While you're in Tremont, you cannot pass up a visit to the Christmas Story house. Opt for a quick photo op outside the house, which includes the iconic leg lamp in the window, or linger a bit longer to explore the museum across the street. The museum features original props, costumes and various memorabilia from the film, in addition to hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes photos. This legendary house and its accompanying museum are open year-round seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Linger in Ohio City a bit longer (and work off the food you just devoured) and explore West Side Market, Cleveland's oldest public market, which is home to 100 vendors offering meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, dairy, flowers, ready-to-eat foods, spices and nuts. Continue to wander throughout this trendy neighborhood, popping in and out of shops, like Room Service, Wild Cactus Boutique and XHIBITION. Top off your visit with a sweet treat at Mitchell's Ice Cream, considered the best ice cream shop in Cleveland. The Mitchell's flagship is located in a former theater in the heart of Ohio City, which is where all of the production is done!
Photo Courtesy of Megann Galehouse via Salt+
If you can't get enough of Ohio City, you may consider visiting SOHO Chicken + Whiskey for a delicious and hearty Southern dinner focused on — you guessed it — chicken and whiskey! Otherwise, some of the best dinner spots in the city include Il Rione Pizzeria, Edwins, Gigi's on Fairmount, Red, the Steakhouse, Salt+, and The Greenhouse Tavern. If you're looking for a particularly fancy option, you might want to make a reservation at one of the most romantic restaurants in Cleveland!
Photo Courtesy of Pour Cleveland
Try out another exceptional coffee shop to kick off day two, this time sticking closer to the heart of downtown. Pour Cleveland is a bright and modern multi-roaster pour over and espresso bar with a simple menu and a focus on crafting exceptional coffee. Ask about the current pour over or opt for a latte or hot cocoa.While you're near the water, make a point to visit Edgewater Park, a massive park along the shore of Lake Erie. This 147-acre park features 9,000 feet of shoreline, dog and swim beaches, boat ramps, a fishing pier, picnic area and grills, and a rentable pavilion. The Edgewater Beach House is a modern lakefront eatery with a great selection of beer and delicious food.View this post on Instagram
The downtown area of Cleveland has experienced a renaissance in recent years, ultimately making it one of America's hottest cities in 2016. From gorgeous historic structures to shiny modern skyscrapers, the city is teeming with excitement and history. The Cleveland Museum of Art was ranked the second best museum in America by Business Insider in 2016 — and it's easy to see why. The mission statement of this award-winning museum is to create "transformative experiences through art, for the benefit of all the people forever." That also means admission is free to all!
Admire an impressive work of art in the form of architecture at The Arcade, America's first indoor shopping center established in 1890. Today, this stunning building is home to the Hyatt Regency Cleveland, boutique shops, various services, a food court and fine dining destinations.
Take a stroll through the new Public Square, a beautifully landscaped two-block central plaza in the heart of the city. The square was part of the original town plat overseen by Moses Cleaveland in 1796 and now acts as an integral part of the city's landscape. The three tallest buildings in Cleveland all face the square, including Key Tower, 200 Public Square and the Terminal Tower.
Photo Courtesy of Butcher and the Brewer
The renowned East Fourth block is home to some of the most exceptional eateries in the city. In fact, one celebrity chef (and James Beard Award-winner!) runs two restaurants in this adorable pedestrian-only alleyway adorned with string lights. Michael Symon runs Lola Bistro, a sleek New American eatery, and Mabel's BBQ, a swanky, industrial-chic BBQ joint with a wide selection of bourbons. Also, don't miss Butcher and the Brewer for delicious brews and a wide array of seasonal and local bites.Held in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is America's largest Oktoberfest celebration. This annual festival highlights the rich German heritage of Southwest Ohio in addition to samples of German-style music, food and beer. First held in 1976, the event has grown to attract more than 575,000 people each year! One of the best parts? Admission to Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is completely free. Take a look at the event schedule to plan your visit to this exciting community tradition.View this post on Instagram
Coney Island Amusement Park throws the ultimate fall party each year, featuring rides, shows, pumpkin throws, hayrides, trick-or-treating, a petting zoo, s'mores and so much more. Don't miss Fall-O-Ween on the first three weekends of October. General admission is $12 for ages 2 and up and includes access to a number of experiences — but there are additional activities available, costing $4 each.
This free family-friendly festival at Keehner Park in West Chester features endless fun and entertainment, including a puppet show and the Primrose School costume contest for ages 0–12. Plus, guests can enjoy a not-so-scary haunted trail, a petting zoo, a pony carousel, horse-drawn wagon rides and face painting — all at no cost! Food and drinks will be available for purchase.View this post on Instagram
Since its inception as the Minges Pumpkin Festival in 1984, this annual event now held at Weber's Farm Market in Harrison has evolved into a massive celebration of autumn and all its glory. The Weber Family Pumpkin Festival features live music, more than 150 arts and crafts exhibitors, delicious food, live demonstrations, and many activities for kids. The event showcases many elements of the farm and encourages visitors to develop a deep connection with both agriculture and their community. Admission is $5 and free for kids 12 and under.
Situated in Columbus' Short North neighborhood, Katalina's serves up inventive comfort food in colorful digs. The menu is "Latin-leaning and Southern-slanted," and each dish comes packed with flavor! Everything is fantastic, but make sure to grab an order of pancake balls to share with the table — they're worth the hype.
Tacos for breakfast? Why not? Nada serves up authentic Mexican street food in a bright, colorful and vibrant space. Stepping into the restaurant for brunch on the weekend is a wonderful way to start the day. Once you're settled at a table, you can order a sparkling breakfast cocktail and peruse the menu — featuring Mexican poutine, chorizo and egg enchiladas, scrumptious eggs Benedict and an impressive selection of street tacos!
Bloody Mary aficionados shouldn't miss the build-your-own Bloody Mary bar at Standard Hall — the offerings are nothing short of epic! Pick your alcohol of choice and spice it up with your desired mix of traditional, spicy or signature tomatillo, a selection of house-blended rims, and a delicious spread of toppings. If you try hard enough, you might be able to make a meal of it! Of course, if your brunch bevvy doesn't fill you up, there are plenty of delicious menu offerings to satisfy a wide range of taste buds.
Step into this cozy yet modern space to enjoy some of the best, locally sourced fare in the 614! The Table offers a wide variety of globally inspired dishes, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. We are particularly fond of the shakshuka, a North African-style dish with poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce with charred veggies, feta, black olives and pita. And the Dutch Baby — a gigantic, fluffy, egg-based pancake dish — shouldn't be overlooked either!
Wolf's Ridge Brewing made our list of the best breweries in Columbus, but flavorful craft beer isn't the only thing this place does right. The brunch menu, featuring items like confetti doughnuts, beef tartare, poutine, tartines and Benedicts, is on point as well. We are fans of the Toad in the Hole, which boasts eggs from Copia Farm, Applewood smoked bacon, fingerling potatoes, stout cheese sauce and brioche. It's perfection — and it pairs very well with a beermosa!