Terminal Tower Observation Deck
Terminal Tower Observation Deck
4
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Terminal Tower Observation Deck and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Tower City District
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
578 within 3 miles
Attractions
241 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
270 reviews
Excellent
115
Very good
105
Average
30
Poor
11
Terrible
9
Fuga Re
Washington DC, DC217 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
Despite costing only 5 dollars, parking the car is difficult, the security service was terrible and the building is in decay. The view is from the 42nd floor, but the glass is dirty and spoils the photos. The observatory is small and the visit is quick, lasting up to half an hour. From up there you can see that the city is in decay, trying to get back on its feet.
Written April 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WanderingBeaver
Peterborough, Canada50 contributions
May 2013 • Business
We were at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument across the street and were told about the Terminal Tower observation deck (which is an interesting place to stop by as well). You get your tickets for the elevator ride at the customer service desk in the mall, then go back out the front of the buidling to board the first elevator (of two) to get to the 42nd floor. Once on the observation deck you have an incredible view of the city, well worth the $5 admission.
Written June 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phyllis
Northfield43 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
The Terminal Tower Observation Deck is a must see when in downtown Cleveland. The deck is open to the public from early April to mid December; Saturdays from 12 to 5 & Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m. Only 50 tickets are sold for every 30 minute time block. You really should purchase tickets (for $6.27 each in March,2014) in advance to guarantee availability and your time slot. By the time you get up to the enclosed 42nd floor, you get about 15-20 minutes to spend looking out over the city. On a clear day, you can see for 30 miles. It's definitely worth the view and experience. I can't wait to do it again soon!!!
Written March 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sep 2012 • Friends
The Terminal Tower observation deck offers great views of downtown Cleveland and Greater Cleveland as a whole, but especially of the Cuyahoga River and its valley (known as the Flats). Cuyahoga means "crooked river" in the Iroquoian language. It's only 30 miles (48 km) from the Cuyahoga's source direct to its mouth, but the river's twisting length is 100 miles (160 km).
The Terminal Tower is a landmark office tower opened in 1928 which towers above the southern end of Cleveland's Public Square. Until 1953, it was the tallest building in the world outside New York City, and until 1964, it remained the tallest building in North America outside NYC. It's currently the 114th tallest building in the U.S. and the second tallest in Oho after the Key Tower (18th tallest), located on the north side of Public Square in Cleveland.
On our visit, we were lucky to see a giant ore freighter, which can be 700-1,000 plus feet long, winding its way through river bends just below the Terminal Tower. From Lake Erie to a steel mill just south of downtown, as the freighter moved up the river, bridges were raised and lowered to permit its progress. A visit to the Steamship Mather in Cleveland's inner harbor will demonstrate how these massive freighters using "thrusters" can navigate on their own the Cuyahoga's winding, narrow channel without tugs.
Also on the river was the Goodtime III, a large tour boat, which also necessitates the raising and lowering of the Cuyahoga's bridges.
We also saw another freighter enter the Cleveland harbor and head to docks west of the river mouth. Although we didn't do so, it's possible to check for Cleveland harbor scheduled arrivals and departures online.
Observation deck visitors also have a good view of Cleveland's lakefront, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Bring binoculars to view the details of the Cleveland Clinic, University Circle, the Garfield Monument, and Gildersleeve Mountain and other features to the East, as well as features to the south and west. On a clear day, reportedly Canada can be viewed across Lake Erie. The views are enhanced because the Terminal Tower is built on a higher elevation significantly above Lake Erie and much of the area viewable from the observation deck.
The observation deck is open seasonally on weekend afternoons. Advance tickets are sold for 30-minute intervals. The deck wasn't busy on the day of our visit and we were able to buy tickets inside the Tower City mall information desk. We stayed on the deck for over 45 minutes. The deck has its original bathrooms. Buy tickets online or check the observation deck schedule here: http://www.eventbrite.com/org/570713222
The Terminal Tower is part of Tower City Center. Tower City additionally includes Greater Cleveland's rail mass transit hub station, a retail mall, the Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance hotels, the Horseshoe Casino, several restaurants, a food court, and several large office buildings connected by underground tunnels to the rest of Tower City.
