Time was when asking someone to spend 48 hours in Cleveland was like asking them to have a root canal sans Novocain. These days, things are quite different: There’s so much going on in Cleveland, two days isn’t nearly enough time to take in all of the city’s sights, sounds, restaurants and entertainment options. While below you’ll find one suggested itinerary for a 48-hour visit, we just as easily could’ve included catching a show at Playhouse Square, taking a stroll along the lakefront near the Rock Hall or in the Metroparks, checking out the resurgence of the Flats or browsing some of the city’s antique shops. But for the weekend visitor, we boiled down the city’s many splendid treasures into a manageable tour de force meant to capture as much of the glorious Forest City as possible. Of course, we recommend spending far longer than 48 hours here — Cleveland’s a bustling urban hotspot ripe for a weeklong sojourn — but if you’re here for a short stay, we have you covered. And we know you’ll want to come back.
Friday
5 p.m.: Hang out at Prosperity Social Club’s happy hour (1109 Starkweather Ave., prosperitysocialclub.com). It doesn’t get much more Cleveland than Tremont’s Prosperity Social Club. The inviting bar and restaurant, which stands in the former home of the legendary circa-1938 bar Dempsey’s Oasis, serves up classic Cleveland comfort food like pierogi, beer-battered fish and stuffed cabbage alongside a rotating craft beer list. Their happy hour is one of the city’s best deals, between the $2 domestic bottles and $4 microbrews, as well as food specials.
6 p.m.: Sip a cocktail at the Spotted Owl (710 Jefferson Ave.,spottedowlbar.com) Mixology is a big deal in Cleveland, thanks to places such as Tremont’s Spotted Owl, located in a former religious publications press built in the mid-1800s. The dark, cozy bar pairs a small selection of wines and beers with artisanal drinks such as Whiskey Fix of the Painproof Man, a fanciful libation containing bourbon, lime, broiled pineapple, artichoke and bitter chocolate.
8 p.m.: Catch a show at Cleveland Public Theatre (6415 Detroit Ave.,cptonline.org) The thriving local theater scene includes independent stalwarts such as Cleveland Public Theatre, which produces thought-provoking plays and actively helps promising local playwrights develop their craft. Highlights of their current season include Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play (subtitled “a post-apocalyptic tale of survival, passion and … the enduring power of Bart Simpson”) and Wrestling Jerusalem, which explores the nuances of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Alternate selection: Check out the world-famous Cleveland Orchestra (11001 Euclid Ave., clevelandorchestra.com/plan-your-visit/severance-hall)
The phrase “cultural institution” is thrown around liberally, but in the case of the Cleveland Orchestra, it fits like a glove. When the renowned, respected musicians aren’t wowing audiences all around the world, they perform at their home base: gorgeous Severance Hall in University Circle.
11 p.m.: Grab a nightcap at Happy Dog (5801 Detroit Ave.,happydogcleveland.com). Quench your late-night hunger with a loaded hot dog (we’re partial to the bourbon pork ‘n’ beans to start) and a heaping helping of tater tots. Chances are, you’ll do so while enjoying live music: The Happy Dog books local and national touring bands on weekends.
Saturday
9:30 a.m.: Brave the crowds at the West Side Market (1979 West 25th St., westsidemarket.org) Saturdays are always hopping at the West Side Market, so head down early, grab some coffee and take a stroll through one of the city’s most eclectic destinations. Bonus: There are plenty of portable treats like local maple syrup, spices, olive oil, popcorn, and delicious baked goods to make the trip worthwhile.
11:30 a.m.: Linger over brunch at the Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Rd., beachlandballroom.com) Not only does the former Croatian Hall book plenty of must-see touring and local bands, but it also has one of the most well-curated, delicious weekend brunch/lunch menus in town. Try the fried chicken and waffles, an egg sandwich on a homemade buttermilk biscuit or a bloody mary garnished with bacon. (The mimosa pitchers are strong, too: Be warned.)
Alternate Choice: Ohio City’s Bon Bon Pastry & Cafe (2549 Lorain Ave.,bonboncleveland.com) is another excellent choice for morning munchies: Their all-day brunch menu features everything from breakfast tacos to vanilla bean french toast, as well as generous vegan/vegetarian options. (Tofu hash with plenty of veggies, anyone?)
1 p.m.: Buy some records at Music Saves (15801 Waterloo Rd.,musicsaves.com) and/or Blue Arrow (16001 Waterloo Rd.,bluearrowrecords.com) Cleveland is a music town through and through. Exhibit A: the sheer number of thriving independent record stores in operation. Two of the best are just down the street from the Beachland on Waterloo Road. The (mostly) vinyl Blue Arrow is a haven for casual fans and crate-diggers alike, while Music Saves is a must-visit if you’re looking for new tunes.
2:15 p.m.: Get a mid-day java jolt at Rising Star Coffee Roasters (1455 West 29th St., risingstarcoffee.com) The Hingetown neighborhood is a thriving haven for entrepreneurs such as Rising Star, whose tiny retail store and coffee shop (located in a firehouse, no less) is a little slice of caffeinated heaven.
