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Cleveland is incredibly underrated. When we first started planning our trip to Cleveland, the reaction we got was: “Why Cleveland of all places?” We started to worry when over and over we were getting the same reaction. What is wrong with Cleveland? We quickly found out that Cleveland is one of the best places in the Midwest for a vacation. I’ve created this itinerary for the perfect two days in Cleveland to help you quickly find all the best things to do in Cleveland Ohio. Once you see all that Cleveland has to offer, you will be checking for flights and packing your bags!
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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Love this, I never thought of Cleveland as an outdoor area, and I didn’t know that about the Christmas Story house. My husband has to watch that show every holiday season!
The Christmas Story House is great! They really go all out to make it a great experience for fans of the movie. You can pick up and pose with anything inside the house, and then once you’re in the Museum, you get to see the real props from the movie. And the gift shop is full of any and every object you could ever want as a souvenir. It’s definitely worth a visit!
I’ve never thought of Cleveland as a destination for me, but those waterfalls alone are beckoning to me! And the mac and cheese bun…YUM!
They had so many beautiful waterfalls that I bet are raging even more now with all the rain everyone’s been getting! All of Cuyahoga Valley NP feels like a secluded paradise. It’s hard to believe all of this is 20 minutes from downtown!
We love Cuyahoga Valley National Park! Such a great gem right by Cleveland. We have to add your suggestion of the scenic train ride to our next visit. Thanks.
The train ride is a must! It’s reminiscent of the industrial past in this area but has been given a completely new purpose. You can take full audio tours of the park aboard the train or use it as public transportation, but either way it’s such a fun way to see the park!
Saving for our next trip to Cleveland!
I can’t wait to go back! Glad you’ll get to visit again!
Thank you SO MUCH for this information!! We decided last minute to go to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as something different to do – and a road trip since we’re not ready to get on an airplane just yet. Your recommendations are PERFECT!! I didn’t realize there was a National Park there!! Your tips are much appreciated!!
Hi Lori Ann! I’m so glad you found these suggestions helpful. I hope you loved your trip to Cleveland! It’s a great city!