There were a lot of reasons we wanted to go to Cleveland. Mainly, we are on a quest to see all 62 National Parks, and Cleveland is home to one of them: Cuyahoga Valley National Park. But we were also excited to explore the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the house from A Christmas Story. With everything to do in Cleveland, how bad could it be?

I’m happy to report that Cleveland did not disappoint! And because I am so thrilled with our Cleveland vacation, I’m ready to share with you everything you need to have the best two days in Cleveland.

Two Days in Cleveland

Odds are you’ll be flying to get to Cleveland. I highly recommend having a car during your visit, as things are fairly spread out.

If you need more information about renting a car while traveling, check out my post: How to take a Road Trip in a Rental Car.

Day One in Cleveland

Fly into Cleveland early Saturday morning. Grab your rental car, and head straight for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This park can get pretty crowded, especially on the weekends, and you’ll want to get here early to avoid the crowds and to get a parking spot. Pack your lunch so you don’t have to leave the park mid-day. Now, you’re ready to dive on in.

Waterfalls of Cuyahoga Valley National Park

One of the best things about Cuyahoga Valley National Park are all the waterfalls! They are perhaps the park’s biggest attraction, so check them out early. You’ll especially want to get to Brandywine Falls early, as it is one of Cuyahoga Valley’s most well known Falls. The hikes to the waterfalls are easy. Here are a few of our favorite waterfall trails:

• Blue Hen Falls Trail (0.5 Miles)
• Brandywine Gorge Trail (1.5 Miles)
• Bridal Veil Falls and the Buckeye Trail (0.2 Miles)

There are lots of hikes you could do in Cuyahoga Valley, and you can read about a few of my favorites in my post Two days in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. For a trip where you’re trying to see Cleveland and Cuyahoga Valley National Park, you’re going to be limited to shorter hikes in order to see more.

Biking Tow Path Trail

There are so many places that you can rent bikes around Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This is great news for everyone who flies into Cleveland to visit this park! We rented our bikes at a place just off the Tow Path and were able to quickly hop on the trail. This path is very flat and easy to ride. It is a great bike trail for all experience levels. When you can’t ride any more, catch the train back!

Don’t forget to stop somewhere along the way and grab a bite to eat from that lunch you packed earlier, you won’t regret having that along the way!

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Cuyahoga Valley National Park has it’s very own public transportation! Whenever you ride your bike as far as you can, hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad! The best part is, tickets are discounted for bikers! (As of 2019, tickets were $5 per person when boarding with a bike!)

Dinner in Cleveland

At this point, it’s time to head back into town and grab something to eat. You’ll likely want to catch a shower at your hotel first. We like to eat at more casual restaurants, and we quickly found a new favorite in Cleveland. Melt Bar and Grilled is our perfect dinner spot. Beers, gourmet grilled cheese, and even a cheese burger with a mac & cheese bun! You’re going to love what you find here, and I highly recommend checking it out!

We also loved Winking Lizard. Although we might be a little biased because we had one right across the street from our hotel, but we couldn’t get enough of this place. We finished our night in Cleveland with some drinks at the bar.

Day Two in Cleveland

Like all of my two-day itineraries, my Two Days in Cleveland itinerary gets us moving right away. Grab some breakfast, and then head on over to the house from A Christmas Story for the first tour of the morning! If you’re not a fan of the movie, this might be a great time to grab a quick hike in Cuyahoga Valley National Park!

A Christmas Story House

A few words of caution when visiting the house, this home is in a neighborhood. Please be respectful of the people who live nearby. There is only street parking available, and streets can get pretty full. Don’t block neighboring driveways.

The gift shop, open 15 minutes before the first tour, is in a home across the street. Check out the movie memorabilia, and if you’re lucky, grab a Christmas Story themed donut!

Tours at the Christmas Story House last about one hour and are full of fun stories about the making of the movie. If you’re a fan of this Christmas classic, you’re not going to want to miss this!

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Finish up your trip to Cleveland with a visit to it’s most iconic resident, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame can get pretty crowded, especially on weekends, and it helps to visit the upper-level exhibits first, especially if you arrive right when they open, that way you’ll be moving in the opposite direction of the foot traffic.

