Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States may not seem like the most exciting place to visit but I spent most of my life (ok, technically I'm from a town called Lakewood) before moving out to NYC. Believe it or not Cleveland actually has quite a bit to offer even during the cold holiday season! I couldn't help but indulge in many of the places I love and miss during my Christmas visit. Here are my top recommendations! 

Things To Do in Cleveland

1. See a Show at Playhouse Square

Did you know that Cleveland actually has the second largest theatre district in the United States after New York City? You wouldn't think so, but it's actually extremely nice! Take this from someone who can walk to any NY Broadway show in about 20 minutes. I was lucky enough to get box seats to see The Christmas Carol at The Ohio Theatre & it was as good as anything in NYC. I would not pass this up if you're a theatre lover! Don't worry, if you collect playbooks they do have them but you might need to grab it yourself rather than it being handed to you. Just a heads up!

2. See the A Christmas Story House

If you're a fan of A Christmas Story, you might be shocked to learn the house that was used in the movie is actually in Cleveland! You can visit it as a museum and even rent it to stay overnight, but it's not cheap. However, if you're a die hard fan it might be worth it for the experience.

3. Check Out the Lights at Public Square

If you find yourself downtown, maybe after a show at Playhouse Square, you can head over to Public Square to catch the Christmas Lights! It's not large but it's a fun area to walk through and great for some holiday photos.

4. Visit B.A. Sweeties

Have a crazy sweet tooth or want to find old fashioned and unique candy? Look no further than this candy warehouse! Seriously if you thought something was no longer made or you struggle to find it, chances are you'll find it here. You'll walk through aisles and aisles of sweets, chocolates, specialty sodas and more. Plus, you can also visit their ice cream & soda shop! I highly recommend the Elderberry soda with vanilla ice cream float, but you can make any number of wild combinations!

5. Try Superior Pho

The name Superior Pho comes from being located on Superior Avenue, but their pho is truly superior to many that I've had! They actually made the top spot on The 13 Absolute Best Pho In The US by Mashed and have won many other awards. My personal favorite is the Phở dặc biêt which has all the meats except for meatballs. Their Bánh mì thịt is to die for and I never skip their shrimp summer rolls! If I were you, take a friend and just try a bunch of different things. The restaurant is inside of a building with a few other restaurants, but there's plenty of parking in the back.

6. Try La Plaza Taqueria 

If you go WAY BACK this place actually started as a Mexican restaurant and grocery store on Lorain Avenue called Mi Pueblo. This is where I fell in love with lengua tacos! Sadly, they sold to another owner that changed the name and menu and they quickly failed. By some miracle many years later, they reopened as La Plaza on Lakewood Heights Blvd as a supermarket with a mini hot food section. Over time they expanded and now have a full taqueria including burritos, tortas, and a self serve salsa bar. Gone are the days when tacos were $1.50 but they are worth every penny in my mind, even if they're now a whopping $4 (as of December 2023). These are better than most of the ones I've actually had IN MEXICO! 

7. West Side Market

The West Side Market is Cleveland's oldest publicly owned market dating back to the 1840s and the current market house opened to the public in 1912. Today the market is home to over 100 vendors with cuisines from all over the world. You can pre-order a whole hog, buy specialty cheeses and desserts, or get fresh hot food and drinks ready to eat! Some of my favorite memories as a kid are coming here with my dad and getting the Middle Eastern pita sandwiches. The market has so much to offer there's truly something for everyone!

8. Hansa Import Haus

When I think of Christmas, German Christmas markets come to mind. Cleveland is fortunate to have their own German import store & restaurant! If you're looking for marzipan potatoes, Ritter Sport chocolate, or your favorite German beer they've got you covered! It's a small shop but feels very old world and cosy. If you're in the mood for a comforting and indulgent meal, right next door is their restaurant and brewery where you can enjoy beers on tap with a great selection of German dishes. Surprisingly, they do have a small vegetarian menu. This is also just a short walk away from the West Side Market!

Final Thoughts

As you can see there are plenty of things you can see and do if visiting Cleveland during the holiday season! Of course this list isn't comprehensive but just a few of my favorite spots. Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter so you can get updated every time we post!