Give your regards to Broadway without breaking your bank at the opulent theaters of Playhouse Square, home to all the latest Broadway shows as well as comedians, opera, ballet and more.
And, although they sell out around the globe, here you can still get tickets to the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra. Cleveland is your chance to visit theatres and companies that started it all for actors like Robert Guillaime (Karamu House), Hal Linden (Cleveland Play House) and Tom Hanks (Great Lakes Theater Festival).
As if that's not enough, you can "find yourself in the circle"...University Circle, that is--the most concentrated square mile of arts and culture institutions in the nation with the Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Museum of Art, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland Museum of Natural History and more!
Save on your theatre, concerts and other live performances with Ctix.org.
Download guides and publications to help plan your trip:
Multicultural + History Cleveland’s ethnic diversity weaves a colorful cultural tapestry and a city with a rich history to explore. +more
Museums + Zoos + Gardens Did you know there’s a rainforest in Cleveland? And a sculpture center, auto-aviation museum, football hall of fame and the list goes on. +more
Performances + Special Events Cleveland’s got talent in spades. Local and national bands, dance companies, improv comedy troupes and theater companies provide constant entertainment. +more
Hotel Packages Your perfect getaway starts here. Check out special packages featuring choice accommodations, theatre tickets, exhibitions and culinary experiences. +more
Use the Visiting Cleveland section of our website to start planning your arts + culture getaway now.
Traveler's Tips
Many hotels offer ticket packages. Check your hotel’s website to see if they have a cross promotional offer with a popular museum or museums. It's one-stop shopping.
Before traveling to University Circle, it is best to grab a map or check out their website for parking options. Parking is available throughout University Circle (beside the Cleveland Museum of Art, behind the Western Reserve Historical Society, under the Cleveland Botanical Garden, under Severance Hall and next to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, for example) and by street meters. For those who need or want a ride, a free CircleLink shuttle bus picks up visitors at most venues and travels to several of the area institutions.
Table 45 is offering complimentary transportation service to Severance Hall, the Cleveland Playhouse and other area amenities. Diners can valet park free of charge and be shuttled to and from shows, museums and other area venues.
Try someplace off the beaten path. While Playhouse Square is a big theater complex (the largest performing arts center outside of NYC, in fact), there are several other good theaters including Karamu House, Cleveland Public Theatre, Bang & Clatter, Dobama, Beck Center for the Arts, Carousel Dinner Theater and many more.
See the Cleveland Orchestra at both of its homes. The orchestra's winter venue, Severance Hall, is stunning and Blossom Amphitheater is a great outdoor space to enjoy the classics with some wine and cheese on those warm summer evenings.
Many special events are free. The Cleveland Institute of Music, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, University Circle, Inc. all have free events throughout the year, from student recitals to outdoor chalk festivals.
Cleveland’s galleries are spread out about the city. Many art walks and gallery hops take place in Cleveland's historic neighborhoods throughout the year.
Do a “spoke and hub” trip. Stay in Cleveland for a long weekend and spend a day in Akron (Try a performance at Carousel Dinner Theatre, a tour of the mansion and gardens at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, a visit to the new Akron Art Museum and lunch at West Point Market) and a day in Lake County (tour wine country, visit Holden Arboretum and then dine at Molinari’s).
Cleveland's Annual Gallery Events If local galleries, installations and cutting edge artists are your thing, then Cleveland's gallery events shouldn't be missed. Little Italy's Artwalk takes place annually, in June, October and December, so pick up some tiramisu and start walking! Visit the Little Italy or Murray Hill Art Walk websites for more information.
Plus, on the second Friday of every month, the trendy Tremont neighborhood offers the Tremont Art Hop. Take advantage of local happy hours and dining, then hop on over to some galleries for your local art fix. Download a map and list of participating venues here.
