Eat & drink
Most within a short walk of the house.
Small batch coffee roasters with a cafe in an old firehouse. Look for the fire pole from the second floor! Cozy place, friendly staff, excellent coffee. Small selection of pastries, etc., most locally made. Sit outside at a picnic table in nice weather.
82 locals recommend
Rising Star Coffee Roasters
1455 W 29th StSmall batch coffee roasters with a cafe in an old firehouse. Look for the fire pole from the second floor! Cozy place, friendly staff, excellent coffee. Small selection of pastries, etc., most locally made. Sit outside at a picnic table in nice weather.
Just two blocks away, Johnny Mango is our favorite neighborhood spot for dinner. Veggie-friendly menu, reasonable prices - we like the Fried Rice, Chicken Cashew Salad or Pad Thai. And fried plantain appetizer. Good juices/smoothies, pretty good margaritas. Busy & noisy much of the time, so not the place for a romantic date.
45 locals recommend
Johnny Mango
3120 Bridge AveJust two blocks away, Johnny Mango is our favorite neighborhood spot for dinner. Veggie-friendly menu, reasonable prices - we like the Fried Rice, Chicken Cashew Salad or Pad Thai. And fried plantain appetizer. Good juices/smoothies, pretty good margaritas. Busy & noisy much of the time, so not the place for a romantic date.
A fews steps away, and a step up in quality (and price) from Johnny Mango. Excellent margaritas (try the Cucumber) and Guacamole (several varieties but I think traditional is best). Mexican-style food with a bit of a twist in preparation and presentation. Usually crowded so make a reservation. We've rarely been able to just walk in.
57 locals recommend
Momocho
1835 Fulton RdA fews steps away, and a step up in quality (and price) from Johnny Mango. Excellent margaritas (try the Cucumber) and Guacamole (several varieties but I think traditional is best). Mexican-style food with a bit of a twist in preparation and presentation. Usually crowded so make a reservation. We've rarely been able to just walk in.
Casual French bistro with delicious sweet or savory crepes and other specialties. Full bar. Sit on the sidewalk and feel like you're in Paris. Almost.
49 locals recommend
Le Petit Triangle Café
1881 Fulton RdCasual French bistro with delicious sweet or savory crepes and other specialties. Full bar. Sit on the sidewalk and feel like you're in Paris. Almost.
A cozy neighborhood bar—with a jukebox. Good food with items not on your typical bar menu. Think house-made pierogis and soup, for example. In warm weather enjoy the lovely courtyard. Kitchen is open until 9 or 10 pm.
29 locals recommend
JUKEBOX
1404 W 29th StA cozy neighborhood bar—with a jukebox. Good food with items not on your typical bar menu. Think house-made pierogis and soup, for example. In warm weather enjoy the lovely courtyard. Kitchen is open until 9 or 10 pm.
Truly a "Cleveland" experience: an old-school bar with a knotty-pine interior unchanged since it was Mom Socotch's years ago. Now serving great hotdogs and burgers (including veggie versions) with up to 50 different toppings. Combine kimchee, Froot Loops, a fried egg, any of several unique ketchups, mustards and bbq sauces and much more. Add tater tots or fries on the side for a complete meal. Good beer selection, full bar.
Live music most nights, usually modern stuff but once a month informal classical performances that thrive in this noisy bar. Can't be beat!
68 locals recommend
Happy Dog
5801 Detroit AveTruly a "Cleveland" experience: an old-school bar with a knotty-pine interior unchanged since it was Mom Socotch's years ago. Now serving great hotdogs and burgers (including veggie versions) with up to 50 different toppings. Combine kimchee, Froot Loops, a fried egg, any of several unique ketchups, mustards and bbq sauces and much more. Add tater tots or fries on the side for a complete meal. Good beer selection, full bar.
Live music most nights, usually modern stuff but once a month informal classical performances that thrive in this noisy bar. Can't be beat!
Don't miss it! Delicious ice cream made from organic, local, and/or ethically sourced ingredients. Watch it being made in the West 25th St. shop and kitchen, housed in a renovated theater. Go upstairs for a bird's eye view.
70 locals recommend
Mitchell's Ice Cream (Ohio City Kitchen & Shop)
1867 W 25th StDon't miss it! Delicious ice cream made from organic, local, and/or ethically sourced ingredients. Watch it being made in the West 25th St. shop and kitchen, housed in a renovated theater. Go upstairs for a bird's eye view.
