What are some places to visit in Cleveland... more specifically the Warehouse District?

Question

Me and my boyfriend are going to Cleveland in August and will be staying in what I think is called the Warehouse district. We're just getting away for a few days since we got a DEAL on the hotel room. What are some things we can do in that area, preferably where we can walk to from our hotel next to the R&R Hall of Fame? And is it easy to get transportation through the city? If so what are some other areas that are safe and entertaining to visit?

Answer 1

All downtown hotels are within fine walking distance to major attractions like the Rock Hall, Tower City Center, the stadiums, and the nightlife/dining/entertainment scene on W.6th St (Warehouse District) and E.4th Street. You will not really need a car to get around downtown.

If you do choose to drive downtown it is never really too congested and parking isn't difficult to find, but if you aren't familiar with all the parking lots and their rates or where to park for free on the street, then just ditch the car when getting around downtown. Although you may want to take a cab back to your hotel after a late night at the bars, which isn't a problem since cabs are waiting in the streets in the Warehouse District to take people back.

The Warehouse District (W.6th, St.Clair, W.9th) is great for dinner and nightlife. You can go really upscale and eat at Johnny's Bistro, Blue Point or XO, or you can go a little more reasonably priced and try the Metropolitain Cafe, Chophouse, or Johnny's Little Bar. All are great options. You might need a reservation if you want to go super fancy at Johnny's, Blue Point, or XO but for the others you won't need one. You might just want to plan on going to the Warehouse District and pick from there. But Metropolitain Cafe, Chophouse, or Johnny's Little Bar are my recommendations.
For drinks afterwards you might want to split a bottle of wine at D'Vine Wine Bar, get some chic cocktails at Mercury Lounge, or go a little crazy at the rooftop party at Velvet Dog. Whatever you do, just stay away from Spy Bar. Its terrible and a trouble maker.

A smaller but very good alternative to the Warehouse District would be the little block of East Fourth Street. Its nice because there's lot to do like see music at the House of Blues, comedy at Pickwick's, bowling at the trendy Corner Alley. And then there's restaurants like Lola's (by Cleveland's own celebrity chef Michael Symon) or Flannery's (the most hopping Irish-themed pub and restuarant downtown).

There really are a lot of safe and entertaining places to visit or experience outside of downtown. In fact, other than than Rock Hall, there isn't much going on downtown during the day. It really revs up at night for a strong dinner and nightlife/entertainment crowd.

During the day I'd strongly recommend Ohio City. There is a lot of really good food there. Its very close to downtown. I'd recommend when the West Side Market is open as a great neighborhood for lunch. The cafe inside the market is my FAVORITE place for lunch. Be sure to visit the Great Lakes Brewing Company brewery for a beer (but don't bother with the food, because it isn't that great).

If you are into museums then you'll have to go to University Circle just east of downtown about 10 minutes down Chester Avenue. You can also visit Little Italy next to University Circle for some great food and boutiques/galleries. In fact, if you're going around August 15, then you'll be there for Little Italy's big Feast of the Assumption festival with all kinds of food vendors and closed off streets.

If you're interested in taking the Rapid trains and/or busses to these neighborhoods outside of downtown from Tower City Center then check out these great online guides: http://www.gcrta.org/opt/

Answer 2

Downtown in August is a good time. The Bluepoint Grill is about the best restaurant down there. It is LeBron James favorite. Cleveland also has a House of Blues with good food and pretty much nightly entertainment. Right by there is a new upscale bowling alley and a comedy club at Pickwick and Frolics. Check out www.hob.com. If the Indians are in town, Jacob's Field is a nice place for a beer and game. The theater district is also nice. I know The Lion King is in town for early August and is a fantastic show. There is good a shopping and dining at Tower City with a Hard Rock Cafe. The lake cruises on the Nautica Queen or Goodtime boats are a nice way to see Cleveland.

All of these are walkable. Cleveland is a pretty safe city. During the day, it is very safe. At night, the questionable areas start east of East 9th, south of Jacob's field and to the west, up the hill out of the westside of the flats.

If you have a car, the Cleveland Zoo is pretty good. It has Koala's and a nice rainforest building. Down south a little is the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Worst NP in the country but still has some nice trails with decent waterfalls.

Answer 3

For food and drinks, W6th (in the Warehouse district) is the best place to go downtown.

Other than eating and shopping at Tower City (there is a movie theater in there too), stuff to do in Cleveland isn't so great. The Science Center is fun though and is very close to the Hall of Fame. You can pretty much walk to the places I've mentioned in about 15 (maybe 20) minutes.

You could take the RTA train (station is in Tower City) one stop south to Ohio City. There are a few neat places to shop and eat on W. 25th. Make sure to check out the Great Lakes Brewery - good food and beer!

Also, you could take the bus (the 55 line, costs $3.50 for an all day pass) to Edgewater Park and go to the beach. Its nothing special, and I wouldn't recommend actually swimming, but its something to do.

Have fun!


(I forgot to add that I would stay away from the Flats. Its a bit slummy)

Answer 4

There are some clubs and bars in the Warehouse district, you can also walk down into the flats for more bars and clubs or you can take the Nautica Queen for a ride if you want to go on the river. You can walk to the rock hall, but if you're gonna be here on the week day you may want to hop on one of the trolleys. The ride is free. Or you could take the Blue line Rapid to the Rock hall. Yeah its very easy to get transportation, I mean you would have to call to get a taxi or you can hop on a bus. Call RTA at [phone] if you are trying to get any where on the bus, for times and schedules.
Have fun.

Answer 5

It has been years since I went to the warehouse district, but now, the businesses are going down because they are building homes. There are a few clubs, also the Rock Hall is not far from there, and they also have a fun ship called the Goodtime III. I hope this helps.

Answer 6

I would check out the West Side Market on West 25th and Lorain. It's a huge open air market that has all kinds of stuff to see and sample. Also, Slyman's is well known for their monstrous cornbeef sandwiches. Both places were featured on Rachel Ray's $40-A-Day.

The Flats is supposed to be a lot of fun with some trendy restaurants, bars and shops. I would highly reccomend visiting these places during the day!

And, if you get a chance to check out the Amish communities and the Ohio and Erie Canal trails (the views and photo-ops are phenomenal), I would highly reccommend seeing this bit of Americana!

Answer 7

Enjoy the many bars, restaurants not too far from the Quicken Arena. Jack's is one hot club to go to.

I suggest taking taxi's, hotel can call one for you.

If you two have time, drive 65 miles west to Cedar Point, www.cedarpoint.com and enjoy the amusemet parks.

15 miles west on hwy 6 near port clinton is the African Safari where you 2 can drive through and feed the animals.

enjoy

Dexter