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$180 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
S$180
24 Jul - 25 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! (1,029 reviews)
"Well kept"

Reviewed on 13 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$284 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
S$284
30 Jul - 31 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! (1,013 reviews)
"Great staff."

Reviewed on 13 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$225 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
S$225
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! (1,457 reviews)
"Staff was great. Easy check in. Room was clean and spacious"

Reviewed on 15 Jul, 2025

The Westin Cleveland Downtown
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 S$168 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
S$168
4 Aug - 5 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! (1,221 reviews)
"The only complaint that we have is that the water pressure in the show was bad - other than that Excellent!"

Reviewed on 14 Jul, 2025

Hotel Indigo Cleveland Downtown by IHG
Best Western Plus Strongsville Cleveland

Best Western Plus Strongsville Cleveland

3 out of 5
15471 Royalton Rd, Strongsville, OH
The price is S$101 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$101
20 Jul - 21 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! (1,015 reviews)
"Please fix your WiFi, rest is all good."

Reviewed on 14 Jul, 2025

Best Western Plus Strongsville Cleveland
Wyndham Garden Westlake

Wyndham Garden Westlake

4 out of 5
1100 Crocker Road, Westlake, OH
The price is S$119 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$119
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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 (1,010 reviews)
"Great place close to the venue i was seeing a concert at."

Reviewed on 12 Jul, 2025

Wyndham Garden Westlake
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