A coffeeshop inside of a bookstore—what more could you ask for? Serves coffee from Rising Star so it's delicious. Sip and browse books - well-chosen remainders at 50-75% off retail. Just a half block from the West Side Market.
Index Coffee & Books
A coffeeshop inside of a bookstore—what more could you ask for? Serves coffee from Rising Star so it's delicious. Sip and browse books - well-chosen remainders at 50-75% off retail. Just a half block from the West Side Market.
Arts & Culture
Most of these attractions are in University Circle, a 15-minute drive from the house. Plan to spend the day in the area.
The Cleveland Museum of Art is gorgeous, filled with great art beautifully displayed, and the permanent collection is always free.
One of America's best museums is housed in a 1916 Beaux-Arts building connected by a spectacular atrium to a 1980s Brutalist addition by Marcel Breuer.
Exceptionally beautiful galleries of medieval armor, Japanese, Korean and Indian art, and European and American masterpieces. The contemporary collection is relatively small but includes a sampling of pretty much anyone who you've heard of, and a few you haven't. Gallery One, an interactive space, is fun for kids and grownups. Cafe and restaurant are a bit pricey but good. Sit in the glorious light-filled atrium and just enjoy the day.
365 locals recommend
The Cleveland Museum of Art
11150 East BlvdThe Cleveland Museum of Art is gorgeous, filled with great art beautifully displayed, and the permanent collection is always free.
One of America's best museums is housed in a 1916 Beaux-Arts building connected by a spectacular atrium to a 1980s Brutalist addition by Marcel Breuer.
Exceptionally beautiful galleries of medieval armor, Japanese, Korean and Indian art, and European and American masterpieces. The contemporary collection is relatively small but includes a sampling of pretty much anyone who you've heard of, and a few you haven't. Gallery One, an interactive space, is fun for kids and grownups. Cafe and restaurant are a bit pricey but good. Sit in the glorious light-filled atrium and just enjoy the day.
If you're a history buff there's no better place to learn about Cleveland's past. It's more than the burning Cuyahoga River by a long shot!
8 locals recommend
Cleveland History Center
10825 East BlvdIf you're a history buff there's no better place to learn about Cleveland's past. It's more than the burning Cuyahoga River by a long shot!
Beautiful outdoor gardens and a huge glasshouse with a tropical rain forest alive with fluttering butterflies. Walk through a door into a desert environment filled with cacti, lizards and their friends.
Take in seasonal special exhibits of art and specialty plants (orchids, succulents, etc.) and browse the excellent garden-themed gift shop.
139 locals recommend
Cleveland Botanical Garden
11030 East BlvdBeautiful outdoor gardens and a huge glasshouse with a tropical rain forest alive with fluttering butterflies. Walk through a door into a desert environment filled with cacti, lizards and their friends.
Take in seasonal special exhibits of art and specialty plants (orchids, succulents, etc.) and browse the excellent garden-themed gift shop.
With a brand-new look, the museum is open and welcoming. See huge dinosaur skeletons, fossils, moon rocks, a planetarium and much more.
148 locals recommend
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
1 Wade Oval DrWith a brand-new look, the museum is open and welcoming. See huge dinosaur skeletons, fossils, moon rocks, a planetarium and much more.
Just a few blocks from our house you'll find this small art museum in a renovated electrical transformer station from the days of streetcars. The museum has four shows a year and is now officially part of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Always interesting—and free.
25 locals recommend
Transformer Station
1460 W 29th StJust a few blocks from our house you'll find this small art museum in a renovated electrical transformer station from the days of streetcars. The museum has four shows a year and is now officially part of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Always interesting—and free.
A small gem of a building is near its more famous cousin the Cleveland Museum of Art but very different in nearly every other way. The art is unexpected and unpredictable, and changes several times a year. As a non-collecting museum MOCA doesn't have a permanent collection. Instead curators choose mostly young, up-and-coming artists and give them free rein of one or more of its three galleries. You're never sure what you'll experience when you visit, but I've rarely been disappointed.
48 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland
11400 Euclid AveA small gem of a building is near its more famous cousin the Cleveland Museum of Art but very different in nearly every other way. The art is unexpected and unpredictable, and changes several times a year. As a non-collecting museum MOCA doesn't have a permanent collection. Instead curators choose mostly young, up-and-coming artists and give them free rein of one or more of its three galleries. You're never sure what you'll experience when you visit, but I've rarely been disappointed.
