Trip Planner: 2021 NFL Draft for Families

The 2021 NFL Draft is in Cleveland, where we’re rocking the clock April 29 – May 1 right on the shore of Lake Erie and right next to FirstEnergy Stadium, the gameday home of our Cleveland Browns.

If you’re thinking of bringing the kids to Cleveland for the first time to celebrate your favorite team’s future live and in-person, we’re betting you’re looking for some help planning your day. Consider this your family’s own personal itinerary for Draft weekend.

Great spots for football history, fun things to do during the day, delicious eats and cold brews for Mom and Dad await you in The Land.

Draft Day One - Thursday, April 29

Breakfast

Across the street from the legendary “A Christmas Story” house, The Rowley Inn has been serving the Tremont neighborhood since 1906, when it catered to steelworkers heading to and leaving the mill. Newly renovated and boasting a delicious new menu, start with some Bacon-Wrapped Tots, then move onto the Breakfast Poutine or fluffy Pancakes with whipped cream. After, head outside for selfies in front of the “major award” glowing in the window.

Morning

Every fan’s bucket list includes a trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton to explore NFL history in the city where pro football was born. “Head” to the gallery to view the busts of over 300 legends of the game and interact with the new talking busts of John Madden and Michael Strahan. The kids will love seeing all the jerseys, game balls and other memorabilia, not to mention getting in a quick game of “Madden.”

Lunch

Heading back north, grab a bite — and a drink — at Winking Lizard Tavern in Independence. They offer a full menu of sandwiches, salads, burgers, wings and pizza to satisfy even the pickiest eaters in the group (not to mention a staggering beer and whiskey list). The kids will love meeting Pickles, the pub’s resident iguana.

Afternoon

Dive into the West Bank of The Flats for an afternoon of underwater wonder at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. Located inside The Powerhouse, a brick landmark to Cleveland's industrial past, the Aquarium showcases nearly 5,000 species of fresh and saltwater creatures swimming throughout the converted 19th-century power plant. Stand by the touch pool and reach out to feel a stingray as it swims by. Walk through the SeaTube, a 230,000-gallon structure that houses sharks, rays, moray eels and saltwater fish all swimming over and around visitors walking through the 175-foot tunnel. Feel free to ask questions from the knowledgeable staff, and don't forget to hit up that gift shop for a souvenir stuffed sea creature.

Dinner

Make your way up to the Gateway District – home to Progressive Field and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse – and post up at The Clevelander, a frequent pregame oasis for Cleveland sports fans. Kids will love the Mac N’ Cheese Bites or Quesadilla, while parents can chow down on The Bernie Bernie (named after beloved QB Bernie Kosar and topped with grilled pastrami and a fried egg) or The Muni-Lot (a mushroom-swiss burger named for another pregame hotspot for Browns fans).

Evening

Welcome to Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft! FINALLY! Head down lakeside to the NFL Draft Experience for all the action as it unfolds. Participatory games and clinics on the field, Play Football Field for younger fans, virtual autograph sessions with NFL players, photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy and so much more await you at this unrivaled football fan fest.

The Draft Experience will run all three days of the draft. A timed entry ticket must be reserved through the NFL OnePass app, so be sure to plan ahead to fully experience one of the most exciting nights of the football year. If you see any Browns fans, say hi. We’re a pretty friendly bunch and pretty excited to be picking so late this year (humblebrag alert).

Draft Day Two - Friday, April 30

Breakfast

Take a short trip down Superior Avenue to Cleveland’s Asiatown district, where you’ll find one of the newest additions to the brunch scene, Yonder Brunch & Vibes. Mom and Dad will dig The Yonder breakfast sammy (bacon, egg, avocado and caramelized onions) with a side of Smashed Potatoes, while the kids will love the fun and colorful Fruity Pebbles Killa French Toast.

Morning

Visit the ultimate homage to rock music: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This family-friendly, interactive museum will take you through the history and evolution of rock music. Make sure to block off a few hours to get the full experience and really rock out to videos, interactive kiosks, and some righteous tunes. Oh, did we menton the NFL collaborated with them on a new exhibit called "The Bigest Show on Turf: 55 Years of Halftime Shows" celebrating some of the Super Bowl's greatest performances? And yes, Katy Perry's "Left Shark" is there.

