronts are full of shops and eateries. If you're interested in urban living, you can even snag an apartment here! Ironically, the street began its life as an entertainment district and only moved away from that designation when the Euclid Avenue Opera House was destroyed. Today, of course, it has returned to its colorful roots, as evidenced by its abundance of neon signs.
The House of Blues is a chain, but it's still an incredible venue that's worth checking out. The concert club hosts a wide variety of musical performances, but everything seems to pair perfectly with their menu. Dig into crispy wings, gumbo, burgers, and more. their Southern-style offerings are truly irresistible.
Downtown Cleveland is now a vibrant and even artistic city center. It's had its ups and downs over the years, but it now boasts a vibe that's family-friendly if you know where to look. For an extra memorable day, check out these local attractions with the kids!
The Great Lakes Science Center is hard to explain to out-of-towners. It just has so much going on! In addition to being home to the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, the educational facility spotlights all sorts of exhibits that place the Great Lakes region centerstage. Learn about alternative energy, weird and wacky science phenomena, and get hands-on with a variety of exhibits. When you come to the Great Lakes Science Center, you can expect learning to be made fun. and not just for the kids. There's so much to see throughout this 65,000-square-foot facility!
One of the very best historic landmarks in Cleveland is the USS Cod. This Gato-class submarine was commissioned in 1943, and its five diesel engines were produced right here in town. While the Cod is permanently moored in Cleveland as a museum, it's not hard to imagine how much of the world it has seen. After all, it served during World War II and then went on to assist with training exercises.
Cleveland's Gateway District is a section of Downtown that many haven't heard of. And yet, most of us have been there! Here, residential buildings, restaurants, and local businesses stand alongside major entertainment complexes like Progressive Field. Back in the day, this neighborhood was known for its iconic department stores. Today, their influence is preserved in local architecture and lore, and the neighborhood has a much more energetic feel. Before and after a game, local restaurants explode with energy, excitement, and sometimes pity if the home team wasn't so successful. While this may not be the most exciting scene for families with young children, the kids will surely love catching a baseball, basketball, or hockey game in this district. Make sure you teach them young to root, root, root for the home team!
"I'll do anything for free stuff," Sandra Bullock once said. Well, Sandra, you'd have a blast exploring the Best Location in the Nation. There are all sorts of freebies here, especially when it comes to awesome local attractions. These three free spots will enchant any visitors!
Public Square is arguably one of Cleveland's most recognizable landmarks. and it's one of the oldest, too! You may remember from earlier in this article that this charming little city center was laid out by the city's founder himself. The 10-acre plaza is surrounded by some of the biggest and oldest landmarks in the city, including Key Tower (the tallest building in Ohio) and Old Stone Church (an 1855 structure that is now the oldest building on the plaza). Perhaps most iconically, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument is situated here. This incredible landmark opened to the public on July 4, 1894 and honored the contributions of local soldiers and sailors, listing names of those that served in the Civil War. The monument, like Public Square, is free to visit, though it is only open on select occasions.
Voinovich Bicentennial Park is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Cleveland, but that's not all it has going for it! Nestled right against Lake Erie, this mixture of landscaping and hardscaping creates an urban park that's full of charm. It's home to one of the several Cleveland Script Signs, and its outdoor stage often fills the open air with rich music. That's perfectly appropriate for this spot, considering its proximity to the Rock Hall! At only 4.5 acres, this park is actually one of the city's smaller outdoor spaces, but it's filled to the brim with charm. Pack a picnic, or grab carryout from one of the neighboring restaurants. Either way, you'll be treated to splendid views of the lake as you kick back and relax in this pretty Downtown Cleveland park.
There is a ton of public art in Cleveland, but few sculptures are as intricately detailed as the Fountain of Eternal Life, also known as the War Memorial Fountain, or Peace Arising from the Flames of War. Like the aforementioned Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, this lovely sculpture pays homage to Greater Cleveland veterans. It was dedicated in 1964, debuting with 4,155 names of local service members carved into it. Over the years, that list has grown. and so has appreciation for this historic statue. Its 35-foot-tall bronze centerpiece has turned as green as the Statue of Liberty over the years, but it has grown all the more recognizable. It's a fun selfie-taking spot to visit in Veterans' Memorial Plaza (which longtime Clevelanders may know as the former Mall A), and it is also a peaceful place to just take it easy and listen to the sweet song of flowing waters.
