Only have a couple days to spend in Cleveland? That’s definitely not enough time to see all the city has to offer, but you can still get a great idea of what truly makes the city amazing. Here’s a sample itinerary for 48 hours in Cleveland that will give you a taste of The Land.
DAY 1
Downtown and Ohio City
Breakfast
Carpe diem with a classy breakfast at Betts, located in the equally elegant Kimpton Schofield Hotel. An elaborate and allergen-friendly brunch menu (all made from its scratch kitchen) is popular on the weekends and takes a tour of all things delicious (like the Scramble Bowl or the Bodega Sammie) all the way to their version of a bloody mary, the Bloody Maria.
Morning
Head over to the West Bank of the Flats and unleash your inner adventurer with Great Lakes Watersports — whether you prefer zooming by jet ski, floating on a boat, or paddling in a kayak. Once you’ve conquered the Cuyahoga River, hop aboard the eLCee2 water taxi (Runs from Spring to Fall) for a quick cruise across the river to the East Bank Flats and walk along the boardwalk.
Then, get ready to climb aboard a 15-person-powered Cleveland Cycle Tours bike, where you'll pedal your way through Cleveland’s history while stopping at local watering holes, ensuring you’re well-hydrated for the ride. It’s like a pub crawl but with more legwork and fewer hangovers — hopefully.
Lunch
Ohio City is basically Cleveland’s go-to neighborhood for craft beer and next-level pub grub. But before hitting the beer scene, you simply must visit the famous West Side Market, where you can snag lunch at the cafe.
Next, afternoon pub-crawl along West 25th St. and sample a few Cleveland signature beers. Start next door to the West Side Market at Market Garden Brewery for any of their 14 beers on tap and small plates. Then head across the street to Great Lakes Brewing Co., with its famed Edmund Fitzgerald Porter and beer school on Wednesdays. Wrap up at Nano Brew, with its three bars and two-story patio complete with larger-than-life games like Jenga and Connect Four.
Afternoon
Head back across the river into downtown and up to the water's edge. Here you can explore the one-and-only Rock & Roll Hall of Fame while you're in the city where rock was born. Walk through seven levels of exhibits and gawk at artifacts and memorabilia from generations of rock legends.
Dinner
East 4th St. is one alley you need to see. Some of Cleveland’s most celebrated restaurants and entertainment hubs pepper this pedestrian-only street, including Cordelia, Butcher and the Brewer and Pickwick and Frolic.
Evening
Depending on what season you're in town, you can cheer on one (or more) of our three major league sports teams or our minor league hockey team. The Cleveland Guardians (MLB), Cavaliers (NBA), Browns (NFL) and Monsters (AHL) are all located Downtown.
If you're not feeling the sports scene or not around during a game, see a Broadway play in Cleveland’s theater district, Playhouse Square — and don't forget to snap a selfie under the largest outdoor chandelier in the world.
DAY 2
University Circle, Little Italy
Breakfast
Three words: lemon ricotta pancakes. The Inn on Coventry has been an east side mainstay for years serving breakfast every day, so brunch is a no brainer for these folks. Get eggs any way you like, including creative culinary creations like the meatless Eggs Sausalito, Kentucky Scramble or Huevos Pan de Mais, or dig into a stack of Reese’s Cup Pancakes. Good news: Full liquor service is available.
Morning
Take a leisurely stroll around Lake View Cemetery. Hold up — a cemetery, you ask? Why would I ever want to do that?
Lake View Cemetery is something special, and it's free. Not only is it beautiful with its walking paths through 285 acres of grounds, but it also is the final resting place of John D. Rockefeller, Elliot Ness, and President James A. Garfield, among other notable Clevelanders. Definitely take a peek inside Wade Memorial Chapel at the Tiffany-designed interior.
Lunch
Afterward, head down Mayfield Rd. and into Little Italy. There are mom-and-pop galleries and shops galore, but, let's be real, we're here for the food. Have lunch at one of the local favorites like Mama Santa's for Sicilian pizza, Mia Bella for upscale fare, or Guarino's for Italian home cookin'. Don't forget to leave room for dessert from Presti's Bakery or (...and?) Corbo's Bakery.
Afternoon
Nearby University Circle is a collection of world-renowned arts and culture institutions — one right after another all grouped together in an easily walkable square mile. Tour the Cleveland Museum of Art — it’s free, and an absolute must-see.
Afterward, head to one of the other nearby cultural establishments. Dinosaurs and the Perkins Wildlife Center and Woods Garden are the highlights at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Explore Madagascar and Costa Rica in the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s Glasshouse. Swing into MOCA for a dose of contemporary art. Or, brush up on your history and ride the Euclid Beach Grand Carousel at the Cleveland History Center.
Dinner
Once your eyes are done feasting, it’s time to give your stomach a turn. Head to L'albatros Brasserie and Bar, a chic spot set in a rustic 1800s carriage house in University Circle — because nothing says “fine dining” like the word carriage. Chef Zack Bruell puts a refreshing spin on classic French cuisine, serving everything from "French Toast" with mushrooms to a hearty Cassoulet with duck confit.
Evening
Round out your stay in Cleveland by treating yourself to what's widely considered one of the top orchestras in the world. The Cleveland Orchestra performs at Severance Hall, a gorgeous masterpiece of a concert venue that offers free tours on select Sundays.
If you're not in town during an orchestra performance or if you need something a little more casual, check the concert schedules at Agora, House of Blues, Grog Shop, Beachland Ballroom or Jacob's Pavilion at Nautica.
Cleveland's got a personality and style all its own, and while you can't get to know the city entirely in two days, you can get a taste. And for that, you're welcome.
Planning Your Trip?
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