Cleveland/Downtown

For information on getting to Cleveland, see Cleveland#Get in.
Downtown is easily accessible by car and transit. Most of Cleveland's freeways converge toward downtown. Traffic is usually relatively light for an urban area outside of typical weekday commuting hours and special events. Parking in garages and surface lots is plentiful and generally inexpensive compared to larger cities. Street parking is available on some streets. Many hotels and restaurants offer valet service.
By public transit, the RTA Red Line goes between the airport and downtown (Tower City) in approximately 30 minutes. Be sure to check the RTA website as frequent west side track maintenance often necessitates replacing part or all of the route with buses on weekends, which can add several minutes. Most of RTA's bus routes originate downtown, near Tower City, upstairs from the Red Line station.
Cleveland's Amtrak, Greyhound, and Megabus stations are all in the downtown area.

• Public SquareA historic 10-acre plaza in the center of downtown Cleveland.

• Global Center for Health Innovation

  address: 1 St Clair Ave NE
  Open to the public to showcase the state of the art in medical technology.

Historic buildings and architecture

• Terminal Tower Observation Deck

  phone: +1 216 736-7646
  address: 50 Public Sq
  It was the second tallest building in the world when it was built in 1929. Now it's the second tallest building in Cleveland. The building was constructed as the main railroad terminal in Cleveland, and serves as the main hub of the RTA Rapid Lines (below the retail mall levels). Go to the Terminal Tower's observation deck on the 42nd floor to observe the surrounding environs (particularly, Lake Erie, the winding Cuyahoga River, and the juxtaposition of downtown against industrial uses to the south and west). The observation deck is only open on weekends.

• The Arcade

  phone: +1 216-696-1408
  address: 401 Euclid Ave
  Built in 1890 and designed by John Eisenmann. The construction was financed by John D. Rockefeller, Marcus Hanna and several other wealthy Clevelanders of the day. The cost of the project was approximately $875,000 - today it would be impossible to replicate. The inspiration of the project is said to be the Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, Italy. Although pedestrian arcades exist in several North American cities, few - if any, compare to the grandeur of the Arcade in Cleveland. The Arcade was the first building in Cleveland to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The structure features a five-story atrium with extensive metal decorative work. The top floor features gargoyles which circle the entire atrium area. The structure includes the famous skylighted atrium as well as two nine-story towers, one each on Euclid Ave and Superior Ave. In the past decade, the structure was renovated as a Hyatt Regency Hotel.

• Hope Memorial BridgeNamed for the father of Bob Hope, the famous actor/comedian and native Clevelander. Hope Sr. worked on its construction. The bridge is framed by four art deco pylon sculptures portraying the evolution of forms of ground transportation. In addition to a large number of jack-knife and lift bridges along the Cuyahoga, one of the world's few remaining "Swing Bridges" is still in use, connecting the east and west banks of the Flats entertainment district.

• Key Tower

  address: 127 Public Sq
  The tallest building in Ohio, and second-tallest between New York City and Chicago for that matter, designed by Cesar Pelli.

• Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument

  phone: +1-216-621-3710
  address: 3 Public Square
  Designed by prominent Cleveland architect Levi Scofield, this 125 ft tall monument and sculptures honors Cleveland-area Civil War veterans.

Museums

• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

  phone: +1 216 781-ROCK
  address: 751 Erieside Ave
  Located at North Coast Harbor, this glass pyramid was designed by noted architect I.M. Pei and houses a massive collection of rock and roll memorabilia. Cleveland was home to the first Rock concert, the term "Rock and Roll" was coined by a Cleveland DJ and many of the music genre's icons used Cleveland as their springboards. As Rock Inductee, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, has been paraphrased - to become a rock star in the U.S., first, you have to be loved in Cleveland.

• Great Lakes Science Center

  phone: +1 216 694-2000
  address: 601 Erieside Ave
  An interactive science museum with exhibits on topics including clean energy, aerospace engineering, and biomedical technology. Also includes the Steamship Mather, a Great Lakes freighter built in 1925, and an Omnimax domed cinema.

• Steamship William G. Mather Maritime Museum

  phone: +1 216-694-2000
  address: 601 Erieside Ave
  A retired Great Lakes bulk freighter that has been restored as a museum.

• USS Cod

  address: 1089 E 9th St
  A World War II-era submarine open for tours May through September

• Federal Reserve Bank and Money Museum

  address: 1455 E Sixth St
  Exhibits about the history of economics and money in the historic Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. They have a 23-ft money tree, tours, and many interactive exhibits.

• Cleveland Police Museum

  phone: +1 216-623-5055
  address: 1300 Ontario St
  A collection of Cleveland police gear and crime scene artifacts from the 1800s to the modern era. Some of the artifacts include plaster castings of murder victim faces, an early police call box, and artifacts from the Kingsbury Run murders. Has a small gift shop.

