When convening in Cleveland, attendees can take time to explore the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, where they will find entertaining attractions, arts venues, eclectic dining options and more.
“Downtown Cleveland is the heart of this revitalized lakefront city, which has recently invested more than $3.5 billion in visitor-related infrastructure,” said Mike Burns, senior vice president of convention sales and services for Destination Cleveland.
Downtown is anchored by the 750,000-square-foot Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, which offers direct access to the newly opened 600-room Hilton Cleveland Downtown and its more than 50,000 square feet of meeting space.
Among the 17 other hotels all situated within a 15-minute walk of the convention center and downtown attractions is The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland, which has more than 19,000 square feet of meeting/event space and is undergoing a major renovation.
At press time, the project, including updates to the hotel’s 206 guest rooms, a reconfiguration of its lobby and the creation of a larger redesigned fitness area, was scheduled for completion this fall.
“After groups are finished with meetings for the day, they can head out on foot to explore downtown’s nightlife options,” Burns said.
On East 4th Street they will find live music, comedy, bowling and bars, and the revitalized Flats East Bank along the Cuyahoga River is a picturesque place where attendees can sing along to their favorite songs at Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar or check out Punch Bowl Social for karaoke, games and bowling.
“Visiting groups can also explore the world’s only Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and have a front row seat to a Rock Hall Induction Ceremony in the new Power of Rock Experience,” Burns added.
Other notable downtown attractions include Playhouse Square, JACK Cleveland Casino, the 5th Street Arcades shopping area and eateries ranging from Music Box Supper Club to Hofbrauhaus, which serves up ethnic cuisine and polkas.
PageBreakSituated just a 10-minute drive from downtown is Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood, which Burns said boasts the nation’s most concentrated square mile of arts and culture institutions.
Here, groups will find an impressive array of museums, which all accommodate group events, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA), the Cleveland History Center and the always-free Cleveland Museum of Art.
“For a nature-focused experience, the Cleveland Botanical Garden offers an indoor greenhouse as well as outdoor gardens for guests to tour,” Burns said. “In the evenings, visitors can attend a performance by the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall.”
A fun way to end the day in University Circle is to stop by Corner Alley at Uptown, where groups can bowl and enjoy a meal.
Ohio City is another culturally rich Cleveland neighborhood, and one of the city’s oldest.
Located across the Cuyahoga River from downtown, it’s home to one of the first indoor public markets in the country, the West Side Market, which according to Burns has been a cornerstone of the neighborhood for more than 100 years.
“Visitors can put their taste buds to the test by trying food like pierogi and falafel from one of the 180 vendors,” he said.
Hungry groups can also enjoy fine dining at Crop Bistro & Bar, which is located in a former bank, or a casual meal and drinks at local eateries such as Market Garden Brewery.
Craft beer connoisseurs in the group will love Ohio City, which is considered Cleveland’s unofficial brewery district and home to half a dozen purveyors of suds, including Market Garden Brewery and Great Lakes Brewing Company, which both offer group tours.
“For a unique art experience, groups can drop by the Glass Bubble Project to buy custom glass and metal art, or even participate in a glassblowing class,” Burns said. “And for a tour of the neighborhood, visitors can cycle with Cleveland Bike Tours and reward themselves with a sweet treat from Campbell’s Sweets Factory or Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream.”
