CLEVELAND (July 5, 2023) – From the crack of the bat at a Guardians game to concerts on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's front plaza, the sounds of summer reverberate throughout The Land. With a batch of new experiences and openings, visitors this season can celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip hop, catch a compelling new art exhibit and sample new restaurants in one of the country's best food cities.

Music Festivals, Events & Exhibits Celebrate Diverse Influences

Beyond being known as a rock 'n' roll city, Cleveland has a deep history with hip hop. The trailblazing Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Kid Cudi and Machine Gun Kelly hail from The Land. MC Chill became Cleveland's first hip hop star in the 1980s, and, today, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors hip hop artists and their contributions to the artform. This summer, Cleveland offers multiple experiences to explore various genres and attend signature music events.

• 50 Years of Hip Hop
  • Hip Hop at 50: Holla If Ya Hear Me (June 29-January)

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's new exhibit commemorates 50 years of hip hop with never-before-seen and “new school” artifacts from artists like DJ Kool Herc, Roxanne Shante, The Sugarhill Gang, Salt-N-Pepa and Jay-Z. Through iconic jewelry, fashion and records, visitors can follow hip hop from moguls and social issues, east to west coast and all the beats, rhythms and art that happen in between.

• Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Street Dedication & Concert (August 11)

Following a fan petition, the intersection of E. 99th Street and St. Clair Avenue will be renamed Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Way to honor the Cleveland hip hop group. The group named their 1995 album “E. 1999 Eternal” after the street corner and immortalized it in their lyrics. The group is expected to perform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that evening and to join LL COOL J's The F.O.R.C.E. Tour the following night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse alongside The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff and other hip hop icons.

• Glenville Festival: A Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop (August 12)

An annual neighborhood event, Glenville Festival, takes on a hip hop theme this year with a lineup of local hip hop artists and a DJ battle. The neighborhood is where Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and other Cleveland hip hop artists started out, and the event is known for live music and surprise headlining artists.

• Rock Hall Live Concert Series

The front plaza of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame becomes a live music hub each summer with an outdoor stage, a beer garden with food trucks, Johnny Cash's tour bus, pet friendly areas and free motorcycle parking. The 2023 Rock Hall Live concert series features The Breeders, Fitz and the Tantrums and Grandmaster Flash, plus free Happy Hour shows and Lunch by the Lake acoustic sets on select days. The museum also offers extended hours in July and August, remaining open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Photos available here.

• Cleveland Orchestra's 2023 Blossom Concert Series (July 1-September 9)

The renowned Cleveland Orchestra returns for a summer lineup at Blossom Music Center inside Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The 2023 Blossom Concert Series features a diverse array of musical performances and special guests, including Beethoven's Ode to Joy, music from Final Fantasy, Jurassic Park and Lord of the Rings, as well as Sibelius' First Symphony and an evening with six-time Tony award-winning artist Audra McDonald.

Photos available here.

• WonderStruck (July 8-9)
  Headliners Khalid, Nelly, Walker Hayes and Flo Rida bring the heat to this summer's WonderStruck, one of the Midwest's largest contemporary music festivals. The annual event at Lakeland Community College attracts thousands of music lovers to the 400-acre site for concerts on multiple stages by more than 25 performers.

New Exhibits Engage Visitors
Cleveland's world-class museums and cultural institutions continue to present art, culture and science experiences through new angles and create compelling moments for visitors.

• The Archive at Cleveland Public Library (Now-Spring 2024)

Thousands of delicate flowers suspended from the ceiling create a dreamlike effect in Cleveland Public Library's new exhibit, The Archive. Designed by British artist Rebecca Louise Law, known for immersive exhibits with natural materials, the free experience is composed of over 50,000 preserved flowers carefully arranged to create an ethereal display to walk through.

• Dinosaurs of the Sahara (Now-Sep. 4)

It's a summer filled with prehistoric discoveries at the Great Lakes Science Center. The world debut of Dinosaurs of the Sahara brings dinosaurs of Africa to life with original fossils from the region, one-of-a-kind mounted skeletons and models and a giant 32-foot rearing long-necked Jobaria skeleton. At the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater, screenings of “Dino Dana: The Movie” and “Dinosaurs of Antarctica” expand the dino-centric experience.

• Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA): Egyptomania: Fashion's Conflicted Obsession (Now‐January 2024)

This exhibition brings together nearly 50 objects that explore the influence of Egyptomania in fashion by juxtaposing contemporary fashion and jewelry with fine and decorative artworks from CMA's collection.

• Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA): A Splendid Land: Paintings from Royal Udaipur (Now-September 10)

With fifty immersive paintings, many on public view for the first time, A Splendid Land features artworks that convey the mood of Udaipur's palaces, lakes and mountains over 200 years in the rapidly changing political and cultural landscapes of South Asia.

• Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (moCa) Summer/Fall 2023 (July 7‐December 31)
  

moCa's 2023 exhibitions and artist residencies focus on identity, nature, memory and collaboration with debut exhibitions by inspiring artists. “A soft place to land” will highlight textiles' ability to embody collective and individual memories. “Don't Mind If I Do,” a group exhibition co‐curated by Shannon Finnegan, will feature works by artists from the disability arts ecosystem and all things can be picked up and touched, bringing the art to the visitor. “¡Juntos! (Together)” features works from a diverse group of Cleveland Latino artists that illustrate their distinct backgrounds and unique artistic styles.

 

Restaurant & Bar Openings Fuel Summer Fun
A range of cuisines and themes are shared by new and soon-to-open restaurants in The Land.

• Geraci's Slice Shop (May)

Wood paneling, arcade games and trays of freshly baked pies welcome visitors to the new 1980s-themed Geraci's Slice Shop's in Downtown Cleveland. From garlic knots and single slices to craft-your-own cocktails and one pan lasagnas, guests can enjoy a quick bite or dine in. A walk-up window offers slices for takeout.

• Tutto Carne (May)

Tutto Carne opened in May in the Little Italy neighborhood. The Italian-themed steakhouse features specialties like homemade ravioli stuffed with spring peas and ricotta, spaghetti carbonara with guanciale and lobster fra diavolo.

• Daisy's (May)

New owners have revived the 40-year-old Daisy's ice cream shop in the Slavic Village neighborhood. A beloved summer destination, Daisy's serves ice cream from Ohio's oldest dairy along with hot dogs and Polish Boys, a classic Cleveland creation.

• Patron Saint Café (June)

Patron Saint all-day café features coffee and aperitivo drinks served alongside a menu of Italian-inspired small plates. The café opened in the recently restored Vitrolite Building, which was previously home to a showroom for Vitrolite glass. Original design elements were preserved, including the tile floor, large arches and glass tile designs on the wall.

• Roaming Biscuit (July)

A new flagship location for Roaming Biscuit is opening in the Ohio City neighborhood for breakfast and lunch service. The breakfast sandwich concept was launched in 2019 as a roving pop-up, followed by the first storefront, Bake Shop, which opened in 2021.

• Fahrenheit (July)

Fahrenheit restaurant is moving into a new home in the heart of the city. The restaurant opened more than 20 years ago in the Tremont neighborhood and became a staple of the local dining scene. The two-story space on Public Square comes with a rooftop bar overlooking the city and its central downtown park.

• Verbena Shoppe, Café & Dry Bar (July/August)

Verbena Shoppe, Café & Dry Bar will open this summer as the city's first brick and mortar non-alcoholic café, retailer and bar. Verbena aims to provide a new, alcohol-free experience for visitors, showcasing mocktails and evening events. Food options include lunch fare, cheese boards, tin fish plates and desserts.

• Battr (July/August)

Visitors are in for a sweet treat at Battr, a new concept in the Tremont neighborhood that serves bubble waffles, gelato, Korean-style crepes, espresso drinks and organic teas. At the “FOMO topping bar,” guests can add indulgent toppings and sauces to customize their treats.

• La Cave Du Vin (August/September)

A beloved wine bar will reopen in a new space and neighborhood this summer for the first time since 2018. The La Cave Du Vin revival is positioned as a cool, fun place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine in the Tremont neighborhood.

• Evelyn (September)

Featuring 1940s Art Deco décor, Evelyn will feature elevated tapas and paella in a whimsical environment. The new spot in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood joins a growing restaurant group from James Beard‐nominated chef Jill Vedaa and business partner Jessica Parkison.

 

New Outdoor Activities Make the Most of Summer Weather
This season brings a new sightseeing cruise, immersive outdoor exhibits, festivals and other opportunities for visitors to experience warm weather in The Land.  

• Lady Caroline

The 120-foot dining and entertainment ship, Lady Caroline, started service in mid-June with sightseeing cruises on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River. Lady Caroline is equipped with four decks, three climate-controlled and one open-air, all featuring scenic views of the city skyline and waterfront. Lady Caroline departs from the Flats West Bank with a variety of cruise options, including lunch, brunch, dinner and private charter cruises.

• Holden Arboretum Lego Exhibit (Now-September 4)

Fourteen sculptures and over 350,000 toy blocks went into Sean Kenney's Nature Connects Made with LEGO Bricks exhibit at Holden Arboretum. The imaginative exhibit features a colorful lily, a large monarch butterfly, an oversized hummingbird pollinating a flower and more placed carefully throughout nature. This exhibit stresses the importance of conservation, balance in ecosystems and the relationship between humans and nature.

• Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: Asian Lantern Festival (July 7-August 27)

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is transformed each summer with large-scale illuminated displays for the Asian Lantern Festival. This year's festival features a nearly 40-foot-tall giant lantern, walk-through tunnels, acrobatic performances every hour, an Asian Food Market and a 150-foot-long Enchanted Garden Experience that immerses guests in larger-than-life displays featuring butterflies, flowers and insects.

Photos and b-roll available here.

• Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: Bear Hollow Habitat (Summer)

A $7.7‐million project will create four new habitats for the tropical Andean and sloth bears, tripling the area for the vulnerable species and giving visitors a 360‐degree view of the exhibit.

