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Local Love & Wanderlust | Cleveland Travel Blog

Cleveland, Ohio Travel Guides

Things to Do, Eat & Explore

Whether you’re planning your first trip to Cleveland, Ohio, or looking for new places to explore close to home, these Cleveland Ohio Travel Guides will help you plan your visit. Discover the best things to do in Cleveland, including neighborhood guides, restaurants, attractions, outdoor adventures, seasonal events, and local favorites throughout the city and surrounding communities.

Explore Cleveland by Neighborhood

Cleveland is a city of unique neighborhoods, each with its own personality, history, and local favorites. From museums and attractions, incredible food, waterfront views, nightlife, or a walkable afternoon adventure, these neighborhood guides will help you plan your visit.


Downtown Cleveland

Cleveland’s downtown has transformed over the past decade and continues to grow with new restaurants, hotels, attractions, and experiences. Spend the night at Ohio’s only Michelin Key hotel, explore the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, catch a Broadway show in the country’s second-largest theater district, or enjoy dinner at one of the city’s acclaimed restaurants. Downtown Cleveland packs a lot into a walkable area.

This guide is currently being refreshed. In the meantime, check out my post on the must-visit Cleveland destinations, most of which are downtown!

Ohio City

Just across the Cuyahoga River from Downtown, Ohio City blends historic character with a lively food, drink, and arts scene. Wander through the over 100-year-old West Side Market, grab a beer from one of the neighborhood’s many breweries, browse local boutiques, or enjoy award-winning restaurants and year-round events. Whether visiting for the first time or looking for a new favorite place, Ohio City is always worth a visit.

DISCOVER OHIO CITY

University Circle

University Circle is Cleveland’s cultural heart, home to world-class museums, beautiful architecture, universities, and some of the city’s most inspiring spaces. Visit the Cleveland Museum of Art, stroll through Wade Oval, explore nearby gardens and parks, and discover incredible restaurants and cafés throughout the neighborhood.

EXPLORE THE CIRCLE

Tremont

Tremont is one of Cleveland’s most beloved neighborhoods, where historic architecture, local art, locally loved restaurants, and city views come together. Explore beautiful churches, galleries, unique shops, and some of the city’s most talked-about restaurants. Don’t miss the famous Leg Lamp from A Christmas Story or a visit to the actual house featured in the movie.

See Tremont
Exterior photo of neighborhood sidewalk

Detroit Shoreway

Detroit Shoreway is a neighborhood full of personality, from the vintage shops and local restaurants of Gordon Square to lakefront views and creative spaces. Catch a show at the Capitol Theatre, browse local businesses, and see why this area has become one of Cleveland’s most exciting places to spend an afternoon or evening.

SAVOR THE SHOREWAY

Lakewood

Just west of Cleveland, Lakewood offers the perfect mix of neighborhood charm and city energy. Spend time along the Lake Erie shoreline, explore parks and walking paths, or wander through lively streets filled with locally owned restaurants, shops, and businesses. With a strong sense of community and fewer chain stores, Lakewood has a personality all its own.

DISCOVER LAKEWOOD

The Great Cleveland Outdoors

Cleveland isn’t just a city; it’s an outdoor destination too. From Lake Erie beaches and waterfront trails to thousands of acres of protected parkland, there are plenty of ways to enjoy nature without leaving the area. Explore the Cleveland Metroparks, discover waterfalls and hiking trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, or find your own favorite spot along the North Coast.

Lake Erie
Cleveland
Metroparks
Cuyahoga Valley
National Park

Seasonal & Holiday Cleveland Guides

Valentine’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day
Mardi Gras
Spring
(coming soon)
Autumn
Halloween
Winter
Christmas

@LOCALLOVEANDWANDERLUST

‼️Halloween fans in CLE, You’re going to want to s ‼️Halloween fans in CLE, You’re going to want to save this post! 👻

I just love a good Halloween pop-up bar 🎃🍷 And this year, there are SO many in and around Cleveland!

Whether you love an all-out spooky transformation or just a few Halloween touches, there’s a pop-up for you! Which one(s) are you going to this season?👇

🕸️ OPEN FOR SPOOKY SEASON

🤡 CarnEvil — @amicisfam 📍North Royalton
💀Death Proof — @proofpublichouse 📍Ohio City
⚜️ Nightmare on Bourbon Street — @bourbonstreetbarrelroom 📍Tremont
👻 Brews & Boos — @brew.garden.strongsville 📍Strongsville
🎃 Halloween Bar —  @clandestinacle 📍Ohio City
😱 Nightmare on the Corner — @atclakewood 📍Lakewood
🍕Halloween Pop-Up —  @dannyboyspizzaco 📍Multiple Locations
👻 The Spookeasy — @westelswlby 📍Willoughby
🗡️Slay —  @jackclecasino 📍Downtown
🍷The Speakeasy —  @seeingdoublecle 📍North Olmsted

