Cleveland Travel Essentials

Our Cleveland Travel Essentials guide includes information about the best times to travel to Cleveland, the weather and climate here, how to get around, and other important information for your trip. We’ll look at getting to your hotel, popular annual events and festivals in the city, and some of the biggest attractions and landmarks you’ll want to be sure to visit.

We will even examine the warmest months of the year, average rainfall, and methods of travel within the city from taxis to bicycle rentals and beyond. By the end, you’ll know all the basics you need to make the most of your Cleveland holiday.

1. When is the best time to travel to Cleveland?

When is the best time to travel to Cleveland?

1. Cleveland’s climate is a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
2. The most rainfall can be seen in May through August, with between 3.7 and 3.9 inches in these months on average.
3. The warmest months of the year are June through August with average highs around 80 degrees.
4. The best times to visit are between April and May or September and October. Temperatures are moderate during these times and precipitation is lower.

2. Cleveland basics

Cleveland basics

1. Plug type: The plug type is the same standard 2- or 3-prong plug you’d find anywhere in the United States.
2. Electricity: Electricity is the standard 120-volt outlet, the same as anywhere else in the US
3. Currency: The currency is the US dollar.
4. International dialling code: The international dialling code is +1, and the Cleveland area code is 216.
5. Emergency telephone number: For emergencies, call 911.

3. How to get to my hotel in Cleveland?

How to get to my hotel in Cleveland?

Getting to your hotel in Cleveland can be accomplished in many different ways, depending on how you get to town. You can get here by plane, by train, or in some cases by boat over the Great Lakes.

Airports: Cleveland’s major airport is Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. It’s less than 20 minutes by car to city centre, and you can rent a car, take a shuttle, catch a bus, or hail a rideshare, depending on where your hotel is.

Major train stations: Cleveland has a major Amtrak station right in the heart of city centre. From here it should be very easy to access just about any hotel in the area.

Ports: Cleveland sits on the shores of Lake Erie and is one of the largest port cities on the Great Lakes. From here you can catch cruises onto the lakes or travel to other Great Lakes cities.

4. How to get around Cleveland?

How to get around Cleveland?

Travel tips

One of the best ways to save money in Cleveland is to purchase a Cleveland Pass, a card that lets you pay by the day to get unlimited rides on local public transport. It can be used on bus, rail, trolley, and BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) transport options. Cleveland is renowned for its public transport options, and public transport is without a doubt the best way to travel around the city.

Subway system

The subway system, including trolley and rail cars, can get you just about anywhere in the city via one of five lines: the NineTwelve and the E, B, C, and L lines. It’s efficient and runs on a regular basis, so it’s easy just to pop in, swipe your card, and go.

Taxi and rideshare apps

Taxi and rideshare apps are available including Uber and Lyft. Taxis can be very efficient, but you cannot hail cabs from the street in Cleveland. You’ll need to book them in advance, and they can be more expensive than public transit. Still, if you’re going outside the city proper, these are a good way to go.

Bus network

Cleveland has an extensive bus network that complements its rail system. It can, however, be a bit tricky for visitors to navigate with hundreds of stops in and around town. It’s mainly used by locals and commuters. The BRT runs in conjunction with the rail line and is easier to navigate.

Car hire

If you prefer to drive yourself, every major hire car company is represented in Cleveland. You can find offices throughout the city and around the suburbs as well as at airport and Amtrak kiosks. Your hotel may also be able to help you rent a car.

Bicycle rentals

Cleveland offers a range of bicycle rental opportunities, from those restricted to public parks and the trails therein to public rentals you can use to get around the city. The city also offers SoBi bicycle stations at over 30 spots throughout the city for public rentals on a 2-hour basis.

5. What are the main annual events in Cleveland?

What are the main annual events in Cleveland?

Brite Winter

1. When: Brite Winter is held every February for one day.
2. What: Brite Winter is a festival that celebrates late winter with games, live music, food trucks, dancing, and tonnes of vendor tents with arts, crafts, and goods both new and secondhand.
3. Where: Brite Winter is held at The Apartments at Nautica city centre.

Cleveland International Film Festival

1. When: The Cleveland International Film Festival is held from March to April over 18 days every year.
2. What: This festival celebrates national and international films in every genre from art films and documentaries to dramas, horror, comedy, science fiction, fantasy, adventure, and others. Since 1977 it’s been among the largest film festivals in the region and offers multiple prestigious awards, speakers, and workshops.
3. Where: The Cleveland International Film Festival is hosted at Playhouse Square in the city centre Theatre District.

Cleveland National Air Show

1. When: The Cleveland National Air Show is held every September over Labour Day weekend.
2. What: The air show features a wide range of attractions from shows by the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels to flights of historic aircraft and the chance to get up close to real aircraft and go aboard. You can attend demonstrations, play games, and learn all about aeronautics. Performances, performers, and displays change every year.
3. Where: The festival is held at Burke Lakefront Airport, a small regional airport 7 minutes northeast of city centre.

6. What are the main landmarks in Cleveland?

What are the main landmarks in Cleveland?

West Side Market

The West Side Market is the oldest public open-air market in the city, and since 1912 it has offered over 100 vendors selling food, arts, crafts, clothes, and many other goods to locals and tourists alike. It’s housed in a historic yellow brick building beneath a landmark 137-foot clock tower.

A Christmas Story House

The iconic house from “A Christmas Story” is located just outside of city centre Cleveland and stands as a museum honouring the iconic film and the book upon which it’s based. You’ll see rooms outfitted like those in the film, plus artefacts and stories from the film, including the iconic leg lamp.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is among the most iconic spots in Cleveland, attracting millions of visitors. You’ll see the personal possessions of such artists as Metallica, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and many others. If you enjoy music on any level, this iconic museum is highly recommended.

Cleveland Public Square

Cleveland Public Square is downtown’s central plaza, utilising an 18th-century New England design, and is one of the oldest spots in town. It was part of the original town plan from 1796 and is part of the city’s cultural heart and soul. It’s also on the National Register of Historic Places.

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