Many movies have shown the photogenic, Beaux-Arts style Terminal Tower including "The Deer Hunter" (1978), "A Christmas Story" (1983), "Spider-Man 3" (2007), and "The Avengers" (2012).
The Terminal Tower is a landmark office tower opened in 1928 which towers above the southern end of Cleveland's Public Square. Until 1953, it was the tallest building in the world outside New York City, and until 1964, it remained the tallest building in North America outside NYC. It's currently the 114th tallest building in the U.S. and the second tallest in Oho after the Key Tower (18th tallest), located on the north side of Public Square in Cleveland.
On our visit, we were lucky to see a giant ore freighter, which can be 700-1,000 plus feet long, winding its way through river bends just below the Terminal Tower. From Lake Erie to a steel mill just south of downtown, as the freighter moved up the river, bridges were raised and lowered to permit its progress. A visit to the Steamship Mather in Cleveland's inner harbor will demonstrate how these massive freighters using "thrusters" can navigate on their own the Cuyahoga's winding, narrow channel without tugs.
Also on the river was the Goodtime III, a large tour boat, which also necessitates the raising and lowering of the Cuyahoga's bridges.
We also saw another freighter enter the Cleveland harbor and head to docks west of the river mouth. Although we didn't do so, it's possible to check for Cleveland harbor scheduled arrivals and departures online.
Observation deck visitors also have a good view of Cleveland's lakefront, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Bring binoculars to view the details of the Cleveland Clinic, University Circle, the Garfield Monument, and Gildersleeve Mountain and other features to the East, as well as features to the south and west. On a clear day, reportedly Canada can be viewed across Lake Erie. The views are enhanced because the Terminal Tower is built on a higher elevation significantly above Lake Erie and much of the area viewable from the observation deck.
The observation deck is open seasonally on weekend afternoons. Advance tickets are sold for 30-minute intervals. The deck wasn't busy on the day of our visit and we were able to buy tickets inside the Tower City mall information desk. We stayed on the deck for over 45 minutes. The deck has its original bathrooms. Buy tickets online or check the observation deck schedule here: http://www.eventbrite.com/org/570713222
The Terminal Tower is part of Tower City Center. Tower City additionally includes Greater Cleveland's rail mass transit hub station, a retail mall, the Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance hotels, the Horseshoe Casino, several restaurants, a food court, and several large office buildings connected by underground tunnels to the rest of Tower City.
Many movies have shown the photogenic, Beaux-Arts style Terminal Tower including "The Deer Hunter" (1978), "A Christmas Story" (1983), "Spider-Man 3" (2007), and "The Avengers" (2012).
Written October 27, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keeper127
Portage, MI5 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
I brought my family to the Terminal Tower observation deck in Cleveland, OH. My kids enjoyed the ride up the elevator. The view was great. You can see just about all of downtown Cleveland and Lake Erie. The observation deck is not opened all year and you must purchase timed tickets in advance thru Eventbrite. When you get to Terminal Tower go to the security desk with your tickets and they will give you instructions on how to reach the observation deck.
Written April 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nancym1010
New Jersey73 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
I took my grandchildren to the top of this Cleveland landmark. So much has changed in Cleveland. The entrance hall is still lovely, as are the art deco elevator doors that take you to the top of the tower. The observation deck is a step back in time. The deck consists of small windows looking out over Cleveland, with a lovely views of the lake. The experience would be improved if they washed the windows, they are quite dirty. The adjoining Tower City facility was pretty desolate, with only a few homeless looking people wandering around along with security guards. The fountain was not operating and the sculpture that was over the fountain has been taken down. There is a charge of $5.00/ person and it was well worth it.
Written July 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael M
Macedonia, OH559 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
I loved going to the Observation Tower and looking at the surrounding views of Cleveland. You can see inside the ball fields and get to know the layout of the city. The bird's eye view is well worth the short wait to get in and up the elevators to the top. I even got to purchase a book from an author who wrote a history of the tower. Go see the inside. I've the outside for decades.
