I love Cleveland State, but because the majority of the students commute, the university is practically dead over the weekend. The Inner Link is (typically) locked down, the only places to eat on-campus are the Viking Marketplace and Chili's (and neither is really the best), there's nothing happening on campus, and practically everyone goes home for the weekend.
Now, I usually don't go home for the weekend because home is two and a half hours away. And trust me, there's absolutely nothing worse than being stuck in the dorm all weekend with nothing to do. So, here's a list of nine things you can do in Cleveland over the weekend so you're not bored out of your mind.
1. Go to the Rec Center
All Cleveland State students get into the Rec Center for free, so take advantage of this awesome perk as much as you can to stay active and in shape. There’s so much you can do.
The Rec Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
2. Explore Cleveland on the RTA
This is literally the easiest thing you could do. With your RTA U-Pass, you get unlimited rides on any RTA vehicle in Cuyahoga County for the whole semester. And the Healthline goes right through campus, giving you access to University Circle and Downtown. (Just please do not hop on random buses without knowing where they’re going first. Granted, all buses do end up back where they started, but please use common sense and don’t just get on a random bus with an unknown destination).
You can find a list of all bus routes on the RTA's website.
3. Go to a museum
Like I said, the Healthline runs right through campus and the East 24th Street station is literally right across the street from the dorms. You'll have to do a little bit of walking, but if you get off at Stokes/Sterns, Adelbert, or Cornell stations, you can get to the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History easily.
The Cleveland Museum of Art is completely free (except for their special exhibitions, but you can get a discount with your student I.D.) and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History gives you a discount if you present your Viking Card.
4. Attend a service at Trinity Cathedral
Trinity is the Episcopal church across the street from Main Classroom (I will literally never call it “Berkman Hall”). It is an extremely inclusive community and all are more than welcome to attend.
Services are 8 a.m., 9 a.m., and 11 a.m.
5. Spend a day at the Cleveland Public Library — Main Branch
Located right in Public Square, the Cleveland Public Library is literally the best library I’ve ever been in. When I went, they were having a Superman exhibition with literally every single piece of Superman memorabilia in existence. It was super cool.
The Cleveland Public Library is closed on Sunday, but on Saturday, it’s open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
6. Spend the day in Public Square
Public Square was named one of 15 "Great Places in America," and it's not hard to see why. Even though it's a transit hub, it's a really relaxing place to be. You can always see the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. In the late spring, summer, and early fall, its the perfect place to sit outside and relax (add there's a super cool water fountain). And in the winter, they have some amazing Christmas lights and ice skating.
And Tower City is literally right there. Plus, there are a bunch of restaurants, Quicken Loans Arena, and Progressive Field in walking distance. And if you get on the Waterfront Line, you can head over to the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame, Great Lakes Science Center, and First Energy Stadium (if you want to watch the Browns lose in person). And the Red Line will take you to Little Italy, Ohio City, the West Side Market, and Cleveland Hopkins Airport.
Plus, did I mention there's free wi-fi?
7. See a show in Playhouse Square
Playhouse Square is the second biggest theater district in the United States and it’s literally right next door. There’s always so many shows going on, and Cleveland State’s “The City Is Our Campus” program sometimes sells tickets to shows at discounted prices. So if you want to go do something fun with your friends, seeing a show in Playhouse Square is a great option!
8. Go to Barrio
I like to joke that Ohio State has Raising Kane’s and Cleveland State has Barrio (and Barrio’s the way better option, in my opinion). I mean, you can get a whole meal for $6 in Downtown Cleveland, and the food is actually great. No wonder Cleveland State students love it so much.
So hop on the Healthline, get off at East 6th Street, and walk down East 4th to Barrio.
9. Go to Heinen’s and get some groceries
Literally Heinen’s is like the best grocery store to walk into. How many other grocery stores do you know of with a glass dome as a ceiling?
So run down and get some snacks, unless you want to always be stuck with the super overpriced food on-campus.
10. Literally go anywhere except Lake Erie
Lake Erie is super gross and boring. Just.... Just don't go there. Trust me, you're not missing much. Did I mention how seriously gross it is with all it’s algae blooms, dead fish, and pollution?
There's literally so much more you can do. Like, I didn't even mention going to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (because I have no idea how to get there using the RTA).
So get out and explore the Land, my fellow Vikings!