Take lots of photos and visit all of your favorite artists. There is something for everyone here.

While you’re at this spot, be sure to check out one of the “Cleveland” signs for a perfect vacation photo opp! For a complete list of where to find all the signs, check out this post from Cleveland’s tourism office: Your Guide to the CLE Script Signs.

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The post The Best Way to Spend Two Days in Cleveland, Ohio first appeared on Greetings From Kelly.

No matter what kind of experience you’re looking for, you’re bound to find it here!

Getting to Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cleveland is the closest city to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, so the easiest way to get to Cuyahoga Valley National Park is to get to Cleveland!

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is by far the easiest and most accessible airport to fly into, but the Akron-Canton Regional Airport might also be a good option for you.

If flying isn’t your thing, you can always take the Amtrak or a Greyhound to get to downtown Cleveland. If you’re coming from Chicago, New York City, or Toledo, the Megabus is also an option for you, which will give you the chance to score $1 tickets!

No matter which way you get to Cleveland, it would be practically impossible to navigate this National Park without a car. You’ll want to rent one when you get into town if you haven’t driven your own to get here.

If you need more information about renting a car while you’re traveling, check out my post: How to take a Road Trip in a Rental Car.

Where to Stay

Inside The Park

• The Stanford House – a historic building converted into a shared lodging facility inside the park. Individual rooms can only be booked two weeks in advance. There is a shared kitchen inside the home that is available for guests to use.
• The Inn at Brandywine Falls – a bed & breakfast that boasts a view of Brandywine Falls.
• Stanford Campsites – Five primitive campsites along the Towpath Trail. There is no RV parking or camping inside Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

In Cleveland

• The Budget: Red Roof Inn – Independence – Independence is great because it is about half way between Downtown Cleveland and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There are many affordable hotels in this area.
• The Continental: Drury Plaza Hotel – Cleveland – The Drury hotels are a favorite of mine. I, of course, love them because they’re Missouri-owned! But they also offer a delicious continental breakfast and their “kickbacks” which offer up hefty snacks and mixed drinks on the house.
• The Splurge: The Schofield Hotel – The Schofield catches my eye because of it’s sleek design and it’s beautiful city views. If you’re looking for a Cleveland splurge, this is the place!
• The Destination: Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade – The Arcade is a Cleveland destination on it’s own. If you’re looking to really make your Cleveland trip top notch, you can stay at this hotel which calls the Arcade it’s home. Fair warning, staying here will not be cheap, but it will create a memory you’ll constantly want to look back on.

Hiking Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a great place to go if you’re in the mood for some hiking. Not only are there 20 miles of trails at the Tow Path Trail (see below), but there are many other trails around the park that cater to hikers. The waterfall hikes are perhaps the easiest to see:

• Blue Hen Falls Trail (0.5 Miles) – This tiny trail ends in a small pool of water with a waterfall. Many visitors relax with their feet in the icy cold water after a quick hike in the sun.
• Brandywine Gorge Trail (1.5 Miles) – I love this hike because it is relatively easy, and has multiple observation decks to view the falls from.
• Bridal Veil Falls and the Buckeye Trail (0.2 Miles) – Another easy trail that ends at a beautiful waterfall. Really, there isn’t anything better than that!

If you’re looking for a longer hike, check out these trails:

• The Ledges Trail (2.2 Miles) – This trail was our favorite! There are old staircases to hike down, large mossy rocks, beautiful look out points, and as the name implies, large rock cliffs everywhere that gives Ledges its name.
• Boston Run Trail (3.1 Miles)
• Brandywine Gorge Loop (1.4 Miles)
• Kendall Lake Trail (1 Mile)

Biking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

There are 20 miles of flat, scenic trails on the Tow Path Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Bikes can be rented at Century Cycles or Eddie’s Bike Shop along the trail. The best part about biking in the park is that you don’t have to complete a round trip, which means you’re able to be a little more spontaneous with the ride. You’re able to ride as far as you can from your starting point and then when you’re done riding, find your nearest train station and ride the train back to your car! The train is only $5 for bikers and is meant to be used as a form of public transportation.

