When planning a girls’ trip, choosing a destination that is easy to navigate, has exciting nightlife, plenty of shopping options, and delicious food is crucial. Cleveland checks all of these boxes and more!
Last year, I discovered that Cleveland was named one of Travel + Leisure’s Top Destinations to Visit in the World for 2024, and I just knew I had to add this city to my bucket list. I am so grateful that the opportunity to visit became available and knew that a girls’ trip was the perfect way to experience the city.
The city of Cleveland, lovingly referred to as “The Land” by locals, has plenty of experiences to enjoy. Whether you or your best pals are sports fanatics, music lovers, or self-proclaimed food critics, Cleveland has something for you and your crew to enjoy.
Here’s my three-day guide to Cleveland, an exciting destination for a girls’ trip in the Midwest.
Where to Stay for a Girls’ Trip in Cleveland
When planning a girls’ trip to Cleveland, it’s important to stay in a location that is central to your trip activities. During our girls’ trip, my friend and I stayed at the newly renovated Hotel Cleveland, which has a captivating history and glamorous ambiance. The hotel, which has hosted famous guests such as The Beatles, Martin Luther King Jr., Bob Hope, and several American presidents, recently underwent renovations, breathing new life into its storied past.
The hotel has 491 rooms on-site, including 50 suites, which my best friend and I stayed in during our trip. The suite was a beautifully blended modern element with historical touches, such as murals of old maps of the city. We stayed in a double bedroom suite with a separate living room complete with an executive desk, dining room table, wet bar, and lovely views of the city that stretched out to the lake. This type of room is perfect for a girls’ trip as it has ample space for all to enjoy.
In addition to the beautiful suite, we enjoyed the food and beverages at Maker and Mowrey’s, two on-site restaurants with excellent dining programs. My experience at Hotel Cleveland was truly memorable, offering an array of on-site amenities and proximity to attractions like Public Square and Jack Cleveland Casino. If you’re seeking a central hotel that embodies history and luxury, I highly recommend Hotel Cleveland.
3-Day Guide for a Girls’ Trip to Cleveland, Ohio
Day 1: Friday Arrival and Cultural Exploration of Cleveland
For the first day, we kept our schedule light to accommodate travel. Both of us did a bit of driving to reach our destination, arriving just after 2 p.m. I traveled from Chicago which is about a 5-hour drive using the toll roads and my friend traveled from Toledo which is about 2.5 hours.
After checking into the hotel, we kicked off our weekend with a celebratory drink at Maker, a vintage-meets-vibrant cocktail bar in Hotel Cleveland. The high-end craft cocktails were a fantastic way to start our day out on the town.
We then explored Downtown Cleveland, a walkable area rich in history, architecture, and sports stadiums. Many attractions, restaurants, and nightlife spots are within walking distance of each other, making it convenient for exploring on foot. We enjoyed visiting The Arcade and 5th Street Arcades, century-old shopping malls filled with independent retailers and food spots.
We then took a rideshare service to University Circle, home to many cultural institutions, including The Cleveland Museum of Art. The museum is free and open until 9 p.m. on Friday evenings, allowing us to explore its world-class collection and a special exhibition on African and Byzantine art. The exhibit showcased the history of African rulers and their empires, offering a unique perspective through Community Notes from locals.
For dinner, we visited Mia Bella in Little Italy, where we enjoyed drinks, appetizers, and individual pasta dishes. We ended the night with a drink at The Black Cherry Room at Maxi’s, a bar and cocktail lounge where we connected with locals who shared their love for the city. This was a great way to end day one of our girls’ trip in Cleveland.
Day 2: Saturday Neighborhood Hopping and Nightlife Hotspots
On the second day of our girls’ trip, we explored the vibrant neighborhoods beyond downtown. We began our journey at Edgewater Park, where we were greeted by the beautiful beaches of Lake Erie and breathtaking views of Downtown Cleveland. This park is a great place to capture Instagram-worthy shots, especially near the Cleveland script signs which are spread throughout various parts of the city. We then walked from the lake to the Gordon Square Arts District, a vibrant hub brimming with theaters, independent businesses, and charming shops like Brewnuts, Océanne, SP Leather, and UC Me.
After that, we explored Hingetown in Ohio City, a historic LGBTQ+ district known for its new developments, great restaurants, and breweries. We checked out City Goods, a unique market with cool dome-shaped hangars where local businesses sell their goods. We had the opportunity to connect with local shop owners and find some great items to bring back with us.
In Ohio City, we also visited the West Side Market, one of the biggest indoor/outdoor markets in the country. We tried different types of food and brought some goodies back to our hotel( dessert and one of the best gyros I’ve ever had in my life)! That evening, we dressed up and went out to a couple of nightclubs, Rumor Bar and Lounge and Barley House. Each place had different music, and there were no cover charges.
Day 3: Sunday Brunch with a Side of Rock & Roll
On our last day, we started with breakfast at Mowrey’s in Hotel Cleveland, where we got some excellent recommendations from our server and sampled several dishes including the Ohio Scramble, Latke, German Waffle, and croissants. All were fantastic!
After breakfast, we decided to walk through the downtown area(and walk off our food) which led us through a few more historical blocks, and buildings with fascinating architecture, murals, and public art. We even stopped at the casino to press our luck before we left the city. We didn’t win, but the experience was fun nonetheless.
We then made our way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an attraction that lives up to the hype with its six floors of music history and interactive exhibits. My favorite exhibits included the HOLLA IF YA HEAR ME: HIP HOP AT 50, ROOTS OF ROCK, and The Garage. If you ever visit Cleveland, do not skip this awesome experience. Haute Tip: Use my booking link to save some cash on admission.
After we wrapped up at the museum, my bestie and I went our separate ways. I then drove back to Chicago for 5 hours and still had plenty of time to recover before the work week kicked in!
Final Thoughts on a Girls’ Weekend to Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a fantastic destination for a girls’ trip, with its trendy neighborhoods and lively entertainment options. The city’s pride is evident as you explore its diverse neighborhoods and cultural institutions. Whether you’re looking for a fun night out at the nightclubs near the stadium or simply want to relax and unwind, Cleveland has something to offer for every type of girls’ trip.
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