3 p.m.: Take a tour of the Great Lakes Brewing Co. (meet at 1951 West 26th St., Suite 100; book in advance greatlakesbrewing.com/brewery-tours) On Fridays and Saturdays, local craft beer behemoth Great Lakes Brewing Co. gives tours of its Ohio City facilities for just $5. As an added bonus: Admission includes four 5-ounce tastings, so you’re guaranteed to leave the place in an, er, spirited mood.
Alternate activity: Visit the Transformer Station (1460 West 29th St.,transformerstation.org) This Cleveland Museum of Art satellite is a hidden gem, with rotating exhibits that tend toward the modern and experimental.
Alternate activity: If the weather’s nice, head over to Lakeview Cemetery, a wondrous treasure on the near-eastside that’s home to the final resting place of President James A. Garfield and hosts of other dignitaries and notables, including John D. Rockefeller, Eliot Ness, Carl B. Stokes and more. The grounds are pristine, the funerary sculpture remarkable, the view of the city unparalleled, and the history unmatched.
5 p.m.: Grab an early dinner at Crop Bistro & Bar (2537 Lorain Ave, Cleveland) Chef Steve Schimoler has opened three new restaurants on the burgeoning Flats East Bank, and another one in University Circle, but his anchor operation is still Ohio City’s Crop Bistro & Bar. The upscale contemporary American restaurant offers a nice selection of artisanal cheeses as a prelude to a generous menu of inventive meat, pasta and seafood entrees.
7 p.m.: Indulge your sweet tooth at Mitchell’s Ice Cream (1867 West 25th St., mitchellshomemade.com) Despite cold temperatures, ice cream is big business here in the C-L-E. Hometown favorite Mitchell’s Ice Cream recently opened a store on Ohio City’s main drag —making it easier than ever to get your chocolate (fudge) on.
Alternate suggestion: Drop by Jukebox (1404 West 29th St.,jukeboxcle.com) Not hungry for dessert? Spend some time perusing the ever-changing, always-interesting selections on the old-school jukebox at this Hingetown bar.
8 p.m.: Bowl at Mahall’s Lanes (13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood,mahalls20lanes.com) Founded in 1924, Mahall’s Lanes is a Cleveland institution with a small (but mighty) selection of beers and 10 charming, old-school bowling lanes. The alley also hosts concerts from up-and-coming indie, punk and rock bands.
9:30 p.m.: Sample a pint or two at Griffin Cider House (12401 Madison Ave., Lakewood, griffinciderworks.com) Griffin Cider is a locally produced, authentic English cider made with plenty of TLC. The company’s recently opened pub offers eight cider and four craft beer taps, an experience which will make you feel like you’re actually drinking in London.
11 p.m.: Scarf down some late-night tacos at Barrio (15527 Madison Ave., Lakewood, barrio-tacos.com) Tacos are the unofficial late-night food — okay, anytime food — of Cleveland. One of the most popular joints is Barrio, which offers customized, build-your-own tacos and a dizzying (pun intended) array of tequila, whiskey and cocktails.
Sunday
9:30 a.m.: Fuel up with breakfast at Lucky’s Cafe (777 Starkweather Ave., luckyscafe.com) Lucky’s Cafe is a go-to brunch/breakfast spot in Cleveland, mainly due to the quality of the food. The charming cafe’s weekend brunch menu is a reliable standby featuring filling sandwiches and morning faves such as biscuits and gravy, a breakfast burrito and homemade granola.
11:30 a.m.: Tour the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (1100 East Ninth St., rockhall.com) No trip to Cleveland is complete without a swing through the Rock Hall, which offers a multi-sensory experience with a deep reverence for history and something for all music fans — whether obsessed with Elvis or beholden to Bowie.
1:30 p.m.: Have a decadent snack at Coquette Patisserie (11607 Euclid Ave., coquettepatisserie.com) Two words about Coquette Patisserie: French pastries. Need we go on? How about this: This quaint uptown bakery and wine bar offers a mouthwatering array of decadent desserts and sweet trifles, including (of course) macarons, marzipan and cream puffs.
Alternate selection: Stroll down Mayfield Road
Pop into any number of bakeries and storefronts in Cleveland’s historic Little Italy neighborhood. Grab a latte, grab some fresh pastries, and enjoy the scenery.
2:30 p.m.: Soak up some culture at the Cleveland Museum of Art(11150 East Blvd., clevelandart.org) Cleveland’s art scene has many underrated, understated galleries and museums to explore; indeed, you could spend the better part of your week exploring those alone. If you only have a few hours, however, a trip to the Cleveland Museum of Art is a must. You won’t be able to see all of the museum’s 30,000 art pieces, but it’s difficult to quibble with only seeing Picasso, Matisse and Warhol on display. Best part? Admission to this world-class museum is free.
5 p.m.: Have an early dinner at the Greenhouse Tavern (2038 East Fourth St., thegreenhousetavern.com) End your weekend in Cleveland with a meal at the Greenhouse Tavern, the beloved restaurant helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Jonathon Sawyer. While you can go whole hog — one of the establishment’s most notorious dishes is a roasted pig’s head — the menu also offers plenty of other inventive spins on hearty American cuisine. Plus you get a chance to check out East Fourth Street in all its glory.
Source: clevescene.com / by Annie Zaleski
