Cleveland Continues to Please with Culinary and Cultural Developments
Cleveland is on our mind—and it’s not just Taylor Swift’s song. It’s all the new stuff happening next year that you must get on your radar!
Cleveland is one of those wonderfully unexpected destinations that rewards travelers who like their city breaks with a little personality, a lot of culture, and a welcoming LGBTQ+ scene. Set on the shores of Lake Erie, this Midwestern city has a refreshingly unpretentious vibe, a thriving arts community, and neighborhoods packed with independent restaurants, vintage shops, craft breweries, and cool little bars.
LGBTQ+ travelers can explore the creative energy of Ohio City and Gordon Square, discover the city’s queer nightlife, or join the celebrations at Cleveland Pride.
By day, the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, world-class museums, and miles of lakefront await; by night, the city comes alive with live music, drag performances, and a lively dining scene. Add in its famously passionate sports culture, historic architecture, and a cost of living that makes it more affordable than many major US cities, and Cleveland starts to look like a seriously appealing alternative to the usual big-city getaway. Soak up the culture, connect with a vibrant community, and enjoy a genuinely fun weekend without the big-city price tag.
Here’s what’s coming up for 2027:
MICHELIN Guide Comes to Cleveland
The city will be included in the inaugural Great Lakes edition of the MICHELIN Guide, with the first stars and selections announced in 2027. This milestone is expected to shine a national spotlight on Cleveland’s acclaimed dining scene.
Downtown enters a new luxury era
Cleveland’s first W Hotel is slated to open in 2027, bringing 210 luxury guestrooms, a signature rooftop deck, a restaurant and bar, and skyline views. It’s one of the city’s most anticipated hotel openings in years.
More downtown hotel development
Spring 2027 will debut AC Hotel by Marriott with 141 guestrooms through the adaptive reuse of a historic building located within walking distance of downtown attractions and East 4th Street’s dining and entertainment district.. Following in the fall will be the new Marriott Tribute Portfolio Hotel, which anchors the redevelopment of the historic Rose Building, adding 123 boutique guestrooms alongside new retail and dining experiences, giving travelers more lodging options than ever before.
The Rock Hall enters its next chapter
Following its $135 million expansion in late 2026, travelers visiting in 2027 will experience a new 1,400-person indoor venue designed for concerts, along with expanded exhibit areas, a dramatic atrium lobby overlooking Lake Erie and a fully ADA-compliant outdoor park.
Waterfront and urban outdoor renaissance continues
Nearly $5 billion in public and private investment across 10 major projects is reshaping Cleveland’s waterfront with new parks, trails, entertainment venues and public access points over the next few years:
2027 marks the completion of a new Towpath Trail through Irishtown Bend Park which will create an unprecedented 101-mile bike trail and continuous route from Cuyahoga Valley National Park to downtown and the Lake Erie waterfront, allowing visitors to travel from protected natural landscapes to Cleveland’s revitalized waterfront entirely through connected trail systems. Irishtown Bend Park will be completed in 2029.
Along with the summer 2026 opening of the Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center, offering on-the-water excursions and waterfront dining, 2027 provides entirely new ways for visitors to experience Cleveland’s outdoors.
The Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center, a 210,000-square-foot practice and sports science facility in downtown Cleveland on the banks of the Cuyahoga River, is scheduled to open in phases beginning in February 2027. It’s part of a Riverfront master plan that reimagines 35 acres of land as a mixed-use development with publicly accessible space, a 3,000-foot riverwalk and waterfront access with year-round activities and 6,200 amphitheater, will follow.
A landmark year for one of America’s greatest orchestras
The 2026-27 season marks Franz Welser-Möst’s 25th and final season as Music Director of The Cleveland Orchestra, closing one of the most acclaimed conducting tenures in American classical music. The farewell season is expected to draw music lovers from around the world.
A 115-Year-old culinary landmark enters its next chapter
Major milestones in the $70 million transformation of West Side Market arrive in 2027. Visitors will experience upgraded amenities, new outdoor and mezzanine dining and renovated public spaces to one of America’s oldest public markets and the city’s most beloved attractions. It anchors the Ohio City neighborhood, which is emerging as a culinary hot spot full of innovative restaurants, creative culinary collaborations and international flavors that reflect the city’s diverse residents.
Immersive entertainment is arriving
Cosm opens its largest Shared Reality venue yet, bringing live sports, concerts, and entertainment into a massive immersive dome in downtown, just steps from the city’s major sports venues.
Browse the top hotels in the Cleveland area here.
