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Cleveland, Ohio, is full of surprises for first-time visitors and returning travelers alike. Once known as an industrial powerhouse, the city has become a cultural and gastronomic destination with plenty of things to do for couples. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or a lovers’ staycation close to home, Cleveland has more to offer than you might expect.

As a former Cleveland resident who still visits frequently, I have a few favorite ways to make a romantic escape here memorable.

I grew up in a suburb of Cleveland along the shores of Lake Erie. When I was young, Cleveland was known as “the mistake on the lake,” and its Cuyahoga River became infamous for catching fire amid industrial pollution.

Today, ships still navigate the river’s narrow bends on their way to the Great Lakes, but the waterfront tells a different story. Restaurants, bars and gathering places line stretches of riverfront that once symbolized the city’s environmental troubles. It’s a transformation worth discovering together.

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Romantic things to do in Cleveland, Ohio

Rock and Roll can be part of a romantic Cleveland getaway
Cleveland has become a cultural destination, helped in part by the growth of its service industries and, of course, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. If you’re asked what to do in Cleveland, this landmark may be the first attraction that comes to mind.

And for couples who share a love of music, it’s a good place to start. The interactive museum celebrates artists across generations, from Elvis to Madonna to Beyoncé, giving you a chance to revisit the music that has soundtracked your lives.

On a recent visit, I arrived the day after Aretha Franklin died. The Queen of Soul’s music filled the massive courtyard through outdoor speakers, while a continuous film compilation played in one of the Hall’s theaters. It was a moving tribute and a reminder of how music can connect us to memories, people and one another.

Wandering downtown may be one of the simplest date night ideas in Cleveland

Snuggled along the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland has a downtown that’s remarkably walkable. Simply strolling the streets together can be part of a romantic evening in this Midwestern city.

The district’s sparkling newer buildings house hotels, restaurants and bars, including rooftop spots where couples can cuddle over a drink. Bar 32 at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown is one option for taking in the city from above. And if you’re visiting during football season, the Cleveland Browns’ stadium adds another kind of energy to the waterfront. Browns fans are famously loyal, even through losing seasons, and the team’s devoted supporters call themselves the Dawg Pound.

A sports lovers city

Cleveland is a city that takes its sports seriously. Whether you’re cheering for the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field, catching a Cavaliers game or joining Browns fans on game day, sharing the excitement can be part of a memorable couples’ getaway.

Even if you aren’t devoted fans, attending a game gives you a taste of the city’s personality. Cleveland supporters are known for sticking with their teams through good seasons and bad, which makes the atmosphere part of the experience.

For couples who enjoy a little friendly rivalry, a game can be a fun change of pace from the usual dinner date.

The Cleveland food scene

Cleveland’s dining scene has grown well beyond its traditional Midwestern roots. The city has attracted acclaimed chefs and independent restaurants that give couples plenty of reasons to plan a getaway around food.

Celebrity chef Michael Symon helped put Cleveland on the culinary map with restaurants including (now shuttered) Lola and Mabel’s BBQ. His approach celebrates bold flavors and comforting dishes, making his restaurants a natural fit for couples who like to explore a city through its food.

From barbecue to inventive contemporary cuisine, Cleveland offers plenty of options for a date night that goes beyond the usual dinner reservation. And for food-loving couples, discovering a new favorite restaurant can be one of the best parts of traveling together.

For couples who like to make a meal the centerpiece of a getaway, Cleveland has plenty more to explore. Chef Zach Bruell’s restaurants offer another reason to plan a dinner date, with L’Albatros in University Circle and Alley Cat Oyster Bar along the Cuyahoga River providing two distinct dining experiences.

L’Albatros is a French-inspired restaurant that makes a lovely choice for a leisurely dinner, while Alley Cat Oyster Bar offers a waterfront setting for seafood lovers. Both are worth considering when you’re deciding where to eat during a romantic Cleveland escape.

Of course, Cleveland’s dining scene isn’t just fine dining. Good Company is the cool kind of diner you’d expect to find in a far more chic city. And then there’s Poppy. If you eat here, don’t skip dessert.

You may have to wait for a table, but if you want to experience what Clevelanders consider date-night pizza, check out Il Rione for specialty pies like the speck pizza, topped with speck, pistachios and hot honey.

Cleveland food shopping

Many dreamers have invested in Cleveland’s once-forgotten neighborhoods near the city center. Today, areas like Ohio City, the Flats along the river, Detroit-Shoreway and Tremont attract young families, executives and retirees drawn to the revival of urban food and culture.

