How to Spend a Weekend in Cleveland

Even with just a weekend in Cleveland, you’ll have plenty of fun attractions to help you enjoy all this exciting city has to offer. Take a look at this itinerary and find ideas for spending 2 or 3 days in Cleveland to plan for how to enjoy a weekend in the city.

Friday Evening

Friday evening starts your 72 hours in Cleveland. Start with one of the most popular restaurants in Cleveland, Fire Food & Drink, which has seasonal and local foods that give you a taste of Cleveland’s culinary culture. You might also enjoy Gigi’s on Fairmount, an eclectic, Parisian-inspired restaurant with seasonal fare, excellent wines, and a menu that ranges from hearty foods to small plates.

After dinner, start your experience in Cleveland right with a trip to the House of Blues. It has a restaurant and bar inside, but it’s better known for its rotating list of high-profile entertainers that perform live music from all genres. You could also visit the Hard Rock Rocksino, a race track and casino with table and slot games, live and simulcast harness racing, and an array of bars and restaurants for a night on the town. In the casino’s entertainment venues, you can see everything from up-and-coming musical artists to the hottest bands and comedians.

Saturday Morning

On Saturday morning, you’ll have 48 hours left to sightsee in Cleveland. Enjoy breakfast at Lucky’s Cafe, a farm-to-table breakfast joint with fresh-baked pastries and breads and a full menu of brunch sandwiches and plates. You could also try the Blue Door Café & Bakery, a fantastic bakery with an array of croissants, pastries, and breads.

The best way to start your day of sightseeing in Cleveland is with its most iconic attractions. You can tour the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which is filled with music exhibits honoring important people and movements in music history, or the West Side Market, a historic marketplace with vendors selling local produce and meat.

For lunch, you can stop in II Rione Pizzeria for its fantastic New York-style pizzas with a twist. You can experience unique concoctions like a green pie, which is a pizza with red sauce, arugula pesto, fried sage and other unique ingredients.

Saturday Afternoon and Evening

When you’re finished with lunch, you can work off your meal with a visit to the Cleveland Botanic Garden. The gorgeous garden is a quiet oasis with stunning scenery and a wide variety of blooms and plant life. The Cleveland Museum of Art, a vast art museum with collections of masterpieces spanning over 6,000 years, is another highlight of the city.

Saturday night in Cleveland is when the city gets exciting. For dinner, head to Thyme Table, a delightful restaurant with comfort foods like loaded lobster tater tots, fried chicken, and more. You’ll also like LBM, a Viking bar with creative cocktails, flavor-packed dishes, and energetic live music.

After dinner, head to Cleveland Bagel Co, a German-inspired brewpub that serves classic German dishes like schnitzel and a variety of beers. There’s always something going on at Hofbrauhaus, such as happy hours, musical entertainment, and other events.

You could also visit the Beachland Ballroom, a historic music venue with food, drinks, and a full calendar of local indie bands in a variety of musical genres.

Sunday Morning

On Sunday morning in Cleveland, you’ll have 24 hours to explore the city. Begin with a delicious breakfast at Flying Fig, an artful restaurant with locally grown and raised ingredients, or Coquette Patisserie, an upscale shop with morning treats like quiche and charcuterie.

If you’re bringing the kids, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a must-visit attraction. Throughout the zoo, you’ll see global animal species in naturalistic habitats, and the zoo offers demonstrations and shows to teach visitors about the animals in their care. Kids will also like the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, a fascinating museum with prehistoric exhibits, a planetarium, and other displays devoted to the natural world.

For lunch, visit the Plum to enjoy casual American comfort food and an array of vegan and vegetarian options. For something small, try Cleveland Bagel Co., a gourmet bagel shop with sweet and savory options like bagels, sandwiches, spreads, hummus, and coffee.

Sunday Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, be sure to stop at “A Christmas Story” House, a vibrant museum and the filming location of the classic 1983 holiday movie. You could tour the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, a large marine facility with an array of sea life on display.

If you’re looking for a fun time for dinner, visit Cosmic Dave’s Rock Club. The restaurant and live music venue features a full bar with specialty cocktails, live entertainment, and a wide selection of salads, sandwiches, and other small plates. For something a little more upscale, visit EDWIN’S Restaurant & Institute, a fine French restaurant with excellent entrees and a cheese cart for dessert.

When you’re finished dining, head to the Music Box Supper Club for a fun night out. The venue offers a stage upstairs for concerts from the top performers in the state, while the downstairs is a traditional supper club. If comedy is more your style, Club Velvet has a range of exciting comedic performances and drinks for a fun night out.

Ready for the perfect weekend getaway?

Cleveland is a vibrant city with everything from kid-friendly attractions to energetic live music venues to give you the time of your life. If you’re planning a short trip, visit Expedia to browse Cleveland vacations and plan your exciting retreat with friends or family!