You may remember The Flats from your younger years as the scene of Pickle Bill’s or Bar Cleveland or Have a Nice Day Café or maybe as a once-booming area that was mostly left vacant.
Over the past couple years, The Flats have staged an impressive comeback, anchored by the Flats East tower. There are businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues galore now. The Flats are definitely a redevelopment success story.
More than that, though, The Flats are a great place for the entire family! If you had told me a few years ago that I’d regularly take my son down to The Flats, I wouldn’t have believed you. But there are a lot of family-friendly options in this area!
Here are some things to check out with your family in The Flats:
From bowling to shuffleboard to private karaoke rooms to arcade games to giant Scrabble and Jenga, Punch Bowl offers a host of options to keep everyone busy and entertained. They have ball rollers and bumpers to make bowling a snap for even the youngest guest. The food is great too, with lots of kid-friendly options, as well as tasty choices for adults. My favorite time to go with Jeffrey is Sunday brunch because it’s not quite as busy and we can have a lot of time to explore all the different things to do.
Who doesn’t love tacos and guacamole? The food is great and the outdoor seating offers nice views of the Cuyahoga River to keep your kids entertained with passing jet skis, boats, and freighters. There are also outdoor games like cornhole and giant chess to enjoy.
Merwin’s Wharf and the Water Taxi
Similar to Coastal Taco, Merwin Wharf offers great food and sweeping river views. Plus, it’s part of the Cleveland Metroparks system, which always offer high quality venues that are perfect for the entire family. You can also hop aboard the Cleveland Metroparks Water Taxi for fun and educational tours of the area.
Kids will love the bright colors, fun music, and the chance to sit in a boat-like booth and pretend they’re sailing away. You’ll love the blender drinks. It’s a win-win.
Festivals
Cleveland Scene hosts a number of events in The Flats, from the Taste of Summer to Fall Fest. We’ve always enjoyed these festivals, with lots of food and fun, including bounce houses, interactive street art, and live music. Stay tuned to Cleveland Scene’s social media pages for when these festivals are happening.
From restaurants to entertainment venues to boating, The Flats offer fun for all ages! Do you have a favorite spot to take your kids in The Flats?
From Cleveland that I love,
Jen
