CLEVELAND – The energy in Cleveland continues to rise with new developments, distinct events and intriguing exhibitions throughout the area. From an all-star sports extravaganza to world-class arts and culture (without a hint of world-class ego), visitors can experience the passion, creativity and authenticity of this lakefront Midwest city. The latest not-to-be-missed attractions, exhibits and 2019 events include:
- the 50th anniversary celebration of contemporary art in Cleveland
- several new exhibits in Cleveland’s arts and culture hub, the University Circle neighborhood
- the 40th installment of the Tri-C JazzFest, an intimate, yet urban music festival and
- the return of Tall Ships America and Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game
NEW ATTRACTIONS, EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
Visitors to Cleveland can explore the works of one of America’s pioneering photographers, be inspired by the journey of Rock & Roll Hall of Famers and celebrate America’s favorite pastime. Here’s a look at many new exhibits and events.
CULTURE
Over 1,000 lanterns will cast a soft light along with a message of love, hope and happiness on Lake Erie at the Water Lantern Festival in Cleveland’s North Coast Harbor on June 15. Food trucks, music, games and performances will round out this celebration of water.
- Cuyahoga50 – Honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Last Cuyahoga River Fire
From June 19-23, Cleveland will honor the 50th anniversary of the final fire on the Cuyahoga River and the beginning of a restoration and re-naturalization process that continues today. The infamous fire ignited not only a Cleveland waterway but the country’s longstanding environmental movement. Cuyahoga50 will bring people together to celebrate clean water and spark future action through the largest series of public clean water events in the country. As part of the celebration, the 18th annual Burning River Fest will feature two days of music, beer and community at one of the most beautiful waterfront locations in Cleveland, the Historic Cleveland Coast Guard Station.
- BorderLight Festival of International Theatre
Performers from across the region and abroad will converge in Cleveland for this four-day, citywide festival of contemporary international theatre from July 25-28, 2019. Featuring world premiere collaborations between Cleveland-based theatre artists and international artists, BorderLight will activate performance and public spaces across the city from Playhouse Square to the Gordon Square Arts District, giving visitors a chance to see firsthand Cleveland’s world-class arts and culture scene.
- Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa) Cleveland: Double Takes
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa) Cleveland recently announced that patrons can access the museum and its galleries for free. The museum’s summer show, “Double Takes: Historic and Contemporary Film + Video,” runs now through September 2, 2019. Guests can embark on a journey of movement, sights and sounds beginning with some of the industry’s most seminal work paired with contemporary pieces that present emerging global voices on urgent issues.
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- “Gordon Parks: The New Tide, Early Work 1940–1950” documents the importance of pioneering African American photographer Gordon Parks’ early works. From his immersion in the Chicago Black Renaissance, to his friendships with other notable literary and visual artists such as Roy Stryker and Ralph Ellison, the exhibition on display from March 23 to June 9, 2019, examines the expanding function of mass media in creating and distributing a new visual culture.
- This Spring, visitors to the Cleveland Museum of Art can enjoy one of the first explorations devoted to Shinto art from collections in both the U.S. and Japan. “Shinto: Discovery of the Divine in Japanese Art” running April 9 through June 30, 2019, will take a thematic approach to understanding the artworks created to celebrate the world of kami, a veneration of deities which has long been a central feature of Japanese culture. From costumes worn in dances and theatrical performances at shrines to paintings of medieval pilgrimage routes, the exhibition is an expression of the everyday engagement of people with divinities in their midst.
- Great Lakes Science Center
You won’t need a license to get hands on in the Great Lakes Science Center’s expansive new exhibition, “Vroom! A Car Adventure” running now through September 2, 2019. From a Tot Garage area to an exhibit that demonstrates how self-driving cars can see using a LIDAR sensor, Vroom! is turning automobiles inside out and exploring the science, technology, engineering and math that makes them go.
MUSIC
In 2018, the world’s only Rock & Roll Hall of Fame debuted an entire floor of the museum devoted to rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest contributors, which includes a redesigned space honoring each inductee, an interactive “Voice Your Choice” area where fans can share their nominations and Inductee Jukeboxes. Memorabilia from the Inductee Class of 2019 is now on display, including instruments, clothing and a video history filled with behind-the-scenes clips of each honoree.
