Fall in Love With Downtown Cleveland This Autumn
By Ian Meadows
Terminal Tower standing tall among sunny blue skies and colorful fall leaves.
It’s unbe-leaf-able that it’s already October, but there’s no shortage of fall fun to enjoy in downtown Cleveland! With family experiences, festive food and beverages, scenic parks, and so much more, here are a few ways to make the most of the season across our city center.
Festive Family Fun
Bring the whole family downtown for some light-on-the-scares, heavy-on-the-fun experiences! Make memories together by enjoying a variety of special events featuring creative crafts, spooky games, and playful activities.
Fall Fun Days feature a variety of family activities, including mini pumpkin decorating.
Fall Fun Day (Public Square)
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 26th! From 11am-2pm, enjoy family activities outside at Public Square at Downtown Cleveland’s Fall Fun Day. There will be mini pumpkin painting, crafts, concessions, Sketch the Square, games, and the Cleveland Ghostbusters.
Spooky Autumn Fest (Tower City Center)
In addition, from 12pm-6pm also on Oct 26th, head inside for Tower City’s Spooky Autumn Fest to experience even more Halloween fun! Featuring trick-or-treating, a costume contest, inflatables, stage shows, and more, there will be fun for the whole family between both events all day long.
Sip and Shop in the 5th Street Arcades
Downtown Cleveland is hosting two October #DTCLE Happy Hour Maker’s Markets inside the 5th Street Arcades. Step into this historic indoor shopping center to browse local vendors with the Cleveland Bazaar (such as BVH Brownies and A Stare of Owls crochet) as well as existing 5th Street Arcades businesses, sip on a drink from the beer garden, and enjoy local live music.
The 5th Street Arcades provide a beautiful, historic setting for shopping at local vendors and businesses.
Thursday, October 10th (4-7pm)
Live Music by Sunflurry
Thursday, October 24th (4-7pm)
Live Music by Taylor Lamborn
Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice
Put on your cutest flannel, lace up your boots, and get ready to support local businesses and indulge in some tasty fall treats. Enjoy delicious seasonal lattes, pumpkin beer, and fresh pastries across downtown Cleveland. Here are just a couple ideas to provide some inspiration, so be sure to check them out plus all of downtown’s additional establishments.
Lionheart Coffee is a cozy spot to relax and enjoy tasty fall treats.
Lionheart Coffee (530 Euclid Ave)
Grab a seat and enjoy cozy vibes at Lionheart, while enjoying some berry pumpkin bread along with a festive beverage like the Candied Apple Latte, May’s Pumpkin Pie Latte, or Mika’s Maple Latte.
Savour Coffee & Creations (Key Tower Lobby, 127 Public Square)
Located inside the Key Tower Lobby, stop by this local coffee shop for seasonal specialties such as their own Pumpkin Spice Latte, Caramel Apple au Lait, and brat Matcha.
Masthead Brewing Co. (1261 Superior Ave)
Enjoy brews and boo-ze at this downtown brewery, including a Haunted Hayride Pumpkin Ale and Pumpkin Spice Latte Ale. Order one of their signature pizzas while you’re here to pair with it.
Spooktacular Tours
Celebrate spooky season by experiencing some chills and thrills of Cleveland’s past and present. Take a special walking tour or enjoy a themed cruise to get in the Halloween spirit.
The gothic entry into downtown's historic Erie Street Cemetery.
Take a Hike: Erie Street Cemetery
On Thursday, October 24, 5-6:30pm, join Take a Hike for a unique journey through Cleveland's past with a tour of Erie Street Cemetery. Tickets are just $10 and include hot cider and cookies to enjoy as you walk through history in Cleveland’s oldest cemetery.
Explore downtown Cleveland’s spooky stories and haunted locations by joining one of these nightly tours.
Lady Caroline Murder Mystery and Ghost Ship Cruises
Lady Caroline welcomes visitors for some spooky fun just in time for Halloween, with a Murder Mystery cruise on October 30th and Ghost Ship Cruise on October 31st. Featuring spellbinding views and ghoulish activities, don’t miss out on these unique nautical experiences.
Be a Boo-k Worm
Trick or treat yourself to a new book this fall! Stop by downtown’s local bookshops to find some interesting new reads as the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter, and enjoy a cozy atmosphere to relax in.
The Browsing Room Bookstore & Cafe in The Galleria offers tables and chairs to relax, work, and read.
Clevo Books (1026 Euclid Ave)
Check out Clevo Books’ new location on Euclid Avenue and browse a variety of translated books from around the world, spanning all genres. Say hi to their furry, feline friend Minty while you’re there!
The Browsing Room Bookstore & Cafe (1301 E 9th Street, Floor 1 inside The Galleria)
Head into the Galleria to visit The Browsing Room, which offers a curated selection of books that cover a wide range of genres and interests. Breakfast and lunch menu items are available in the cafe.
Chase Fall Foliage
Take a walk, jog, or bike ride around scenic spaces in and around downtown as the leaves change colors and before the temperature gets too chilly. In addition to favorites like Public Square and the Malls, we suggest checking out the following spots this month (and all year long).
Fall colors along the Scranton Flats segment of the Towpath Trail.
Canal Basin Park and the Towpath Trail (1575 Merwin Ave)
Canal Basin Park is the northern terminus of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in downtown Cleveland. Planning efforts are underway to complete the vision for the park, transforming it into a premier urban green space while celebrating the site’s significant history. The Towpath Trail extends for over 100 miles south, providing ample recreational opportunities through a unique blend of city and nature.
Voinovich Bicentennial Park (800 E 9th St Pier)
Downtown Cleveland’s lakefront park, Voinovich Bicentennial Park is located at the northern end of East 9th Street. This 4.5-acre green space offers grassy recreational spaces, sand volleyball and bocce courts, one of the famous Cleveland Script Signs, waterfront sunset vistas, and Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar.
Eastman Reading Garden (325 Superior Ave E)
This peaceful public space is tucked in between the Cleveland Public Library Main Branch and Louis Stokes Wing. Featuring shady trees, public art, seating areas, and a fountain, the Eastman Reading Garden is a scenic spot to relax as the seasons change. The garden is open during Main Library hours: 10am-6pm, Monday through Saturday.
Downtown Dawg Pound
Join the Downtown Dawg Pound by attending a home Cleveland Browns game at Huntington Bank Field, watching at a local bar, or partaking in a famous Muni-lot tailgate. Get decked out in your orange, white, and brown, and cheer on the Brownies with thousands of other fans in the best place to experience a game – right here in downtown Cleveland.
Cleveland Browns tailgating at the Muni Lot.
Luna Bakery & Cafe's special Browns gameday hours.
Did you know that Luna Café & Bakery in the Warehouse District has special hours and catering menus on home Browns games? Be sure to stop by on your way to tailgate or before heading into the stadium. On select gameday Sundays, Luna’s 1468 W 9th St location will be open from 8am-2pm.
In addition, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s Waterfront Line is operating on the weekends, so we suggest riding that to avoid any hassle with traffic and parking. It’s only $5 for an all-day pass! Trains provide service between Tower City and the South Harbor Station at the Muni Lot.
RTA also offers FREE Park-N-Ride lots so you can easily access their transportation services to and from downtown.
Visit DowntownCleveland.com, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on all the latest seasonal happenings around #DTCLE. You’re sure to have a *gourd* time this October and all autumn long!
Happy October from Downtown Cleveland!