CLEVELAND (April 1, 2022) – The seasons are changing, and it’s time to shake off those winter blues. Whether it’s heading back to the ballpark, celebrating some of the city’s rich heritage or feasting on specialty food and drink, residents should shed their parkas, break out the sunglasses and head out for seasonal activities in #TheLand.
STROLL THROUGH SPRING COLORS
One of the surest signs of spring, flowers are already beginning to blossom across The Land. The area offers a number of options for locals looking to enjoy the sight and scent of spring in full bloom.
Lake View Cemetery
The final resting place of President James A. Garfield, John D. Rockefeller and many other famous Clevelanders,
Lake View Cemetery is a can’t-miss stop for those looking for a unique way to enjoy spring. Once the warm weather arrives, thousands of trees begin to bloom, along with three acres of flowers on the cemetery’s “Daffodil Hill.” In addition to taking in the spring colors, residents can admire the cemetery’s other landmarks including the Wade Memorial Chapel, which features an interior totally designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and his studios, or the Haserot Angel, which appears to weep black tears due to the statue’s aging bronze and sculpting work.
- 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland
- Cemetery gates open 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.; James A. Garfield Memorial open Wednesdays-Sundays beginning May 1, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Wade Oval
In the spring, Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood is home to some incredible sights and smells as cherry blossoms and other flowering trees come into bloom around Wade Lagoon. Residents can enjoy a full day of spring fun with a walk around the lagoon before visiting some of the city’s top cultural institutions like the Cleveland Museum of Art or Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
- 10820 East Blvd., Cleveland
Cleveland Botanical Garden
The Cleveland Botanical Garden offers Clevelanders the chance to take in some spring blooms, rain or shine. In addition to the outdoor gardens and flowers in the tropical Glasshouse environments, residents can celebrate the arrival of spring in a big way when they’re greeted by 600 newly emerged butterflies in the Glasshouse’s Costa Rica biome. The new Ron and Lydia Harrington
Perennial Playspace also offers hands-on, interactive exhibits for kids (or kids at heart) to learn about the variety of plants in our area and around the world.
- 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland
- Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sundays, noon - 5 p.m. Closed Mondays.
- Advance tickets recommended; available online
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME
There’s no doubt that Cleveland is a sports city, and the changing calendar means it’s time for baseball lovers to fill the stands at Progressive Field. On non-game days, Cleveland’s League Park offers a bit of baseball history for even the most casual fans.
Cleveland Guardians
Sports lovers can root, root, root for the home team as the Cleveland Guardians’ inaugural season gets underway at Progressive Field. The Guardians will welcome fans back to the stands during the 2022 home opener on Friday, April 15. With 20 home games on the schedule before the end of May, there’s plenty of chances to shake off the winter blues with a ballgame.
- Cleveland Guardians Opening Day: Friday, April 15 at 7:10 p.m.
- Tickets (starting at $49) available online
League Park
For a bit of baseball history, local fans should plan a visit to
League Park in the Hough neighborhood. The park was the site of the 1920 World Series where the Cleveland Indians won their first ever championship. In the 1940s, it was home to the Cleveland Buckeyes, one of the first baseball teams in the Negro American League. The
Baseball Heritage Museum, located in the park’s renovated ticket office, gives fans access to memorabilia like programs, uniforms and other game-used items, all detailing the contributions from the diverse leagues that helped shape the history of America’s favorite pastime.
- 6601 Lexington Ave., Cleveland
- Thursdays through Sundays, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Free, $10 suggested donation
CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS
Perennial favorites are back on the calendar in Cleveland this spring, giving residents ample opportunity to celebrate the ethnicities and cultural events that make the city such a unique place to be.
Dyngus Day
One of Cleveland’s quirkiest holidays,
Dyngus Day is a Polish tradition that takes place every year on the Monday after Easter. This year’s celebration will include in-person festivities at Gordon Green along with a livestream of the event. Clevelanders can expect plenty of Polka music, tasty Polish food, beer and live entertainment all day, culminating with the crowning of Miss Dyngus Day 2022 in the evening.
- Monday, April 18, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- 5400 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
- Tickets ($25 for admission only, $30 for admission + 2 drink tickets, $5 for children 12 and under) available online
Cleveland International Film Festival
The
Cleveland International Film Festival returns to in-person programming at its new home at Playhouse Square. The diverse lineup features a little something for local cinephiles of all sorts with over 146 features ranging from documentaries, foreign films and even some films screen in virtual reality, as well as over 182 short films. For those who prefer to catch a movie from the comfort of their own couch, this year’s event includes a virtual festival, CIFF46 Streams, from April 10-17.
- CIFF46 at Playhouse Square: March 30 - April 9; CIFF46 Streams: April 10-17
- Tickets for in-person screenings ($14-$16) and CIFF46 Streams access ($8-$10) available online
Cleveland Asian Festival
The
Cleveland Asian Festival returns to an in-person event in the AsiaTown neighborhood this spring. The outdoor event celebrates local Asian culture and includes live shows and cultural performances, martial arts demonstrations, an assortment of food and drink, a World Marketplace vendor fair and plenty of family-friendly activities. This year’s event also features a dance competition and “Colors of Asia” fashion show.
- May 21-22, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- East 27th St. and Payne Ave., Cleveland
TASTES OF THE SEASON
From classic comfort foods to international cuisine, Clevelanders venturing out to enjoy a meal or drink in the warm weather will find a variety of choices to satisfy their spring cravings.
Cleveland Mac ‘n’ Cheese Week
The cheesiest week of the year in The Land,
Cleveland Mac ‘n’ Cheese Week features more than a dozen local restaurants serving up the comfort food classic. Each participating restaurant will offer their own take on the dish for just $5, giving local mac ‘n’ cheese lovers the chance to sample to their taste buds’ content without breaking the bank.
- April 11-17; Full list of participating restaurants available online
Tremont Greek Fest
The food is the star of this celebration in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood. Taking place each year over Memorial Day weekend, the event features homemade delicacies like souvlaki, moussaka and baklava, along with plenty of Greek beer, wine and spirits. Clevelanders can also get a firsthand look at Greek culture with plenty of music, dancing and old-world shopping throughout the weekend.
- 2187 W 14th St., Cleveland
- May 27-30, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
International Restaurant Passport
Residents can travel the world without leaving The Land this spring, thanks to the new
International Restaurant Passport. The virtual passport combines Clevelanders’ love of food and community while
highlighting the rich cultures and heritages that make up the city’s diverse population. The passport offers exclusive deals at 17 of the city’s international eateries.
- Virtual passport and full list of participating restaurants available online
DON’T FORGET: Destination Cleveland’s Concierge Team is available to help residents and their visiting family and friends explore the region as the weather warms up. Contact the team via email (
[email protected]), live chat at
thisiscleveland.com, or stop at the Cleveland Visitors Center (334 Euclid Ave., Cleveland) Tues. - Sat., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. for planning assistance.
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization. This private, non-profit organization’s mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. In 2020, the COVID-19 global pandemic reduced visitation by 30 percent, with 13.8 million visits occurring. Prior to the pandemic, Cleveland hosted 19.6 million visits annually, with the County experiencing annual visitation increases that surpassed the domestic travel growth rate for nine consecutive years. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.