University Circle

Cleveland

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

Visit Cleveland’s cultural heart to discover a wealth of museums, restaurants and cafes, fine botanical gardens and more. 

Wherever you go in University Circle you will encounter beautiful buildings with rich histories such as Glidden House or Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra. Browse works by master painters at Cleveland Art gallery’s extensive European collection or learn about the area’s history in the Western Reserve Historical Society. Children will enjoy a visit to the Children’s Museum while adults may appreciate the chance to relax in the Cleveland Botanical Gardens.

The name University Circle came about in the 1880s when Western Reserve University relocated there. In the early 20th century several more grand institutions were added and it soon became Cleveland’s cultural center. Covering 550 acres (222 hectares) the area is where you will find almost all of Cleveland’s major museums, university buildings and medical institutions. 

Admire the plants in the Botanical Gardens, which feature large glass domes containing a rainforest landscape filled with butterflies. Pay a visit to the Natural History Museum to learn about the flora, fauna and geological history of the area. See dinosaur skeletons and meet Lucy, one of the oldest human skeletons ever discovered. For more recent history, visit the 20th-century mansions of the Western Reserve Historical Society. Take your time to explore the Cleveland Museum of Art and its excellent collections of European Impressionists art and Asian pieces. 

If you like music, visit to the Cleveland Institute of Music, which puts on over 500 concerts a year. Also visit Severance Hall for a tour or to listen to the Cleveland Orchestra.

Wade Oval, in the center of the Circle, is the center for many of Cleveland’s favorite festivals. If you visit between June and August, head along to Wade Oval Wednesdays to catch a free concert. The Circle is lined with cafés, restaurants and bars so grab a drink or something to eat at the end of the day. 

University Circle is located east of Cleveland’s town center and is served by regular buses and a light rail. There is also a regular free bus that goes around the circle, shuttling you between attractions. You’ll find metered parking at several garages. 


Popular places to visit

Things to do


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 CA $163 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
CA $163
CA $191 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
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! (1,027 reviews)
"Close to the Cleveland Clinic."

Reviewed on Jul. 9, 2025

The Tudor Arms Hotel Cleveland - a DoubleTree by Hilton
The Glidden House
The Glidden House
3.5 out of 5
1901 Ford Dr, Cleveland, OH
The price is CA $220 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
CA $220
CA $258 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star historic hotel in Cleveland. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,012 reviews)
"Another great stay at Glidden House -- perfect for visiting CWRU and the cultural offering of University Circle."

Reviewed on Jul. 9, 2025

The Glidden House
The Westin Cleveland Downtown
The Westin Cleveland Downtown
4 out of 5
777 Saint Clair Ave Ne, Cleveland, OH
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $203 per night from Jul 31 to Aug 1
CA $203
CA $239 total
Jul 31 - Aug 1
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! (1,447 reviews)
Great trip
"Everything was amazing."

Reviewed on Jul. 11, 2025

The Westin Cleveland Downtown
Wyndham Garden Westlake
Wyndham Garden Westlake
4 out of 5
1100 Crocker Road, Westlake, OH
The price is CA $103 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
CA $103
CA $121 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Westlake. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
6.8/10 (1,008 reviews)
"Clean room nice bed but hotel needs an upgrade"

Reviewed on Jul. 11, 2025

Wyndham Garden Westlake
Best Western Plus Strongsville Cleveland
Best Western Plus Strongsville Cleveland
3 out of 5
15471 Royalton Rd, Strongsville, OH
The price is CA $115 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
CA $115
CA $135 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Strongsville. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,005 reviews)
Greatstay
"It wss a great hotel loved it"

Reviewed on Jul. 10, 2025

Best Western Plus Strongsville Cleveland
Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square by IHG
Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square by IHG
3.5 out of 5
1260 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH
The price is CA $152 per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
CA $152
CA $179 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Cleveland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,181 reviews)
"Great location downtown. Very friendly staff. Room was new and modern. Very clean"

Reviewed on Jul. 9, 2025

Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square 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

While there might not be top attractions in Little Italy, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Severance Hall and Cleveland Botanical Garden.

Little Italy
The view from the observation deck overlooking downtown Cleveland.

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
A museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States.

Central

While visiting Central, you might make a stop by sights like Agora Theater & Ballroom and Phyllis Wheatley Association & Jane Hunter Museum.

Central
The Urban Lambscape Project is a flock of sheep used to maintain the vegetation in a vacant lot next to a luxury apartment building on the shore of Lake Erie.

Goodrich-Kirtland Park

Though Goodrich-Kirtland Park might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Progressive Field.

Goodrich-Kirtland Park
Cleveland's Playhouse Square is the second-largest performing arts complex in the US after Lincoln Center in New York. The entertainment district is anchored by the Playhouse Square chandelier, which is the largest outdoor chandelier in the world, made with 4,200 crystals.

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
Terminal Tower which includes railway items and heritage architecture

Downtown Cleveland

4.5/5(204 area reviews)

Diverse architecture and subdistricts define this central business area, offering various dining, retail, and entertainment options. Explore Playhouse Square, Public Square, and North Coast Harbor's attractions, with convenient access via the HealthLine and Waterfront Line Rapid stations.

Downtown Cleveland


University Circle

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