Riding bikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park was one of my absolute favorite experiences while visiting, and I highly recommend you make time for it during your trip.

Bonus Places to See

If you’re looking for a different Cleveland experience or if you’re planning to extend your stay beyond two days, be sure to check out my Two Day Cleveland Itinerary for more ideas on where to visit. Here’s a quick overview of some of my favorite spots to check out while you’re in Cleveland.

• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
• A Christmas Story House
• Winking Lizard
• Melt Bar and Grilled
• Jack Frost Donuts

Two Day Itinerary

If you’re ready to get your trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park started today, check out my completely free Two Day Cuyahoga Valley National Park Itinerary below, which will include some of my favorite stops from above, plus a few extras.

If you’re interested in my Two Day Cleveland Itinerary, you can check that out over here:

The post Two Days in Cuyahoga Valley National Park first appeared on Greetings From Kelly.

Visit the City or See Nature

Cleveland is in a very unique spot in that it has all the perks of a major city and all the serenity of being in nature. You’ll find Cleveland between Lake Erie and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Which means if you’re in the mood for a hike or kayaking, it won’t be far away. But if you’re in the mood for dinner and drinks, Cleveland has you covered there, too.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Any city with a National Park is a win in my book. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a great “beginner park.” It’s easy to navigate and doesn’t have too many strenuous hikes. There is a bike trail that surrounds the park with easy terrain that is perfect for a leisurely ride or an all-day excursion. When we visited, we rode our rented bikes as far as we could, and then took the train to get back to our car. Yes, this park even has public transportation!

I’ve got a whole post about Cuyahoga Valley National Park coming very soon.

Less Crowds

Crowded destinations and waiting in long lines are the worst. After living in Los Angeles, we had gotten used to thinking up a great place to visit, only to find out that (literally) thousands of other people had the same idea. We got very sick of crowds very quickly. Crowds are a big reason we left Los Angeles. In Cleveland, you won’t have to deal with that. And that’s why it’s one of the best Midwest vacation spots.

There are still places that will be innately crowded, like the small parking lots at Cuyahoga Valley National park, or a new restaurant at 6pm. Although, this is true of any city and is something you’ll have to be prepared for. But less visitors means less crowds, and Midwest destinations are typically less crowded. It’s one of the reasons we love them!

The Christmas Story House

24-hours of A Christmas Story is something I look forward to every Christmas. Even though we visited Cleveland in July, I was over the moon with our visit to the Christmas Story house. This house is fully interactive. A tour guide leads you through the house and the museum, telling stories from the set along the way. We loved this stop!

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame could be a destination in and of itself. We mostly went to Cleveland to hike in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but had a rainy day to fill. On a rainy weekend day in the middle of summer, this place was full of visitors. That being said, we still got to see everything inside, and still had a good chunk of our day left by the end of it.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has something for everyone. Artifacts and stories from everyone’s favorite performer. There were also lots of interactive exhibits. We absolutely loved checking this spot out.

Great Food

If you’re a foodie looking to try something unique, Cleveland has you covered there, too. If you want to cover the most ground, check out the Westside Market. Bakeries, butchers, crepes, and nitrogen ice cream, and so much more. Get a real taste for Cleveland in the same place the locals shop.

One place that we particularly loved (not found at the Westside Market) was Melt. Try the most amazing jalapeno popper grilled cheese, or a cheeseburger with a macaroni and cheese bun. No matter what your guilty pleasure might be, you’ll definitely find it here.

The Best Midwest Vacation Spot

If you are looking the best Midwest Vacation spot for your summer road trip, look no further. Cleveland offers tons of things to do and see. No matter if you’re looking to hike for miles or to eat your way through vacation, Cleveland has something for you.

Looking for more great vacation spots? Check out these posts:

If You Can’t Afford to Travel, Travel to Las Vegas

The Ultimate Guide to Boston’s Freedom Trail

Visiting a Route 66 Landmark: The Wigwam Village Motels

1 Day in Springfield Illinois

The post Why Cleveland is the Perfect Spot for your Next Vacation first appeared on Greetings From Kelly.