Celebrating the highlights and impact of the historic festival that took place over one rainy three-day weekend in August 1969, the “Woodstock Turns 50” exhibit will launch in May 2019. Rare artifacts from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s collection will celebrate everything from the ingenuity of those who mounted the festival to the performers who played it. Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of music festivals and how music connects us all. Beginning July 2019, visitors can bring their dream of being a rock ‘n’ roll star to life in the new “Interactive Garage.” The museum’s second floor will become a hands-on exhibit allowing visitors to play, mix and record their own hits on more than 15 drums, bass, guitars, keyboards and mixing boards.
Cleveland’s newest music venue reinforces the city’s reputation as the home of rock ‘n’ roll. Stella’s Music Club, located in the heart of Downtown, offers visitors a state-of-the-art listening experience with back-to-back bands and artists playing on studio-quality sound equipment. Guests can even show off their singing chops on stage at their weekly live band karaoke.
- 40th Annual Tri-C JazzFest
2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the Tri-C JazzFest, which is slated for June 27-29. This indoor/outdoor festival in the heart of Cleveland’s downtown performing arts district offers visitors an intimate, yet urban music experience with traditional and emerging musicians. From ticketed performances in the restored theaters of Cleveland’s Playhouse Square to opportunities to dance the night away to live performances under the bright lights of the world’s largest outdoor chandelier, visitors can feel Cleveland’s musical soul at this event. As part of the outdoor festival, attendees will have the opportunity to speak with some of the world’s top jazz artists in the outdoor “Talk Tent.”
SPORTS, OUTDOORS AND RECREATION
- Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game
From July 5-9, the Cleveland Indians will host the 2019 MLB All-Star Week at the recently updated Progressive Field and around the city. PLAY BALL PARK, MLB’s re-imagined fan experience, is set to be the world’s biggest and most playable baseball festival, blending sports, music, food, technology and more. Outside, fans can play baseball and softball from morning until night, participate in drills with rising stars and former All-Stars, and enjoy free live concerts. For just $18-$25, visitors can go inside the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland to play the latest baseball video games, take pictures with some of today’s All-Stars and step into the batter’s box at Progressive Field through Home Run Derby Virtual Reality.
Tall Ships America sails into town July 11-14, 2019, bringing a fleet of ten traditionally rigged sailing vessels to the Port of Cleveland and North Coast Harbor. Visitors can welcome the ships during the Parade of Sails and then experience the rich maritime heritage that they represent at a lakefront festival featuring on-board tours, meet-and-greets with the crew and live music and entertainment. Daily sail-away opportunities on three of the ships can be purchased in advance.
- Cleveland Metroparks Towpath Trails
Lovers of the great outdoors can now traverse Cleveland’s Emerald Necklace unabridged on the newly completed Towpath Trail Connector. Bicyclists, walkers and runners alike can ride 33 miles from the northwest corner of Cleveland all the way south to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. For visitors interested in coasting along, accessing Cleveland’s city beach is now easier than ever with the completion of a bike trail and multipurpose path connecting Ohio City to Edgewater Park.
NEW RESTAURANTS & BREWERIES
Cleveland’s booming culinary scene blends the more than 100 diverse ethnicities found throughout the city. Recently opened eateries include:
- Good Company (Winter 2019)
Chef Brett Sawyer opened Good Company in Cleveland’s Battery Park neighborhood at the start of 2019, bringing a fresh-take to the typical neighborhood bar. With everything made from scratch, Good Company offers approachable bar fare like The Good Boi burger, potato skins and beer-battered celery root, appealing to vegans, vegetarians, families and anybody who simply enjoys good-quality food.
- Ohio City Galley (Fall 2018)
Last fall, Cleveland’s first restaurant accelerator opened in the Ohio City neighborhood. The Ohio City Galley, located in the historic Forest City Savings and Trust building, is home to not one but four new restaurants driven by aspiring Cleveland chef-owners who will test out their menus and concepts for one year. Serving lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, The Galley includes a shared bar and communal seating.
Known for his innovative work in foraging and fermentation, Chef Jeremy Umansky brings house-made breads, pastries, pastrami, sides, fermented root beer and locally sourced dairy, eggs and produce to the Ohio City neighborhood at Larder. This new delicatessen in the historic Ohio City Firehouse was recently named a semifinalist for the 2019 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant.