• International Women's Air and Space Museum

  phone: +1 216-623-1111
  address: 1501 N Marginal Rd
  A museum dedicated to the preservation of the history of women in aviation and space and the documentation of their continuing contributions today and in the future.

Art

Cleveland has a rich artistic history. In addition to its museums of art, the city boasts a vibrant art community with galleries scattered throughout its trendiest neighborhoods.

• Cleveland Public ArtHeadquartered in Ohio City, this non-profit organization sponsors art projects throughout the city, including the spires and vegetable wall near Progressive Field, the murals on Tremont School, and the Wade Oval gate at the Cleveland Botanical Garden.

• Free StampThis controversial piece of pop art, in Willard Park to the east of City Hall, was commissioned in 1982 and designed by artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen.

• ArtCraft Building

  address: 2570 Superior Ave

• The Bonfoey Gallery

  phone: +1 216 621-0178
  address: 1710 Euclid Ave
  A contemporary art gallery with rotating exhibits that has been in business since 1893.

• Jack Casino Cleveland

  phone: +1 216 297-4777
  In the historic former Higbee's department store on Public Square in downtown Cleveland.

• Playhouse Square CenterThe second-largest performing arts center in the U.S.

• Tower City Cinemas

  phone: +1 216-621-1374
  address: 230 Huron Rd
  Home to the Cleveland International Film Festival, held in March and April

• IngenuityFestA public exhibition of Cleveland's up-and-coming makers and artists. Typically in September or October. Location varies.

• Cleveland National Air ShowAn annual airshow held at Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport.

• Cleveland International Film Festival

Sports

With 4 stadiums downtown, chances are good that there will be at least one sporting event going on during your visit.

• Cleveland Indians baseball

  phone: +1 216 420-4636
  address: 2401 Ontario St
  The Indians play in Progressive Field, a gem of a ballpark in Major League Baseball.

• Cleveland Browns football

  address: 100 Alfred Lerner Way
  The old Browns went to the birds, but the Dawg Pound carries on the tradition of the NFL's staunchest fans! While they haven't won a championship since 1964 and haven't even made the playoffs since 2002, most Browns fans remain loyal. Tailgating parties in the nearby parking lots may be more popular than the games themselves these days. Tickets for most games can be obtained cheaply on resale sites.

• Cleveland Cavaliers basketball

  phone: +1 216 420-2200
  address: 1 Center Ct
  Cleveland's most successful sports franchise as of late with five division titles since 2009 and a league championship in 2016.

• Cleveland Gladiators arena football

  address: 1 Center Ct

• Cleveland Monsters Hockey

  phone: +1 216 420-0000
  address: 1 Center Ct
  AHL affiliate for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Gladiators and Monsters both play in Quicken Loans Arena.

• Cleveland State Vikings

  address: 2000 Prospect Ave
  The sports teams of Cleveland State University, members of the Horizon League with various sports throughout the year. Cleveland State University competes in baseball, basketball, crew, cross country, fencing, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.

Sporting events

• Cleveland MarathonLong-distance runners gather from around the globe each spring to Rock 'n Run downtown. Rock parties are held at the end of the marathon.

• MAC Basketball ChampionshipsThe Mid-American Conference of NCAA Division I college basketball holds its annual men's and women's championships in early March at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to determine the conference's automatic entries into March Madness (the NCAA tournament) for men and women.

• Greater Cleveland Sports CommissionEvery year Cleveland hosts major national and international sports events.

• Tower City Center

  phone: +1 216 771-0033
  address: 230 W Huron Rd
  Downtown Cleveland is home to Tower City Center, a large urban complex, a retail mall, hotels and the Terminal Tower. Shops range from high-end to standard mall franchises. The food court has great views of the river. Tower City is connected by walkway to the Tower City Amphitheater, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and Progressive Field, and the federal courthouse. Rapid Transit lines head west to the airport as well as through University Circle and suburbs to the east, so anyone arriving from the Rapid will walk through the mall.
  
  Tower City has been struggling with the loss of many of its upscale tenants, but it remains one of the largest shopping areas downtown.

• 5th Street Arcades

  address: 530 Euclid Avenue
  Historical buildings featuring a variety of mostly local shops.

• Night MarketBased on traditional Asian night markets, features local craftsmen, food vendors, and bands. See website for dates.

• Galleria at Erieview

  phone: +1 216-861-4343
  address: 1301 E 9th St
  Another complex downtown that includes a popular lunchtime foodcourt. It hosts art galleries and art events.

Budget

• Ontario Street Cafe

  address: 2053 Ontario St
  Old school sandwich shop with a full bar. Cash only.

• Cleveland Pickle

  address: 850 Euclid Ave
  Sandwich shop that makes its own pickles.

• Heinen's Downtown

  address: 900 Euclid Avenue
  A grocery store in the rotunda of a historic bank building, also has a wide variety of prepared foods, an espresso bar, and a wine bar on the 2nd floor balcony.

