Cleveland keeps giving me reasons to come back. After two visits, I have gathered plenty of recommendations for spending a day or even a full weekend in Black-owned Cleveland, OH.
I first visited for a long weekend as State 32 on my journey to all 50 states. Little did I know I would find myself back in the same city a few years later for a conference, with even more time to explore.
While Cleveland may be best known as the birthplace of rock and roll, the city is also home to the second-largest theater district in the United States, after New York City. I have been fortunate to experience it on both visits, catching a Black production at Playhouse Square each time.
And that is the thing about Cleveland: every time I visit, I leave with even more reasons to return.
So, if you’ve ever wondered…
Spend a Day in Black-Owned Cleveland
Traveling While Black in Cleveland, OH
This guide to Black-owned Cleveland, OH is for you. There’s a lot packed into it, so feel free to spread it over two days or mix and match the stops to create a day that works best for you. Consider it a starting point for exploring some of the Black-owned businesses, experiences, and gems Cleveland has to offer
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Start your day at The Roaming Biscuit. Years later, I am still thinking about this bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, especially whenever I come across the video of it on my phone.
I loved it so much that I ate one on the spot and bought a second one to take with me on the road. It is really that good!
And trust me, I know a good bacon, egg, and cheese. Coming from New York, where they are practically part of our diet, I do not say that lightly. 😂 Maybe it is the melty, gooey cheese. Maybe it is the homemade biscuit. Whatever it is, just know it is soooooo good!
A must-visit in Cleveland is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. As the birthplace of rock & roll, Cleveland is home to an entire museum dedicated to the history of the genre and the artists who helped shape it.
What I appreciated most is that the museum recognizes the many genres that influenced rock & roll, from R&B, jazz, and country music to hip-hop, folk rock, psychedelic rock, and punk. As a result, you will find an incredible range of Black artists represented, from The Supremes and Michael Jackson to Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg.
If you love music, you could easily spend hours exploring the exhibits and discovering the stories behind the artists and sounds that shaped rock & roll.
One of the most unique and perhaps lesser-known experiences in Black-Owned Cleveland is a visit to Chateau Hough Vineyards & Winery. Beyond the delicious wine, the story behind the vineyard is even more compelling.
Chateau Hough was founded in 2010 by Cleveland native Mansfield Frazier, who used his own money and his nonprofit, Neighborhood Solutions, Inc., to create the vineyard as a way to give back to his hometown after his incarceration. It is considered one of the first vineyards in the United States, established on reclaimed urban land.
But Chateau Hough is about more than wine. Its mission focuses on keeping at-risk youth from entering the criminal justice system by providing meaningful after-school activities, while formerly incarcerated individuals and veterans have also volunteered at the vineyard. Although Mansfield has since passed away, his wife continues to run the vineyard and carry his vision forward.
And yes, I absolutely regret not packing a checked bag because I would have brought a few bottles home! You can enjoy a wine-tasting flight while learning more about this unique Cleveland gem.
I did not know about this museum when I first visited Cleveland, but I added it to this itinerary because it is such a unique and niche experience, especially since it is so close to Chateau Hough Vineyard.
Head to the Baseball Heritage Museum to learn about the Black history of America’s favorite pastime. The museum highlights the important contributions of the Negro Leagues, Women’s Leagues, Latin and Caribbean Leagues, and other Leagues through stories, photographs, letters, programs, uniforms, and other game-used memorabilia.
If you love baseball or want to discover a lesser-known piece of Black history, this is a worthwhile stop.
I love a good sweet treat, so even though The Sweet Fix Bakery is a little farther out, it was worth the visit! It is definitely the sweet fix that satisfied my sweet tooth. My favorite was the Oreo cake, but they also offer cookies, pies, and banana pudding.
It is the perfect little pick-me-up to hold you over until your next meal!
During my second visit to Cleveland, I was fortunate to take This Is Blk CLE, a Black woman-owned and -led history walking tour. I learned so much about Cleveland’s Black history, including:
Absolutely worth adding to your itinerary! She offers both walking and bus tours, so you can choose the experience that works best for you.
What better way to take a stroll than by visiting a place of significance? The African American Cultural Garden is a peaceful space that invites you to slow down, be still, and reflect.
The garden mirrors the Door of No Return, creating a powerful space for reflection and remembrance. While you are there, take time to explore more cultural gardens along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Rockefeller Park, where you will find gardens representing more than 35 cultures.
It is a unique site unlike anything I have seen before and a beautiful way to end your day in Cleveland.
By this point, you are probably hungry! One place I recommend is Angie’s Soul Cafe, a great spot to slow down and enjoy a hearty meal after a full day of exploring Cleveland.
