Explore Cleveland’s 20th-Century Might

A century ago, Cleveland held the status as the "Sixth City," a proud time when inventors, bankers and industry tycoons ruled with entrepreneurial might. Take a step back in time to explore the tenacity and brawn that was keystone to Cleveland's growth through the very places these forefathers lived, worked and built.  

Day 1

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland Learning Center and Money Museum

A 23-foot money tree sets the tone at the Money Museum, located in the national historic landmark Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Dig deeper into the history and culture of currency via free guided tours and interactive exhibits.

Cleveland Public Library

Dating back to 1925, the Cleveland Public Library's popular Downtown Main Library branch is housed inside an ornate Walker & Weeks-designed building. Free, youth-appropriate tours showcase the space's captivating contents—from art to history to architecture.

Lunch at Marble Room

You'll feel like you've stepped into “The Great Gatsby” at Marble Room Steaks & Raw Bar located inside the former Guardian Bank space in Downtown Cleveland. Surf-and-turf is served in the world's second-largest bank lobby, flanked by towering columns made of pink Georgia marble.

Dunham Tavern Museum

Just call the Dunham Tavern Museum — which offers glimpses into the lives of early Ohio settlers and explorers — the last building standing. The 1824-built structure is the oldest in Cleveland to remain in its original place.

Rockefeller Park Greenhouse

Located in a park named after oil icon John D. Rockefeller, Sr., this eco-friendly greenhouse and botanical garden dates back to 1905. Colorful orchid displays, repurposed railroad gargoyles and a formal Japanese garden are just a few must-see highlights.

Lake View Cemetery

Besides being the final resting place of President James A. Garfield and other notable Clevelanders, Lake View Cemetery doubles as an Instagram-worthy nature enclave. Be sure to see Wade Memorial Chapel, which boasts an interior by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Dinner at Nighttown

This cozy speakeasy-meets-supper-club venue has a Roaring 20s vibe (likely because the building was built in 1920). Located in Cleveland Heights, Nighttown’s specialty is dinner and a show — often of the jazz persuasion.

Severance Hall

End your evening on a high note at this classical music mecca, built in 1931. Check out the behind-the-scenes tour revealing details such as the original tiled driveway and lotus flower designs, then stay to hear the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra do their thing.

Day 2

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

This historic estate was built in the early 20th century for F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Today, the 65-room mansion and accompanying 70 acres of meticulously landscaped grounds offer plenty of room for exploration.

Lunch at Heinen’s Rotunda

Talk about an awe-inspiring lunch! Seating at the Downtown Heinen’s grocery store—located in the Cleveland Trust Rotunda Building—is under an 85-foot-high dome with Tiffany-style stained glass panels and Italian Renaissance-inspired touches.

Cocktails inside Vault at The 9

Mixology meets time travel beneath the Cleveland Trust Building. Once Ohio’s largest bank vault in the early 1900s, this unique cocktail lounge offers history-themed sips like “The Short Ton” (an ode to the 200-short-ton bank vault and its 17-short-ton door).

Dinner in the Hermit Club

Tucked away next to Hofbräuhaus in what resembles a cheerful gingerbread house, the 1904-founded Hermit Club is a private club dedicated to amateur performing arts — and the nation’s oldest continually operating club of its kind.

Playhouse Square

Lights, camera, backstage! Get a sneak peek at where the magic happens with a behind-the-scenes tour before an entertaining show at Playhouse Square. With five fully restored historic theaters (built in 1921-1922), Playhouse Square is considered the world’s largest theater restoration project.

Day 3

Terminal Tower Observation Deck

Get a plane’s-eye panoramic view of local landmarks like FirstEnergy Stadium from the 42^nd floor of the Terminal Tower. This indoor observation deck is located 668 feet above ground level—a distinction that made it once the tallest building outside NYC.

Cleveland Grays Armory

The independent volunteer militia Cleveland Grays once hunkered down in the fortress-like Grays Armory. Today the building showcases a wealth of military history and serves as a touchstone for local lore (like that time Teddy Roosevelt shot pool there).

Lunch at Crop Bistro

Once the largest building on Cleveland's west side, the former United Bank Building now functions as chic Crop Bistro & Bar. The 1925-built structure boasts giant arched windows, a coffered ceiling and a classic mural depicting the West Side Market.

Cleveland History Center

Displaying 170+ vintage cars made right here in C-town, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum inside the Cleveland History Center revisits the city’s one-time status as a bustling automotive industry hub. Inside the Bingham-Hanna and Hay-McKinney mansions, the lifestyles of Cleveland’s early 20^th-century influencers are on opulent display.

Cleveland Museum of Art

There's always plenty to see at the Cleveland Museum of Art, although the redesigned Tiffany and Fabergé Galleries are sure to beckon with stained glass lamps and bejeweled items once owned by the Russian imperial family.

Dinner in Little Italy at Guarino’s 

Italian food in Cleveland doesn't get much more authentic than Guarino’s. Established in 1918 as a Prohibition-era speakeasy, this homey Little Italy joint is the city's oldest restaurant—known for real-deal, made-with-heart food.
 

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Stay Classy, Cleveland

These hotel digs offer a healthy dose of history alongside charm and classic appeal.

Metropolitan Hotel at the 9

With a plum location near Progressive Field, the ultra-modern Metropolitan at the 9 already has an effortless cool factor—but the chance to sip cocktails in a centuries-old bank vault certainly kicks it up a notch.

Dury Plaza Hotel Downtown Cleveland

Two fully restored 1931 murals set the tone for the rich history at Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland, the product of an ambitious renovation of the former Board of Education building.

Glidden House

No ordinary boutique hotel, the 1910-built Glidden House mansion was a gem of Millionaires’ Row in its heyday. Today the reimagined 60-room hotel sits on the National Register of Historic Places.

Doubletree by Hilton, Tudor Arms Hotel

Originally the “Cleveland Club” for local elite, then a high-end hotel known for lively jazz shows, the now-restored DoubleTree Tudor Arms celebrates its 100^th anniversary in 2019.