Cleveland is the type of city you never choose to visit. Cleveland is the place you win a free vacation to on a game show or drive through just to get to Chicago. Cleveland takes its fame for the Cleveland Browns, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and bad weather. I got the chance to live there during my time in college, and I have to say, I fell in love with the city. While I explored dozens of places and ate SO much food, what makes the city so great is the people. They have funny accents and silly personalities, but they’re the most loyal and friendly people you will meet. It’s a place to go when you need a lifelong friend.
*Stayed tuned for a post about the best food in Cleveland!!
1. Lake Erie Pier- Voinovich Bicentennial Park
This is hands down my favorite spot in Cleveland. I am a sucker for a good sunset and this spot is gorgeous at sundown. Sometimes I would just sit on the bench and read my bible or sit in my car when it’s chilly to listen to some music. The view of the sun reflecting off the lake and the sailboats reminds me of how beautiful this world is.
2. Terminal Tower Observation Deck
It’s easy to feel small in a city with so many large buildings. I came across this destination mostly by accident. You can take an elevator to the top of Terminal Tower in Downtown Cleveland. They sell tickets on Eventbrite for $5 and rarely advertise about it. Find them here.
*That pretty water you can see in this photo is called the Cuyahoga River. It caught on fire about 20 years ago. Yes, you heard that right, the water caught on fire. It’s actually what Cleveland is probably most famous for. Just last year they lifted the fishing ban on the river. Read more here.
3. Abandoned Westinghouse Building
When you search for places to visit in Cleveland, this is the last place you will see on one of those lists. I enjoy taking photos of abandoned buildings, and this is a regular spot for Cleveland based photographers. I usually park at the gas station around the corner.
4. Street Art in Ohio City
Ohio City has changed so much, even during the past three years I lived there. Like many areas in Cleveland, they’re very gentrified, Ohio City being one of them. The one perk of this though is the street art. Here are just a few.
5. 5th Street Arcade, Downtown Cleveland
I know this isn’t a typical vacation guide, but I had to add this spot. The architecture inside is a must-see. I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw a wedding going on inside. Here is a bit of history from their website:
“Years ago, these historic shopping arcades served as vibrant indoor streetscapes filled with shops and activity, a welcomed escape from the brisk winter chill that accompanies a Cleveland winter. Over the years, business declined and the arcades lost their luster, struggling in recent years to maintain occupancy levels above 50%.”
Unfortunately, this location is still struggling to be a shopping spot. Most of it remains vacant. But the gorgeous architecture makes up for this lack of traffic inside the building. Due to the Cleveland economy and increase of construction downtown, this place will be up and running in no time.
*No, there are no Arcade Games in this building
6. West Side Market
Lastly, the best spot in Cleveland for meat, fruits, and veggies: West Side Market. A must-visit for any tourist and local, this building is filled with local vendors. I love to get a homemade crepe presented in a red and white checkered crepe holder as well as the stuffed peppers from one of the meat vendors. Make sure you find the stairs in the back corner so you can get one of these pretty pictures! Read more about its history here.
Please follow or leave comments below if you’d like some more info about these spots or just Cleveland in general!