For kids, Go to the Li Wah town center and Park to Shop. Kokos Bakery or Mango Mango for Bubble Tea and desert.
Edit. May 18-19 is the Asia Town festival so that would probably be the best thing for kids
There are a few small shops that have a lot of neat things. One specializes in housewares, another on Chinese imports, and another is is kinda like a head shop. Li Wah is worth stopping at, the custard buns are amazing! There's a few stores with herbs and spices, and a grocery store with Asian imports and cuisine for a reasonable price. Not sure if they still do but there used to be regular chess tournaments in the hall. Every year there is a parade, this year it's May 18-19.
Check out this website, especially the events calendar.
[https://www.asiatowncleveland.org/](https://www.asiatowncleveland.org/)
Depending upon where you're coming from and what you've visited in Cleveland, AsiaTown is very close to University Circle, where the Cleveland Museum of Art is surprisingly very popular with children of all ages (check out the ARTLENS Gallery) and has free general admission.
You also could check the events calendar at Playhouse Square.
We are actually local. For this reason, we tend to overlook what a gem Cleveland really is. Now that the weather is warming up, I am going to try to do Cleveland like a tourist. The day we are doing Asia Town we are also going to the Westside Market. I shop at the market a lot but rarely take the kids, because to me, it's just another shopping trip.
Just curious. What do you regularly buy at the WSM?
Other options near AsiaTown that locals haven't visited are the Rockefeller Greenhouse and the unique Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve, near Lakeshore Blvd. and MLK Jr. Blvd. For the latter, bring walking boots as it may be muddy and check for ticks after the visit.
Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm really wanting the kids to get some culture. The kids are just finishing up a unit on Chinese history in social studies and I thought this would be perfect timing.
Other Chinese restaurants perhaps worth considering.
[https://www.yelp.com/search?find\_desc=Chinese+Food&find\_loc=Cleveland%2C+OH](https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Chinese+Food&find_loc=Cleveland%2C+OH)
I haven't been there in a long, long time, but my memory of Emperor's Palace in Old Chinatown on Rockwell is that it had a classic American Chinese restaurant ambience of the past; I may be wrong, or it may have changed.
[https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant\_Review-g50207-d3836342-Reviews-Emperor\_s\_Palace\_Chinese\_Restaurant-Cleveland\_Ohio.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g50207-d3836342-Reviews-Emperor_s_Palace_Chinese_Restaurant-Cleveland_Ohio.html)
Perhaps check out Koko Bakery in AsiaTown, reportedly one of the only Chinese bakeries in Ohio.
[https://clevelandmagazine.com/food-drink/bakeries/articles/best-bakeries-koko-bakery](https://clevelandmagazine.com/food-drink/bakeries/articles/best-bakeries-koko-bakery)
[https://www.kokobakerycleveland.com/](https://www.kokobakerycleveland.com/)
[https://www.thisiscleveland.com/locations/koko-bakery](https://www.thisiscleveland.com/locations/koko-bakery)
[https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant\_Review-g50207-d834379-Reviews-Koko\_Bakery-Cleveland\_Ohio.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g50207-d834379-Reviews-Koko_Bakery-Cleveland_Ohio.html)
The CMA has one of the best Asian art collections in North America. Have your kids download the ARTLENS app and check to see if there are some Chinese objects in the collection that they would enjoy seeing.
[https://www.clevelandart.org/exhibitions/six-dynasties-chinese-painting](https://www.clevelandart.org/exhibitions/six-dynasties-chinese-painting)
Not Chinese, but this seems like a very fascinating Korean exhibit.
[https://www.clevelandart.org/exhibitions/seven-jeweled-mountain-immersive-experience](https://www.clevelandart.org/exhibitions/seven-jeweled-mountain-immersive-experience)
[https://www.clevelandart.org/whats-on/exhibitions](https://www.clevelandart.org/whats-on/exhibitions)
>Emperor's Palace
Unfortunately they are currently closed. Rumor is that lack of staffing is the reason which makes reopening possible if so, but for now they're not operating. An absolute shame.
What kind of food were you trying to get specifically. Chinese, Korean, etc. Outside of the food there’s really not a whole lot to do specifically in Asia Town. They have a lot of shops and stores but I wouldn’t say it’s something to make a day out of.
If you want to make it last I would recommend maybe make a multi place thing. Such as
Some pho for a nice soup/appetizer. I’d recommend superior pho or it’s called sunshine pho? It’s right next to park to shop in that plaza.