Music/performance
Just around the corner you'll find a small jazz club with terrific sight lines and acoustics. Local and touring acts play weekends and some weeknights. Your dollars spent here support The Music Settlement, a nonprofit whose goal is to help people "learn, create, inspire and heal."
BOP STOP @ The Music Settlement
Just around the corner you'll find a small jazz club with terrific sight lines and acoustics. Local and touring acts play weekends and some weeknights. Your dollars spent here support The Music Settlement, a nonprofit whose goal is to help people "learn, create, inspire and heal."
Music on the river! Two stages/venues: a large concert hall and a smaller supper club on the banks of the Cuyahoga. Local and national groups, all types of music: folk, rock, jazz, acoustic, world, and lots of tribute bands. Excellent acoustics/sound.
12 locals recommend
Music Box Supper Club
1148 Main AveMusic on the river! Two stages/venues: a large concert hall and a smaller supper club on the banks of the Cuyahoga. Local and national groups, all types of music: folk, rock, jazz, acoustic, world, and lots of tribute bands. Excellent acoustics/sound.
You'll have to travel a bit (20 min) to the East Side of Cleveland to find this great concert hall in an old-school Croatian club building. For nearly 25 years the Beachland has hosted The Black Keys, The Cramps, Guided by Voices, and The White Stripes along with artists and bands of all sorts of genres. Check out their calendar to see what's in store.
41 locals recommend
Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
15711 Waterloo RdYou'll have to travel a bit (20 min) to the East Side of Cleveland to find this great concert hall in an old-school Croatian club building. For nearly 25 years the Beachland has hosted The Black Keys, The Cramps, Guided by Voices, and The White Stripes along with artists and bands of all sorts of genres. Check out their calendar to see what's in store.
Food shopping
Small grocery that sells locally grown/produced food. Best source for pasture-raised chicken, turkey, eggs, grass-fed beef, milk, yogurt, artisanal cheese and much more. They make their own sausage, bacon, pate, etc. in-house. Fruits and vegetables vary seasonally as all come from with 75 miles of Cleveland. In winter you can buy frozen corn, strawberries, beans, etc. from the previous summer's harvest.
13 locals recommend
Ohio City Provisions
3208 Lorain AveSmall grocery that sells locally grown/produced food. Best source for pasture-raised chicken, turkey, eggs, grass-fed beef, milk, yogurt, artisanal cheese and much more. They make their own sausage, bacon, pate, etc. in-house. Fruits and vegetables vary seasonally as all come from with 75 miles of Cleveland. In winter you can buy frozen corn, strawberries, beans, etc. from the previous summer's harvest.
Cleveland's 111-year-old municipal market is definitely worth a visit (closed Tues & Thurs). Outdoor vendors sell fruit & veggies of all kinds, maple syrup, flowers, etc. Indoor stands specialize in meat, dairy/cheese, fish, bread & pastries, etc.
When you're inside, be sure to look up at the beautiful ceiling.
Take-out food includes Frank's Bratwurst (great sandwich!), Steve's Gyros (usually a long line), Crepes Deluxe (yum) and more.
For a sit-down meal, the West Side Market Cafe in the SE corner has great food (sourced from the market, natch) plus beer & wine.
Before you go ask us for our printed list/map of favorite vendors!
366 locals recommend
West Side Market
1979 W 25th StCleveland's 111-year-old municipal market is definitely worth a visit (closed Tues & Thurs). Outdoor vendors sell fruit & veggies of all kinds, maple syrup, flowers, etc. Indoor stands specialize in meat, dairy/cheese, fish, bread & pastries, etc.
When you're inside, be sure to look up at the beautiful ceiling.
Take-out food includes Frank's Bratwurst (great sandwich!), Steve's Gyros (usually a long line), Crepes Deluxe (yum) and more.
For a sit-down meal, the West Side Market Cafe in the SE corner has great food (sourced from the market, natch) plus beer & wine.
Before you go ask us for our printed list/map of favorite vendors!
Part of a small local chain, Dave's is a cornerstone of this neighborhood. A full-service grocery store including bakery, deli, fresh subs (way better than Subway!), salads, fried chicken, pizza and much more. Some organic food and dairy.
Good beer/wine selection and State Liquor store for the hard stuff.
