Any suggestions for visiting Cleveland?

[mrsklamc]

FIL would like to see the rock n roll hall of fame. Any other suggestions?

 

[popcenturylover]

The Cleveland Zoo & metroparks is nice. Also, they just opened an aquarium in the flats area.

 

[HillPete]

Next door to the Rock Hall is the Great Lakes Science Center. There's also an airport nearby that has a Women in Aviation Museum. A few miles away (to the east) is an area called University Circle. We have a fantastic Botanical Garden, a Natural History Museum, a world-class Art Museum and the Western Reserve Historical Society all within walking distance of one another. Up the hill from University Circle is our Little Italy area where you will find wonderful restaurants and art galleries. At the top of that hill is Lake View Cemetery. President Garfield is buried there (huge, multi-story monument) as well as many other famous folks (John D. Rockefeller, etc.) You can get a map/tour guide for about $3.00 at the office.

That's about 3 days worth of stuff (and only on the near-eastside!). Let me know if you need more ideas (restaurants, hotels, etc.)

--Hillary

 

[swanmom]

Michael Symon's restaurants ! Lola (downtown - somewhat fancier) and B Spot Burgers (downtown and in a couple of the suburbs.)

Here's the website. There is a link to the B spot restaurants at the bottom.
www.lolabistro.com

 

[FireDancer]

It depends what other kind of things you are into. The University Circle area has a lot of great things to do if you like museums. The botanical gardens are also there and it is a good time if you are into that kind of thing. Right next to the circle is our little Italy which has a lot of great places to eat.

If you are like cafes, micro breweries, and wine I would suggest heading over to Ohio City where we have the Great Lakes Brewery, Market Garden Brewery, some great little restaurants like Johnny Mango and Light Bistro. If you like a small neighborhood feel and are here when the weather is nice check out Tremont. There are a lot of great restaurants there too and some small local pub-like bars. It is a great neighborhood. Iron Chef Michael Symon has a restaurant there named Lolita.

If you want to check out an Indians game I would recommend heading to the East 4th area for dinner and some drinks first. Michael Symon's other restaurant, Lola is there but I would recommend the Greenhouse Tavern myself. I've been there twice this month and have never had a bad meal.

If plays or shows are more your thing we also have a very good theater distric, Playhouse Square.

The restaurant scene here is highly under-rated. You could eat at a different little local spot every day for months and not run out of good places.

If you have any specific questions about where to stay or the time of year to come let me know.

 

[tOSU]

Don't bother with the aquarium. Casino is opening soon. About an hour South is the Football Hall of Fame

 

[RockAndRollBallerina]

Don't bother with the aquarium

This, went once when my parents were in town, it's too expensive for what it is, and a major disappointment. We were in and out of there in less than 90 minutes.

 

[RachaelA]

Suggestions? Um.... don't visit

Maybe I'm spoiled because I lived in other cities, but our Aquarium, Science Museum, Children's Museum, History Museum, etc are terrible IMO.

The Zoo and Rainforest are okay.

Definitely eat at Melt.

 

[focusondisney]

Is he into sports? I'd second the football Hall of Fame in Canton or how about an Indians game? Cedar Point Amusement park is close too if he's into roller coasters.

Edit: my friend went to see the house that was used to film A CHRISTMAS STORY. Might be interesting if he's a film buff.

 

[tweezybird]

The art musuem is fantastic, we took a special trip to see the Faberge eggs, etc. and were absolutely thrilled at the regular museum exhibits.

 

[mrsklamc]

Thank you all! We would definitely love restaurant and place to say suggestions; It will be the inlaws (early 50s) and DH & I (early 30s).

We'd love good local restaurants, pretty traditional, American style food, unless BIL joins us in which case we will have to hit the Iron Chef place. He's what I would call a 'foodie.'

We're probably looking at July- thanks for the theater recommendation, I might see if there is interest in Mamma Mia!

 

[mrsklamc]

Is he into sports? I'd second the football Hall of Fame in Canton or how about an Indians game? Cedar Point Amusement park is close too if he's into roller coasters.

Is the football hall limited to NFL? An Indians game might be interesting as well...Is Cedar Point worth it if you aren't particularly into roller coasters? I know it has some of the best ones but a little rough for us these days.

 

[tOSU]

Is the football hall limited to NFL? An Indians game might be interesting as well...Is Cedar Point worth it if you aren't particularly into roller coasters? I know it has some of the best ones but a little rough for us these days.

It is professional football only, no college if that is what you mean.

Cedar Point probably is not worth it if your not into roller-coasters

 

[CynBeth]

When is your trip to Cleveland? Our road trip this year happens to be Cleveland, Canton, and Detroit. We go the middle of June with our dog.