That revival is evident at the 100-year-old West Side Market on West 25th Street in Ohio City. As grocery shopping has returned to the city, people come here as much for the colorful characters as for the farm-raised meats, creative sausages, pierogis, bakery goods and produce. For food lovers, it’s a destination in its own right.

I remember visiting the market as a child, when it seemed enormous, bustling and exotic. It remains one of my favorite things to do in Cleveland. What once felt exotic to me now feels like a celebration of the variety and freshness we’ve come to appreciate in the food world.

If you can’t make it to the West Side Market, Heinen’s offers another memorable food stop. Its downtown grocery store occupies a former bank, making the architecture part of the experience. The food selection is first-rate, especially for an urban grocery store in a major city. Pick up provisions for a romantic picnic or hold hands as you browse the displays of cheese and baked goods.

If you find yourself hand-in-hand, strolling the shops and galleries of Ohio City, make a stop at The Larder, an Eastern European deli and bakery with a variety of traditional sandwiches like pastrami, BLTs and popular fried chicken. The Larder also sells challah, babka and other sweets, including a brownie-like confection called the Stoner Bar with chocolate, caramel and oats.

Getting some culture in Cleveland

Cleveland’s cultural institutions have been drawing visitors for decades, and some have histories stretching back even further. Many of the city’s best-known museums and performance venues are clustered around University Circle, near the hospitals and medical research facilities that have become another important part of Cleveland’s identity.

Cleveland for art lovers

The Cleveland Museum of Art was founded on the principle that art should be free to everyone at all times. General admission remains free, although special exhibitions may require tickets. Inside, light-filled galleries hold a remarkable range of works, from ancient art to European masters and Impressionists.

I love museums, but I dislike crowds and craning my neck while waiting in line. Cleveland’s venerable art museum offers a different experience. If you enjoy turning a corner to discover a Van Gogh or stumbling upon a Picasso, you can spend hours exploring without paying general admission. With enough art and objects to interest everyone in your party, the museum deserves a place on any list of romantic things to do in Cleveland.

If you and your partner are interested in buying art, set aside time to explore Cleveland’s galleries. You’ll find options in Ohio City and nearby Detroit-Shoreway, where apartments and condos have helped meet demand for walkable neighborhoods.

Cleveland for music & architecture lovers

Just around the corner from the Cleveland Museum of Art, Severance Hall is home to the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra. The concert hall is both a monument to musical excellence and an architectural attraction in its own right.

Severance Hall’s history includes some unusual details. Aluminum plating was used in place of gold and silver, reportedly because Jon L. Severance had a connection to the aluminum industry. The building’s Art Nouveau details, including thousands of lotus blossoms, remain striking examples of the period. For couples who appreciate music, architecture or both, a concert offers a chance to experience one of Cleveland’s cultural landmarks together.

If you’re visiting Cleveland in summer, make the drive about 25 miles out of town to Blossom Music Center, where the Cleveland Orchestra plays beneath the stars. With a pavilion and lawns where tickets are reasonably priced, Blossom makes internationally recognized music accessible to residents and visitors alike. Bring a blanket, settle in on the lawn and discover what I think is one of the most romantic things to do in the Cleveland area.

If you need more information on exploring the romantic side of Cleveland, visit the Cleveland Tourism Bureau website.

My favorite Cleveland hotels for couples

If you’re planning a romantic getaway in Cleveland, these hotels offer different ways to make your stay memorable, from a sexy cocktail lounge to a historic mansion or a sleek downtown retreat.

Metropolitan at the 9 – Relatively small, with clean, sleek decor, the Metropolitan at the 9 has one draw that sets it apart: The Vault, one of the sexiest cocktail lounges in town.

Glidden House – A stunning mansion transformed into a boutique hotel, Glidden House is one of the most romantic places to stay in Cleveland. Its historic character makes it a lovely choice for couples who prefer a hotel with a sense of place.

Kimpton Schofield Hotel – Simple, sleek and a little bit sexy, the Kimpton Schofield feels like a place where couples belong.

Ritz-Carlton Cleveland – When you want luxury and privacy and don’t mind paying for it, the Ritz-Carlton is worth considering. It is also a premier wedding venue.

This article was written in 2009 and most recently updated in 2026.

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Barbara Barrielle

Barbara Barrielle is a freelance food, wine and travel writer and guidebook author living in the heart of the California Wine Country. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Palate Press and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers. She has contributed to publications including Fodor's Travel, Napa Valley Register, Wine Industry Advisor and AARP. Barbara is also the producer of the California wine country documentary CRUSHED. Follow her on Instagram, @barbarabarrielletravels.

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