2-Day Cleveland Itinerary

Arrival day

Before Day 1. The city is easy by car, and the last day needs one, so book a rental for the whole stay or for Day 4 at least.Details

Flying in: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport lies southwest of downtown. A rail line and ride services link it with the city, and a rental car is easy to pick up there. Check the current schedule if you plan to use the train.
Where to base yourself: Downtown, the Ohio City side of the river and University Circle all work. Days 1 and 3 are walkable from their own neighborhoods, and Day 4 starts with a drive south, so pick a base with parking if you will have a car.
Lake weather: Lake Erie makes the weather change quickly. In autumn the days are mild and the evenings cool, and in winter snow comes off the lake, so pack a rain jacket and a warm layer in any season.
First evening: Take an easy walk near your hotel and eat early. Day 1 starts at the Cleveland Museum of Art, so you can settle in and rest.

How much walking? On foot, about 1.3 miles a day, and 29.6 miles by car in all across 2 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.

Day 1. University Circle and Downtown and the lake

6 stops · 1.3 mi on foot, 10.5 mi by car

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1
Morning
Cleveland Museum of Art
An art museum on the edge of Wade Park in University Circle, known for its Asian and Egyptian collections and a large permanent collection from around the world. Pick a few rooms rather than the whole building. Check ahead on the opening and on any special exhibitions.
Go when Morning, as an indoor stop, with the park outside for a break.
Local tip It is a large building, so pick a wing or two, such as the Asian and Egyptian rooms, and leave the rest. Check ahead on the opening and on special exhibitions.
Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 18 min by car or transit4.3 mi
2
MorningBook ahead
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
A museum on the shore of Lake Erie that tells the story of rock music and the people who made it. The building is by I. M. Pei and opened in 1995. Give it a few unhurried hours, and check ahead on the opening and on any timed entry.
Go when Morning, as an indoor stop with a lake view.
Local tip Give it a few unhurried hours, since there is a lot of music, film and clothing to take in. Check ahead on the opening and on timed entry, and look at the glass building from the lake side.
Photo by Roger Starnes Sr on Unsplash
Lunch
Lake Erie perch
Small fillets of yellow perch from the lake, breaded and pan-fried, served with fries and coleslaw.
Local tip Ask for a tartar sauce and a lemon wedge on the side.
About 10 min by car or transit1.7 mi
3
Morning
West Side Market
A market hall in Ohio City, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with stalls under a high roof and more outside. Walk the aisles and look at what is on offer, and have a small taste as you go. Stalls and days vary, so check ahead before you go.
Go when Morning, as the stalls open.
Local tip Walk the whole hall once before you buy, then circle back. Bring a bag, take a small taste as you go and keep your valuables close in the crowd. Check ahead on the days it is open.
Photo by Lance Anderson on Unsplash
About 21 min walk1.1 mi
4
Midday
Terminal Tower
A landmark skyscraper of 52 stories on Public Square, completed in 1927, when it was the second tallest building in the world. Look up from the square, and walk through the station complex at its base. Check ahead on whether visitors can go up.
Go when Midday, as a stop between two walks.
Local tip Look up from Public Square, then walk through the station complex at its base. Check ahead on whether visitors can go up the tower.
Photo by DD Wido on Unsplash
About 18 min by car or transit4.5 mi
5
Afternoon
Cleveland Botanical Garden
A botanical garden in University Circle, with outdoor beds to stroll and a glasshouse of plants from other climates. It is a calm place to walk between museums. Check ahead on which parts are open on the day.
Go when Afternoon, outdoors on a dry day or in the glasshouse in rain.
Local tip The outdoor beds change with the season and the glasshouse is a warm stop on a cold day. Check ahead on which parts are open.
Photo: Daderot on Wikimedia Commons
About 4 min walk0.2 mi
6
Afternoon
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
A natural history museum, started in 1920, with exhibits on fossils, wildlife, minerals and the story of early people, including the research of its curators. A good indoor stop for the end of the day. Check ahead on the opening.
Go when Late afternoon, as an indoor stop.
Local tip Look for the fossils and the room about early people, then the wildlife exhibits. A good fit for children. Check ahead on the opening.
Dinner
Pierogi
Half-moon dumplings filled with potato and cheese, boiled and then pan-fried with onions and served with sour cream, from the Polish and Slovak kitchens of the city.
Local tip Try the potato and cheese ones first, and share a plate if you want to try more.

If it rains. Cleveland Museum of Art, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, West Side Market, Terminal Tower and Cleveland Museum of Natural History are covered, so keep them. Move Cleveland Botanical Garden to a dry day if you can.

Day 2. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

2 stops · 19.1 mi by car

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

Drive from Cleveland Museum of Natural HistoryAbout 39 min by car16.7 mi
Where Day 1 ended.
1
Morning
Brandywine Falls
A waterfall in a wooded gorge, reached by a short boardwalk with steps down to the viewing platforms. The flow is lighter after a dry spell and fuller after rain. The steps and wet boards can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip.
Go when Morning, before the boardwalk fills.
Local tip A boardwalk and steps lead to the viewing platforms. It is slippery after rain, so wear shoes with grip. The flow is lighter after a dry spell. Check ahead on parking.
Photo: SilentMatt Psychedelic, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 12 min by car or transit2.4 mi
2
Afternoon
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
A scenic railroad that runs diesel and steam excursion trains through the valley, with depots at several points, including the village of Peninsula. Stand at the depot to see the trains, or ride one section. Check ahead on the schedule, which changes with the season, and on whether to book.
Go when Afternoon, to match the train.
Local tip Stop at a depot to see the trains, or ride one section if the schedule suits. Check ahead on the timetable, which changes with the season, and on whether to book.
Photo: Cards84664, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Lunch
A picnic of sandwiches and fruit
A bag of sandwiches, cheese and fruit from a market, eaten at a table by the trail between the waterfalls.
Local tip Pack out everything you bring, and carry water.
Dinner
A bowl of chili with cornbread
A hearty bowl of beef and bean chili with warm cornbread, a good fit for a cool evening after a day on the trails.
Local tip Ask for the heat on the side.

If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.

Departure day

After the last day. The airport lies on the southwest edge of the city, and the drive back from the valley is the longest part of the day.Details

Leaving the valley: If your flight is early the next day, spend the last night in the city, and fill the tank before you leave the park area. Allow extra time for rush hour on the highways into the city.
To the airport: Leave time for the airport, which lies southwest of downtown. Return the rental car, keep your ID in an easy pocket and check the train schedule if you ride it.
Things to carry home: A guitar pick or a poster from the rock and roll museum shop, a jar of local honey or maple syrup, or a print of the lake are all easy to pack. Wrap anything fragile well.
If you have a few hours: Walk the lawn of Wade Oval once more, or sit by the lake at Edgewater Park and watch the water before you go.

Questions people ask

When is the best time to visit Cleveland?

By average weather from 2021 to 2025, May to October are the most comfortable months for walking around Cleveland. This plan is built for september to October, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.

How many days does this plan cover?

It covers 2 days in Cleveland, planned for september to October. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.

Who is this plan for?

It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.

Is anything on this plan booked?

No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.

Can I plan my own days like this?

Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.

Can I change this plan?

Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.

How much walking is there?

On foot, about 1.3 miles a day, and 29.6 miles by car in all across 2 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.