Interviewed and written by: Belle Mercurio, Marketing & Communications Manager for Engage! Cleveland

Cleveland is a city of culture, resilience, and opportunity.

According to the 2023 State of the Young Professional Community Report (SYPCR), a survey Engage! Cleveland conducts bi-annually to get a finger on the pulse of the early to mid-career professional community in Cleveland, a whopping 91% of respondents had a positive view of Cleveland, but only 27% of those respondents said they were “cheerleaders” of Cleveland, with the remaining respondents being passive, or negative. 

That’s why, since the beginning of the 2025, we’ve been highlighting local influencers who actively champion Cleveland—people using their platforms, passions, and voices to reshape the narrative and showcase all that makes this city exceptional.

Each month, we shine a spotlight on an individual who inspires us, and this month’s feature is the date night duo and Cleveland foodie couple, Courtney Lee & Connor McCoy. This local couple has their sights set on exploring the best of Cleveland, especially the food scene.

Stay tuned as we continue honoring these individuals and sharing their stories in 2026. Continue reading to learn more about Courtney and Connor and follow them journey on social media @travelwithclee (IG), @courtneylee (TikTok).

EC: Hello, Court & Connor! We are excited to have you both join us today. Please kick us off with just an intro about you.

CC:  Happy to! My name is Courtney Lee and I am Connor McCoy, and together we are @travelwithclee. Our page is dedicated to date nights + must-visit spots around NE Ohio. 

EC: Do you currently work and/or live in Cleveland?

CC: Yes, we both work in the Cleveland area and live in Lakewood!

EC: How long have you worked in Cleveland?

CC: Connor has lived in Cleveland his whole life (minus a few years while in college), I (Courtney) moved to Cleveland in 2017 after graduating college for work!

EC: How would you describe yourself? A Cleveland transplant, boomerang, or life-long resident.

CC: Connor is a life-long resident, while I am a Cleveland transplant.

EC: What is it about Cleveland that makes you feel at home here, and why do you choose to live in this city over other places?

CC: We love the strong sense of community and array of local businesses in the area. It’s also definitely a bonus being close to the lake, having easy access to the metroparks, and the food scene here is AMAZING! While this winter has been pretty rough so far, it is nice getting to experience all four seasons – makes us appreciate the summers in Cleveland even more!

EC: Can you describe your favorite neighborhood or area in Cleveland? What makes it special to you, and how does it reflect your connection to the city?  

CC: We may be biased since we live here, but we LOVE Lakewood. We love being able to walk to shops, restaurants and the lake no matter where at in Lakewood you’re located. Lakewood may have a high population, but it truly feels like you’re in a small town. We love the close-knit community aspect, while only being 15 minutes outside of downtown. We feel so lucky to live here!

EC: Cleveland has a rich history and culture. What part of the city’s history or culture do you connect with most, and how does that shape your view of Cleveland today?  

CC: We’re lucky to have so many different genres of food nearby, we’re big foodies and are always trying to find new-to-us authentic restaurants. We also love shopping at the West Side Market. Being able to visit so many different family-owned vendors with diverse offerings always has us leaving with something new.

EC: What are some of your favorite places to visit in Cleveland, whether for leisure, food, or entertainment? Why do these spots stand out to you?  

CC: Lakewood Favs – Gingham Market (grab n go lunch, new menu every day), Goodkind Coffee, Highland Throwbacks (great spot to find vintage Cleveland sports apparel), Lakewood Park (sunsets at the solstice steps are something everyone needs to experience at least once), Taco Tontos, Harlow’s Pizza, Sarita, the list could go on & on!

Jacob’s Pavilion – we always try to attend at least one concert here each summer. The venue is just truly unmatched!!

Ohio Wine Country – such a fun day trip only an hour from Cleveland! We love visiting new wineries every time we go, but our favorite is definitely Vincent William Winery with it’s location right on Lake Erie.

Huntington Beach in Bay Village – great for lake days or spot to visit for sunset

Antique/Vintage Shops – All Things For You, Paradise Galleria, Magically Found, Cool Water Dry Goods 

EC: If you’ve lived in other cities, how does Cleveland compare? Are there specific aspects of Cleveland that you think are better or unique compared to those places?

CC: Growing up in Pittsburgh, I do find the cities extremely similar in a lot of ways! I do appreciate Cleveland just a little more because of the lake and the roadways are way more easy to navigate here! (but don’t tell anyone from Pittsburgh I said that)!!

EC: Cleveland has a passionate sports community. Do you feel like the sports community resonates with the city’s culture?  

CC: This one’s all Connor! First of all, being a Cleveland fan is not for the weak. Mentioning community before, I truly think Cleveland has some of the best fans. Jacobs field (Progressive field) is one of the best ballparks in the country and going to games in the summer is such a great experience. Being a Browns fan makes you incredibly loyal, and can be tough at times but I think everyone joins together in the heartbreak that often occurs being a Browns fan. Lastly, I was 7 when the Cavs drafted LeBron. Getting to enjoy watching him throughout his career was awesome. I’ll always remember the day LeBron announced he was coming back and exactly where I was at. The cherry on top was the Cavs winning the title in 2016. Hoping one of our teams can bring another title to Cleveland soon.

EC: How do you typically spend a weekend in Cleveland? Are there any local events or activities that you never miss?  

CC: Our typical weekends include: yoga/workouts in the morning, visiting a local coffee shop, vintage/antique shopping and different activities with friends whether that be a concert or just a get together at a local restaurant!

EC: What would you say to someone who is thinking about moving to Cleveland? What do you think they should know about the city and its people before making the move?  

CC: I like to think of Cleveland as a hidden gem. As we all know, Cleveland gets a bad rep sometimes, but I truly think people realize how amazing of a city Cleveland is after visiting (especially during the summer months)! We would tell someone before moving here to take advantage of the lake however you can during the summer months, utilize the metroparks for fall foliage views in the fall, and find cozy spots to spend your time in the winter when your brave enough to leave the house!

EC: In what ways do you celebrate Cleveland—whether through its festivals, local businesses, or other cultural traditions?

CC: We love supporting local any chance we can get. Whether it’s a local shop, coffee shop, or restaurant, we are always prioritizing local businesses. We personally show love for Cleveland through our Instagram page, where we share all our favorite spots. Our Instagram has also allowed us to find so many new spots to share and we love being able to help promote Cleveland small businesses! 

EC:  What’s your personal way of showing love for the city?  

CC: We really try to showcase must-visit spots around Cleveland on our Social Platforms and all the amazing opportunities this city has! We get a lot of great feedback on our date night content and we love just giving other locals and visitors inspiration for their upcoming plans.

EC: What are some ways our audience can engage with you or your work? 

CC: Follow us on Instagram @travelwithclee & TikTok @courtneylee. Feel free to DM us if you ever have any questions or need any recommendations 🙂

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