Lunch

East 4th Street is one alley you need to see, especially if you’re looking to lunch. Some of Cleveland's most celebrated restaurants and entertainment hubs pepper this pedestrian-only street, including Chef Michael Symon's celebrated barbeque joint Mabel's BBQ. Corner Alley is a great spot for indoor/outdoor dining with delicious pub fare, but fun is also on the menu with bowling and arcade games in a modern and colorful atmosphere.

Afternoon

The Cleveland Metroparks are the pride and joy of our city, offering 18 parks that cover 23,000 acres of glorious green spaces for families to explore. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is easily a standout, with 3,000 animals representing over 600 species spread out over 183 acres of indoor and outdoor facilities, including the RainForest exhibit. The African Elephant Crossing is always a crowd pleaser.

Dinner

The draft will start again soon, but walking around the Zoo all afternoon sure worked up an appetite, huh? It’s a short journey to Ohio City and West 25th Street, the heart of Cleveland’s brewery scene and some of its tastiest eateries.  Next door to the historic West Side Market is Market Garden Brewery, where they have 14 of their beers on tap, along with some great food. From soft Bavarian Pretzels to Cleveland-style pan pizzas, there’s something for everyone (Scotch Eggs are a must) with additional vegan and gluten-free options. For dessert, walk a bit down the street for a couple scoops of Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream, a Cleveland institution in and of itself. Choose from more than 20 flavors available anytime, with additional flavors added seasonally.

Evening

Let’s do it again. Rounds 2 and 3 of the draft kick off at 7 p.m. If tonight isn’t the night for your timed entry to the Draft Experience, why not kick back with a cold brew (maybe some dessert for the kids) and watch the Draft from one of our amazing patios. Check out our Clean Committed page for information on the program and a directory of businesses that have made a commitment to employing safe practices, so you can enjoy that beer worry free.

Draft Day Three – Saturday, May 1

Brunch

Located near the iconic Playhouse Square theater district, Yours Truly is a Cleveland institution. Open early morning to late night, it’s breakfast anytime here and the bar is full service. Try a yummy Killit Skillet, AM Wrap or Eggs Bruschetta and get the kids a familiar looking Mouse Pancake. Don’t leave without hammering their famous Notso fries: cottage fries smothered in melted cheese, chopped bacon and sour cream.

Noon

Draft Day Three kicks off and with it, the final four rounds and the crowning of Mr. Irrelevant 2021. Can you believe it’s almost over already? Time flies when you’re rocking the clock!

Afternoon

Sure, the future stars of your favorite NFL team have been on display during the NFL Draft, but we think one body of water near and dear to our hearts may steal the show. We take a lot of pride in our beloved Lake Erie, so why not get better acquainted? Head down to Edgewater Park, where Edgewater Beach and the surrounding Lakefront Reservation will provide hours of fun whether you’re building sandcastles or checking out the Edgewater Fishing Pier.

Dinner

After a long afternoon of Draft weekend fun in the sun, how good does a hot, stone oven-baked pizza and a frosty beer sound? Head to the Detroit Shoreway and pull up a stool at Saucy Brew Works, where their New Haven style pizza and craft brews have made this up and coming brewery a local fave. Start out with some Mac & Cheese or Saucy Balls (all-beef meatballs served with their “saucy red” pizza sauce), then try one of their signature pies like the Draft appropriate Cleveland (featuring white BBQ sauce and kielbasa) or Nashville Hot Chicken (with pickles, so good). Wash it all down with one of over a dozen beers in rotation.

Evening

For a successful end to your draft weekend in Cleveland, head to Flats East Bank, a newly revived area of Downtown nightlife legend that's built-up with brand new cocktail bars, craft breweries, unique eateries, family-friendly activities and a swath of outdoor patios. Punch Bowl Social  is fun HQ, with video games, bowling, shuffleboard, karaoke and more all under one roof (Mom and Dad can literally drink a bowl of “spiked” punch). Enjoy an evening stroll along the Cuyahoga River, take in that fresh spring air and marvel at the glowing skyline as the sun sinks into Lake Erie.

This is Cleveland. We hope you had a blast at the 2021 NFL Draft and come back soon, whether or not your team is playing our Browns. Yes, it’s always this fun.

For even more CLE recommendations, all the latest event announcements and other draft developments, check out our NFL Draft 2021 landing page.