Cleveland
Cleveland is a Lake Erie city in northeastern Ohio known for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a free art museum and the West Side Market.
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Cleveland sits on the south shore of Lake Erie in northeastern Ohio. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on the lakefront covers the history of rock music. The Cleveland Museum of Art in University Circle has free general admission and a collection spanning many centuries and cultures. The West Side Market has operated for more than a century and sells produce, meat, fish, cheese and baked goods under one roof.
Two to three days covers the main museums, the market and the lakefront at an easy pace. The city suits a culture and food break, a stop on a Great Lakes road trip, or a weekend visit from elsewhere in Ohio. Summer is the easiest season for walking the lakefront and getting out on the water. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, between Cleveland and Akron, is an option for trails and rivers outside the city.
Cleveland in five
- Take the Red Line from the airportCleveland Hopkins has a direct RTA Red Line link to downtown, which beats a taxi for solo travelers. Check the current fare at the station.
- Plan the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame early in the dayIt sits on the lakefront and can take 3 hours. Buy timed tickets online for weekends and summer.
- Walk into the Cleveland Museum of ArtGeneral admission has been free, with fees only for special exhibitions. It is in University Circle with other museums and gardens, so group them into one day.
- Eat at the West Side MarketThe 1912 market hall has stalls for pierogi, bread and prepared food. Go on a weekday morning or Saturday for the full range of vendors.
- Add Cuyahoga Valley National ParkThe park runs between Cleveland and Akron, with waterfalls and the scenic railroad. It is about 25–40 minutes from downtown, so it fits a half day.
Things to do in Cleveland
See all attractions in Cleveland
Need to know
- Airport
- Cleveland Hopkins (CLE); RTA Red Line rail link to downtown
- Getting around
- Walk downtown; car or rideshare for University Circle and the park
- Best base
- Downtown or Ohio City
- Time needed
- 2 days; add half a day for Cuyahoga Valley
- Time zone
- Eastern, UTC−5; UTC−4 in summer
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow15 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh1°Low-4°Cold, snowJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- FebruarySnow13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh3°Low-3°Cold, snowFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- MarchRain15 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low0°Thaw, rainMarchRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, rain
- AprilRain15 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low5°Spring, rainAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, rain
- MayRain14 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Mild, greenMayRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Warm, festivalsJuneRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 141 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, festivals
- JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Warm, lake breezeJulyRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 161 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, lake breeze
- AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Warm, humidAugustRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, humid
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low17°Mild, quietSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Fall colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low4°Cool, greyNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, grey
- DecemberRain15 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh4°Low-1°Cold, lightsDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Cleveland, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Cleveland
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 12°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 10%
Cleveland
05:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°11°10%Monday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Tue23°14°9%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Wed19°17°79%Wednesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Thu17°12°79%Thursday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Fri12°8°27%Friday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Sat9°7°27%Saturday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Sun13°6°19%Sunday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 19%.
Updated 05:32 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Cuyahoga Valley National Parkabout 25–40 minutes by carWaterfalls, trails and a scenic railroad.
- Lake Erie islands and Sanduskyabout 1 hour by carFerries to the islands; summer is busiest.
- Detroitabout 2.5–3 hours by carBetter as a stop on a Great Lakes loop.Read the guide
Before you go to Cleveland
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Rules for Cleveland, checked
- Check whether you need an ESTA or a visa before you fly to the US, and confirm current entry rules on travel.state.gov.Source
- Declare food, plants and animal products on your customs form. Check current customs rules on cbp.gov before you fly in.Source
- Ohio bans open containers of alcohol in the passenger area of a car. Keep bottles sealed and in the trunk while you drive.
- Pay the RTA fare before you board buses and trains, and check current fare rules at riderta.com.Source
Plan around Cleveland
Motown and museums, 2.5–3 hours west
Read the guideBuffalo travel guideGreat Lakes city and the road to Niagara
Read the guideCincinnati travel guideOhio River city, about 4 hours south
Read the guideChicago travel guideThe big Great Lakes city
Read the guideESTA explainedWho needs it and how to apply
Read the guideAll of the USAParks, cities and road trips
Read the guideCleveland FAQ
Is Cleveland worth visiting?
Yes, for a short break with a strong museum, a rock and roll landmark and good food. It is calmer and cheaper than New York or Chicago, so it suits a two day stop.
How many days do you need in Cleveland?
Two days covers the Rock Hall, University Circle and the West Side Market. Add a half day for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Is the Cleveland Museum of Art free?
General admission has been free for visitors, with fees for some special exhibitions. Check the museum's website before you go, because exhibitions and hours change.
How do you get from Cleveland airport to downtown?
By RTA Red Line rail from Cleveland Hopkins, which runs direct to downtown, by taxi or by rideshare. The train is the cheapest option.
When is the best time to visit Cleveland?
June to September for warm days and outdoor events, October for fall color. Winters are snowy and lake-effect snow can slow travel, though museums stay open.