How to Explore Cleveland like a Local

We just got back from a 17 day road trip across the USA! Since a road trip is one of the safest ways to travel during the pandemic, we decided we wanted to do a USA road trip to explore more of our home country. We stopped at so many cities and states along the journey and wanted to give an accurate representation of how different states are handling COVID-19. Our first stop was Cleveland, Ohio and we got the best local tour from our friends. Keep on reading to see all the can’t miss spots in Cleveland.

How is Cleveland handling COVID-19?

As of August 2020 (when we are writing this post) the state of Ohio has a mask mandate, meaning that it is required in the State of Ohio to wear a mask whenever social distancing isn’t possible. Every store & restaurant we went into in Cleveland required a mask and everyone who was walking around were following social distancing guidelines and wearing a mask as well! If you are worried about COVID-19 and want to still travel, Cleveland is a great place for you to go.

Where to Stay

We stayed with a friend during our trip, but we would recommend staying in either Downtown Cleveland or the Lakewood area! Our friends who are locals told us that Cleveland really isn’t a walkable city, and we definitely noticed that while we were there. If you stay in either of these areas, you should minimize your need for a car & Uber/Lyfts should be pretty cheap!

Best Things to Do in Cleveland

Look at the amazing street art in Ohio City
Walk around Downtown Cleveland
Explore the West Side Market
Talk a walk down to the Main Avenue Bridge
Visit the Playhouse Square distract and spot the World’s Biggest Outdoor Chandelier
Walk into some shops on East 4th
Take a photo in front of the Cleveland sign at North Coast Harbor
Watch the sunset at Lake Eerie

Where to Eat & Drink

Melt Bar & Grill (they have tons of vegan options!)
The Root Cafe
The Cleveland Vegan
West Side Market
Cathy’s Gourmet Ice Cream Sandwiches
Mitchell’s Ice Cream (they also have vegan options!)
Twist Social Club (local gay bar)

Our friends mentioned Cleveland as a city with “untapped potential” and we can definitely see that! There is a lot to do there but the city could do even more to make it a more accessible and to craft a unique vibe. If you want to see us explore Cleveland with some locals, make sure you check out our Cleveland YouTube video below!