Playhouse Square is Cleveland's theater district, a cluster of restored 1920s theaters along Euclid Avenue that its own site describes as the world's largest theater restoration project. The district has 12 performance spaces, among them the Allen, the Hanna, the KeyBank State, the Connor Palace and the Mimi Ohio, and the original five theaters were built in about 19 months and opened between 1921 and 1922. The KeyBank State Theatre's 320-foot lobby is described as the longest theater lobby in the world. Cleveland Play House uses the Allen as its main stage and Great Lakes Theater is based at the Hanna, and the district draws more than a million visitors a year. You can come for a Broadway tour, a play or a concert, or you can simply walk the district to see the lights and the plaza chandelier.
Public tours
Free public tours led by volunteer guides run on the third Saturday of each month and on select Mondays, starting in the KeyBank State Theatre lobby. Registration is required and spaces are limited, so book early, and if nothing is available, check again one to two months before your date as new tickets are added.
The tour lasts about 90 minutes, includes stairs, and tells the story of the five restored theaters and how they were saved. Not all areas are open on every tour, and backpacks and large bags are not permitted. In warmer months, free outdoor walking tours of the district also run on select dates.
Shows and evenings
The best way to experience Playhouse Square is to see something in one of the theaters, whether a touring musical, a play by one of the resident companies or a concert. Check the venue calendar for what is on during your trip, and book the better seats early.
The district has restaurants and parking nearby, and the Crowne Plaza at Playhouse Square and the Kimpton Schofield are both within a short distance. A pre-show dinner on Euclid Avenue or East Fourth Street, followed by the lights of the plaza, is a classic Cleveland evening.
How it fits a trip
Playhouse Square suits couples, theater fans and anyone who wants a cultural evening to balance a day of museums. It pairs naturally with the Outdoor Escape Room in the district, the ghost tour that passes through the theater area and the Rock Hall, which is a short ride down Euclid and East Ninth.
If you are visiting in winter, a show is a warm indoor plan after the zoo or the science center, and holiday programming adds to the atmosphere. Private tours can be arranged for groups at a fee, with at least three weeks of notice, if you want a dedicated visit.
What to expect
The experience
A free guided history tour of the restored theaters, outdoor walking tours in warmer months, or an evening show in one of the district's theaters.
Best time
An evening for a performance, or the third Saturday of the month for a public tour.
How long
About 90 minutes for a tour, an evening for a show.
Tips
Register for free tours in advance, wear comfortable shoes for stairs, and leave backpacks at your hotel.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Theater fans, architecture lovers and anyone who wants a cultural evening downtown.
- Families
- Tours involve stairs and 90 minutes of history, so they suit older children; family shows are listed on the venue calendar.
- Couples
- Dinner nearby followed by a show under the lights is the classic Cleveland date night.
- Pair with
- The Outdoor Escape Room, the ghost tour and the Rock Hall.
- Time needed
- An evening, or about two hours for a tour.
Good questions
Are Playhouse Square tours free?+
Yes, the public tours are free, but registration is required and spaces are limited. Private tours for groups are paid and need advance booking.
When do public tours run?+
The venue lists them on the third Saturday of each month and on select Mondays, starting in the KeyBank State Theatre lobby. Some Saturdays may be skipped.
How many theaters are there?+
The district has 12 performance spaces, including the five original theaters that opened between 1921 and 1922.
What makes the KeyBank State Theatre special?+
Its 320-foot lobby is described as the longest theater lobby in the world.
Can I bring a bag on a tour?+
Backpacks and large bags are not permitted. Camera bags may be inspected.
