We all like to be alone at times. Maybe it’s by necessity, maybe by choice but if you find yourself alone with nothing to do one day or evening and are sick of sitting on the couch and streaming a show, we came up with a list of activities to do around town that’ll get you off your couch.
Get Lost at the Cleveland Museum of Art
One of the best art museums around sits on East Boulevard just waiting for you and your out of town visitors. The world-renowned collection spans continents and eras, from Italian Renaissance to modern, from ancient Greece to African, and more. Obviously, always more. Spend a day getting lost and don’t miss the Monet.
Photo via Scene ArchivesVisit Lake View Cemetery
The final resting place of John D. Rockefeller, Eliot Ness, Revolutionary War soldiers, Ray Chapman and more famous and influential people than we have time to name, Lake View Cemetery is also, of course, home to the President Garfield memorial. The view from the second floor balcony is one of the most majestic and underrated in the whole city.
Photo via WikipediaFree First Saturdays at MOCA Cleveland
11400 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Cleveland’s Museum of Contemporary Art is free to all on the first Saturday of every month. With ever-changing exhibits, the museum is worth visiting multiple times a year on these Saturdays, as you can always see something you’ve never seen before.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene ArchivesDrinks at a Cocktail Loungel
10820 East Blvd., Cleveland
Cleveland has plenty of awesome cocktail lounges and bars to hit up. From speakeasy’s and tiki lounges to wine bars, whiskey bars and even a cider house, there are plenty of great options when it comes to getting drinks at somewhere a little more upscale than your local watering hole (not that anything is wrong with your local watering hole).
Photo via Scene ArchivesExplore the Van Aken Market District
3401 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights
The Market District is one of the more exciting spots to open in the area in the last few years. There’s a food hall where you can grab food from a bunch of awesome local spots like Lox, Stock and Brisket and Banter, then grab a pastry at On The Rise bakery and a coffee at Rising Star. Then grab some cheese from Old Brooklyn Cheese Co before exploring the local shops like Whiskey Grade, Emily Roggenburk, Xhibition and Double Rainbow if you have a little one.
Photo via Scene ArchivesDo Something in the Metroparks
The Emerald Necklace is one of Northeast Ohio’s most treasured assets and the envy of tons of other big cities. There’s something for everyone. Walk, hike, bike, rollerblade, skip, jump, cross-country ski, bird watch, sleep, picnic, lounge, golf — whatever. It’s nature, and it’s magnificent.
Photo via @CleveMetroparks/InstagramWest Side Market
1979 W. 25th St., Cleveland
Looking for all the snacks under one roof? The West Side Market is the spot for you. From baked goods at Vera’s, Spanos, and Reilly’s to jerky from Czuchraj and J&J to nuts from the P-Nut Gallery, cheese from the Cheese Shop, spreads from Meister, olives from Rita’s and much, much more, you’ll never run out of snacks to try as you nibble your way around the market, and take some home to try later, of course. Credit: Scene ArchivesSee a Movie at Cedar Lee
There’s only one theater in Cleveland showing the best movies to come out each year, and not just from Hollywood, but Bulgaria or Australia or an indie filmmaker in Montana. The Cedar Lee wins Best Movie Theater every year for a reason.
Photo via @Eh_Liss_A/InstagramChagrin Falls
If you’re a fan of quaint downtown areas, there’s nowhere better than Chagrin Falls. This throwback is filled with great shops and restaurants. Take a walk along the falls with some ice cream from the Popcorn Shop or Jeni’s, eat at The Paris Room, Aurelia or 17 River Grille, and do some shopping at Haven, a women’s boutique and Chestnut Hill, a furniture store. On the way home, stop in neighboring Moreland Hills to see the birthplace of President James A. Garfield.
Photo via Scene ArchivesHiking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
1550 W. Boston Mills Rd., Peninsula
Unlike most other national parks, entry to Cuyahoga Valley National Park is free every day. And with more than 125 miles of hiking trails to conquer amongst these hills and woods, there’s no shortage of beauty to discover along with your date. Theodore Roosevelt would approve!
