What is there to do in downtown Cleveland and the surrounding area? (Westlake: 2015, rentals)

[mjnoles1]

Everyone keeps telling me that there is nothing downtown Cleveland, it is just business. I am from Miami/Fort Lauderdale and there is a lot to do downtown. Does Cleveland truly have nothing downtown that is entertaining as in walking, shops, restaurants, museums? An example that more people might realize what I am referring to, like New York City you go downtown and there is a lot of entertainment. Is that not the case here?

Also, I went to Crocker Park in Westlake and really enjoyed that. Is there anything else similar in the surrounding area?

I specifically live in Mayfield Heights, if that helps to direct me.

[bjimmy24]

Living in the suburbs is a terrible way to get to know anything about the city. A lot of people in Mayfield especially, from having had a couple good friends from there, have no idea about anything further in than Beachwood mall.

There are some awesome restaurants on E. 4th street. The rock hall is on the lake. The casino is at public square. W. 6 and w. 9 are nothing but bars, restaurants, and clubs. Cavs and monsters games are really frequent at the question now and are lots of fun. I am in awe of the developments in the flats. Lots of huge bars there now. And the aquarium is in the flats too. Playhouse square always has shows going on if you're into theatre.

No nice way to say it: the people you talk to are clueless. I guess there aren't a lot of museums or arts downtown, but they aren't far away- university circle could be a whole additional thread. Go look up some stuff on the streets I mentioned and get down there yourself. Ohio City is right across the river too if the downtown scene isn't for you (I'm a bigger fan of Ohio city nightlife myself, but downtown could be better, depending on what you are looking for).

Have fun!

[Cleverfield]

What kind of things are you into? Cleveland has something for everybody. If you liked Crocker Park, Legacy Village is similar, and closer to Mayfield Heights.

[WRnative]

Legacy Village and the adjacent Beachwood Mall are the upscale shopping district of northern Ohio.

Here is a good travel article on things to do downtown and in University Circle and in the Market District.

Cleveland: Tips for Visiting Cleveland - TripAdvisor

There's a linked article there on dining in Cleveland and also on day trips from the Cleveland area. E.g., you should check out the nearby Cleveland Metroparks and Holden Arboretum in Kirtland.

You can search Yelp, tripadvisor, etc. on a search engine such as Google to find restaurants in Cleveland or any suburb. E.g., "tripadvisor.com restaurants Mayfield Hts."

Use the city-data.com search engine for Cleveland to search for threads on things to do or restaurants, or just read through this forum for the last couple years.

You shouldn't be bored.

[teacherdad]

I actually thought this post was sarcastic when I first read.... "nothing to do downtown.."

You have 4 major sports teams:
football
baseball
bball
hockey

Too many theatres to name (live theatre, not the kind where you get a 60oz bucket of popcorn).

Comedy club

MANY places to eat

Lots of places to just walk and view the architecture and shoreline.

Museums just outside downtown proper.

I question the people that told you there was nothing to do.

[costello_musicman]

Here are my top overall suggestions for Downtown and the surrounding areas:

1) Playhouse Square -- gorgeous theaters showing Broadway shows... In fact only a handful of other cities have showing that last 3 weeks... LA, San Fran, DC:

KeyBank Broadway Series expanding run of shows from two to three weeks in 2016-17 season at Playhouse Square | cleveland.com

2) Breweries (Downtown and Ohio City):

- Great Lakes Brewery
- Portside Brewery
- Butcher and the Brewer
- Brick and Barrel
- Nano Brew
- Market Garden
- Platform Brewing

A few more coming soon (Hansa Brewing, Gypsy Brewing, Goldhorn Brewery)

3) Pickwick and Frolic Hilarities comedy club
4) Sporting Events

- NBA (Cavs)
- MLB (Indians)
- NFL (Browns)
- Arena Football (Gladiators)
- AHL Hockey (Monsters)
- DI NCAA (Cleveland State Vikings... Basketball)

5) Concerts

- House of Blues
- Q
- Wolstein Center
- Playhouse Square

6) 24-hr Horseshoe Casino
7) Restaurants 80+?
8) Bars 40+? Including some cool rooftop
9) IMAX Theater at Great Lakes Science Center
10) Tower City Center mall and movie theater
11) Asiatown restaurants and shopping
12) Cleveland Aquarium
13) Jet ski, kayak rentals at the Rock Hall and on in the West Bank of the flats
14) Fun entertainment venues like Punch Bowl Social and Corner Alley
15) Rock and Roll HOF and "A Christmas Story" House
16 Tremont trendy boutique shopping, restaurants and bars
17) Westside Market!!!
18) Mitchell's Ice Cream HQ
19) Edgewater Park, Wendy Park, Whiskey Island (sand volleyball, Cleveland intramurals leagues)
20) Yearround Festivals and Events

I would check out E.4th area Downtown, Tremont, and the Flats East Bank.

For sheer shopping , Legacy Village near you is great.

If you haven't already, check out Coventry (at Mayfield Rd south) and University Circle's Uptown area.

[Minervah]

I suggest the OP get on a trolley downtown and take a ride. I went downtown just by myself one day soon after I first arrived in Cleveland. I walked around until I got tired. I noticed a trolley and hopped on. I told the driver I was new to the city and he pointed out places that were worthwhile looking at. Then he left me off at another boarding point and I did the same thing on another trolley.

Others on the trolley gave me all kinds of information as to where to go and what to do downtown.

Great way for a downtown tour, one of the nicest I've ever taken and free.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by Minervah

I suggest the OP get on a trolley downtown and take a ride. I went downtown just by myself one day soon after I first arrived in Cleveland. I walked around until I got tired. I noticed a trolley and hopped on. I told the driver I was new to the city and he pointed out places that were worthwhile looking at. Then he left me off at another boarding point and I did the same thing on another trolley.

Others on the trolley gave me all kinds of information as to where to go and what to do downtown.

Great way for a downtown tour, one of the nicest I've ever taken and free.

That ride was my first reintroduction to Cleveland when I arrived in town via Megabus the morning of September 1. I picked it up at the Stephanie Tubbs-Jones Transportation Center where Megabus had let me off. I was a little lost right there as I didn't have a clue how I was going to get to Public Square and then over to my hostel in Ohio City with all my luggage, as I wasn't entirely sure where I was, nor did I have the right change for a bus. Then the "Smile and Ride Free" bus showed up, and it was a godsend. Great tour of downtown Cleveland, too!

[Minervah]

And P.S.

You really don't have to smile but it's hard not to.

[Cleveland_Collector]

Originally Posted by mjnoles1

Everyone keeps telling me that there is nothing downtown Cleveland, it is just business.

Then, everyone you know is either completely oblivious or just lying to you. My recommendation is that you stop talking to them immediately.

But, seriously, how would a city which has 3 top-tier sports teams (and at least 2 other mid-tier teams) which play a combined 132 games (minimum) in the downtown area have "nothing" to do? Add to that the RnR Hall of Fame, Playhouse Square, the Great Lakes Science Center, the concert venues, the comedy venues, the casino, 250 or so coffee shops, bars and restaurants, etc., why would you even think to ask such a question? Google is your friend.

But, if you need it served up personally, it's fairly obvious which posters will steer you in the right direction.