I really enjoyed the fried chicken, but what stood out just as much was the warm hospitality. And I was pleasantly surprised to see Kool-Aid on the menu! There is something about a soul food meal with a big cup of Kool-Aid that just feels right. It was a delicious way to end a day of exploring Cleveland’s Black-owned businesses and history.
I had no idea until years after my first trip that Cleveland is home to the second-largest theater district in the United States, after New York City! So if you are looking for something to do in the evening, you will have plenty of shows to choose from at Playhouse Square.
On both of my visits to Cleveland, I was able to see a Black production and score orchestra seats at a surprisingly affordable price. During my first visit, I saw Pipeline, and on my second, I saw Thurgood.
If you enjoy live theater, I definitely recommend checking the schedule before your trip. You may be surprised by the variety of productions you can catch, and you might just find an opportunity to experience a Black story on stage while you are there.
Watch on Instagram and YouTube.
Yes! There are definitely Black people in Cleveland, and I found the Black community to be very visible. As someone from New York, Cleveland felt particularly Black and White to me. The racial contrast was much more noticeable than what I’m used to experiencing in NYC.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 45.9% of Cleveland’s population is Black and 35.5% is White. By comparison, Ohio is about 13.4% Black and 78.6% White. Cleveland’s racial makeup is definitely different from the state overall.
But the numbers only tell part of the story. I saw Black-owned businesses throughout the city, particularly in certain neighborhoods, and it was clear that there is a strong Black presence and community in Cleveland. For me, that visibility was one of the things that stood out most about traveling through the city as a Black traveler.
So if you’re wondering whether there are Black people in Cleveland or whether Cleveland has a visible Black community, the answer is absolutely yes. And for me, seeing that presence throughout the city made exploring Cleveland as a Black traveler feel much more connected to the community than I initially expected.
So, are Black people safe in Cleveland? Based on my experience, yes. I’ve traveled to Cleveland solo twice, and each trip I explored different parts of the city. Both times, I felt safe, comfortable, and welcomed as a Black traveler.
But what stood out to me just as much as feeling safe was how welcoming Black folks were. I found people to be incredibly friendly, warm, and approachable. I even had people willing to take photos with me, which honestly isn’t always the case when I’m traveling and approaching people I don’t know.
And the hospitality wasn’t just in passing. The owner of Chateau Hough even gave me a ride! Those kinds of interactions made Cleveland feel less like a place I was visiting and more like a place where people were genuinely looking out for me.
There was a familiarity to the interactions that I really appreciated. I didn’t feel like I was just another tourist passing through. At times, it genuinely felt like I was around cousins. 😂
Of course, my experience traveling while Black in Cleveland is just that, my experience. But after visiting the city twice, traveling solo, exploring different areas, and interacting with people along the way, I left Cleveland feeling like it was a welcoming place for me as a Black traveler.
Cleveland felt very Black American to me, and that made a difference in how comfortable I felt traveling through the city. There was a familiarity to the culture, the people, the businesses, and the overall energy that made me feel like I could settle in pretty quickly.
As a Black traveler, I didn’t feel like I had to explain myself or search hard to find spaces where I felt comfortable. From the Black-owned businesses I visited to the people I met along the way, I felt connected to a larger Black community that was clearly part of the fabric of Cleveland.
For me, that is a big part of what traveling while Black is about. It’s not just whether you feel safe. It’s whether you feel comfortable, seen, and like you belong. In Cleveland, I felt all three.
Cleveland was one of those cities I did not immediately think of when it came to Black history and culture, but I am so glad I had the opportunity to experience it through that lens.
Because I arrived with few expectations, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I discovered. From Black-owned businesses and rich history to unique cultural experiences, Cleveland gave me plenty of reasons to appreciate the city in a new way.
I also loved how low-key Cleveland feels. It has a relaxed energy that makes it easy to explore without feeling overwhelmed. I would happily return to discover even more, and I think you should add Cleveland to your list, too! I think Cleveland is definitely worth a visit.
This post is part of my 50 States Challenge, where I document my journey as a Black woman visiting all 50 states by 50. As a U.S. travel enthusiast and Black travel curator, my goal is to build the largest collection of Black-owned travel guides and reflections on traveling while Black.
Through Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast, I am also archiving the Black experience across all 50 states, one conversation at a time.
Ohio is the 32nd state I have traveled to. I’ve traveled to Cleveland, Cincinnati, Sandusky, and the Great Lakes Islands of Put-in-Bay and Kelley Island.
Would you visit Cleveland, OH?
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Welcome to the Franny the Traveler blog! I’m Dr. Franny, a national award-winning educator, entrepreneur, author, and Black travel enthusiast on a personal mission to make every destination a Black-owned destination. As I visit all 50 states and 50 countries by age 50, this Black travel blog is a growing collection of Black-owned city guides, itineraries, travel tips, and reflections on traveling while Black for the conscious traveler. I’m so happy you’re here!
