Top 9 Influencers to Follow in Cleveland
One of the best things about Cleveland is all of the amazing people who cross your path! Here at The Cleveland Bucket List, we wanted to share the love and give you some other influencers to follow on social. After following us, @theclebucketlist, be sure to check out these talented and friendly humans!!
1.) Bethany of Cle With kids - @clewithkids
Bethany has been such an asset to us! We first met when we asked her to join us with our kids to film video content at PlayCLE and we’ve been sending our family-focused followers to her page ever since! Follow Bethany for the best spots to bring your kiddos, family-friendly adventures, and overall great Cleveland content for anyone.
Favorite place to take kids in CLE? During the winter our go-to spot is the Rocky River Nature Center. My kids love to play in the indoor treehouse and it’s such a cozy, warm place to escape to during cold winter days. Once the warm weather hits we’re almost always outside looking for new playgrounds to explore. Our two favorites are the Lindsey Family Play Space at Edgewater and the incredible playground at Lakewood Park. One of the things I love is that you can get a gorgeous view of the downtown skyline from both locations.
Favorite place for a family-friendly meal? Dewey’s Pizza in Lakewood. My kids love to watch the pizza get tossed and we love that it keeps them distracted while we wait for our food. Plus, the pizza is delicious (The Edgar Allan Poe is amazingggg. Trust me, you won’t regret it 😉).
Favorite place to take a first-time visitor? It’s way too hard to pick just one… so I’m giving you two. 😆 Mitchell’s in Ohio City is an absolute must! Mitchell’s Ice Cream is a Cleveland experience staple in our book and the Ohio City location is especially unique because you can watch the ice cream being made as you enjoy it, which is super fun. Our second stop with a first-time visitor would likely be the Cleveland Museum of Art. As a family, we love visiting the art museum! All of these years later and I still can’t believe admission is FREE. It’s such a true gem and I think it’s a must-see for anyone visiting the city for the first time.
2.) Alicia of @AliciaMHansen - @AliciaMHansen
Having worked with Alicia professionally, she had to make the list. She’s our go-to for outdoor yoga classes, mindfulness, and just generally being an awesome human being.
Favorite place to practice yoga in CLE? It's sad that many of my favorite studio spaces are no longer, but an outdoor space I love is at Edgewater State Park: by the Willow Tree, overlooking the water.
A favorite spot for dinner? In no specific order: Thyme Table, the patio at Fahrenheit, and any Dante Boccuzzi restaurant (but especially Ginko)
The first place you take an out-of-towner? It's so cliche, but it's the West Side Market. It's a special place, a historic one and still tells the story of this city - its people, its food, its cultures. I'd grab gyros from Steve's or crepes from Crêpes de Luxe, and then take them up to the loft to people watch and tell the many stories I have as being a kid walking the market with my mom and aunt.
3.) Shana of Black Girl in CLE - @BlackGirlinCLE
Our favorite source for gorgeous pictures of Cleveland’s murals (a must-follow on twitter), event coverage, and all-around getting involved with our city!
A favorite spot for dinner in Cleveland? I don’t really have a single favorite restaurant all depends on where I am in the city lol.
Favorite hidden gem? Coco's Chalky Paints
One thing Cleveland is the best at? Cleveland is great at live entertainment (just not this year).
4.) Hallie of The Wardrobe Consultant - @TheWardrobeConsultant
One of our favorite non-foodie influencers, Hallie is always providing awesome style tips and information on how to shop locally right here in Cleveland. Based on the East Side, follow along - she’s sure to share some food favorites, too!
What is your favorite spot for lunch in Cleveland? Luna Bakery & Cafe - I’ve got a big sweet tooth, and their pastries are divine! But I can balance it with a healthy and hearty salad so it minimizes my guilt.
Favorite season + why: definitely NOT winter!! It’s probably Fall. Wearing a sweater and sunglasses is my perfect combo. And the leaves changing colors, apple picking, all of it. Fall is my season!!