Cleveland’s Ever-Expanding Cocktail and Brewery Scene
Since 2016, 36 new breweries have opened in Northeast Ohio, helping the beer scene get recognized by USA Today 10Best and crowning Cleveland’s Ohio City one of “America’s 7 Hottest ‘Neighbeerhoods’” by Cheap Tickets. Recent openings include:
- Flight Cleveland Wine Bar (December 2018)
With 400 bottles in store, 29 wines on tap and 10 flight options, Flight Cleveland is the newest addition to the city’s adult beverage scene. Visitors are encouraged to let their taste buds soar in this modern and inviting space complete with chic couches, a booth for group gatherings and plenty of tables for those sharing a carefully crafted meat or cheese board. Begin with a small tasting of three perfectly paired pours, grab a glass of your favorite and take home a bottle to enjoy later.
- Gervasi Vineyard Expansion (December 2018)
Gervasi Vineyard, a Tuscan-inspired winery resort in Canton, Ohio, recently opened a new distillery, coffeehouse and craft cocktail lounge, The Still House. The venue is a coffeehouse by day – where guests can enjoy a signature Gervasi Café coffee with pastries and snacks, and a cocktail lounge by night, offering signature cocktails, draft beers, Gervasi wines, live music and small bites.
- Western Reserve Distillers and Distill Table (Fall 2018)
Western Reserve Distillers, Ohio’s first organic distillery, gives visitors a firsthand look at and taste of the transformation of grains grown within 150 miles of the facility to handcrafted vodka, gin, rum, bourbon and whiskey. For the diehard spirit lover, Western Reserve also offers create-your-own and select-your-own whiskey and rum programs. In addition to tours and tastings of its small-batch spirits, patrons can enjoy a snack or meal made with locally sourced ingredients at the adjoining Distill Table restaurant.
- Bookhouse Brewing (Fall 2018)
Bookhouse Brewing offers guests an opportunity to experience a cozy and intimate microbrew experience in the heart of Cleveland’s brewery district. This 100-seat space is lined with bookshelves and board games for all to enjoy, creating a relaxed reading room vibe. The seven-barrel brewing system churns out a variety of house brews as well as several combination options and guest pours.
NEW ADDITIONS & RENOVATIONS
Cleveland’s latest updates to infrastructure and public spaces not only enhance the visitor experience but also the city’s landscape. Recent projects include:
- Tru by Hilton Cleveland Midtown Hotel
Within a few minutes’ drive of the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic sits the soon-to-open Tru by Hilton Cleveland Midtown hotel, which will offer visitors an affordable opportunity to unwind in the city’s Midtown neighborhood. Efficiently designed rooms with bright murals and bathrooms, a large, buzzing lobby ready for game play and lounging, and a 24-hour Eat. & Sip. Market, featuring local treats, snacks and single-serve wine and beer, gives the young and young-at-heart another reason to visit Cleveland.
- Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower
Following a months-long transformation, the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower now offers visitors a welcoming space to work, play or relax. Its lobby, dubbed the Great Room, includes a bar, barbershop, comfy couches and work stations, which are situated just outside Il Venetian, a new upscale Italian restaurant. Additional food options – a smaller fast-casual doughnuts and gelato version of Il Venetian and Marble Room Sushi – are available in the adjoining Key Center lobby. Fitness-focused travelers can break a sweat in the new 20,000 square foot Vedas Fitness and Spa, which is open 24-hours a day and is the only hotel spa in Downtown Cleveland.
- A Christmas Story House & Museum: Bumpus House
Fans of the cult-classic movie “A Christmas Story” now have an additional option for overnight stays in Ralphie’s neighborhood! Guests can book overnight stays at the Bumpus House, home to Ralphie’s rambunctious neighbors and their 785 smelly hound dogs. Visitors will experience all the modern amenities in this vintage, eclectic home with 1940s style and a slightly hillbilly, Bumpus flare.
- Agora Theatre and Ballroom
One of Cleveland’s most storied music venues, the Agora Theatre and Ballroom recently unveiled an extensive $3 million renovation, which returns the space to its 1920s splendor. Visitors can pop into the Agora on any given night to find Clevelanders rocking out to an array of musical artists spanning all genres.
To keep up-to-date on new developments and activities, please visit www.thisiscleveland.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.
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About Destination Cleveland: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s convention and visitors bureau. This private non-profit organization’s mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. Cleveland welcomes 18.5 million visitors annually. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.