Written July 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Motown_Mrs
Livonia, MI221 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
We stopped at Terminal Tower just for the observation deck tour. It is $5 but you cannot buy tickets there. No walk-up ticket sales! The woman at the desk said we could order them on our phone, while we were right there, and then show them to her. So odd that you can't buy them there. So be warned! Buy them ahead of time.
They are timed tickets. It is a self-guided tour. Weekends only until 3:30pm.
The tour is on the 42nd floor of the 52-floor building. You take two elevators to get there.
The views are really great and totally worth $5 per person.
They are timed tickets. It is a self-guided tour. Weekends only until 3:30pm.
The tour is on the 42nd floor of the 52-floor building. You take two elevators to get there.
The views are really great and totally worth $5 per person.
Written September 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul W
Cleveland19 contributions
Aug 2017
The building is an amazing place to stop and take in the architecture from the 1920's when this was the passenger rail center of Cleveland. When the public area were converted from a train station to a tiered shopping mall significant portions of the old still remain. The Ritz Carlton and the Renaissance Hotel are connected to the Terminal Tower as well as the Casino as well some office buildings. So it is worth a walk through. From a shopping perspective just keep on moving unless you like garbage stores. Also keep a close watch on your valuables.
Written August 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1saabstory
Rocky River, OH58 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
After seeing a tweet from the Terminal Tower's twitter account (@TowerLightsCLE) I signed up myself and 5 of my friends to visit the Tower's observation deck which was open for Valentine's Day.
The tickets were sold in 30 minute increments. This is when my normally noisy brain had a clear thought. I actually checked the Almanac to see when sunset was going to occur, then signed up for that session. Genius right? I don't normally get great ideas so yes, I AM shamelessly asking for kudos! Do not judge me.
Access to the tower is extremely easy. You'll find some street parking down Euclid and Prospect which works well if you want to grab a bite or a cocktail around E4th. Also plenty of garages including the Tower Parking garage whose elevators go up to the tower's lower level. If you are on public transportation, the bus line takes you to the front door and the Rapid takes you into the tower itself (Tower City Center stop). There is also a free trolley service that runs up and down Euclid.
The check-in area is the Guest Services desk which is across from the post office, just inside the doors opposite Public Square. They will herd you upstairs.
You actually take 2 elevators, the first doesn't go all the way to the top so you exit around floor 36 and hit another one around the corner.
The size of the group was good - maybe 20 people? A tiny bit of waiting for a view at your window of choice but 30 minutes was absolutely plenty of time to see everything.
As other reviewers have said; the 360 view is gorgeous and our timing was perfect. We got to see the view in the daylight, saw the lovely sunset, and then watched all the night lights pop on.
It was a little difficult to take a good photo - the reflection of the interior lights and less-than-sparkly windows defeated my android phone's camera. But I got a few good shots.
The charity was St. Jude and they had bottled water and cookies for free at the top which was a nice surprise. There is also a men's and women's room available.
For $5.00 - you certainly cannot beat it. I've lived in Cleveland all my life and am a bit ashamed it took me this long to do this. Absolutely recommend you try it.
The tickets were sold in 30 minute increments. This is when my normally noisy brain had a clear thought. I actually checked the Almanac to see when sunset was going to occur, then signed up for that session. Genius right? I don't normally get great ideas so yes, I AM shamelessly asking for kudos! Do not judge me.
Access to the tower is extremely easy. You'll find some street parking down Euclid and Prospect which works well if you want to grab a bite or a cocktail around E4th. Also plenty of garages including the Tower Parking garage whose elevators go up to the tower's lower level. If you are on public transportation, the bus line takes you to the front door and the Rapid takes you into the tower itself (Tower City Center stop). There is also a free trolley service that runs up and down Euclid.
The check-in area is the Guest Services desk which is across from the post office, just inside the doors opposite Public Square. They will herd you upstairs.
You actually take 2 elevators, the first doesn't go all the way to the top so you exit around floor 36 and hit another one around the corner.
