There’s No Getaway like a Cleveland Getaway…
Here’s a fact you should know about me: I LOVE Cleveland. That’s right, the CLE has my heart forever. For the first whole year of our relationship, Mr. Pennington lived and worked in Cleveland while I was nearly three hours away in rural northwest Ohio. Our long distance relationship resulted in many weekend trips across the state for me. While we obviously are beyond happy to all be under one roof in our hometown, the Penningtons sneak in a Cleveland getaway as much as possible!
Whether you’re traveling with the kids, or looking for a couples’ getaway for the two of you–Cleveland getaways are the best! No matter your interests or age, CLE offers something for everyone!
Read on for some of our favorites!
Catch an Indians game at Progressive Field
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack! Take us to see the Tribe play, and we don’t care if we ever come back! We love baseball around here (and all Cleveland sports for that matter. Yep, even the 0-16 Browns). Something we’ve come to notice in recent years, though, is that when the Indians started being amazing–ticket prices inflated. There are a couple ways to cheer on the Tribe without going broke.
Traveling with Kids?
We buy the little guys memberships to the TribeTown MVP club each year which scores them killer swag at great prices. Plus, we get to hang out in the kids’ club area of the stands without waiting forever to fill out a waiver. In addition to a huge slide, photo props, food stands, and plenty of play areas, this area has great seating! As a matter of fact, they took old box seats and screened them in for families to see the field and the play area of the kids’ club all at once. The cool part? You can buy standing room only (translation: super cheap)tickets to the game, but still have a great spot to sit!
Kid free?
Even better reason to pick up standing room only tickets! For under 20 bucks fans can score standing room only tickets that include a free 12 oz. beer (or water, soda, etc.). While there are plenty of places to stand, and even ledges to set your free beer, you can also have a seat in the close by bar areas. Or better yet, hop in one of the comfy outdoor couches surrounding the fire pits that are burning in right field!
Check out a show at Playhouse Square
If you’re a fan of performing arts, Playhouse Square is a must do! Aside from NYC, Playhouse Square is the largest performing arts center! We recently took in A Christmas Carol and had a blast! The venue is gorgeous, and the show was phenomenal. These beautiful theaters host over 1000 events annually and attract around a million visitors! If performing arts aren’t your thing, just traveling to Playhouse Square to take in the lights and giant chandelier is worth it if you’re in the area!
West Side Market
Mr. Pennington and I had a free afternoon one day and decided to check out this market we’d heard so much about. Holy cow. It was so much more than we’d expected! The market is over 100 years old and is decorated with photographs of the market over the past century. Once inside, there are countless vendors selling everything from fresh meats to fresh product to popcorn and beyond. Plus, if you’re impressed by Costco’s samples–you’ll be in heaven here! The vendors are all so friendly and happy to share!
While you’re in the Ohio City neighborhood, take a walk down 25th to Horizontal Books! I’m a sucker for book stores–the older, the better. This one does not disappoint. Make sure you check out the huge chalk wall (and maybe grab a beer) at Market Garden Brewery as well!
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
After years of Cleveland getaways every chance we got, we finally hit up the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recently. Mr. Pennington and I were kid-free the weekend that we went, and we really enjoyed ourselves. We did, however, keep mentioning how much we wished the boys were with us. This definitely be a trip we will make again in the near future. Our family loves all kinds of music, from Snoop Dogg to Merle Haggard, so this was such a fun place to check out!
Just a word of advice, though–next time we go back, we will start on the top floor (where there is less to see) and make our way to the bottom instead of vice versa.
The Boneyard
You’ll have to venture into Suburbia and away from downtown for this one. The Boneyard in Broadview Heights is a Pennington favorite! No Cleveland getaway is complete without a stop here! From the huge TVs airing sports and cartoons to the skeletons decorating the place–this restaurant is SO cool! But who cares how it looks! The food is ah-maz-ing! I recommend the barbecue pulled pork or the macaroni and cheese, but I’m sure that my kids would tell you to indulge in the giant bowl of Lucky Charms! You won’t be disappointed no matter what you decide to chow down on!
When you’re finished there (and if you’re not on a sugar high from Lucky Charms), hit up Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream for some graham central station ice cream. You can thank me later.
Cleveland MetroParks Zoo
Cleveland’s zoo has always been one of our favorites! The zoo has tons of animals and the grounds are beautiful. Check out their website for information on all of the animals homed at the zoo and plan your visit! And, OMG, check out the pictures of the otter pups. #allthehearteyes Kids or not, be sure to hit up the zoo!
Be sure to follow me on Instagram to keep up with all of our Cleveland shenanigans! And keep your eyes out! There could very well be a second post on the city I love!
If you’re a fan of the CLE like we are, what are your favorite places? Share in the comments!
XoXo
Jessica
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Love all these spots! Don’t forget taking the kids to the Great Lakes Science Center, stopping into the Art Museum, and strolling down East Fourth Street before taking in the Cavs at the Q 😉
Haha! All things we’ve not done! (Aside from Fourth Street—that’s to come in the next post!)