🦇 LIMITED-TIME POP-UPS
🍻 Nightmare After the First Pour — @glbcbrewpub📍Ohio City
🧛🏻‍♀️Vamp Quench Your Thirst —  @oldschoolpizzaandwings📍Parma
🤠 Wanted Dead or Alive —  @jolenescle📍Downtown
🍸 Boos & Views — @bar32cleveland📍Downtown
 🎃 All Hallows Eve —  @societyspeakeasyon4th 📍Downtown

🎟️ TICKETED EXPERIENCES
🐻 5 Nights at Jolly’s —  @jollyspizzaroyalton 📍North Royalton
🧟 The Nightmare Bar —  @adamosbrookpark 📍Brook Park

👻 JUST A LITTLE DRIVE AWAY
🦌Nightmare Before Blitzen’s  @blitzenspopupbar 📍Hudson
🐔 Spooky Coop  @orchardbarandtable 📍Catawba Island
🔀 Twisted Cafe @twistedcafe 📍Canton

🕷️ SPOOKY DECOR STOPS
These aren’t pop-ups but have a Halloween vibe
🎪 Spirit Room @the_spirit_roomcle 📍Cleveland Heights

Let me know if I missed any! 🖤

🎃 Dates and availability vary, so check with each spot before heading out!

#halloweenpopupbar #cleveland #halloween
Meet Death Proof, a gothic-inspired pop-up bar ins Meet Death Proof, a gothic-inspired pop-up bar inside @proofpublichouse a punk rock-inspired restaurant, with spooky cocktails, creepy garnishes, and fall-inspired menu. 🖤🎃 *[hosted]

The decor is subtle but creative, with the drinks really bringing the spooky vibes. We tried the Ohio Corn dip and it was 💯 and had a nice spicy kick to it. 

For drinks, we had Rip Her to Shreds and Rotten Apple. These are some thoughtfully crafted cocktails. They even have a few mocktail options. 🙌

If you’re looking for a fun excuse to get into the Halloween spirit in Cleveland’s Ohio City, add this one to your list. 🎃

*Proof invited us to check out the pop-up and treated us to a couple of cocktails and an appetizer to try. All opinions are my own.

#cleveland #ohiocity #halloween #halloweenpopupbars #halloweenincleveland @ohiocityinc
NYC pizza in Cleveland?? 🗽🍕 October is National P NYC pizza in Cleveland?? 🗽🍕

October is National Pizza Month, so let’s talk about a NEW pizza spot just east of Downtown Cleveland! 

One of our favorites, @lapecorapizzabar just opened an NYC-style slice shop next door to their original location in Larchmere, and they took the NYC inspiration VERY seriously.

The sourdough starter for these pizzas will be fed with NYC tap water. Literally. Now THAT is some dedication to the pizza. Respect. 🙌

We stopped by during the soft opening a few days ago (as we do with any of their restaurants because 🫶) to check out the new space and taste-test some slices. We even got to try the bolognese pasta, which happens to be my favorite pasta sauce, and had such a good flavor.

If you’ve seen me raving about La Pecora Pizzabar before, you know we already love their original spot. Now we’re going to have a hard time deciding which side to visit!

🇮🇹 The original: Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pizza with softer crust?

✨or✨

🗽 The new spot: NYC-inspired sourdough slices with a thin, crispy crust? 

So, which are you choosing: NYC slices or Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza? 🗽🇮🇹👇

📍 La Pecora Pizzabar,
 12712 Larchmere Blvd Cleveland, OH#

*we were treated to some slices and pasta from the first half of the video, but all opinions are my own. 

Follow owner Juan @lapecorapizzabar as he shares all about the pizza making process and shows off all their delicious styles, experiments, and new items. 

Be sure to follow me @localloveandwanderlust for all things pizza, small biz 🫶, Cleveland, & travel inspiration.

#larchmereboulevard #clevelandohio #nycpizza #ohio nationalpizzamonth
Fave Fall hikes & views in Cleveland 🍁🥾📸 I’d tak Fave Fall hikes & views in Cleveland 🍁🥾📸 

I’d take you here if you…

💪 Want a good workout
📸 Love incredible views from above
🍁 Chase colorful fall foliage
🥾 Like a hike you can customize

The Fort Hill Steps feature 155 steps and a 90-foot elevation gain, rewarding you with sweeping views of the fall colors and the Cuyahoga River. 🍂

Keep going to explore the Fort Hill Trail, a 0.75-mile loop that’s easy to customize. Want to hike a little farther? Connect to other nearby trails winding through Rocky River Reservation.

It’s one of my favorite areas in the Cleveland Metroparks! ❤️ Have you done this iconic fall hike in Cleveland?

📍 Rocky River Reservation @clevemetroparks 

Peak fall color in NE Ohio looks like it’s late October into early November this year. Time to plan those fall hikes & views.

#clevelandmetroparks #fallhikes #ohio forthillsteps rockyriverreservation

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