From Shoveling Snow to Tropical Glow: My Secret Cleveland "Warm-Up" Plan ☀️🧤
- heathre04
- Jan 17
- 3 min read
Is it just me, or does the snow look way better through a massive glass window than it does from the end of a shovel? 😅 Since we are currently living in a real-life snow globe, I wanted to share my favorite "University Circle Escape Plan." Even though the Wade Oval rink isn't happening this year, the neighborhood is still the ultimate place to enjoy the winter aesthetic while staying perfectly toasty.
Here is how you can spend a "Best of Cleveland" day entirely indoors (with zero frostbite):
1. The "Snow Globe" View: The Cleveland Museum of Art 🏛️✨
Start your day at the Ames Family Atrium. It is, hands down, the best indoor space in the city. You get those stunning floor-to-ceiling views of the storm, but you can leave your parka at the coat check.
The 2026 Vibe: While you're there, check out the Renaissance to Runway fashion exhibit. It’s a burst of color that is the perfect antidote to the "Cleveland Gray" outside.
These Dolce&Gabbana gowns are from the Paris exhibit we attended last year - but stay tuned for photos from the Cleveland Museum of Art - Renaissance to Runway later this month
2. The Tropical Escape: Butterflies at the Botanical Garden 🦋🌴
If you’re really over the cold, walk across the street to the Cleveland Botanical Garden. This is my favorite "hack."
The Secret: Head straight for the glasshouses. You can literally walk from a Cleveland blizzard into a Costa Rican Cloud Forest in about 30 seconds.
Zion’s Favorite: The butterflies are always a hit! There is nothing like having a tropical butterfly land on you while it’s 10 degrees outside. It’s an instant mood booster.
Coming Attraction - Orchid Rodeo - Walking into Orchid Rodeo at the Botanical Garden is like a slap of summer to the face (in the best way possible). We’re talking thousands of exotic orchids in every color of the rainbow, hanging from the ceilings and tucked into every corner of the glasshouses. Returning Feb 15th - April 5th
3. Dinner with a Blizzard Backdrop: L’Albatros 🇫🇷🍷
Wrap up your day at L’Albatros. It’s tucked away in an old carriage house and feels so cozy when the wind is howling outside. Order the onion soup—it’s like a warm hug for your soul.
The Cozy Corner: Algebra Tea House ☕️🪵
If you want to trade the "frickin' cold" for the ultimate "boho-cozy" vibe, head just down the street to Algebra Tea House. It feels like walking into a hand-carved hug! Between the earthy wood-fired pottery and the aromatic Middle Eastern teas, it’s the perfect place to thaw your hands and watch the snow fall from a safe, warm distance. It’s not just a tea break—it’s a total mood.
Stepping into Algebra Tea House feels like a warm hug for the soul. ☕️🪵 This immigrant-owned gem is hand-carved, heart-centered, and the perfect place to thaw out. Especially with everything happening right now, it’s so important to put our literal and metaphorical warmth behind the people who make Cleveland home. Come for the Syrian tea, stay for the community. ❤️
Why you’ll love this itinerary:
✅ Zero Shoveling: Park in the garage and stay underground or close to the buildings. ✅ The Contrast: One minute you're looking at snow-covered sculptures, the next you're surrounded by orchids and butterflies. ✅ Kid Approved: Zion has a blast every time we do these spots, and it burns off that "stuck inside" energy!
What’s your favorite "stay warm" spot in the city when the snow hits? Let me know in the comments! 👇
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