• Blazing Paddles Paddlefest (July 22)

The annual kayak, paddleboard and canoeing celebration of the Cuyahoga River commemorates the river's transformation from an industrial pollution zone to the top urban kayaking spot in the country. The courses include an iconic turnaround point, the site of the infamous June 22, 1969, fire that fueled the birth of the EPA and the Clean Water Act.

 

Accommodation Offerings Continue to Expand with New Hotel Projects
The latest updates to Cleveland's hotel landscape add restored historic buildings and renovated skyscrapers to an already wide array of visitor accommodations.

• Glidden House (May)

Originally the home of Frank and Mary Glidden (of the Glidden Paint Co.), the Glidden House was built in 1910 and represents the French Gothic Eclectic architecture style that was prevalent in the stately mansions of the time. Recent renovations to the 52 traditional guest rooms reflect the grandeur of the family home with local hand-crafted furnishings, upscale finishes and original works from local artists.

Photos available here.

• Hotel Cleveland (2024)

After extensive renovations, the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel will be rebranded as Hotel Cleveland, returning the city's oldest hotel to its original name. The 491‐room hotel will be part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, a group of hotels crafted to leave a lasting imprint on guests.

• Fidelity Hotel (2024)

A once‐vacant office building and downtown landmark will be transformed into a 97‐room boutique hotel. The independent property will be named Fidelity Hotel in a nod to the building's original name and will include dining, meeting rooms and a speakeasy‐style bar.

• W Hotel (2025)
  

A 1960s modernist skyscraper in Downtown Cleveland will host a new W Hotel and the first location for W Apartments. Plans for the 210-room hotel include a 15,000-square-foot ballroom and event center, a full-service spa and gym and a restaurant and bar on the 38th floor with panoramic city views.

• Curio Hotel by Hilton in Centennial Project (2026)

A historic Beaux-Arts building in Downtown Cleveland is being renovated as part of the new Centennial project. The building will be home to a Curio Hotel by Hilton within the top floors, along with 35,000 square feet of retail space, a lobby museum called the Cleveland Exposition, rooftop event spaces and a fine-dining restaurant.

 

New Developments Highlight Cleveland's Distinct Neighborhoods

Multiple projects are underway in Cleveland's diverse neighborhoods, creating new experiences and spaces for visitors.

• The Vitrolite Building (May)

Local development team Harness Collective has carefully renovated The Vitrolite Building, which was constructed in 1926 as the showroom for Vitrolite Glass Co. The building offers space for female- and minority-owned businesses with a path to equity and ownership, including:

• Soul Yoga, a studio dedicated to an inclusive community that fosters empowering growth and transformation.
• Patron Saint, an American café and aperitivo bar with Italian-inspired dishes served with spritzes, espresso and warm hospitality.
• Harness Cycle, a “beat-driven, feeling-based” cycle experience focusing on sweat, strength and recovery in one ride.

• Midtown Collaboration Center (2024)

Development of the Midtown Collaboration Center is underway in the neighborhood that bridges Downtown Cleveland and the arts and culture hub of University Circle. When completed in 2024, the Center will be a new model for economic development that centers around community. The 95,000-square-foot project will include research and training centers, a media lab, the city's first Black-owned brewery, food vendors and a music venue.

• CentroVilla25 (April 2024)

Cleveland's first major Latino Market, CentroVilla25, is slated for opening in April 2024. This market is expected to impact the Clark-Fulton neighborhood for generations to come as a celebratory, community space for the Latino community. Plans for the market include micro-retail spaces, a business innovation center, a commercial kitchen and coworking office space.

Looking Ahead
Over the next few years, Cleveland will welcome visitors for several notable events. Here's a look at what's ahead.

• 2024 NCAA Women's Final Four
  

After hosting this Championship in 2007, Cleveland will again welcome the NCAA DI Women's Basketball Tournament Final Four in 2024 at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The top teams in collegiate women's basketball will face off for the championship trophy.

• 2024 Solar Eclipse

It will be a blackout on April 8, 2024, as the city is in the direct path of the Total Solar Eclipse. With unobstructed views over Lake Erie and in the acres of greenspace throughout the area, and special programming by local science institutions—including NASA's Glenn Research Center and Great Lakes Science Center—The Land is an ideal location to witness the celestial event.

• 2024 Pan-American Masters Games (PAMG)

Held every four years in the Americas, PAMG is an Olympic-like sports festival for athletes over 30 years old. It features nearly 20 medal-contending sports including track and field, tennis, basketball, pickleball and cycling. The event is expected to be the largest international gathering in Northeast Ohio's history, bringing over 7,500 athletes from more than 50 countries.

 

To keep up to date on new developments and activities, please visit www.thisiscleveland.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.

###

 

ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland's destination marketing and management organization. This private, non-profit organization's mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. In 2021, visitation to Cuyahoga County rebounded to 16.1 million visits, a 17% increase after the COVID-19 global pandemic reduced visitation by 30 percent in 2020. Destination Cleveland continues its work to rebuild the travel and tourism industry, with the goal of exceeding pre-pandemic success as quickly as possible. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.