This city has so many things to offer but they’re not always as obvious and in-your-face as other great cities. As a proud Clevelander, I feel responsible to share all the great things about our city with any out-of-towners that I meet.
I’ve been meeting quite a few “tourists” lately – if you can call them that in Cleveland – and my recommendations are always the same. However, I’m constantly digging for scratch paper and rattling off places they “must-try.” But the likelihood anyone can remember all these great places is slim. So, here it is, the one-stop-shop for everything I would want to do if I were on vacation in Cleveland.
West Side Market
The West Side Market, Cleveland’s oldest indoor-outdoor market will celebrate its 100th birthday next year. You’ll find a diverse mix of food items, including rare cuts of meat, seafood, fresh pasta, handmade pierogies, and cheeses.
The West Side Market is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday and is located on the corner of West 25th and Lorain Avenue in Ohio City.
While in Ohio City, also check out:
- Great Lakes Brewing Company: Ohio’s first microbrewery. (2516 Market Avenue)
- Market Garden Brewery: Sam McNulty’s newest addition to the neighborhood, the atmosphere and beautiful beer garden are worth seeing. The beer’s good too! (1947 West 25th)
- Market at the Fig: Artisanal and seasonal prepared foods, sandwiches and salads. (2523 Market Avenue)
- Momocho: “Modern-Mexican” w/ an amazing guacamole menu. There’s usually a two-hour wait so make sure to call ahead for reservations. (1835 Fulton Road)
- Ohio City Farm: Located a few blocks north of the West Side Market and overlooking the city skyline, Ohio City Farm is the largest contiguous urban farm in the nation. (West 24th and Bridge Avenue)
- Bridge Avenue and Franklin Boulevard: These historic streets run parallel to each other. Wander down either or both and admire all the beautifully restored homes.
Prosperity Social Club
Credit: Prospertysocialclub.com
Housed in a 1938 barroom, the atmosphere is warm and the people are friendly. If you’re familiar with Parma, think of it like drinking in a Parma basement – in a good way! Much of the memorabilia on the wood-paneled walls belongs to the owner and her partner, who I hear is a very talented musician.
Prosperity has live music on Thursdays and Saturdays, a hearty menu, board games, bar bowling, and great service.
Prosperity Social Club is located at 1109 Starkweather Avenue.
While in Tremont, also check out:
- LOOP: A hip coffee shop and record store. (2180 West 11th)
- Edison’s Pub: Tremont’s neighborhood bar featuring over 100 beers, live music, and pizza by the slice. I hear Scarlett Johansson played a singer-songwriter night here just a few weeks ago. (2373 Professor Avenue)
- Visible Voice Books: A local bookstore that serves wine. What more could you ask for? (1023 Kenilworth Avenue)
- Sokolowski’s: One of Cleveland’s oldest family-owned restaurants, Sokolowski’s is a cafeteria-style restaurant specializing in Polish and Eastern European cuisine. (1201 University Road)
- A Christmas Story House: Tucked away off a residential side street, this house has been restored to look just like it did in the greatest Christmas movie ever made. (3159 West 11th)
- A Cookie and a Cupcake: I’ve tried all the trendy cupcake bakeries in the area and these are the best. They’re even better than Sprinkles, those chic cupcakes in Beverly Hills that people line up down the street for! (2173 Professor Avenue)
- Lilly Handmade Chocolates: In addition to Lilly’s
gourmet chocolates (i.e. “Hot Mama” with cayenne pepper, Sichuan peppercorn honey and dark chocolate), you’ll find a wall of wines to take home as well as a wall dedicated to hard-to-find microbrews. You purchase each bottle individually so make your own 6-pack – although you’re not limited to just six! Lilly also added a dessert menu recently featuring rich chocolate dishes like the Chocolate Chai Risotto.
***If you appreciate good food and don’t mind spending around $20.00 a plate, every restaurant in Tremont is worth a try. I’d recommend a few of my favorites, but it’s too hard to choose!
Happy Dog
Credit: Happydogcleveland.com
Happy Dog does not consider itself “retro” because the bar actually hasn’t changed since the late 1940s when it was built. A Plain Dealer article once said of the Happy Dog, “New Yorkers blow millions trying to make a new place look this authentic.”
The concept is simple: Hot dogs, beer, and live music. Dogs are $5.00, tater tots are $2.50 and each come with unlimited house-made toppings – there are over 50 toppings on the menu!
There’s live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and oftentimes every other day of the week as well. The only night you won’t find live music is Monday – trivia night! And, it doesn’t get anymore “Cleveland” than DJ Kishka’s monthly Polka Happy Hour.
Happy Dog is located at West 58th and Detroit Avenue.