Favorite Cleveland hidden gem: ok, so this pun is totally on purpose. I’ve always know Cleveland was lucky to have the metro park and the emerald necklace (see there that’s the pun! Emerald necklace =hidden gem). Because of COVID, I’ve spent much more time exploring the parks all over the city. My latest discovery is Mentor Lagoons - it’s gorgeous!
5.) Nikki & Bailey of Crave Cleveland - @CraveCLE
Another influencer we’re constantly crossing path with, Nikki & Bailey, are currently bringing you the best Instagram reel content and always finds a way to highlight Cleveland’s newest and greatest. They also have a huge tiktok following and are constantly creating new tiktoks for you to watch!
Favorite season + why? Favorite season: fall because we love hiking in the metro parks and visiting the Holden Arboretum. Plus patios are usually still open and you can visit fun local farms like Patterson’s and Quarry Hill!
Favorite Cleveland hidden gem? Cleveland Chop’s happy hour selection and patio out back.
Best sandwich in CLE? Turkey Club from Herb’n Twine
6.) Abby of Abby Thome/The Thome Home - @Abby_Thome
Having had the pleasure of meeting Abby and getting to experience her bubbly personality in person - following her is even better now. Abby shares tips on DIY-projects, life with kids, meal planning, and so much more. Make her sweet & spicy pretzels - you’ll thank us later!
Best spot to take kids in CLE? This may sound generic, but our favorite place to go is enjoying our local parks. We have so many awesome parks that we take advantage of to run around, picnic, and go fishing!
Favorite spot for dinner? HiHo Brewery in Cuyahoga Falls is hands down our favorite spot as a family to hunker down, grab a beer, and enjoy their delicious pizza and appetizers!
Favorite Cleveland hidden gem? Luther's Farm Market. A family-owned and run market with incredible fall-fun. A market packed with fresh produce, meat, and of course pumpkins and mums this time of year! They have a tractor ride, pumpkin chucking, and a barn you can walk through where the animals are just roaming around, it is packed with charm - and a must-see this fall!
7.) Ian of Urbanetics - @urbanetics_
Another great follow on twitter as well, Ian is always sharing the best-hidden gems and outdoor spots to explore. Living in Downtown, he does a great job highlighting Downtowns best!
Most underrated part of Cleveland? The Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One of my favorite parts about this city is its cultural diversity and heritage, and The Cultural Gardens are fantastic places that reflect this. Plus, the gardens themselves are gorgeous and are perfect to enjoy a scenic walk or bike ride.
Favorite spot for dinner? All Saint’s Public House in Battery Park / Detroit Shoreway - My favorite patio in CLE! Such a scenic setting, plus food and drinks, and all amazing.
Favorite Cleveland hidden gem? It’s a tie between the Cleveland Public Library Eastman Reading Garden in Downtown and the Lakefront Nature Preserve adjacent to Gordon Park.
8.) Haley of The Cleveland Bucket List - @TheCLEBucketList
I’m happy you found this post and thank you for supporting Cleveland and all of it’s fabulous people!
Favorite place to take an out of towner? Edgewater Beach!
Favorite spot for dessert? Thyme Table, Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes, Mitchells, Luna Bakery & Cafe
One thing Cleveland is good at? Supporting local businesses.
9.) Alex of CLE Girls - @clegirls
Alex is a great follow on Instagram for anyone looking to get out and explore hip destinations! She’s always the first to share about new openings, great cocktails, and more.
One thing Cleveland is best at? Supporting local! Whether it's restaurants, sports teams, or shops, Clevelanders love to support local.
Best spot for a cocktail? Porco's Tiki Lounge, the Somethin' Tequila is my favorite!
Favorite place to take an out-of-towner? Shopping at the West Side Market followed by brunch at the Café.
This list hardly encompasses all of the amazing people covering Cleveland on social media, but it’s a great start! We tip our hats to everyone helping Clevelanders explore Cleveland!
