//
Central business district of Ohio, US
Photo: Mike Sharp - User: (WT-shared) 2old at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Downtown Cleveland is the city's central business district and is undergoing a period of substantial residential growth, bringing with it new options for dining, nightlife, and other attractions. Downtown is bordered by the Cuyahoga River in the west, Lake Erie in the north, and extends east to include Cleveland State University. The southern edge is less well-defined, but most visitors will not have a reason to go south of the baseball stadium. Downtown Cleveland is also home to the tallest building in Ohio, the 947 foot (288m) tall Key Tower.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A historic 10-acre plaza in the center of downtown Cleveland.
It was the second tallest building in the world when it was built in 1929. Now it's the second tallest building in Cleveland. The building was constructed as the main railroad terminal in Cleveland, and serves as the main hub of the RTA Rapid Lines (below the retail mall levels). Go to the Terminal Tower's observation deck on the 42nd floor to observe the surrounding environs (particularly, Lake Erie, the winding Cuyahoga River, and the juxtaposition of downtown against industrial uses to the south and west). The observation deck is only open on weekends.
Built in 1890 and designed by John Eisenmann. The construction was financed by John D. Rockefeller, Marcus Hanna and several other wealthy Clevelanders of the day. The cost of the project was approximately $875,000 - today it would be impossible to replicate. The inspiration of the project is said to be the Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, Italy. Although pedestrian arcades exist in several North American cities, few - if any, compare to the grandeur of the Arcade in Cleveland. The Arcade was the first building in Cleveland to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The structure features a five-story atrium with extensive metal decorative work. The top floor features gargoyles which circle the entire atrium area. The structure includes the famous skylighted atrium as well as two nine-story towers, one each on Euclid Ave and Superior Ave. In the past decade, the structure was renovated as a Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Lorain-Carnegie Bridge
Named for the father of Bob Hope, the famous actor/comedian who grew up from early childhood in Cleveland (though born in London). Hope Sr. worked on its construction. The bridge is framed by four art deco pylon sculptures known as the Guardians of Traffic portraying the evolution of forms of ground transportation. The sculptures are the source of the local baseball team's new nickname. In addition to a large number of jack-knife and lift bridges along the Cuyahoga, one of the world's few remaining "Swing Bridges" is still in use, connecting the east and west banks of the Flats entertainment district.
The tallest building in Ohio, and second-tallest between New York City and Chicago for that matter, designed by Cesar Pelli.
Designed by prominent Cleveland architect Levi Scofield, this 125 ft tall monument and sculptures honors Cleveland-area Civil War veterans.
Located at North Coast Harbor, this glass pyramid was designed by noted architect I.M. Pei and houses a massive collection of rock and roll memorabilia. Cleveland was home to the first Rock concert, the term "Rock and Roll" was coined by a Cleveland DJ and many of the music genre's icons used Cleveland as their springboards. As Rock Inductee, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, has been paraphrased - to become a rock star in the U.S., first, you have to be loved in Cleveland.
An interactive science museum with exhibits on topics including clean energy, aerospace engineering, and biomedical technology. Also includes the Steamship Mather, a Great Lakes freighter built in 1925, and an IMAX Dome theater.
A retired Great Lakes bulk freighter that has been restored as a museum.
A World War II-era submarine open for tours May through September
Exhibits about the history of economics and money in the historic Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. They have a 23-ft money tree, tours, and many interactive exhibits.
A collection of Cleveland police gear and crime scene artifacts from the 1800s to the modern era. Some of the artifacts include plaster castings of murder victim faces, an early police call box, and artifacts from the Kingsbury Run murders. Has a small gift shop.
A museum dedicated to the preservation of the history of women in aviation and space and the documentation of their continuing contributions today and in the future.
Headquartered in Ohio City, this non-profit organization sponsors art projects throughout the city, including the spires and vegetable wall near Progressive Field, the murals on Tremont School, and the Wade Oval gate at the Cleveland Botanical Garden.
This controversial piece of pop art, in Willard Park to the east of City Hall, was commissioned in 1982 and designed by artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen.