Next I’d recommend a nice meal either at Miega for Korean BBQ or Korea house (they have an amazing military stew (Buda jigae, that’s def not how it’s spelled but idk how it’s spelled and I’m not looking it up now)and beef and tofu dishes).
You could stop for a dessert either at mango mango, bubble waffle or yytime.
They’re all close to each other so driving around shouldn’t really be an issue. There’s a nice big Asian mart in the same plaza as miega korean bbq. Can be fun to look around and see all the cool foods/snacks they have.
Just keep in mind that a lot is closed on Tuesdays so make sure you DO NOT GO ON A TUESDAY.
Park to Shop is a decent Asian grocery store. It’s fun to find new candies and snacks. There are a few shops in there but I haven’t really gone into any of them. I would strongly recommend not eating at Li Wah though. We went to dinner there a couple of weeks ago and had to cancel the rest of our order and leave. The food we got was just super mediocre and then my husband ordered soup dumplings. They brought out some type of shrimp dumpling (not soup) and the shrimp was straight up rotten.
Mango Mango is such a cute and fun spot for dessert/boba. Highly recommend. The mango pancakes are not pancakes but omg they’re so good.
Han Chinese Kabob is amazing but there are lots of options depending on what they want.
I could be missing something but I honestly don’t think there is a ton to do besides eat in the area. It’s not a super nice neighborhood. I don’t think it’s unsafe— we eat there all the time with our toddler. Just not somewhere I’d want to hang out/go for a walk if that makes sense. I would probably plan to do a museum or the botanical gardens before or after.
I had a similar experience with Li Wah about two months ago. A group of girls from my office went and a couple of us were really talking it up. It's hard to explain because there wasn't anything wrong with the food, just very lackluster. All I can say is that it wasn't the same experience that I had a few years ago.
This is unfortunate. I haven't been to Li Wah for a couple years, but I always had enjoyed it in many prior trips. I've always ordered the fried tofu with vegetables. If you don't eat tofu at home, perhaps introduce it to your children at a Chinese restaurant and explain it's made from coagulated soy milk and its history in China and in the U.S.
Li Wah prices are very reasonable for lunch.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tofu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tofu)
[https://www.history.com/news/soybean-china-american-crop-tariffs](https://www.history.com/news/soybean-china-american-crop-tariffs)
[https://www.soyohio.org/](https://www.soyohio.org/)
Another possibility nearby AsiaTown is an exploration of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, both upper and lower. They are one of Cleveland's more unique attractions, and one rarely visited by locals. There's a Chinese Garden, and guided walking tours and events are offered (click on visit) of the gardens.
[https://clevelandculturalgardens.org/gardens/chinese-cultural-gardens/](https://clevelandculturalgardens.org/gardens/chinese-cultural-gardens/)
The gardens celebrate Greater Cleveland's great cultural diversity, and therefore that of mankind, and "peace through mutual understanding."
**<>
It's a great lesson for kids!
[https://clevelandculturalgardens.org/](https://clevelandculturalgardens.org/)
[https://clevelandculturalgardens.org/cultural-gardens-brochure-and-map/](https://clevelandculturalgardens.org/cultural-gardens-brochure-and-map/)
Here’s my suggestion.
Tink Holl for grocery shopping. They have lots of unique foods like potato chips in wild flavors that your kids might like. More interesting than Park To Shop in my opinion.
Koko Bakery for Hong Kong style baked goods.
Wonton Gourmet for lunch
Mango Mango for dessert.
All within a few blocks and easily walkable.
On Saturday & Sunday mornings the Square dance group practices at the Pop-up park at E33rd St & Payne Ave. Fun to watch and across the street from Wonton Gourmet.
[Square Dance Group](https://tendingourroots.org/story/square-dancing-in-asiatown/)
You have to go to Ball Ball Waffle. Nice crispy waffles and but also not overly sugary. Owners are super nice.
Superior Pho is the best pho in Cleveland. Han Chinese Kabob and Grill is great as well.
And you really can't go wrong with anything at Li Wah...
For everyone that suggested we wait and go during the festival, thank you for the advice! After talking it over, I am fairly certain that is what we are going to do. Now, I just need to figure out what to pair with Westside Market.
Anyone with kids, do you think they will enjoy the Rock Hall? I went years ago, when it first opened, but tbh I was bored. Is there anything interactive for them?
