University Circle

Cleveland

Severance Hall featuring heritage architecture and an administrative building
Cleveland Museum of Art showing art and interior views
Severance Hall showing heritage architecture and an administrative building
Cleveland Botanical Garden showing autumn leaves and a park
Cleveland Museum of Art featuring 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 centre. 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 centre of the Circle, is the centre for many of Cleveland’s favourite 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 centre 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


Top hotels in University Circle

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 S$178 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
S$178
17 Jul - 18 Jul
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! (1,022 reviews)
"I Appreciate The Cleanliness but didn’t like that, I had to pay $4.00 for a 20oz… bottle of Soda Pop"

Reviewed on 3 Jul, 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 S$336 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
S$336
21 Jul - 22 Jul
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! (1,007 reviews)
Glidden House
"Beautiful location outside and inside very spacious, friendly staff very attentive, nice clean room and quiet"

Reviewed on 7 Jul, 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 S$224 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
S$224
31 Jul - 1 Aug
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! (1,423 reviews)
"It was clean and cozy"

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

The Westin Cleveland Downtown
Best Western Plus Strongsville Cleveland
Best Western Plus Strongsville Cleveland
3 out of 5
15471 Royalton Rd, Strongsville, OH
The price is S$118 per night from 9 Jul to 10 Jul
S$118
9 Jul - 10 Jul
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! (1,011 reviews)
"Amazing staff at front desk quick check-in"

Reviewed on 8 Jul, 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 S$161 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$161
13 Jul - 14 Jul
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! (1,180 reviews)
Great stay on a HOT July 4th weekend.
"I had a great stay here! The room was clean and cool - and with temps in the low 90s, it was nice to have A/C that was up to the task. I was happy to be able to be able to check in a little early. This is in a great location for the Playhouse Square area as well as just being a ten minute walk to ..."

Reviewed on 7 Jul, 2025

Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square by IHG
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cleveland - Airport North
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cleveland - Airport North
3 out of 5
4222 W 150th St, Cleveland, OH
The price is S$134 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$134
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Cleveland. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,595 reviews)
"They didn’t clean my room"

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cleveland - Airport North
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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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 Progressive Field.

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
Terminal Tower featuring railway items and heritage architecture

Downtown Cleveland

4/5(6 area reviews)

Abundant dining options, interesting museums and live music are just a few things travellers love about Downtown Cleveland. Sights like Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Huntington Bank Field are top spots to explore, and you can get around the greater Cleveland area at Tower City-Public Square Station.

Downtown Cleveland


University Circle