A contemporary art gallery with rotating exhibits that has been in business since 1893.
In the historic former Higbee's department store on Public Square in downtown Cleveland.
The second-largest performing arts center in the U.S.
A public exhibition of Cleveland's up-and-coming makers and artists. Typically in September or October. Location varies.
An annual airshow held at Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport.
CIFF
First held in 1977, is the largest film festival in Ohio. The festival featured over 200 films, representing more than 40 countries, as well as panel discussions and an area filmmakers conference.
Progressive Field
The Guardians, renamed from Indians after the 2021 season, play in Progressive Field, a gem of a ballpark in Major League Baseball.
Huntington Bank Field
The old Browns went to the birds, but the Dawg Pound carries on the tradition of the NFL's staunchest fans! While they haven't won a championship since 1964, and didn't pick up a playoff win after "The Move" until the 2020 season, most Browns fans remain loyal. Tailgating parties in the nearby parking lots may be more popular than the games themselves these days. Tickets for most games can be obtained cheaply on resale sites.
Rocket Arena
Cleveland's most successful sports franchise as of late with five division titles since 2009 and a league championship in 2016. They went through a rebuilding phase after LeBron James took his talents to the Left Coast, but are now contenders again behind younger stars Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell.
Arena for special events like Harlem Globetrotters and other entertainment performances.
Lake Erie Monsters Hockey
AHL affiliate for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Gladiators and Monsters both play in Rocket Arena.
The sports teams of Cleveland State University, members of the Horizon League with various sports throughout the year. Cleveland State University competes in baseball, basketball, crew, cross country, fencing, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.
Long-distance runners gather from around the globe each spring to Rock 'n Run downtown. Rock parties are held at the end of the marathon.
The Mid-American Conference of NCAA Division I college basketball holds its annual men's and women's championships in early March at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to determine the conference's automatic entries into March Madness (the NCAA tournament) for men and women.
Every year Cleveland hosts major national and international sports events.
A gathering of food trucks every Wednesday, May-September
Excellent Spanish and Portuguese food.
Classic American with comedy and dinner theater shows.
Michael Symon's "Cleveland style" BBQ.
Downtown taqueria with build-your-own tacos and margaritas.
As the name suggests, they brew their own beer and cut and cure their own meat.
Classy seafood and a large wine list.
Upscale Italian with live piano music.
French and Mediterranean inspired food in the Renaissance Hotel
Classic white tablecloth steakhouse. Named one of the top 10 steakhouses in the US by Playboy.
Upscale seafood with a view of the riverfront.
Live blues music.
Area chain known for its World Tour of Beer, as well as solid local food.
Speakeasy-style bar with craft cocktails and tapas
Self-serve beer dispensers, live music, and games.
Restaurant/brewery in historic part of town. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
A modern hotel adjacent to the Flats East Bank.
In the renovated Historic Guardian Bank Building.
In the Gateway neighborhood.
Part of the renovation of the Colonial and Euclid Arcade complex, built in 1898, which joins the Financial District to the Gateway Sports Complex.
Numerous attractions nearby. (Note: Serves as the stand-in for the fictional store Drew Carrey works in, on sitcom of same name.)
Occupies the two towers and the top three floors of the atrium area. The two lower floors of the atrium area remain open to the public with retail merchants and a food court. In addition, the lobby and offices are located near the Superior Avenue entrance.
Downtown Cleveland is home to Tower City Center, a large urban complex, a retail mall, hotels and the Terminal Tower. Shops range from high-end to standard mall franchises. The food court has great views of the river. Tower City is connected by walkway to the Tower City Amphitheater, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Progressive Field, and the federal courthouse. Rapid Transit lines head west to the airport as well as through University Circle and suburbs to the east, so anyone arriving from the Rapid will walk through the mall.
Tower City has been struggling with the loss of many of its upscale tenants, but it remains one of the largest shopping areas downtown.
Historical buildings featuring a variety of mostly local shops.
Another complex downtown that includes a popular lunchtime foodcourt. It hosts art galleries and art events.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Cleveland · International · CLE
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Downtown and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.