The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Cleveland, Ohio Now
WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2022 • 4 min read
Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland has world-class experiences without the world-class ego. Not only is it a culinary mecca and an outdoor adventurer's paradise—Cleveland still manages to maintain a small town feel amongst the hustle and bustle you’d expect in a big city.
Image courtesy of Visit Cleveland
1. THE SHOPPING
Modeled after the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy—The Arcade opened in 1890 and was America's inaugural indoor shopping center. “Cleveland’s Crystal Palace,” as it was known then, is the city’s first building to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places and plays a vital part in the history of Cleveland.
The Arcade in Cleveland, Ohio
The Arcade’s historic wrought iron balconies and stunning glass atrium ceiling infuse a modern shopping experience with a sense of timelessness and romance. Two levels of bright, walkable spaces and a diverse collection of shops and services—from spas to sweets to designer jewelry—come together to create downtown Cleveland’s most unique retail destination. Enjoy on-site valet parking or self-parking steps away on Euclid Avenue or 6th Street.
2. THE ART
For nearly 50 years, the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland has been unlike any other cultural institution in Cleveland. Instead of featuring a permanent collection, the museum changes up its exhibitions three times a year. The building is a work of art in and of itself—the mirror-like, 34,000 square foot, glass and steel urban jewel rises out of nowhere at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Mayfield Road in University Circle.
Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland in Cleveland, Ohio
Once inside the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, climb the angular, zig-zagging main staircase to get a completely different perspective on the structure. The best part? The museum is free. Start your public art appreciation in Ohio City. Highlights near the Shoreway include the “Love Doves” mural and a giant “ode to Prince”—both labors of love by local artists.
For some global flavor, don’t miss the “Flying Tiger” mural created by Italian-born German artist Michela Picchi. The Ohio City art appreciation tour continues in Hingetown along Church Avenue, where Mike Sobeck’s “Pizza” mural provides a visual dose of gooey goodness and Joe Lanzilotta’s bright yellow mural provides food for thought with dozens of floating heads.
3. THE COCKTAILS & CUISINE
Tucked away in Downtown Cleveland’s Warehouse District, Mallorca is proud to present the cuisine of Spain and Portugal prepared by their award-winning chef. With a dinner menu among the most awarded in the city, portions are very generous so come hungry because like a visit to the “Casa de Abuela,” (Grandma’s house), no one ever leaves hungry. Relax in a refined, romantic ambiance while knowledgeable and attentive waiters glide between tables laughing and whispering with diners. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying the savory, ferocious and full-bodied White Champagne Sangria—concocted with Spanish Brandy, Patron Citronage, fresh apples, oranges and Spanish Champagne.
Mallorca in Cleveland, Ohio
Offering foods from the land and the sea, Mallorca features some of the most famous cuisine from the peninsula. Your dinner experience will be long and leisurely and allows for the enjoyment of good company and a cuisine based on a healthy Mediterranean diet—favorite traditional dishes include their signature Paella with chicken, chorizo, mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops, and lobster over saffron rice roasted for hours in a port wine madeira sauce, Stuffed Shrimp with mascarpone cheese and crabmeat, Sole Stuffed Salmon with spinach and topped in white champagne sauce, as well as Pork Chops with their famous garlic sauce.
Take the time to indulge your sweet tooth and enjoy one of many decadent desserts and make sure you pair it with one of their flaming coffee drinks prepared table side. Hungry yet?
4. THE GARDENS
For more than a generation the Cleveland Botanical Garden has been a lush, beautiful and peaceful urban sanctuary in University Circle. It's filled to the brim with plants and flowers from around the globe and is the perfect spot for a little zen. Inside the sprawling Eleanor Armstrong Smith glasshouse you’ll get a glimpse of two worlds under one roof: one half is dedicated to the desert of Madagascar—look for the alien-esque Baobab trees and spiny succulents—the other replicates a Costa Rican Rainforest with lush greenery, including a colossal strangler fig and avocado, coffee, papaya and chocolate trees. Stand still for a bit, and one of the many butterflies floating around might rest on your head or sleeve.
Outside, walk the grounds and take in the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s Japanese, herb, rose, and topiary gardens. There’s a treehouse, hidden paths winding through tall grasses and a misting splash pad fountain. Many of the plants in this area attract native caterpillars, butterflies and birds, so there’s a good chance for close encounters. From January to March is the annual orchid show, OrchidMania. You can kick off the winter doldrums with their annual Spring Blooms show, which runs from April into May, and each fall and winter, the garden hosts its annual holiday event, GLOW.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
In the second half of the 19th century, Mark Twain called Cleveland’s Euclid Avenue “one of the finest streets in America.” By the 1890s, nearly 260 houses lined the avenue known as “Millionaire’s Row,” the largest reaching 50,000 square feet. Here, the world’s first electric streetlight and streetcar appeared. Little evidence of Euclid Avenue’s belle époque remains today. Only nine of the original houses survive. A surviving rival, East Boulevard, is where you will find the Hay-McKinney House. The 20,000 square foot Italian Renaissance villa was designed by the youngest son of President James A. Garfield and was home to the family of Price McKinney, a wealthy industrialist who owned McKinney Steel Co. in the early 20th century.
Hay-McKinney House in Cleveland, Ohio
The Hay-McKinney House is now furnished with period artifacts from the Western Reserve Historical Society collections, ornate yet comfortable. Each room is laid out as it might have been in the late 18th and early 19th century—even the kitchen. Built from Clara’s vision, shaped by the McKinney’s daily life, and furnished by historic Clevelander’s donations, the mansion on East Boulevard is a picture of a city’s rise and the men and women who shaped it. Today, the mansion is the only historic house in Cleveland open for guided tours on a semi-regular basis.
WHERE TO STAY IN CLEVELAND, OHIO
When seeking inspiration for its redesign, The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland simply looked to its surroundings. In the heart of Downtown Cleveland, the hotel brings the city’s history to life through luxury amenities and experiences. The history and spirit of the city breathes new life while modern accommodations use décor and color to reflect the steel-working industry and the beauty of Lake Erie. A convenient location within walking distance of Cleveland, Ohio’s popular stadiums, nightlife, shopping and attractions, including the casino and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum beckons.