Photo via Scene ArchivesVisit the Natural History Museum
In addition to their permanent exhibits, currently on display at the Natural History Museum is Wildlife Rescue, an exhibit focusing on animal conservation. It’ll be there for the next six months. Sounds good to us!
Photo via Scene ArchivesTry a Seasonal Ale or a Brewery Tour
We all know by know Cleveland is home to the craft beer and plenty of local breweries have cooked up holiday drafts by the barrelful for beer-loving partners to sample. For starters, there’s Great Lakes’ classic Christmas Ale, as well as Fat Head’s Holly Jolly and the Butcher and the Brewer’s Spice Spice Baby. Don’t forget Market Garden’s Festivus, Platform’s Winter Wit, Brick and Barrel’s Autum Ale and Masthead’s Sleigh All Day. On draft these babies will set a beer fan back about $4.
Photo via @Cooker.Man/InstagramA Christmas Story House
3159 West 11th St., Cleveland
Ever since the classic 1983 film, the yellow home in Tremont has become a Cleveland landmark.
Photo via Scene ArchivesGo See Local Theater
Cleveland is blessed with a multitude of options when it comes to local theater. There’s Convergence Continuum, Karamu House, Dobama Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, Great Lakes Theatre, Near West Theatre, The Liminis, Ensemble Theater, Blank Canvas, The Beck Center, Mercury Theatre, None Too Fragile, Playwright’s Local, Porthouse, Theatre in the Circle, Seat of The Pants and others. There’s surely something for everyone.
Photo via Convergence-Continuum/FacebookHit up Superelectric Pinball Parlor
6500 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Superelectric is a pinball parlor where fun-loving folks can while away the days playing vintage arcade games like pinball and anything else from the strange, cool world of vintage gaming. In addition to pinball and other games, there’s a full service bar plus a kitchen that is in the process of changing its menu.
Photo via Scene ArchivesIce Cream Tour at Mitchell’s
1867 West 25th St., Cleveland
It’s cold, and we usually like warming up with a hot chocolate. However, that doesn’t stop us from eating Mitchell’s ice cream. Three years ago, Mitchell’s opened their flagship store on West 25th in Ohio City and they also offer tours of their production facility for only $3.75! These are tasting tours, so be prepared to try some delicious ice cream.
Photo via @HuyKachu/InstagramVisit the Zoo
3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
Whether it’s the middle of the Summer and all the animals are roaming outside or it’s a chilly winter day and only the Rainforest is open, there’s always something to see at the Zoo. So, instead of heading to your usual local watering hole or tavern, go see some animals and try the new zipline
Photo via @Tamarin_Monkeys/InstagramSpend a Day at the Rock Hall
Bitch about who’s inducted and who’s not if you want — that’s half the fun! — but you can’t take anything away from the stunning, unparalleled collection of rock history sitting in the glass pyramid by Lake Erie.
Photo via Scene ArchivesVisit the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Yeah, it’s Canton not Cleveland, but Canton was the birthplace of football and the history of the sport is contained within the walls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and we love the Browns and football. Football fans make the tour to football mecca every year. For us, it’s a short jaunt down I-77. How could you not go?
Photo via @ProFootballHOF/InstagramFree Classes Offered By Cleveland Public Library
325 Superior Ave., Cleveland
Looking to take some computer lessons, add some employment skills or learn a new language? All of these and more are offered by the Cleveland Public Library, the peoples’ university, and they’re totally free.
Photo via Scene ArchivesGo Biking at Ray’s Indoor Bike
9801 Walford Ave., Cleveland
Northeast Ohio bike enthusiasts have made Ray’s a rousing success from almost the minute the gem of an idea became a ramp-laden reality. What better way to let some steam out than biking inside at Ray’s?
Photo via Scene ArchivesYou are only separated by two degrees. Guaranteed the person you just met knows at least 3 of your friends.
Via Drthomk/RedditHit Up A Comedy Show
Whether it’s Hilarities on East Fourth, the Improv in the Flats, Something Dada at the Beck Center, Accidental Comedy or one of many bars and clubs around town that host local comedy nights, there’s almost always a comedy show happening around town. Who doesn’t love a night of drinks and laughter?
Photo via Scene Archives
