Cleveland, Ohio

University Circle

University Circle, a famous urban district covering a square mile, is home to some of Cleveland’s top education, health care, arts, cultural, religious, and social service institutions. Situated near downtown Cleveland, the area is located on Euclid Avenue and is known for its vibrant, bustling energy. You’ll enjoy spending time among the many retailers, restaurants, bars, and residences.

Take in some history with a stroll along the quaint side streets of Magnolia, Ford, Bellflower, and Juniper where beautifully preserved 19th-century mansions have been transformed into hip hotels and trendy coffee shops. Alternatively, you can take a short ride along the Euclid Corridor to the modern arts and cultural district at Euclid and Mayfield. If you are wondering what to do in Cleveland this weekend, Wade Oval plays host to several outdoor events, live concerts, and movie nights during the summer while The Rink at Wade Oval is ideal for ice-skating during the winter months.

Cleveland Museum of Art

Founded in 1913 “for the benefit of all the people forever,” the Cleveland Museum of Art is one of the country’s most distinguished cultural institutions and one of the top Cleveland attractions. Housed in a beautifully preserved neoclassic building of white Georgian marble, the museum lies at the center of the city’s Fine Arts Garden, just north of the Wade Lagoon.

The museum has a fantastic collection of more than 30,000 works of art that span over 5,000 years; some of the collections boast works from ancient Egypt, as well as world-renowned masterpieces from Europe, Asia, and Africa. In keeping with its mission of bringing art to the people of Cleveland, Ohio the museum also fills its calendar with special exhibitions, lectures, films, and musical programs for the public, as well as community-based programs and performing arts series.

11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH Phone: 216-421-7340

West Side Market

The West Side Market is Cleveland’s oldest public market where over 100 producers, artisans, and vendors sell their wares. Market stalls brim with charcuterie and meats, succulent seafood, freshly picked fruits and vegetables, dairy products, fresh flowers, spices and nuts.

Bakers sell homemade baked bread, pastries, and other baked goods while artisan chefs and cooks offer delicious ready-to-eat meals. Built in 1912 to replace the original Pearl Street Market, the West Side Market is the last remaining market of three that were constructed to serve Cleveland’s growing immigrant population in the early 20th century. Today, the market continues to offer an authentic and culturally diverse shopping experience to locals and visitors alike.

1979 West 25th Street, Cleveland, Ohio, Phone: 216-664-3387

Cleveland Cultural Gardens

Created by students and scholars at Cleveland State University as a “peace garden,” the Cleveland Cultural Gardens are a living monument to the rich history of twentieth-century America. The gardens, of which there are 29, are designed to reveal the stories of the major conflicts that gave shape to the century, including important events such as World War I, World War II, and the Cold War.

The gardens also provide insight into the social, economic, political, and cultural upheavals that influenced the nation during the last century. Some of the more popular featured gardens include the Albanian Cultural Garden, the Armenian Garden, The Polish Garden, the Slovenian Garden, and the Czech Garden. Enjoy guided tours through the gardens, which will give you behind-the-scenes information about the gardens and the intimate details surrounding them, as well as the cultural heroes that are linked to them. 750 East 88th Street, Cleveland, Ohio

Greater Cleveland Aquarium

The Greater Cleveland Aquarium opened in 2012 and is spread over more than 70,000 square feet (6,500 square meters) of exhibition space. This impressive establishment features eight newly built exhibition areas, a vast 230,000-gallon tank with a unique walk-through acrylic shark tunnel, and a variety of intriguing exhibits showcasing local and exotic species of fish.

Stroll through the many exhibitions, which include Lakes and Rivers of the World, the Indo-Pacific Zone, Discovery Zone, Coastal and Coral Reef. Meanwhile, the 175-foot (53 m) shark tunnel offers panoramic views of the myriad marine life, including numerous sharks of various species. Aiming to educate, inspire, and encourage visitors to take an interest in the marine environment, the Aquarium offers educational programs about the animals and the care they receive.

2000 Sycamore Street, Cleveland, Ohio, Phone: 216-862-8803

International Women's Air and Space Museum

The International Women's Air and Space Museum (IWASM) is devoted to the celebration of women in the fields of aviation and space exploration. It pays homage to the accomplishments, successes, and contributions they have made to the industry over the decades.

Located in the terminal building of Burke Lakefront Airport, the museum features a wealth of memorabilia and historical artifacts collected by the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots formed in 1929. The museum also showcases famous aviation women throughout history. Guided, docent-led tours through the museum are available and last between 45 minutes and an hour, giving visitors the chance to explore both permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Burke Lakefront Airport, Cleveland, Ohio, Phone: 216-623-1111

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

Cleveland’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is the region’s only contemporary art museum dedicated to showcasing modern and contemporary art through a range of new-age, evolving exhibitions.

Founded in 1968, this non-profit institution has been playing a vital role in Cleveland’s cultural landscape for over 45 years.

The museum proudly presents the works of more than 2,000 artists through permanent and traveling exhibitions, as well as artists’ first solo shows. Aiming to challenge, inspire, and teach a broad range of audiences about modern art, the museum creates a unique and dynamic space in which to fuel imagination and cultivate creativity. The Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the best things to do in Cleveland for art lovers. It also offers a variety of programs and open-ended activities that encourage collaboration and interaction.

11400 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio

Little Italy

Little Italy is a culturally rich area located around Mayfield Road that brings a slice of Italy to the heart of Cleveland. Established by Italian sculptor Joseph Carrabelli in the 1880s when he began sculpting granite and marble works at the top of Mayfield Road hill, the area soon filled up with Italian families. Today, the heritage of Little Italy is still celebrated and upheld to this day.

If you are looking for things to do in Cleveland today, this is a great place to visit. Brimming with art galleries, restaurants, cafés, and delis, the area has become one of the most beloved in the city, where many people seek out an exciting night of dining and entertainment. Little Italy really comes alive during various festivals and on special occasions such as The Feast of the Assumption. It also plays host to the City’s famous Art Walks, holds regular bocce tournaments, and promises fun-filled alfresco summer nights.

Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA)

The Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) is a private educational institution founded in 1882 as the renowned Western Reserve School of Design for Women. Later named the Cleveland School of Art, this is Ohio’s premier art and design college and is located in University Circle in Cleveland, on a one-acre campus. Today, the institute is an internationally recognized college of art and design that offers degrees of bachelor of fine arts in 15 majors that include design, crafts, digital arts, and fine arts. The institute also offers study abroad programs, internships, Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design Mobility Programs, and AICAD New York Studio Residency Programs.

11610 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, Phone: 800-223-4700

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated to showcasing some of rock and roll’s greatest performers and contributors. Designed by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei and located on the shores of Lake Erie, this world-class museum hopes to engage and inspire visitors with the power of rock and roll with its impressive collections, exhibitions, and displays.

The museum also houses a well stocked library and archives, and it offers range of educational programs. Featured exhibits include Rock Portraits by Herb Ritts, The Pink Floyd Wall, Legends of Rock, and The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll. Dedicated to the celebration of rock and roll, the museum offers a range of classes and workshops for children and adults to foster a deeper understanding of rock and roll and the influence it has had thus far on society and the world.

1100 E 9th St, Cleveland, Ohio