Cleveland Weekends: Surprisingly fun weekends
Curious about what you'll do when you live in Cleveland? If you like Lake Erie sunsets, wandering through mural-covered blocks, and kayaking under century-old steel bridges, Cleveland's calling you home. This list takes you from the Rock Hall to riverside trails and gives you a real look at Cleveland's arts, food, and waterfront life.
Heather, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Heather has lived in Ohio for 36 years, minus a brief three-year stint in Kentucky (thanks, parents). Born in Appalachian southeastern Ohio, she later moved to the city and spent years wondering where all the cows went and why everyone was suddenly in such a darn hurry. She's adapted...mostly. That culture shock taught her Ohio doesn't get enough credit for its range of flat farmland, Amish hills, and mini mountains all crammed into one state. When she's not writing copy while binging true crime podcasts, she's hunting down a "bubble" from Jackson County (if you know, you know) or stealing the last slice of pie from her husband at So Pizza in Miamisburg. She's telling you about So Pizza with reluctance, because long lines would ruin everything. At Snappy Scout, Heather writes Ohio guides that don't waste your time and occasionally drops puns that may or may not land. You've been warned.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Will You Do in Cleveland?
From weekend adventures to iconic road trips, here's how locals spend their time off.
on a Saturday with perfect weather
Kayaking past Edgewater cliffs, patio hopping in Ohio City with your fourth IPA, pretending you live in a city with consistent sunshine (you don't, enjoy this while it lasts)
rainy dreary day
Armor Court at the Cleveland Museum of Art where the rain echoes dramatically and you feel cultured instead of soggy
intellectually stimulating
Dittrick Medical History Center's medical oddities (19th-century surgical tools, terrifying), then Severance Hall where the Cleveland Orchestra reminds you that humans can be good at things
artsy
Mural hunting in Hingetown (new ones appear monthly), Transformer Station in Ohio City for contemporary art that confuses and delights, 78th Street Studios First Fridays with free wine
something inside and free
Cleveland Museum of Art with 61,000 artworks, zero admission fee, and a courtyard that makes you forget it's 19 degrees outside
outdoorsy
Cuyahoga Valley Ledges trail where sandstone cliffs tower over you and chipmunks judge your hiking shoes, Towpath Trail biking where you'll see approximately 47 other people doing the same thing
with your dog
Edgewater Dog Beach where your dog loses their mind in Lake Erie, Terrestrial Brewing patio where they bring your dog water before they bring you a menu
in need of a selfie
Cleveland script sign at Edgewater (get there early or wait 20 minutes for the influencers to finish), Guardians of Traffic on Hope Memorial Bridge looking stern and photogenic
you have to see this
Rock Hall with Prince's Yellow Cloud guitar, Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock Stratocaster, and enough music history to justify the $30 admission (Cleveland residents get in free, finally a perk)
on a budget
Metroparks' 23,000 acres (free), Cleveland Museum of Art (free), Federal Reserve Money Museum where you can see $1 million in cash and contemplate your life choices (also free)
for sports fans
Dawg Pound at Browns games (bring beer, you'll need it), Cavs games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, summer nights at Progressive Field where the Guardians occasionally remember how to hit
for a nearby weekend getaway
Geneva-on-the-Lake wine country an hour east, Lake Erie sunsets from a cabin porch, slightly drunk karaoke at Eddie's Grill where everyone knows the words to "Don't Stop Believin'"
My Favorite Local Spot in Cleveland
Han Kabob in AsiaTown. Get the Szechuan beef noodle soup and thank me later. It's in this little plaza off Payne Avenue, and honestly, locals tend to crave the spicy noodle soup when it's freezing outside. They also do this whole crispy fish that's ridiculous. Skip the touristy spots and hit this place.
— Heather Taylor
Ohio Local Expert
Ready to See If Cleveland Fits You?
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