Cleveland
Around Cleveland
Photo: Harrison Keely · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Tennessee · 132k people
Cleveland
“Gateway to the Ocoee”, “The City with Spirit”
Where the mountains meet the river.
Lee University redLee University navy
Welcome to Cleveland, where the Ocoee River runs through our backyard and the smell of barbecue fills the air. Whether you're here for the outdoors or the friendly small-town vibe, you'll fit right in.
Clubs for Cleveland
No clubs for Cleveland yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Cleveland. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Cleveland. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Red Clay State Historic Park Historic Cherokee council grounds with trails and a spring.
- Ocoee River Whitewater rafting venue from the 1996 Olympics.
- Cherokee National Forest Hiking, camping, and waterfalls just outside town.
- Museum Center at Five Points Local history and culture exhibits in downtown.
- Cleveland Greenway Paved walking and biking trail along the creek.
- Lee University Campus Scenic campus with a clock tower and performance venues.
- Outdoors Whitewater rafting on the Ocoee
- Outdoors Hiking in Cherokee National Forest
- With kids Visit the Museum Center at Five Points
- With kids Picnic at Red Clay State Historic Park
- Evenings Live music at downtown bars
- Evenings Trivia nights at local breweries
- Locals love Barbecue joints
- Locals love Meat-and-three diners
Through the year
- Cleveland First Friday monthly Monthly downtown art walk with local vendors and music.
- Bradley County Fair fall Carnival rides, livestock shows, and local food.
- Ocoee River Race spring Whitewater race drawing paddlers from around the region.
- Music on the Square summer Summer concert series in downtown Cleveland.
Humid subtropical with hot, muggy summers and mild winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are perfect for outdoor activities — mild temps and low humidity.
Talk like a local
- “the Ocoee”
- The Ocoee River, especially for rafting and tubing.
- “the Square”
- Downtown Cleveland's central square and surrounding blocks.
Getaways
- Chattanooga Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, and riverfront attractions.
- Athens Historic small town with a classic courthouse square.
- Dalton Carpet capital with outlet shopping and a historic depot.
- Calhoun Historic downtown and nearby lakes for fishing.
Local flavour
Teams
- Lee University Flames NCAA Division II
- Cleveland State Community College Cougars NJCAA
Also rooting for Tennessee Volunteers, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Braves
Eat and drink
- Southern barbecue Pulled pork, ribs, and hickory-smoked meats
- Sweet tea The quintessential Southern drink
- Meat-and-three diners Local cafés serving a main with three sides
- MoonPies A Chattanooga classic often enjoyed nearby
Where people go
- Ocoee River Whitewater rafting and scenic beauty
- Cherokee National Forest Hiking, camping, and mountain views
- Red Clay State Historic Park
- Small-town diners and barbecue joints Local eateries with Southern comfort food
Heritage and traditions
Cleveland is proud of its Cherokee heritage, its role as the home of the Church of God, and its small-town Southern charm with a strong outdoor recreation scene along the Ocoee and Hiwassee rivers.
This time of year in Cleveland
- Leaf peeping in the mountains October October foliage drives.
- Farmers markets Spring-Fall Spring through fall for local produce.
Say it like a local: “crick” — a stream or brook
Festivals
- Cleveland Apple Festival September September celebration of the apple harvest with cider, crafts, and live music.
- Charleston Tomato Festival August August event honoring Bradley County tomatoes with tastings, a parade, and contests.
- Red Clay Cherokee Heritage Day April Spring gathering featuring Cherokee dance, storytelling, and traditional crafts.
- Church of God International General Assembly Summer Biennial gathering of the Pentecostal denomination, held in Cleveland.
- Lee University Christmas Concert December December choral and orchestral performance at Lee University.
- Cleveland Christmas Parade December Downtown parade with floats, bands, and Santa.
Landmarks with a story
- Church of God International Headquarters Global center of the Pentecostal denomination, with a distinctive modern campus.
- Cleveland Depot Restored train station from the late 19th century, now a community landmark.
- Bradley County Historical Society Preserves local artifacts and documents.
- Cherokee Removal Memorial Park Commemorates the Trail of Tears on the Hiwassee River.
Food traditions
- Tomato sandwiches with Duke's mayonnaise A summer staple using locally grown Bradley County tomatoes.
- Cherokee fry bread Served at cultural events and powwows, a legacy of Cherokee heritage.
- Fried catfish dinners Caught from the Hiwassee and Ocoee rivers, often served with hushpuppies.
- Country ham Cured and salty, a holiday favorite in many homes.
Music and arts
- Gospel music tradition The Church of God has fostered a strong gospel and contemporary Christian music scene.
- Bluegrass and country Local musicians keep Appalachian roots alive.
- Lee University School of Music Brings classical and choral performances to the community.
A little history
- 1837 Cleveland founded
- 1896 Church of God established in Cleveland
- 1918 Lee University founded as a Bible school
- 1996 Ocoee River hosted whitewater events for the Atlanta Olympics
- 2000s Cleveland Greenway developed
Rivalries
- Cleveland High vs Bradley Central Cross-town high school football rivalry that splits the county.
- Lee University vs other NAIA schools Basketball and soccer matchups with regional colleges.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Cleveland Speedway dirt track racing
- Outdoors Tubing on the Hiwassee River
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Ocoee
- With kids Attend a race at Cleveland Speedway
- With kids Pick apples at a local orchard
East Tennessee accent with a Southern drawl, often dropping the 'g' in words like 'huntin' and 'fishin'. 'Creek' becomes 'crick' and 'hollow' becomes 'holler'.
Only here
- The Church of God International Headquarters is in Cleveland.
- Red Clay was the last capital of the Cherokee Nation before the Trail of Tears.
- The Ocoee River hosted the 1996 Olympics whitewater events.
- Cleveland Speedway is a beloved dirt track.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce 'Cleveland' like the Ohio city, with the emphasis on the first syllable.
- Summers are hot and humid; winters are mild but can bring ice.
- The Ocoee River is a must-visit for whitewater rafting, especially after spring rains.
- Chattanooga is a short drive away for bigger-city amenities.
- Church is a big part of community life; many events are church-related.
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Part of Chattanooga area
Nearby
Every areaDaytonTennesseeWhere the plateau meets the riverAthensTennesseeWhere the river runs through historyChattanoogaTennesseeWhere the mountains meet the river, and everyone feels at home.DaltonGeorgiaWhere the mountains meet the millsMonroe CountyTennesseeWhere rivers run deep and the mountains feel like home.Blue RidgeGeorgiaWhere the mountains meet the orchardsCalhounGeorgiaWhere the mountains meet the valleySummervilleGeorgiaWhere the river runs through the hills
Cleveland, TN. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.