CLEVELAND – The energy in Cleveland continues to rise with new developments, distinct events and intriguing exhibitions throughout the area. From an all-star sports experience 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 & culture hub, the University Circle neighborhood
- an international citywide theater festival
- the return of Tall Ships America and Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game; and
- Ohio’s first and only organic alcohol distillery.
New Attractions, Exhibits, and Events
Visitors to Cleveland can explore the life and works of one of America’s most iconic artists, 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, attractions and events.
Arts and Culture
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Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa) Cleveland
In celebration of its 50th Anniversary, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa) Cleveland presents “Double Takes: Historic and Contemporary Film + Video,” running 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.
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Cleveland Museum of Art: Georgia O’Keeffe
Visitors to the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) can experience a unique look into the fascinating connections between the paintings, personal style and public persona of one of America’s most iconic artists, Georgia O’Keeffe. The Living Modern exhibition, running now through March 2019, will showcase several of her paintings alongside her garments—many shown here for the first time—and photographic portraits of her as a subject.
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Cleveland Museum of Natural History: Andy Warhol
Visitors brave enough to take on winter in Cleveland will have a special opportunity to view Andy Warhol’s: Endangered Species, at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, now through March 10, 2019. One of only 150 complete sets in the world, the museum will exhibit this rare collection of Warhol’s silkscreen masterpieces that capture some of nature’s most iconic endangered species and inspire conservation efforts and awareness, all in the acclaimed pop artist’s bold, recognizable style.
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Cleveland History Center: RADwood
The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum at the Cleveland History Center will transform into a bodacious display of fashion, cars and fun fit for fans of grunge metal, big hair and leg warmers. The RADwood: Cleveland Goes RAD exhibit is on display from January 10 through March 24, 2019, and celebrates 1980s and 1990s car culture and lifestyles with vibrant clothing, unique beats and everything in between. Highlights include the first production of the DeLorean, originally owned by Cleveland native Charles DeLorean, and a 1982 PPG Pace Car used in the inaugural Cleveland Grand Prix.
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Children’s Museum of Cleveland
Excitement, enrichment and inspiration await during an afternoon of creative play at the Children’s Museum of Cleveland. In this former Millionaire’s Row mansion, young performers, set designers and directors can create their own productions using costumes, props and set design in the new Theater exhibit. For burgeoning musicians, the new Playlist exhibit encourages self-expression with props and pretend instruments to create changing silhouettes on a dramatically lit shadow wall of moving shapes.
The smallest museum visitors are invited to walk, crawl and climb all over the Meadow, a sensory-rich environment where children ages birth to three can practice early literacy, math and problem-solving skills.
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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.
Music
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
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Power of Rock Experience
Visitors get a front row seat to Rock Hall inductee performances in the Power of Rock Experience. Starting with short cuts from induction ceremony presentations, the experience continues with an immersive 12-minute film by Academy Award-winning director Jonathan Demme that features legendary Rock Hall Induction performances and concludes with an opportunity for guests to be interviewed by inductees like Smokey Robinson and Alice Cooper in the “Say It Loud” story booths.
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Part of the Machine: Rock & Pinball
Newly opened in July 2018, Part of the Machine: Rock & Pinball showcases rock-themed, playable pinball machines combined with historic merchandise and artifacts. Inside the exhibit guests will find machines featuring icons like KISS, Guns 'n' Roses, Alice Cooper, Dolly Parton, The Who and Elton John. Visitors can even play all the machines on display for a small fee. Cleveland’s newest music venue reinforces the city’s reputation as the home of rock ‘n’ roll..
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Stell's Music Club
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.
Sports, Outdoors and Recreation
- Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game
From July 5-9, 2019, the Cleveland Indians will host the 2019 MLB All-Star Week at the recently updated Progressive Field and throughout the city. The team has hosted the Midsummer Classic more than any other, and Cleveland is ready to welcome fans for a week of activities celebrating America’s favorite pastime, including the Home Run Derby and All-Star FanFest.
- Tall Ships America
Tall Ships America sails into town July 11-14, 2019, bringing a fleet of large sailing vessels to the Cleveland port. Visitors can welcome the ships and 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.
- Cleveland Metroparks Towpath Trail
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.
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:
- Cleveland Marriott Downtown tt 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 & Ballroom
One of Cleveland’s most storied music venues, the Agora Theatre and Ballroom recently unveiled an extensive $3 million renovation, which returns the well-known space to its 1920s splendor. Visitors to Cleveland can pop in to the Agora on any given night to find Clevelanders rocking out to an array of musical artists spanning all genres.
New Restaurants & Breweries
Cleveland’s booming culinary scene blends the more than 100 diverse ethnicities found throughout the city. Recently opened ventures include:
- Larder (Spring 2018)
Known for his innovative work in foraging and fermentation, Chef Jeremy Umansky brings house-made breads, pastries, fermented root beer and locally sourced dairy, eggs and produce to the Ohio City neighborhood. A perfect option for visitors who prefer homestays and the opportunity to make-your-own-meal, this new delicatessen, Larder, is located in the historic Ohio City Firehouse.
- Cleveland’s Ever-Expanding Cocktail and Brewery Scene
Cleveland’s growing brewery and cocktail scene continues to gain national attention from outlets like Men’s Journal, Travel & Leisure and Thrillist. Since 2016, 36 new breweries have opened in Northeast Ohio, helping Cleveland’s 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 organic, small-batch spirits, patrons can enjoy a snack or meal at the adjoining Distill Table restaurant, where many of the ingredients are locally sourced.
- 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.
- Fat Head’s (Summer 2018)
A pioneer in Northeast Ohio’s craft beer scene, Fat Head’s Brewery has expanded into a new brewery, taproom, production facility and gift shop. The 75,000-square foot space includes a 75-barrel system that can produce 150,000 barrels of beer a year along with a 3,000-square-foot patio, beer garden and 250-seat restaurant. Visitors can see the brewing process from their seats or on a tour.
To keep up-to-date on new developments and activities, please visit www.thisiscleveland.com, Destination Cleveland app 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.