• Walnut WednesdaysA gathering of food trucks every Wednesday, May-September

Mid-range

• Mallorca

  phone: +1 216 687-9494
  address: 1390 W 9th St
  Excellent Spanish and Portuguese food.

• Pickwick and Frolics

  address: 2035 E 4th St
  Classic American with comedy and dinner theater shows.

• Pura Vida

  address: 170 Euclid Ave
  A wide variety of cuisines with numerous vegetarian and vegan options.

• Hodge's

  address: 668 Euclid Ave
  Burgers and comfort foods.

• Mabel's BBQ

  address: 2050 E 4th St
  Michael Symon's "Cleveland style" BBQ.

• Barrio

  address: 503 Prospect
  Downtown taqueria with build-your-own tacos and margaritas.

• Butcher & The Brewer

  address: 2043 E 4th St
  As the name suggests, they brew their own beer and cut and cure their own meat.

Splurge

• Blue Point Grille

  phone: +1 216 875-7827
  address: 700 W St Clair Ave
  Classy seafood and a large wine list.

• Johnny's Downtown

  phone: +1 216 623-0055
  address: 1406 W 6th St
  Upscale Italian with live piano music.

• Lola Bistro

  address: 2058 E 4th St
  Michael Symon's flagship Cleveland restaurant.

• Sans Souci

  address: 24 Public Square
  French and Mediterranean inspired food in the Renaissance Hotel

• Red: The Steakhouse

  address: 417 Prospect Avenue
  Classic white tablecloth steakhouse. Named one of the top 10 steakhouses in the US by Playboy.

• Alley Cat Oyster Bar

  address: 1056 Old River Rd
  Upscale seafood with a view of the riverfront.

• The Greenhouse Tavern

  address: 2038 E 4th St
  Upscale, modern American cuisine

• House of Blues

  address: 308 Euclid Ave

• Wilbert's

  address: 812 Huron Rd E
  Live blues music.

• Winking Lizard TavernsArea chain known for its World Tour of Beer, as well as solid local food.

• Society Lounge

  address: 2063 E 4th St
  Speakeasy-style bar with craft cocktails and tapas

• Portside Distillery

  phone: +1 216-586-6633
  address: 983 Front Ave
  Brewery and rum distillery. Happy hour Tu-F until 7pm.

• Wild Eagle Saloon

  address: 921 Huron Rd
  Self-serve beer dispensers, live music, and games.

• Masthead Brewing Company

  phone: +1 216 206-6176
  address: 1261 Superior Ave E
  Restaurant/brewery in historic part of town. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Budget

• Comfort Inn - Downtown

  phone: +1 216 861-0001
  address: 1800 Euclid Ave

• Hampton Inn - Downtown

  phone: +1 216 241-6600
  address: 1460 E 9th St

• Holiday Inn Express

  phone: +1 216 443-1000
  address: 629 Euclid Ave
  In the renovated Historic Guardian Bank Building.

Mid-range

• DoubleTree by Hilton

  phone: +1 216 241-5100
  address: 1111 Lakeside Ave E

• Hilton Garden Inn-Gateway

  phone: +1 216 658-6400
  address: 1100 Carnegie Ave

• Marriott at Key Center

  phone: +1 216 696-9200
  address: 127 Public Square

• Hotel Cleveland Gateway

  phone: +1 216 377-9000
  address: 651 Huron Rd
  In the Gateway neighborhood.

• Residence Inn by Marriott

  phone: +1 216 443-9043
  address: 527 Prospect Ave E
  Part of the renovation of the Colonial and Euclid Arcade complex, built in 1898, which joins the Financial District to the Gateway Sports Complex.

• The Westin Cleveland Downtown

  phone: +1 216 771-7700
  address: 777 St Clair Ave NE

• Aloft Cleveland Downtown

  phone: +1-216-400-6469
  address: 1111 West 10th Street
  A modern hotel adjacent to the Flats East Bank.

Splurge

• Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade

  phone: +1-216-575-1234
  address: 420 Superior Ave
  Occupies the two towers and the top three floors of the atrium area. The two lower floors of the atrium area remain open to the public with retail merchants and a food court. In addition, the lobby and offices are located near the Superior Avenue entrance.

• Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

  phone: +1 216 696-5600
  address: 24 Public Square

• The Ritz-Carlton

  phone: +1 216 623-1300
  address: 1515 W 3rd St

• Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square

  phone: +1-216-615-7500
  address: 1260 Euclid Ave
  Numerous attractions nearby. (Note: Serves as the stand-in for the fictional store Drew Carrey works in, on sitcom of same name.)

• Hilton Cleveland Downtown Hotel

  address: 100 Lakeside Ave
  32-story tower near the convention center

• Cleveland Public Library

  phone: +1 216 623-2800
  address: 325 Superior Ave
  Offers public computers, WiFi, Cell Phone charging stations, and a makerspace.

• FedEx Office

  phone: +1 216 589-5679
  address: 1801 East 9th St