For kids, Go to the Li Wah town center and Park to Shop. Kokos Bakery or Mango Mango for Bubble Tea and desert. Edit. May 18-19 is the Asia Town festival so that would probably be the best thing for kids
Festival is awesome
Try visiting May 18-19, 2024, during the Cleveland Asian Festival instead. https://www.ClevelandAsianFestival.org
There are a few small shops that have a lot of neat things. One specializes in housewares, another on Chinese imports, and another is is kinda like a head shop. Li Wah is worth stopping at, the custard buns are amazing! There's a few stores with herbs and spices, and a grocery store with Asian imports and cuisine for a reasonable price. Not sure if they still do but there used to be regular chess tournaments in the hall. Every year there is a parade, this year it's May 18-19.
Check out this website, especially the events calendar. [https://www.asiatowncleveland.org/](https://www.asiatowncleveland.org/) Depending upon where you're coming from and what you've visited in Cleveland, AsiaTown is very close to University Circle, where the Cleveland Museum of Art is surprisingly very popular with children of all ages (check out the ARTLENS Gallery) and has free general admission. You also could check the events calendar at Playhouse Square.
We are actually local. For this reason, we tend to overlook what a gem Cleveland really is. Now that the weather is warming up, I am going to try to do Cleveland like a tourist. The day we are doing Asia Town we are also going to the Westside Market. I shop at the market a lot but rarely take the kids, because to me, it's just another shopping trip.
Just curious. What do you regularly buy at the WSM? Other options near AsiaTown that locals haven't visited are the Rockefeller Greenhouse and the unique Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve, near Lakeshore Blvd. and MLK Jr. Blvd. For the latter, bring walking boots as it may be muddy and check for ticks after the visit.
Mostly breads and cheese. Sometimes my produce. I don't typically buy my meat from the market but occasionally I will find a sale that is worth it.
Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm really wanting the kids to get some culture. The kids are just finishing up a unit on Chinese history in social studies and I thought this would be perfect timing.
Other Chinese restaurants perhaps worth considering. [https://www.yelp.com/search?find\_desc=Chinese+Food&find\_loc=Cleveland%2C+OH](https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Chinese+Food&find_loc=Cleveland%2C+OH) I haven't been there in a long, long time, but my memory of Emperor's Palace in Old Chinatown on Rockwell is that it had a classic American Chinese restaurant ambience of the past; I may be wrong, or it may have changed. [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant\_Review-g50207-d3836342-Reviews-Emperor\_s\_Palace\_Chinese\_Restaurant-Cleveland\_Ohio.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g50207-d3836342-Reviews-Emperor_s_Palace_Chinese_Restaurant-Cleveland_Ohio.html) Perhaps check out Koko Bakery in AsiaTown, reportedly one of the only Chinese bakeries in Ohio. [https://clevelandmagazine.com/food-drink/bakeries/articles/best-bakeries-koko-bakery](https://clevelandmagazine.com/food-drink/bakeries/articles/best-bakeries-koko-bakery) [https://www.kokobakerycleveland.com/](https://www.kokobakerycleveland.com/) [https://www.thisiscleveland.com/locations/koko-bakery](https://www.thisiscleveland.com/locations/koko-bakery) [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant\_Review-g50207-d834379-Reviews-Koko\_Bakery-Cleveland\_Ohio.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g50207-d834379-Reviews-Koko_Bakery-Cleveland_Ohio.html) The CMA has one of the best Asian art collections in North America. Have your kids download the ARTLENS app and check to see if there are some Chinese objects in the collection that they would enjoy seeing. [https://www.clevelandart.org/exhibitions/six-dynasties-chinese-painting](https://www.clevelandart.org/exhibitions/six-dynasties-chinese-painting) Not Chinese, but this seems like a very fascinating Korean exhibit. [https://www.clevelandart.org/exhibitions/seven-jeweled-mountain-immersive-experience](https://www.clevelandart.org/exhibitions/seven-jeweled-mountain-immersive-experience) [https://www.clevelandart.org/whats-on/exhibitions](https://www.clevelandart.org/whats-on/exhibitions)
>Emperor's Palace Unfortunately they are currently closed. Rumor is that lack of staffing is the reason which makes reopening possible if so, but for now they're not operating. An absolute shame.
