Lakeside getaways with world-class style

Perched lakeside on the southern shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland offers a selection of world-class facilities, close proximity to lakeside and natural forest parks, and a wonderful blend of cultural influences to tempt a couples or girls’ getaway visit. Compared to city greats like NYC, San Francisco and Toronto, Cleveland offers the best with underestimated grace.

My visit this past fall allowed me to travel around and through the city to get a feel of the city’s vibe. What a wonderful mix of rural and urban across the city to offer a diversity in restaurants, shopping, walking trails and activities to jazz your getaway adventures. Anthemic to the heart and spirit of Cleveland … as Ian Hunter crafted (while yelling) … “Cleveland Rocks”!

A rockin great time awaits your next getaway adventure - great restaurants, a lively night scene, loads of diverse accommodations and entertaining activities to round out your stay. Choose your faves and hit the streets of Cleveland arm-in-arm …

Where to Eat in Cleveland

TownHall – in the heart of the Ohio City neighborhood, TownHall offers a healthy lifestyle option with it’s a fast-casual café, complete with juice bar, espresso bar, full service dining room, bar, and a dog-friendly patio. The menu is organically driven, sustainable and locally sourced and, TownHall is one of the only restaurants in the country to offer a non-GMO menu.

Tommy’s Restaurant - Head to Tommy’s for a burger and milkshake. Soon after Tommy’s started out as a small soda fountain in 1972, Rolling Stone magazine voted it “Best Milkshake East of the Mississippi.” While the shakes and menu have stayed the same since then, Tommy’s is now in a much bigger venue and is always filled with customers-vegetarians, vegans, meat-eaters, health-conscious and those who are just plain hungry. [Central neighborhood]

Pura Vida - “Pure Life” isn’t just the name of the restaurant; it’s the philosophy behind it. Chef Brandt Evans brings this Pura Vida concept to life in his downtown restaurant serving up a gourmet breakfast, distinctive lunch and an “urban picnic” menu featuring fresh local ingredients from a myriad of trusted local sources. [Downtown neighborhood]

Also consider locally:

• Granite City Food and Brew - for local craft brew and pub fare [Liberty Village]
• West Side Market Cafe – traditional eats within the century old West Side Market
• Greenhouse Tavern – hip and trendy eats by chef Jonathon Sawyer [Downtown]
• Batuqui – authentic Brazilian food served traditionally … and I’m told the passionfruit mousse is highly recommended! [Buckeye Shaker neighborhood]

Where to Sleep in Cleveland

Boutique Hotels and Historic Inns

Glidden House - The Glidden House is an impressive French Gothic mansion built in 1910 by the son of the founder of Glidden Paint and Varnish Company. In the late 1980’s the mansion was converted into Cleveland’s only full-service boutique hotel. Located in University Circle, the 60-room hotel features legendary charm combined with urban design and all of the modern conveniences travelers have come to expect. For more information, check out the Glidden House online or see their TripAdvisor raves.

The Schofield Hotel - Located in the heart of Downtown Cleveland, The Kimpton Schofield Hotel is a $50 million landmark restoration project with 122 rooms and 3,800 square feet of banquet space. The luxury, boutique-style hotel was constructed inside the historic Schofield building with décor that pays homage to the region’s history, as well as the building’s architect Levi Schofield. The hotel also features 24 luxury apartments within the building, as well as a specialty restaurant on the first floor. Excitement is nearby as the hotel is just a few blocks away from attractions such as Playhouse Square, Quicken Loans Arena, and the “jewel of Cleveland’s entertainment district”- East 4th St. For more information, check out the Schofield Hotel online or see their TripAdvisor raves.

J. Palen House - This bed and breakfast located in Ohio City is another one of Cleveland’s treasures. The J. Palen House was built in the 1800s and was originally home to one of the area’s finest brew masters. This lovely Victorian home with its original inlaid wood floors, brick and tile fireplace, two-story stairway stain glass window, gas lighting fixtures, leaded glass French doors, built in cabinets and hidden pocket doors is a tribute to the craftsmanship of its day. For more information, check out the J. Palen House online or see their TripAdvisor raves.

Stone Gables - Visitors can get a little wild in the “jungle room” at Ohio City’s Stone Gables B&B. The large bedroom features a king-sized bed and is encased in a tent. Or, guests can enjoy a night of rest in one of the other four rooms that have been meticulously renovated from the original 1883 mansion. For more information, check out the Stone Gables Inn online or see their TripAdvisor raves.

Washington Place Bistro & Inn - The Washington Place Inn is a well-appointed seven-room inn offering contemporary accommodations and first-class amenities in the historic Little Italy neighborhood, minutes from University Circle, Cleveland’s arts and cultural hub. The adjacent Washington Place Bistro offers modern American fare, featuring local cheeses, produce and meats. For more information, check out the Washington Place Bistro & Inn online or see their TripAdvisor raves.

Where to Play in Cleveland

Classic Cleveland sights that you just can’t miss

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – iconic in the legends, the building’s pyramidal structure and the display content that demonstrates the shaping of North American society, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a definite fun stop on your Cleveland adventure. Tour through the history and roots of rock ‘n roll and share in the newest inductees recently celebrated through interactive exhibits and video footage. Start with a Visitor’s Guide and begin chanting … “Cleveland Rocks”!

Cleveland Aquarium - 70,000-square-feet of aquatic galleries, exhibits and aquatic life from around the world make up the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. One of the most exciting exhibits includes a sea tube that allows visitors to experience life under the sea in a clear, 150’ walk through tunnel.

NFL, NBA and MLB– seasonally, grab a game lakeside at FirstEnergy Stadium and watch the NFL’s Cleveland Browns or watch the NBA Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. For the boys of summer, also consider the MLB Cleveland Indians playing at Progressive Field.

Playhouse Square - Playhouse Square offers a number of venues for theater, concerts and smaller intimate creations offering Broadway production runs, musical theater and dance performances that will enliven you.

West Side Market – if you’re looking for your afternoon picnic contents, some market crafts or snacks to take back to your getaway retreat, explore the historic West Side Market. Closed only Tuesday and Thursdays, home-made farmer and artisanal selections are a delight to explore.

Cleveland Museum of Art – the fourth wealthiest art museum in the US and one of the most visited art museums in the world, with free admission, the Cleveland Museum of Art will feed your artistic sweet tooth with its 10’s of thousands of works of art. With a 5.0 rating on TripAdvisor, this is a not to miss stop.

Action-packed enough to keep your musical cravings fed, your nights sleep luxurious and your gourmet tastes delighted? Book a visit soon and explore what Destination Cleveland has to offer!  

Tell us about your visit to Cleveland. What did you enjoy most? We’d love to hear. Drop a comment below or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.