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Planning Your Trip

Whether a weekend getaway or business trip brings you to Cleveland, it’s smart to be prepared. Pack for lots of walking along Lake Eerie, a visit to CORE Fitness Club, a locally sourced meal at TURN Bar + Kitchen and perhaps a sporting event.

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Business Travel

Preparation is key to packing light. Know the weather and what you’ll be doing, then bring along your hardest-working items to do double or triple duty.

 

  • Wear your suit jacket on the plane to save room — the hotel can press it for you later. Roll up belts and ties and pack them in your shoes, then place in a dust bag, for even more space.
  • For women, think multipurpose: a long scarf to wrap up in on the plane or dress up an evening look; chic mules you can slide into for a meeting or dash through the terminal.
  • Some devices to make your trip more pleasant: noise-canceling headphones or earbuds, a portable charger and a reliable, ergonomic suitcase to tote your essentials.

Exploring the City

A revitalized downtown, artsy former industrial areas, and new restaurants and breweries give Cleveland visitors more to explore than ever.

 

  • Cleveland is cold and snowy in winter and warm and humid in summer; fall and spring are lovely but can be unpredictable. A packable down jacket, like those from Canada Goose and Moncler, stands up to Cleveland’s cold while being ultra-lightweight and versatile for travel.
  • Bring at least one pair of comfortable, flat shoes for walking plus one pair of dressier shoes for evening.
  • Finding the right daytime bag is worthy of your attention. Something that goes with everything and leaves your hands free, like a roomy leather tote or sleek backpack — is best for toting your essentials while you’re on the go.

Weekend Getaway

A pleasure escape of just two or three days still lets you see the ultimate sights of this iconic Midwestern city.

 

  • A light, organized weekend bag is the first step to an ideal trip. Bring a few basics (a white shirt, jeans) that you can dress up or down with the right accessories and shoes (one flat and/or athletic, one dressy) for each activity.
  • Whether you’re exploring the Cleveland Metroparks Emerald Necklace or kayaking the Cuyahoga River, be sure to have your camera — perhaps even a GoPro or an aerial drone — along for the ride.
  • Bring sneakers and workout gear to squeeze in a gym session at the Core Fitness Club at The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland.
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Don't Forget:

Cleveland is one of the most exciting sports cities in the country. Its major-league teams — the Indians (baseball), the Browns (football) and the Cavaliers (basketball) — are historic, but it’s the diehard fans whose passion truly defines Cleveland sports. Many families have lived here for generations, making rooting for the home team a beloved tradition since birth for many Clevelanders. Depending on the season you’ll be in town, round out your Cleveland bucket list with a game of one of the big three — and if it’s a playoff, you just might become a fan for life yourself.

            

Cleveland’s most coveted experiences may require advanced planning. If you're hoping to attend a local sporting event or theater performance, visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame or snag a table at the restaurant of the moment, our concierge will assist you with creating the perfect itinerary.

Dining Reservations

Place Setting

Cleveland may be rooted in meat and potatoes, but a slew of innovative chefs are flipping the culinary script. There’s still meat, but of a more creative ilk — like the charcuterie plate and beef-cheek pierogi at Lola, the two-decade-strong institution from native son Michael Symon. Down the street, there’s roasted pig’s head at Greenhouse Tavern, the flagship of acclaimed local chef Jonathon Sawyer. There’s also phenomenal cuisine to be found at restaurants like TURN Bar + Kitchen, the new dining experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland, where local flavors and handcrafted cocktails are served in a stunning ambience.

Museum Tickets and Cultural Sights

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The Cleveland Museum of Art is one of the city’s cultural jewels; finish your tour of its world-class collection with a sunset stroll through the gardens. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tops many bucket lists, and not just for its outrageous pop artifacts: The mesmerizing, I.M. Pei-designed building leads visitors through rock history via truly immersive exhibits and kiosks. You can also book a performance at one of Playhouse Square’s nine theaters or reserve an evening at the acclaimed Cleveland Orchestra. For another only-in-Cleveland experience, enjoy the legendary music at House of Blues, accompanied by a lively bar scene and classic American fare.

Children’s Activities

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There’s a lot for young travelers to explore in Cleveland, and the adventure starts on arrival at The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland, where the Ritz Kids program encourages them to delight in their new surroundings with fresh, fun activities highlighting nature and culture. The fun continues at Great Lakes Science Center, a museum and educational facility in downtown Cleveland that travelers of all ages will enjoy. Indulge your animal lovers with a trip to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, where they can hand-feed a 17-foot giraffe, ride a train or carousel, and even unlock their own adventure with a special “ZooKey” to secret locations throughout the zoo.

Day Trips

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From legendary music and sports to acclaimed dining, Cleveland will keep you busy the length of your stay. But it’s also within easy reach of other unique adventures. At Put-in-Bay Island in Lake Erie, accessible via ferry from Sandusky (an hour’s drive from The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland), visitors can go boating on the lake, explore limestone Perry’s Cave or try the fine wines at Ohio’s oldest winery, Heineman’s. Speaking of wine, head to Geneva for a taste of Ohio’s scenic wine country just an hour outside Cleveland. Sample a European-style wine in the tasting room at M Cellars, then enjoy farm-to-table fare on the relaxing back patio. Lovers of spirits can sample small-batch bourbon, vodka and rye in the 19th-century barn of Red Eagle Distillery.

A romantic getaway. A culinary tour. A 24-hour adventure. Our Ladies and Gentlemen have crafted the perfect itineraries for experiencing Cleveland, Ohio.

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A Culinary Tour

Cleveland underwent a culinary awakening of epic proportions, becoming a foodie haven seemingly overnight. But, as the city’s two biggest celebrity chefs, Michael Symon and Jonathan Sawyer, will tell you, the transformation has been more than a decade in the making, starting with downtown’s East Fourth Street dining zone, where both chefs’ flagship restaurants are, and radiating to industrial-turned-artsy neighborhoods like Ohio City. Here’s what not to miss.

 

 

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24 Hours in Cleveland

Cleveland, or “The Land,” as LeBron James, the star of its 2016 NBA Championship team calls it, is the new darling of the American Midwest, with standout professional sports teams, cutting-edge medical care (you’ve no doubt heard of Cleveland Clinic), world-class arts and culture, and a booming restaurant scene that puts much larger cities to shame. Cleveland’s residents are smart, fun and business-savvy, and full of pride for their city. If you have only one day in The Land, here’s where to rub shoulders with the best of them.

 

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