Winterfest Cleveland

Posted November 24, 201410 yr

Hello all.

I have family from down South coming up for Thanksgiving, and instead of doing our usual Youngstown activities for the week, I wanted to take them up to Cleveland and show them around the city. We went to Pittsburgh the last time they were here, and they have expressed interest in going to Cleveland and doing something different. We will most likely be going on Saturday after Thanksgiving. I was thinking heading downtown and showing them the attractions there. Winterfest is going on and I know a lot of different activities are going on with that. Does anyone know when that starts and wraps up? Besides everything that is going on downtown, I was thinking going to the east side and showing them around University Circle and Little Italy, heading up to Coventry and then head back to Youngstown. I would really like to show them the west side, but time is of importance. There will be a 9 and 10 year-old with us so keeping them entertained is important. What about the new Corner Alley in Uptown? Figured we could go there and grab a bite to eat in Little Italy. But I see all the food trucks will be out on Walnut for Winterfest. I know Cleveland extremely well, but I would like input from people other than myself. In Cleveland there is so much going on, and if I lived there I know I would pack on the pounds with the food options available. So I am thinking of all the places to go to, but I know with kids and a larger group, keeping the itinerary timely and organized will make a good trip.

So here is what I am thinking, and please add to it:

Winterfest

Museums in UC

Bowling in Uptown?

Little Italy and Coventry

If I have time, what should I visit on the west side?

Thanks for any recommendations.

November 24, 201410 yr

Winterfest starts at 1pm, but the schedule says the tree lighting and fireworks are from 5:30-6pm (http://www.downtowncleveland.com/events/winterfest.aspx)

Unfortunately the Corner Alley doesn't open until early December.

And since it's Saturday, the West Side Market is a always a good near west side activity for out of towners.

Edit: Although expect the market to be insanely busy and parking won't exactly be easy. You could take the Rapid from Ohio City to University Circle though, or vice versa

November 24, 201410 yr

Kringle's Inventionasium thing is in Tower City as well. My kid was too young and impatient to do it when we went to winterfest a couple of years ago and I've been booked the day they have it ever since, but it might be fun to check out, as well as the decorations inside Tower City, which are always so nice.

http://www.mrkringle.com/pages/kringles-inventionasium

Noodlecat is very kid-friendly and there is a Corner Alley on E 4th.

If you have time and lots of money, the Science Center is worth a visit for kids that age.