University Circle Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Severance Hall showing heritage architecture and an administrative building
Cleveland Museum of Art showing art and interior views
Severance Hall featuring heritage architecture and an administrative building
Cleveland Botanical Garden showing a garden and autumn colours
Cleveland Museum of Art which includes a pond, heritage architecture and autumn leaves

The main cultural hub of Cleveland is an historical area packed with museums, restaurants, concert halls, and more not to mention a splendid botanical garden.

Cleveland’s University Circle is the cultural heart of the city, an atmospheric area filled with beautiful buildings that have fascinating histories. Pay a visit to the fine Glidden House or to Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra, then spend some time with the masterworks of European painters at the Cleveland Art Gallery. Go for a calming stroll through the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, or take the kids to see the well-resourced Children’s Museum.

Almost all of Cleveland’s major museums, medical institutions, and university buildings are located within the 222 hectares (550 acres) of the University Circle. The area gained its name in the 1880s, when the Western Reserve University relocated there. A number of other grand institutions were added in the early 20th century, and the Circle quickly became the cultural centre of Cleveland.

Learn about the history of the region at the Western Reserve Historical Society, which is housed in 20th century mansions. Take a journey yet further back in time at the Cleveland Natural History Museum, a wide-ranging institution dedicated to the flora, fauna, and geological history of the region. Make sure you see the dinosaur skeletons and the human skeleton named Lucy, one of the oldest ever discovered.

Music fans will enjoy a visit to the Cleveland Institute of Music, where more than 500 concerts are held each year. Nearby Severance Hall, meanwhile, is home to the Cleveland Orchestra and is also a fine building to take a tour around. Visual art takes pride of place at the Cleveland Museum of Art, whose top-rate collections of European Impressionist and Asian art deserve a lengthy exploration.

Head to the Botanical Garden to see a stunning diversity of flora, including a rainforest landscape populated by butterflies. In the centre of the Circle you will find Wade Oval, home to many of the city’s favourite festivals as well as free Wednesday concerts from June through to August. Recharge from a busy day’s sightseeing with a drink or a meal at one of the various cafés, bars, and restaurants that line the University Circle.

Situated to the east of the Cleveland town centre, University Circle is easily accessible via the city’s regular bus or light rail service. A free bus travels around the circle, allowing you to shuttle between the various attractions without paying a cent. Metered parking is available at numerous garages.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best University Circle Hotel Deals

The Tudor Arms Hotel Cleveland - a DoubleTree by Hilton

The Tudor Arms Hotel Cleveland - a DoubleTree by Hilton

4 out of 5
10660 Carnegie Ave, Cleveland, OH
The price is AU$229 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$229
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Cleveland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,053 reviews)
"Spacious room. Check in process was not smooth"

Reviewed on 7 Aug. 2025

The Tudor Arms Hotel Cleveland - a DoubleTree by Hilton
Courtyard by Marriott Cleveland University Circle

Courtyard by Marriott Cleveland University Circle

3 out of 5
2021 Cornell Rd, Cleveland, OH
The price is AU$312 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$312
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Cleveland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (920 reviews)
"Everything was good. A bit of hair in the bathroom but otherwise it was a nice stay."

Reviewed on 29 Jul. 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Cleveland University Circle
The Westin Cleveland Downtown

The Westin Cleveland Downtown

4 out of 5
777 Saint Clair Ave Ne, Cleveland, OH
The price is AU$232 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$232
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cleveland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,495 reviews)
"comfortable room tho trouble getting cold water out of shower and sink"

Reviewed on 8 Aug. 2025

The Westin Cleveland Downtown
Hyatt Regency Cleveland At The Arcade

Hyatt Regency Cleveland At The Arcade

4 out of 5
420 Superior Ave E, Cleveland, OH
The price is AU$234 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$234
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Cleveland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Totally amazing building — a true architectural gem. We were a little astonished actually by the remarkable interior. Good, polite staff . . . everything fine. View from our window wasn’t great, but it’s okay. We weren’t in the room much anyway. Very cool that the staff wore Cleveland Guardians jerseys! ..."

Reviewed on 9 Aug. 2025

Hyatt Regency Cleveland At The Arcade
Hotel Indigo Cleveland Downtown by IHG

Hotel Indigo Cleveland Downtown by IHG

3.5 out of 5
651 Huron Rd E, Cleveland, OH
The price is AU$209 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$209
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Cleveland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,267 reviews)
"Overall good. Property not around a lot of well-known food places: Starbucks, Panera Bread, etc. Location was basically dead. Property very nice, updated. Would recommend."

Reviewed on 9 Aug. 2025

Hotel Indigo Cleveland Downtown by IHG
Kimpton Schofield Hotel by IHG

Kimpton Schofield Hotel by IHG

4.5 out of 5
2000 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, OH
The price is AU$210 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$210
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Cleveland. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,013 reviews)
"After a long drive, the Kimpton Schofield was a welcome sight. We opted for the overnight valet parking, and it was a worthwhile expense. The valet staff was helpful and made the check-in process smooth. We used the drink tickets we received at the hotel's restaurant, Betts. The food was surprisingly ..."

Reviewed on 11 Aug. 2025

Kimpton Schofield Hotel by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around University Circle

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Little Italy

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Little Italy and surrounding area, you can visit Severance Hall and Cleveland Botanical Garden.

Little Italy
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Fairfax

While you're in Fairfax, take in top sights like Karamu House and jump on the metro at East 105th-Quincy Station to see more of the city.

Fairfax
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Hough

While visiting Hough, you might make a stop by sights like League Park and Hough Obelisk.

Hough
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Central

If you're spending some time in Central, Agora Theater & Ballroom and Phyllis Wheatley Association & Jane Hunter Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Central
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Goodrich-Kirtland Park

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Goodrich-Kirtland Park and surrounding area, you can visit Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Agora Theater & Ballroom.

Goodrich-Kirtland Park
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Playhouse Square

Playhouse Square is noteworthy for its bars, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Cleveland Play House and Allen Theatre.

Playhouse Square

University Circle Travel Guide

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