Planning a trip to the Rock Hall in Cleveland? We highly recommend making a visit, as the Hall has some incredible exhibits with impressive memorabilia from throughout music history.
The Hall sits next to the shores of Lake Erie in Downtown Cleveland, and has a number of other fun activities within walking distance. If you’re looking for suggestions for things to do near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we’ve got you covered. Keep scrolling!
Activities Near the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Voinovich Bicentennial Park & Cleveland Script Sign
The 4.5-acre green space known as Voinovich Bicentennial Park offers one of the best views of Cleveland. You can see the Rock Hall from a distance with the Cleveland skyline behind it!
Make sure to stop at the “Cleveland” script welcome sign in the foreground. You’ll want to get a selfie here.
Great Lakes Science Center & DOME Theater
A great family-friendly option near the Rock Hall is the Great Lakes Science Center. The center has a lot of fun exhibits about outer space, the environment, natural science, and technology.
The science center also houses the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater, a three-projector, six-story domed movie screen that shows films about nature, plus cinematic blockbusters such as Wicked and Interstellar.
Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland Browns Stadium)
The Browns may not be one of the most successful teams in the NFL, but it’s cool to see any football stadium up close. For years known as Cleveland Browns Stadium, the venue is now called Huntington Bank Field.
As of this writing, the field does not host any public tours. But you can still walk around and view the stadium, which has been in use since 1999.
Look for the statues of Browns greats Otto Graham and Jim Brown.
Willard Park and the Giant “Free” Stamp
Willard Park is small, but it’s significant. That’s where you can find the giant “FREE” stamp that sits in the middle of the green space. It’s been there since 1991, and it’s free to visit.
Created by famous sculpture artists Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggen, the stamp weighs 70,000 pounds and measures 50 feet long. It sits on its side, as if waiting to be used to stamp an important document.
USS Cod Submarine Memorial
The USS Cod submarine launched in 1943 and served during World War II. Open seven days a week, the USS Cod Memorial offers visitors a chance to see the 312-foot vessel up close.
This is a National Historic Landmark and provides insight into the ship and its history, both during the war and after.
International Women’s Air and Space Museum
Most people know that Amelia Earhart became famous for her pioneering efforts in aviation. But how many other female pilots and astronauts can you name?
The International Women’s Air and Space Museum puts the focus on the history and contributions of women in aviation and aerospace. It’s less than a 10-minute walk from the Rock Hall, and admission is free!
Cleveland Hungarian Museum
Northeast Ohio has a number of folks of Hungarian heritage. Learn about the culture at the Cleveland Hungarian Museum.
This is a small facility with one permanent exhibit about the history of Hungarian immigration to the United States. It’s only open on weekday afternoons from Wednesday to Friday.
Cleveland Police Museum
Another small but informative facility, the Cleveland Police Museum has photos and exhibits about the history of law enforcement in Ohio. It’s open on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.
Exhibits are dedicated to fallen officers, K-9 units, prohibition, and Eliot Ness, inspiration for The Untouchables tv series and movie.
Other Noteworthy Places Nearby
Several other important buildings are located in this immediate area surrounding the Rock Hall. You may want to check out some of these as well.
They include Cleveland City Hall, Cleveland Public Auditorium, and Fort Huntington Park. You can also go to the observation deck on the 42nd floor of Terminal Tower.
There’s also the strange Galleria at Erieview shopping mall, which is often featured on lists of “deadmalls,” since it has very few shops remaining — though one shop remaining is a cool bookstore.
Where to Eat Near the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
For an upscale dining experience, try Blue Point Grille. It’s a fancy seafood restaurant with great city views. Another upscale option is Il Venetian, which serves tasty Italian food for lunch and dinner.
If you’re looking for something more affordable, check out either Noble Beast Brewing Company or Masthead Brewing Company, both of which can be reached with a 10-15 minute walk.
Cool Cleveland City Tours
Cleveland Eerie Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour
For a taste of Cleveland’s spooky side, try the Eerie Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour. This one-hour evening tour visits supposedly haunted sites and offers stories of old crime rings and fires. The tour covers one mile and takes place every night, rain or shine. Book here.
Cleveland Guided Craft Brewery Tour
Sample a dozen different beers on the Guided Craft Brewery Tour. This group tour lasts 3.5 hours and visit three different breweries. Guests are shuttled around in a comfortable van, so don’t worry about walking or driving! Book here.
Parking Near the Rock Hall
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sits at 1100 East 9th St. in Downtown Cleveland, surrounded by Union Home Mortgage Plaza. The Hall has a gift shop and an indoor cafe.
The Hall features exhibits and memorabilia from iconic artists like John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, the Beatles, Run DMC, and many more.
You can get here by public transportation, via the B-Line trolley or various buses, such as the 61 and 77 lines.
But if you choose to drive, there are plenty of paid parking lots near the Hall. The closest parking lot is called SP+ Parking on Google. The Great Lakes Science Center also has a paid lot.
As long as you’re not visiting on a football game day, you should be able to find a place to park.
Hotels Near the Rock Hall
Where should you stay if you’re visiting Cleveland? We’ve got an entire article listing the best hotels near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
To summarize, our top two choices are the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cleveland Downtown – Lakeside, a nice hotel with free shuttle service throughout Downtown; and Westin Cleveland Downtown, an upscale property with a restaurant and bar.
Both are located less than a half-mile from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Other Things To Do in Cleveland
Searching for a few other ideas? These places may not be within easy walking distance of the Rock Hall, but they are fun attractions in Cleveland that are worth driving to if you get the chance.
Consider visiting Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians baseball team. It’s one of the most scenic ballparks in America.
Rock and roll fans may want to check out some other concert venues. The Agora Theatre and Grog Shop are probably the most acclaimed venues in the city, but you can also see live music at places like the Foundry and The House of Blues.
The Cleveland History Center covers everything from historic mansions to Lebron James. The center is a great way to get to know the city! You can buy tickets in advance online.
The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is a great place to see aquatic animals. One of the highlights is a clear tunnel you can walk through as you watch fish and other underwater creatures swim above your head.
A Christmas Story House is a museum located in the actual yellow home used for exterior scenes in the classic Christmas film A Christmas Story.
The Cleveland Museum of Art is a venerable art museum with hundreds of works in all formats, from paintings to sculpture to photography.
Public Square is a 10-acre park with a large lawn, public gardens, a kids’ splash pad, free wifi, an ice skating rink in winter, the REBoL cafe, and a Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument.
Have any other suggestions for things to do near the Rock Hall? Leave a comment and let us know! For further Hall reading, check out our list of Rock Hall snubs and Rock Hall predictions.
Last Updated on June 25, 2025