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Nearby spots for students and faculty to enjoy.
Credit: Abigail Saplak
Nearby spots for students, staff and faculty to relax, unwind or simply enjoy.

Things to do near CSU

Cleveland State University has a large commuter population, and with that sometimes comes a lot of free time between classes. So, the question is, what can students do within walking distance of campus that can fill that time?

You walk out of class and check your schedule. Maybe you have three hours to kill before your next class starts, or maybe you’re done for the day and aren’t quite ready to head home. You want to grab something to eat, hang out with friends or just explore Cleveland, but you don’t want to travel far from campus. So, what can you do?

Luckily for Cleveland State students, you don’t have to go far. With CSU located in the heart of downtown Cleveland, students, and staff and faculty, have more choices than they may realize. Within a 15-minute walk of campus, any member of the CSU community can find places to grab a quick bite to eat, get coffee, shop, explore Cleveland or just take a break from campus. 

Whether you have time to kill between classes or are looking for something to do after class, here are some things you can do in your free time without venturing too far from CSU.

Need a quick bite or your caffeine fix? 

Just a three-minute walk from the Student Center, Café Ah-Roma offers handcrafted sandwiches, coffee and smoothies. Café Ah-Roma focuses on serving healthy options quickly and efficiently for those who are in a rush and don’t want fast food. Stop in for breakfast, a study session or to hang out with your friends.

Good Pizza, a 14-minute walk from campus, offers New York-inspired slices and pies for students looking for a solo lunch date or a meal with friends. Good Pizza offers carryout and dine-in options, with a dining room and patio located on East Fourth Street. 

Looking for a pint, food, or just to hang out after class?

Viking Public House, a four-minute walk from the Student Center, is a bar and restaurant. It is Cleveland’s only Viking-inspired bar, serving signature cocktails and American bar food. Viking Public House is a spot for date nights, birthdays, or a night out with your friends. Gather your friends after class and take a short walk over to enjoy food, live music and more. 

Looking for a spot to hang out before a Guardians game? The Thirsty Parrot, a 12-minute walk from campus, offers a place to hang out before or after attending the game. Located just behind center field, the Thirsty Parrot opens two hours before all Guardians home games. You can enjoy food and drinks, and if you aren’t looking to spend money on tickets, you can watch the game on the big screens in the restaurant.  

Planning a date night?

Playhouse Square, a five-minute walk from campus, is a date-night entertainment option, whether you are looking for a solo date or time spent with someone special. You can’t go wrong watching a show in the second-largest theater district in the United States, with options from the Broadway series, including “Mamma Mia!," "The Phantom of the Opera” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," as well as special events such as comedy and magic shows. 

Are you a sports fan? 

Just a 12-minute walk from campus is Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians. Finish up your last class, buy a last-minute ticket and enjoy a game with friends. Grab Cracker Jacks, peanuts, hot dogs and drinks while watching the game to end the day. 

A little farther is Rocket Arena, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Monsters. Take a 15-minute walk from the edge of campus and catch a high-energy game while enjoying great food and good company. 

Looking for something later at night?

A favorite hang out for the over-21s; students, staff and faculty, is Becky’s on E.18th, just minutes from campus. And nearby are Moe’s, a laid-back neighborhood bar, and the slightly quirky but always delicious Hofbräuhaus Cleveland.

Now, the hardest part isn’t finding something to do, but figuring out what you should do first!