The size of the group was good - maybe 20 people? A tiny bit of waiting for a view at your window of choice but 30 minutes was absolutely plenty of time to see everything.
As other reviewers have said; the 360 view is gorgeous and our timing was perfect. We got to see the view in the daylight, saw the lovely sunset, and then watched all the night lights pop on.
It was a little difficult to take a good photo - the reflection of the interior lights and less-than-sparkly windows defeated my android phone's camera. But I got a few good shots.
The charity was St. Jude and they had bottled water and cookies for free at the top which was a nice surprise. There is also a men's and women's room available.
For $5.00 - you certainly cannot beat it. I've lived in Cleveland all my life and am a bit ashamed it took me this long to do this. Absolutely recommend you try it.
Written February 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the observation deck wheelchair accessible?
I bought tickets for December 16, 2023 and forgot to look into whether I can take my wheelchair onto the observation deck.
Ronald B
Coastal South Carolina, SC
How do I purchase two tickets for the observation deck only ? I see that there are only about 5.00 each, am having really hard time getting info about this. Thx
....
Grover R
Pensacola, FL18,101 contributions
I do believe the tickets are only sold for summer weekends. This may be why you are having problems.
onlythebest717
Columbus, OH38 contributions
What is the website to buy tickets
chermarsh2016
Cleveland, OH28 contributions
Eventbrite. Luckily I had already set it up as we were there about 5 minutes before the elevator took people up. I think it might have been a bit of a wait otherwise. So I ‘bought’ the tickets right there.
wpoohbr
Cleveland, OH
Is it open on weekdays?
chermarsh2016
Cleveland, OH28 contributions
The building itself is open during the week and the lower floors are open to the public and feature a beautiful atrium, kiosks, some shops and eateries but not much. (There is Morton's.) It is also the local rapid transit station (you can get to the airport from here). You can access the Jack Casino via the Terminal Tower (now called Tower City) and I believe you can access the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The observation deck on about floor 32 is only open on the weekends - possibly 12 to 5. I believe it's $5 a ticket and I believe you buy them via Eventbrite. I bought our tickets right there in the lobby within 2 minutes of the next tour. I would definitely go online to confirm that the observation deck is open that weekend, and the times and prices.
46347wus
Fairview Park, OH
To the new owners:
Are there plans in motion to open the Terminal Tower Observation Deck more days than Sat/Sun? With visitors during the week it would seem profitable.
Tim K
Cleveland, OH113 contributions
I agree. The Observation Deck should be open more than it is now. I hope they realize what an asset it is to the city and downtown, and open it more than select times and days.
Diane O
Ravenna, OH5 contributions
Is there a cost to go to the observation deck?
Will M
Cincinnati, OH51 contributions
From 4 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 10-14, the deck will greet guests for a charity fundraiser in support of St. Jude Children's Hospital. Tickets are just $5 and a portion of the proceeds from sales will be donated to St. Jude.
Guests will get to take a self guided-tour of the 42nd floor (the Tower has 52 floors, but the deck is on 42). On clear days, it's possible to see for 30 miles from the Tower.
The deck reopened to the public in 2010 after being closed for nine years. It closes for the winter, but is open Saturdays and Sundays in warmer seasons. Following the special February hours, it will open again for regular weekend hours in April, for the first weekend of the Cleveland International Film Festival on April 1 and 2, from noon to 4 p.m.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingTerminal Tower Observation Deck - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Terminal Tower Observation Deck
- Hotels near Terminal Tower Observation Deck:
- (0.01 mi) LUXURY LIVING
- (0.01 mi) Beautiful 2 bedroom downtown apartment
- (0.10 mi) The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland
- (0.14 mi) ROOST Cleveland
- (0.06 mi) Renaissance Cleveland Hotel
- Restaurants near Terminal Tower Observation Deck:
- (0.03 mi) San Souci
- (0.06 mi) Morton's The Steakhouse
- (0.05 mi) Rebol
- (0.09 mi) TURN Bar
- (0.10 mi) Susy's Soup