Cleveland Is Having a Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Summer — Here’s Where Fans Should Go
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have both given Cleveland a pop-culture moment. Here’s how to turn it into a weekend trip.
Cleveland might not be the first city people associate with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, but that may be changing.
Kelce, who grew up in nearby Cleveland Heights, recently joined the Cleveland Guardians ownership group. The move gave the Kansas City Chiefs star a new official tie to his hometown team and brought fresh attention to a city he and his brother Jason Kelce have talked about often on their “New Heights” podcast.
There was also supposed to be a very public Cleveland moment in June, when Travis was expected to attend a Guardians game at Progressive Field. That game was postponed because of the weather, but even without that appearance, his new role with the Guardians gives Cleveland an easy starting point for a Kelce-inspired trip.
Add in his Cleveland Heights roots, New Heights-mentioned local spots, and a current Taylor Swift display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the city has a pop-culture travel angle that goes well beyond one game.
Start with Progressive Field
Progressive Field is now more than just the home of the Cleveland Guardians. Thanks to Kelce’s new ownership stake, it has become part of the bigger Travis-and-Cleveland conversation.
The ballpark sits downtown, which makes it easy to build a whole day around a game. Even if you are not a diehard baseball fan, this is the obvious starting point for a Kelce-inspired Cleveland trip.
Add Rocket Arena for the Cleveland sports connection
Rocket Arena is another downtown stop tied to Cleveland’s current sports energy. It is home to the Cavaliers and sits close enough to other major downtown attractions that visitors can easily pair it with dinner, drinks, or a walk around the city.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were also spotted courtside at a Cavaliers playoff game in Cleveland earlier this year, which only added to the city’s sudden Swift-Kelce curiosity.
Visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for the Taylor Swift connection
The Taylor Swift tie is strongest at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Swift is currently featured in the museum’s “Right Here Right Now” exhibit, which highlights current chart-topping artists and the Rock Hall inductees who helped shape them.
The Rock Hall has also unveiled a display featuring artifacts from Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” music video, including costumes and props from the video.
For Swift fans, that gives Cleveland a great reason to visit.
Make East 4th Street your pre- or post-game food stop
For an easy downtown food-and-drink plan, East 4th Street is one of the simplest recommendations. It is close to the sports venues and has several restaurants that work well before or after a game.
Cordelia, Mabel’s, Jolene’s, and Good Pizza are all good options to keep in mind.
Go to Geraci’s for a Kelce-mentioned Cleveland classic
Geraci’s has been serving Cleveland-style pizza for decades, and both Jason and Travis Kelce have recommended it.
Stop by Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa / Speakeasy
One of the more specific Kelce-connected stops is Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa in Cleveland Heights, where Jason and Travis Kelce grew up.
The first floor operates as a barbershop, while Quintana’s Speakeasy sits upstairs. Travis has talked about his longtime connection to the shop on “New Heights,” and it remains one of the more personal Cleveland Heights stops tied to the Kelce brothers. (Check it out below at the 1:25:00 minute mark.)
Try Great Lakes Brewing Company
Jason Kelce has mentioned Great Lakes Christmas Ale on “New Heights,” and this summer, visitors do not have to wait until the holidays to try it.
Great Lakes Brewing Company is bringing back Christmas Ale in July at its Cleveland brewpub, with a fresh-brewed off-season batch, a pig roast, music, merch, and a toy drive.
The beer is usually a holiday-season favorite, brewed with honey, cinnamon, and ginger. For a Cleveland trip with a Kelce tie, this is one of the easier stops to work into an Ohio City afternoon.
Save room for Cleveland classics
Beyond the game-day bars and newer restaurants, Cleveland has plenty of old-school food stops that are worth working into a weekend.
Slyman’s Deli is the place people still point to for corned beef. Flat Iron Cafe is a longtime pick for pierogies, while The Rowley Inn works well for a casual meal near some of the city’s best-known attractions.
Mitchell’s Ice Cream is another fabulous stop, especially if you want to order it the Travis way: two scoops in a bowl, with cookies and cream and seasonal lavender honey.
Visit Cleveland’s museums
Cleveland’s museum scene is one of the easiest reasons to turn a game-day trip into a full weekend.
The Cleveland Museum of Art has a large collection and free general admission, while the Cleveland Museum of Natural History recently reopened after a major redesign. Families can also add the Great Lakes Science Center, which sits downtown near the lakefront.
Book a nicer Cleveland dinner
For a more polished dinner, Cleveland has several restaurants worth planning around.
Cordelia and ROSY are tied to James-Beard-nominated Chef Vinnie Cimino. Larder, Cent’s Pizza, and Abundance Culinary are also great options.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce may be the reason Cleveland is getting extra attention right now, but they are not the only reason to go.
Plan the trip around a Guardians game, the Rock Hall, East 4th Street, Cleveland Heights, Great Lakes Brewing, and a few old-school food stops, and you have an easy Midwest weekend with more personality than people tend to give Cleveland credit for.
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Sorry not a fan of either one.
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