Here’s your sports fans’ guide to Cleveland, Ohio—from tailgating to multiple halls of fame
The place of origin of stone ' n ' bowl boasts gorgeous outdoor spaces and universe - socio-economic class museum and orchestras . But Cleveland is also a sports town through and through , with MLB , NBA and NFL franchises , a thriving college sportswoman scene , and local traditions galore . Shirts are optional at every Browns household game , no matter the temperature ( especiallyif you ’re sitting in theDawg Pound ) and Guardians rooter of all eld lovingly rememberJohn Adams ( R.I.P. ) bang his bass drum in the bleachersto stir up a rally .
And while Cleveland ’s sports teams might not always have winning records , the fans always find the silver lining . After all , what other city would throw a"Perfect Season Parade"when their football game squad has a winless season and apply it to support a local solid food bank ? That ’s Cleveland in a nutshell : Acknowledging frustration and sadness , but continue patriotic and having hope that ( as Yogi Berra once read ) there ’s always next year .
There ’s something for everyone in Cleveland , including bowling and medicine at a century - old skittle alley , doughnut and pierogies galore , and a deep , intimate sports chronicle . Get ready for a three - day sport fan journey to the Lake Erie area with the below itinerary .
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Who I am : I’m Annie Zaleski andI grew up in Cleveland going to baseball game game at the erectile Municipal Stadium , collecting baseball cards ( shout out to 1988 Topps ! ) , and watching the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns every weekend . I wanted to be a sportswriter when I grew up — and while I ended up becoming a music diarist rather , I still compose about sports ( and sport culture ) when I can . My fandom also dies hard : It ’s still too painful for me to talk aboutThe DriveorThe Fumble(or the 1997 and 2016 World Series , for that matter ) but I ’m eternally thankful to LeBron James and the Cavs for finally giving us ( and , more authoritative , my long - suffering sport fan dad ) a championship .
Before you go
Book early : No matter what your taste in euphony , theRock & Roll Hall of Fameis a must - visit . You ’ll want to chip at out at least a half day to go through the museum , as between interactive spaces like theGarage , where you may strap on a guitar and shred with your friends , and an always - changing roll of exhibitions , there ’s plenty to seeandhear .
take care the forecast : The weather here can be unpredictable every season of the twelvemonth . Check the forecast before you go , but always design on bringing a jacket crown just in subject of a springtime snowstorm or summer iciness .
Need to know : Also , Clevelanders wo n’t be amused at your jokes about theCuyahoga Rivercatching on fire or the brown ' recurrent losing record . Stick to the enormousness of Donovan Mitchell or who should be inducted into the Rock Hall .
Photo by Erik Drost, courtesy of Destination Cleveland
Where to Stay
Two sporty days in Cleveland
Day 1
Morning
Mid day
Afternoon
Evening
Take This Home
Day 2
If you have three days
All the above, but add…
Stop by Akron for a Warren Earl Burger and milkshake at the original outpost of throwback eaterySwenson ’s Drive - In . The Galley Boy , a threefold cheeseburg with two extra sauce , is a classic . Pair it with onion plant rings and you ’re golden .
mouth of road trips : Cleveland is also an well-fixed two - hour drive to Pittsburgh and Columbus ( and around three hours from Detroit ) meaning you could easily take a day trip to catch a game out of town . Baseball - wise , it ’s always a delight to catch the Pirates atPNC Parkor the Tigers atComerica Park , but you’re able to also get the full Big 10 football game experience at Ohio Stadium , aka the Horseshoe , home of the 2024 national champs Ohio State Buckeyes .
Photo by Erik Drost, courtesy of Destination Cleveland
Photo by Cody York, courtesy of ThisIsCleveland.com
Photo courtesy of Destination Cleveland
Photo by Matt Shiffler
