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Cleveland

Cleveland travel guide

City in Ohio, United States

Things to do3 experiences
Best time to visitJune and August to September
Nearest airportBKL · 1 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−4
Population372,624

About Cleveland

Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio, located along the southern shore of Lake Erie. It is across the lake from the Canadian province of Ontario, and is approximately 60 miles west of the Ohio–Pennsylvania state line. Cleveland is the most populous city on Lake Erie, the 2nd-most populous city in Ohio, and the 53rd-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 372,624 at the 2020 census. It also serves as the county seat of Cuyahoga County. The Greater Cleveland metropolitan area, with an estimated 2.17 million residents, is the 34th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S.

Places to visit in Cleveland

  1. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

    Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

    Museum

    A glass pyramid museum on the Lake Erie shore with exhibits on the history of rock music, featuring famous instruments, stage costumes, handwritten lyrics and inductee galleries.

  2. Cleveland Museum of Art

    Cleveland Museum of Art

    Museum · 4 mi from centre

    A major museum with free admission to its permanent collection, including Asian and European art, an arms and armor court and modern works, set beside a lagoon in University Circle.

  3. West Side Market

    West Side Market

    Market

    A historic public market hall with a tall clock tower in Ohio City, home to dozens of vendors selling meats, cheeses, baked goods, produce and international foods.

  4. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

    Cuyahoga Valley National Park

    Nature · 19 mi from centre

    A national park south of the city with waterfalls, wooded trails, the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath for cycling, and a scenic railroad running along the Cuyahoga River.

  5. Playhouse Square

    Playhouse Square

    Entertainment

    A large performing arts district of restored historic theaters downtown, hosting Broadway tours, concerts and comedy beneath a giant outdoor chandelier hanging over Euclid Avenue.

  6. Great Lakes Science Center

    Great Lakes Science Center

    Museum

    A science museum on the lakefront with hands-on exhibits, the NASA Glenn Visitor Center with real spacecraft, and a giant screen theater, next to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

  7. Cleveland Botanical Garden

    Cleveland Botanical Garden

    Park

    Outdoor gardens and a large glasshouse with a Madagascar desert and a Costa Rican cloud forest, located in University Circle close to the art museum.

  8. Lake View Cemetery

    Lake View Cemetery

    Historic · 5 mi from centre

    A hilly garden cemetery with the grand memorial tomb of President James Garfield, the Wade Memorial Chapel with a Tiffany interior, and graves of John D. Rockefeller and other notables.

Things to do in Cleveland by type

3 tours, tickets and experiences across 1 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • 1-3 hours 2
  • 3-6 hours 1
Browse all things to do in Cleveland

Top experiences in Cleveland

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 3 available.

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Where to stay in Cleveland

Popular hotels in Cleveland, out of 184 properties you can book.

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Best time to visit Cleveland

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Cleveland is June and August to September, when average daytime highs are around 73–76°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 24° – 32° 18
Feb 28° – 37° 9
Mar 35° – 46° 13
Apr 43° – 54° 15
May 55° – 64° 14
Jun 65° – 75° 11
Jul 70° – 79° 13
Aug 67° – 76° 11
Sep 63° – 73° 7
Oct 53° – 63° 9
Nov 42° – 50° 16
Dec 29° – 38° 17

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Cleveland weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 61° 42° 0%
  • Thu 22 Oct 62° 49° 3%
  • Fri 23 Oct 63° 51° 3%
  • Sat 24 Oct 66° 49° 0%
  • Sun 25 Oct 69° 53° 1%
  • Mon 26 Oct 70° 57° 4%

Know before you go

Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Language
English
Calling code
+1
Driving
On the right
Time zone
America/New_YorkUTC−4
Capital
Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Cleveland

These are the airports closest to central Cleveland. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • BKL Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport1 mi (2 km) from the city centre
  • CLE Cleveland Hopkins International Airport10 mi (16 km) from the city centre
  • CGF Cuyahoga County Airport12 mi (19 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Cleveland

Cleveland might be one of the easiest cities in the world to navigate. There are almost no one-way streets, because the city was planned to have "European Avenues" (which resulted in the foresight to make them broad enough for vehicular transportation that couldn't have been imagined in the late 1700s). Traffic is generally not a problem relative to other major U.S. metro areas. Throughout the downtown area, purple signs direct visitors to let you know where you are and what district you are in.

By public transit

Greater Cleveland is also served by a public bus and rail transit system, operated by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, also known as "RTA". The rail portion is officially called the Cleveland Rapid Transit, but is known by locals as "The Rapid".

Bus

A bus rapid transit line, called the "Health Line", runs along Euclid Avenue, providing a direct route between Cleveland's primary tourist attractions from downtown to University Circle. A $5 All-Day Pass is good for unlimited rides on the trains and the buses.

By bicycle

Greater Cleveland is expanding its bicycle trails and bicycle paths throughout the city. In addition, the city has numerous bicycle shops, mostly located on the near west side

Cleveland travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Cleveland?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Cleveland is June and August to September, when average daytime highs are around 73–76°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.

What is the weather like in Cleveland?

July is usually the warmest month in Cleveland, with average highs of 79°F (26°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 24°F (-5°C). The wettest month is typically April, with about 132 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Cleveland?

Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL) is the closest airport, about 1 miles (2 km) from the centre of Cleveland. Other nearby airports include Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE, 10 mi) and Cuyahoga County Airport (CGF, 12 mi).

What time zone is Cleveland in?

Cleveland uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Cleveland?

Cleveland might be one of the easiest cities in the world to navigate. There are almost no one-way streets, because the city was planned to have "European Avenues" (which resulted in the foresight to make them broad enough for vehicular transportation that couldn't have been imagined in the late 1700s).

What are the best places to visit in Cleveland?

Top sights in Cleveland include Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Museum of Art, West Side Market and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. A glass pyramid museum on the Lake Erie shore with exhibits on the history of rock music, featuring famous instruments, stage costumes, handwritten lyrics and inductee galleries.

What are the top things to do in Cleveland?

Popular experiences you can book in Cleveland include NBA Game: Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse - Ticket. Destina Holidays offers 3 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Cleveland?

The most popular types of experiences in Cleveland are shows, sports and special events (3). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Cleveland?

Popular areas for hotels in Cleveland include Downtown, Independence and Cleveland Area. Well-reviewed options include Wyndham Garden Westlake and Wyndham Independence.

How many hotels can I book in Cleveland?

Destina Holidays currently lists 184 properties in and around Cleveland, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.