A Fun Family Day in Downtown Cleveland: Made Possible By The RTA
*This post is sponsored by Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. In this post, we give our honest review of our experience riding the RTA Rail Line. For more information on our Disclosure Policy, please visit this page.
If you’re looking for a stress-free, budget-friendly way to explore Downtown Cleveland with the family, riding the RTA Rail is a fantastic and affordable option.
We recently spent the day in the heart of the city, and it all started with a quick and easy ride on the Red Line.
Our Journey Begins: Red Line to Tower City
We started our trek downtown by parking (for free!) at the Brookpark station. Passes can be purchased at the machines in the lobby of the Brookpark Station.
Or, even better, you can download the Transit app and select GCRTA. From there, you can plan your trip, pay your fare, and access real-time information. Plus, in the app, you can score all-day passes for just $5, which is super convenient.
From the Brookpark station, we hopped on the Red Line and rode into Tower City. The ride only took about 30 minutes. My kids were excited to ride the rail, and honestly, I was, too!
There’s something so nostalgic about riding the RTA – I loved it as a kid, and it feels super cool to share that experience with my kids now.
My kids especially loved seeing the beautiful Cleveland skyline come into view as we zipped into Tower City Center. The whole process was so easy! We simply got our all-day passes at the entrance of the Brookpark Station and then hopped on the train.
My husband appreciated not having to deal with the downtown traffic, and as a budget-conscious mama, I loved skipping the parking garage fees.
Exploring Downtown: Public Square, Soldiers & Sailors Monument, and the B-Line Trolley
Once we arrived at Tower City, we took a nice little stroll around Public Square.
The kids had a blast running carefully through the splash pad (I told them they couldn’t get too wet since we didn’t have a change of clothes) around and soaking in the sights.
Next, we visited the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, which is free to enter and offers a great glimpse into Cleveland’s Civil War history.
It was a quick stop but very meaningful. (Be sure to check their website for hours of operation.)
Next, we hopped on the FREE RTA B-Line Trolley—a perfect way to see even more of the city without tiring out little legs. The trolley is a hit with our kids, and it was a nice break for us parents, too!
Thanks to its sponsors, the B-Line Trolley is “free with a smile.” It runs throughout the Warehouse District and has stops at Public Square, the Cleveland Public Library, City Hall, and the County Courthouse.
Dinner and a Ballgame: Progressive Field
After our trolley ride, we grabbed a quick slice of pizza from one of the many restaurants downtown. Cleveland’s food scene never disappoints, and pizza is always a winner with our kids.
With full bellies, we made our way over to Progressive Field to cheer on our favorite team in town–the Cleveland Guardians!
We’re a big baseball family, and for us, there’s nothing like experiencing the energy of the hometown team catching a W.
Heading Home: Skipping Traffic with the RTA Rail
One of the best parts of our day? Skipping the post-game traffic! We simply walked from the ballpark northwest down Ontario to the Walkway to Gateway that connects Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse to Tower City to catch our train.
It was so nice to not have to rush out of the ballpark after the final pitch to try to get to our car to beat the traffic out of a garage. The kids were worn out from the day, and I was glad we didn’t have to deal with the hassle of driving downtown after a game.
Riding the RTA rail made our family day in Downtown Cleveland not just fun, but easy and stress-free. It’s a great way to explore the city, save a little money, and create lasting memories with the kids.
We can’t wait for our next ride!
To find your route or learn more, visit here.