Helen Keller once said, "All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Here in Cleveland, the cityscape has doubtlessly influenced the people many longtime locals have become. It's an easy city to love, and it's an easy place to fall in love. If you're looking for romantic things to do in Downtown Cleveland, these spots promise to enchant you.
Few places in Cleveland are as coveted and as storied as Playhouse Square. While it has the vibe of a complete neighborhood, Playhouse Square is actually a district of Downtown Cleveland. In fact, it's the largest theater district in the nation outside of New York. This neighborhood has gone through many changes since its birth roughly a century ago, and it was even threatened with demolition at one time. However, dedicated locals have encouraged its rejuvenation. Today, it is home to some of the finest theaters in the city, plus one massive outdoor chandelier. The 20-foot-tall chandelier hangs over E. 14th Street and Euclid Avenue, dripping with some 4,200 winterproof crystals. All in all, the vibe of this district in Downtown Cleveland is super romantic. The sights, the sounds, the decadence. it all promises an evening your honey will never forget.
There's always something new to see in Downtown Cleveland, it seems, and the Superior Arts District is at the forefront of many local improvements. Stretching from Payne Avenue to near I-90, this neighborhood near AsiaTown is a bit of a surprise in such an urban area. It's growing to include chic restaurants, retail businesses, and artistic additions like the Art Stop Bus Shelter. This rotating art gallery is a real urban gem, infusing local art and oodles of color into a brick-lined landscape. With landmarks like the ArtCraft Building and events like Avenue of the Arts, there's no shortage of visual interest in this vibrant neighborhood.
Just steps away from the iconic Playhouse Square Chandelier is Cibreo Italian Kitchen, a romantic little spot that's big on flavor. Here, candlelit dinners are a necessity, and flavors from Tuscany tantalize the taste buds with visions of faraway lands. Like many Italian restaurants in Cleveland, Cibreo also has an impressive wine list with a focus on creating perfect pairings. At this charming Italian joint in Downtown Cleveland, date night becomes a bella notte. After your meal, look to the skies. they have stars in their eyes!
After all these awesome attractions in Downtown Cleveland, you're still looking for more to do? No worries at all. there's still more to see in this pretty city district. If you're looking to add some unique attractions to your bucket, you have to check out these other Downtown Cleveland landmarks!
The Free Stamp is arguably the weirdest landmark in the entire city. and possibly the entire region. It has a fascinating history, which is truthfully expected considering that it's the largest rubber stamp in the world. This statue was originally meant to sit near Public Square, which is why its shape almost mimics that of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (imagine if it was sitting on its face rather than its side). Today, it sits in Willard Park near City Hall.
The Cleveland Public Library is a place of pure beauty, complete with historic architecture and art that dates back to the Works Progress Administration Era. However, one of its more hidden features is the Eastman Reading Garden. This charming outdoor space is full of art, including some revolving exhibits that keep the landscape feeling fresh. While you may not be aware of this cool Cleveland landmark, it has been around since the 1930s. and it is perfectly designed to provide cozy reading or working spaces. Look for the bronze helper statues designed by Tom Otterness. they're adorable, and they are a perfect addition to the cozy and playful Eastman Reading Garden.
You may not have heard of Fort Huntington Park, but it has a story that's intertwined with that of the city. The park gets its name from a former fort that sat on the site during the War of 1812. It was also where Admiral Oliver Hazard Perry briefly stayed before fighting the Battle of Lake Erie, a naval conflict that is now solidified in local legend (and Perry's influence is solidified in a local brew). Today, the old fort is a public park that's filled to the brim with statues and art. Check out the memorial to Admiral Perry, take a selfie with Jesse Owens, and stop to pay your respects at the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial.
Cleveland is full of beautiful churches, but the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is one of the most recognizable. This gorgeous cathedral has Gothic revival elements to nod to historic structures like Notre Dame, but it has a distinctly American feel. It was completed in 1852, and it has been tweaked and updated over the years. but it still retains an incredible historical feel. Its beauty is undeniable, and stories truly come to life in its interior architecture.
Cleveland is an awesome area that's full of charm and history, and the downtown district is one of its most culturally intriguing neighborhoods. However, the entire surrounding region is worth exploring. There's so much to see and do! For more fun, check out our list of the best things to do in Cleveland.
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