While in the Detroit Shoreway, also check out:
- Capitol Theatre: This 1920s moviehouse reopened its doors in 2009 and is probably the most beautiful movie theatre you’ll ever see. If it’s your first time at the Capitol, make sure you see the film that’s playing in the main auditorium. (West 65th and Detroit Avenue)
- Sweet Moses: An old fashioned soda shop and homemade ice cream. Sweet Moses opened in 2011 but it feels like it’s been in the neighborhood for the last 80 years. Everything in this soda shop has a story – from the bar to the milkshake machine to the root beer barrel. (6800 Detroit Avenue)
- 78th Street Studios: The former American Greetings Creative Studios building turned art galleries. 78th Street Studios has that gritty industrial warehouse feel mixed with modern art. Check out their Third Friday events. (1300 West 78th Street)
- Tina’s Nite Club: This hole-in-the-wall has cheap beer and karaoke 7 days a week! (West 54th and Herman)
- Reddstone: Located in Battery Park, Reddstone has one of the best patios in Cleveland. (1271 West 76th)
- XYZ Tavern: This hip neighborhood bar was opened in 2011 by the owners of Ohio City’s ABC Tavern. You should check out their whiskey menu. (6419 Detroit Avenue)
Beachland Ballroom and Tavern
Credit: Beachlandballroom.com
An old Croatian Hall turned music venue, the Beachland consists of two stages – the Tavern and Ballroom. In a recent Cleveland Scene article, the band Los Straitjackets describes the Beachland as one of the two best music venues in the world. I can’t argue – I’ve seen shows in a lot of different cities and the best I’ve seen have been at the Beachland.
Also at the Beachland: Sunday Brunch, Swing Brunch, Punk Rock Yoga, Zombie Prom, This Way Out vintage and record shop, and more. Check Facebook for upcoming events.
“I like the Beachland about 8,000 times fucking more“ – Neko Case, at House of Blues on April 23, 2011
While in Collinwood, also check out:
- Music Saves: An independent record store with mostly new vinyl but some used too. (15801 Waterloo)
- Blue Arrow Records: Another independent record store, Blue Arrow has a ton of used vinyl. You may spend all day here. (16001 Waterloo)
- Arts Collinwood: An artists’ hub w/ a gallery, cafe, artists studios, and community space for rehearsals and classes. (15605 Waterloo)
- Native Cleveland: This isn’t your typical souvenir shop. The eclectic t-shirts, artwork, jewelry and home goods are all locally-made. (15813 Waterloo)
The Beachland Ballroom and Tavern is located at 15711 Waterloo.
Presti’s Bakery
Credit: Yelp.com
This bakery has been around since 1903 and in Little Italy since 1943. Growing up we went to Presti’s once a week for their pepperoni rolls and stocked up on extras to take home with us – Wednesdays were the highlight of my week back then!
Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood is very quaint and romantic. One of my favorite things to do when the weather is nice is grab dinner or a pastry and sit on one of the many sidewalk patios that line Mayfield Road.
Presti’s Bakery is located at 12101 Mayfield Road.
While in Littly Italy, also check out:
- Gusto! Ristorante Italiano: Old world Italian food – Best in the city! The owner is a very talented accordion player and may even play tableside for you. Sometimes students from nearby Cleveland Institute of Music will provide beautiful vocals to his music. (12022 Mayfield Road)
- The Alta House: Founded in 1895 by John D. Rockefeller, the world’s first billionaire, the Alta House was a support organization for Italian immigrants.
- Lake View Cemetery: Founded in 1869, Italian gardeners and stonecutters moved to Cleveland to work at the cemetery. The homes they built next to the cemetery still remain today. Lake View Cemetery is the final resting place to many historic leaders, including President James A. Garfield, John D. Rockefeller, and Eliot Ness. If you visit in April, check out Daffodil Hill. (12316 Euclid Avenue)
- Murray Hill: Take a stroll along charming Murray Hill.
University Circle
Credit: Cleveland.com
The largest concentration of cultural institutions in the nation, this vibrant neighborhood is just a short walk from Little Italy and is home to world-class museums, the Cleveland Orchestra, Case Western Reserve University, and University Hospital. The architecture is grand and the landscape is lush, so be sure to explore this neighborhood on foot.
Get around…
You can get almost anywhere in the city by bike or public transit. Luckily our RTA system is pretty easy to navigate. The Euclid Corridor Healthine will take you from Public Square to University Circle; the Rapid rail line will take you to Ohio City, Tower City (downtown), Little Italy, or Detroit Shoreway. Check Google Maps or the TransitGuru app for exact routes or bus lines.
Bike rentals:
Group bike rides are another great way to explore the city. Check out Cleveland Critical Mass, Crank-Set Rides, Ohio City Bike Co-op, or Great Lakes Touring Company for organized rides. The Bike Cleveland Facebook page is always updated with current events.