 

[Cindy B]

Western Reserve Collections

http://www.wrhs.org/Research/Collection_Highlights

The automobile and aviation musuem is fascinating. It used to be free- I don't know what the charge is now. I used to work right near there. It is called the Crawford Auto and Aviation Museum. IIRC, it isn't far from Case Western Reserve University.

I loved living in Cleveland. Can you still go up the top of Tower City? That was interesting. Of course we lived there when the rock hall and the new stadiums being built so we got to see interesting construction.

 

[harleyquinn]

Suggestions? Um.... don't visit

Maybe I'm spoiled because I lived in other cities, but our Aquarium, Science Museum, Children's Museum, History Museum, etc are terrible IMO.

The Zoo and Rainforest are okay.

Definitely eat at Melt.

Wow, really?! Could you just not post next time please?

OP you've gotten a lot of great suggestions. I hope your family enjoys their visit!

 

[Cindy B]

It depends what other kind of things you are into. The University Circle area has a lot of great things to do if you like museums. The botanical gardens are also there and it is a good time if you are into that kind of thing. Right next to the circle is our little Italy which has a lot of great places to eat.

If you are like cafes, micro breweries, and wine I would suggest heading over to Ohio City where we have the Great Lakes Brewery, Market Garden Brewery, some great little restaurants like Johnny Mango and Light Bistro. If you like a small neighborhood feel and are here when the weather is nice check out Tremont. There are a lot of great restaurants there too and some small local pub-like bars. It is a great neighborhood. Iron Chef Michael Symon has a restaurant there named Lolita.

If you want to check out an Indians game I would recommend heading to the East 4th area for dinner and some drinks first. Michael Symon's other restaurant, Lola is there but I would recommend the Greenhouse Tavern myself. I've been there twice this month and have never had a bad meal.

If plays or shows are more your thing we also have a very good theater distric, Playhouse Square.

The restaurant scene here is highly under-rated. You could eat at a different little local spot every day for months and not run out of good places.

If you have any specific questions about where to stay or the time of year to come let me know.

You are making me miss Cleveland! I agree Greenhouse Tavern is excellent. We went to a Chef show locally and the Greenhouse Tavern chef was a presenter. His food was excellent and made us miss Cleveland.

 

[EyoreFANS12]

I highly recommend the rock hall. The women of rock exhibit is fantastic ! Other than that check to see if there are any sporting event or concerts going on at the time. I would also suggest the pro football hall of fame which is in canton. The zoo is also nice and isnat a very reasonable price. One thing i do not suggest is the aquarium, it was nothing special to me. You could always visit the science center since it is right next to the rock and roll hall of fame. Hope this helps !

 

[FireDancer]

Thank you all! We would definitely love restaurant and place to say suggestions; It will be the inlaws (early 50s) and DH & I (early 30s).

We'd love good local restaurants, pretty traditional, American style food, unless BIL joins us in which case we will have to hit the Iron Chef place. He's what I would call a 'foodie.'

We're probably looking at July- thanks for the theater recommendation, I might see if there is interest in Mamma Mia!

I would suggest staying in 1 of 2 places. Either downtown or in Independence. There is a Hilton Garden Inn right next to Progressive Field (where the Indians play) and they often have good rates if you book early enough. Independence is pretty much where visiting businessmen stay when they don't want to stay downtown. It is a very easy trip right up 77 to get downtown but you are staying in a suburb if that is more your thing.

Pretty much any restaurant will have their menu online. I would recommend checking out the links to Tremont and Ohio City and turn it into a walking evening. If it is a nice day you can go to a lot of little places and get some appetizers and beers and sit outside on the patio. I love both places but I would probably say for most visitors pick Ohio City.

I would definitely start at The Great Lakes Brewery where you can get everything from a strong IPA to a Porter to a Pilsner and they have great traditional American food. If you guys like craft beers right across the street is another brewery that has a very good menu, Market Garden Brewery. I will warn you though that their menu changes daily so use it just to get an idea of what they have. If wine is more your thing there is a very good wine bar, Market Avenue Wine Bar, right across the street from the Great Lakes Brewery. I'll be there tomorrow as a matter of fact and it is always a good time.

After a drink at those two places I'd head down to Bridge (just a block or two away) and head down to Johnny Mango. They are kind of a Caribbean restaurant where you can get a small plate of something and margaritas. They have a lot of margaritas. I would end my night on the patio at either Flying Fig or Light Bistro which is less traditional as far as food goes but you can grab a small plate there.

I like to sample neighborhoods when I travel and if I were to take out a friend who was visiting that is what I would do. The same idea as I have above can also be done in Tremont or Lakewood (that is where Melt is which a previous poster mentioned).

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Glad I found this thread! We are planning on visiting in the near future...thanks!