64 locals recommend
Dave's Markets Ohio City
2700 Carroll AvePart of a small local chain, Dave's is a cornerstone of this neighborhood. A full-service grocery store including bakery, deli, fresh subs (way better than Subway!), salads, fried chicken, pizza and much more. Some organic food and dairy.
Good beer/wine selection and State Liquor store for the hard stuff.
European-style pastry hand-crafted in their tiny shop. The Napoleons are fantastic - thick layers of custard and whipped cream separated by thin layers of puff pastry. And the Chocolate Mocha cup, creamy chocolate mousse in a dark chocolate shell, is divine. Also Dobos tortes and other Hungarian specialties. Just a block from the WSM, Farkas is usually open during Market hours.
Farkas Pastry Shoppe
2700 Lorain AveEuropean-style pastry hand-crafted in their tiny shop. The Napoleons are fantastic - thick layers of custard and whipped cream separated by thin layers of puff pastry. And the Chocolate Mocha cup, creamy chocolate mousse in a dark chocolate shell, is divine. Also Dobos tortes and other Hungarian specialties. Just a block from the WSM, Farkas is usually open during Market hours.
Getting Around
A 10-minute walk gets you to the Ohio City RTA station. Hop on a train west and get to the airport in about 20 minutes. Head east and in 5 min. you'll be in the heart of downtown at the Tower City station.
All-day tickets are about $5 and there's a pretty good network of trains and buses to get you around.
18 locals recommend
W.25-Ohio City Station
A 10-minute walk gets you to the Ohio City RTA station. Hop on a train west and get to the airport in about 20 minutes. Head east and in 5 min. you'll be in the heart of downtown at the Tower City station.
All-day tickets are about $5 and there's a pretty good network of trains and buses to get you around.
Parks and Recreation
Enjoy Lake Erie! Less than 2 miles away, easy to walk/bike to via the Lakefront Bikeway. Beautiful beach, walking/running trails, picnic tables, fishing and occasional surfing when the wind and waves are just right.
Edgewater Park
Enjoy Lake Erie! Less than 2 miles away, easy to walk/bike to via the Lakefront Bikeway. Beautiful beach, walking/running trails, picnic tables, fishing and occasional surfing when the wind and waves are just right.
A spectacular rock-climbing/bouldering gym inside a renovated former Masonic Temple. Open 7 days a week. Day passes available.
Cleveland Rocks Climbing
A spectacular rock-climbing/bouldering gym inside a renovated former Masonic Temple. Open 7 days a week. Day passes available.
Not far from the West Side Market you can take the Lake Link Trail that connects to the Towpath Trail heading 100 miles south to Zoar, Ohio.
Towpath Trail
Not far from the West Side Market you can take the Lake Link Trail that connects to the Towpath Trail heading 100 miles south to Zoar, Ohio.
Less than a mile away, this smaller, less-crowded alternative to Edgewater Park has a small beach, picnic tables, wooded areas plus the Cuyahoga River on its eastern boundary. Walk along the river out to the elegant former Coast Guard station for beautiful sunset views.
9 locals recommend
Wendy Park
2800 Whiskey Island DrLess than a mile away, this smaller, less-crowded alternative to Edgewater Park has a small beach, picnic tables, wooded areas plus the Cuyahoga River on its eastern boundary. Walk along the river out to the elegant former Coast Guard station for beautiful sunset views.
On the banks of the Cuyahoga River, in the shade of the Detroit Superior Bridge high overhead, this attractive small park marks the spot where the Ohio & Erie Canal used to connect with the river. As of 2024 it's the northern end of the Towpath Trail which runs 100 miles south to Zoar, Ohio.
Canal Basin Park
On the banks of the Cuyahoga River, in the shade of the Detroit Superior Bridge high overhead, this attractive small park marks the spot where the Ohio & Erie Canal used to connect with the river. As of 2024 it's the northern end of the Towpath Trail which runs 100 miles south to Zoar, Ohio.
Professional sports
Just across the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge is the home of the Cleveland Guardians baseball team. Less than 2 miles away.
186 locals recommend
Progressive Field
2401 Ontario StJust across the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge is the home of the Cleveland Guardians baseball team. Less than 2 miles away.
Home of the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA team and the Cleveland Monsters AHL hockey team. Less than 2 miles away.
162 locals recommend
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
1 Center CourtHome of the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA team and the Cleveland Monsters AHL hockey team. Less than 2 miles away.