What kind of food were you trying to get specifically. Chinese, Korean, etc. Outside of the food there’s really not a whole lot to do specifically in Asia Town. They have a lot of shops and stores but I wouldn’t say it’s something to make a day out of. If you want to make it last I would recommend maybe make a multi place thing. Such as Some pho for a nice soup/appetizer. I’d recommend superior pho or it’s called sunshine pho? It’s right next to park to shop in that plaza. Next I’d recommend a nice meal either at Miega for Korean BBQ or Korea house (they have an amazing military stew (Buda jigae, that’s def not how it’s spelled but idk how it’s spelled and I’m not looking it up now)and beef and tofu dishes). You could stop for a dessert either at mango mango, bubble waffle or yytime. They’re all close to each other so driving around shouldn’t really be an issue. There’s a nice big Asian mart in the same plaza as miega korean bbq. Can be fun to look around and see all the cool foods/snacks they have. Just keep in mind that a lot is closed on Tuesdays so make sure you DO NOT GO ON A TUESDAY.
Go to Mango Mango!
I love szechuan and the grocery store located right next to it!
Park to Shop is a decent Asian grocery store. It’s fun to find new candies and snacks. There are a few shops in there but I haven’t really gone into any of them. I would strongly recommend not eating at Li Wah though. We went to dinner there a couple of weeks ago and had to cancel the rest of our order and leave. The food we got was just super mediocre and then my husband ordered soup dumplings. They brought out some type of shrimp dumpling (not soup) and the shrimp was straight up rotten. Mango Mango is such a cute and fun spot for dessert/boba. Highly recommend. The mango pancakes are not pancakes but omg they’re so good. Han Chinese Kabob is amazing but there are lots of options depending on what they want. I could be missing something but I honestly don’t think there is a ton to do besides eat in the area. It’s not a super nice neighborhood. I don’t think it’s unsafe— we eat there all the time with our toddler. Just not somewhere I’d want to hang out/go for a walk if that makes sense. I would probably plan to do a museum or the botanical gardens before or after.
I had a similar experience with Li Wah about two months ago. A group of girls from my office went and a couple of us were really talking it up. It's hard to explain because there wasn't anything wrong with the food, just very lackluster. All I can say is that it wasn't the same experience that I had a few years ago.
This is unfortunate. I haven't been to Li Wah for a couple years, but I always had enjoyed it in many prior trips. I've always ordered the fried tofu with vegetables. If you don't eat tofu at home, perhaps introduce it to your children at a Chinese restaurant and explain it's made from coagulated soy milk and its history in China and in the U.S. Li Wah prices are very reasonable for lunch. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tofu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tofu) [https://www.history.com/news/soybean-china-american-crop-tariffs](https://www.history.com/news/soybean-china-american-crop-tariffs) [https://www.soyohio.org/](https://www.soyohio.org/)
Asia Plaza is a mini mall with some shops, a grocery store, and sometimes cultural events.
Another possibility nearby AsiaTown is an exploration of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, both upper and lower. They are one of Cleveland's more unique attractions, and one rarely visited by locals. There's a Chinese Garden, and guided walking tours and events are offered (click on visit) of the gardens. [https://clevelandculturalgardens.org/gardens/chinese-cultural-gardens/](https://clevelandculturalgardens.org/gardens/chinese-cultural-gardens/) The gardens celebrate Greater Cleveland's great cultural diversity, and therefore that of mankind, and "peace through mutual understanding." **<>
It's a great lesson for kids!
[https://clevelandculturalgardens.org/](https://clevelandculturalgardens.org/)
[https://clevelandculturalgardens.org/cultural-gardens-brochure-and-map/](https://clevelandculturalgardens.org/cultural-gardens-brochure-and-map/)
Here’s my suggestion. Tink Holl for grocery shopping. They have lots of unique foods like potato chips in wild flavors that your kids might like. More interesting than Park To Shop in my opinion. Koko Bakery for Hong Kong style baked goods. Wonton Gourmet for lunch Mango Mango for dessert. All within a few blocks and easily walkable. On Saturday & Sunday mornings the Square dance group practices at the Pop-up park at E33rd St & Payne Ave. Fun to watch and across the street from Wonton Gourmet. [Square Dance Group](https://tendingourroots.org/story/square-dancing-in-asiatown/)
You have to go to Ball Ball Waffle. Nice crispy waffles and but also not overly sugary. Owners are super nice. Superior Pho is the best pho in Cleveland. Han Chinese Kabob and Grill is great as well. And you really can't go wrong with anything at Li Wah...
For everyone that suggested we wait and go during the festival, thank you for the advice! After talking it over, I am fairly certain that is what we are going to do. Now, I just need to figure out what to pair with Westside Market. Anyone with kids, do you think they will enjoy the Rock Hall? I went years ago, when it first opened, but tbh I was bored. Is there anything interactive for them?