Ohio: Cleveland – 10 Great Things to Do

January 4, 2019
Ohio
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When you ask people today what Cleveland’s greatest exports have been they might just say LeBron James and Halle Berry. In fact, this city and the surrounding areas were instrumental in America’s ‘Industrial Revolution, producing vast quantities of steel that fueled the growth of industry and the modernisation of America’s great cities.

That is all in the past and today, Cleveland is reinventing itself as a modern industrial hub, with a focus on advanced manufacturing. As well as rewriting its industrial history there has been a big push to clean up the city and grow tourism, which is why we think you should make the effort to head out to the Great Lakes and spend a few days exploring Cleveland.

1. GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER

Whether a science fan or not, a visit to Great Lakes Science Centre is sure to be fun! It has on display permanent and temporary exhibitions aimed at educating the visitors about various aspects of Science.

Opened in 1996, Museum supports a STEM model Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. It also has a NASA Glenn Visitor Centre one of the very few centres in the Country get a feel of how the scientists stay and work in space! Invoke the scientist in you at Science Phenomena and explore electricity, motion, magnetism, sound etc. Understand how science impacts our lives with latest innovations and discoveries at BioMedTech gallery, Get aboard on a steamship William G. Mather to learn and understand a 618-foot flagship and its cargo storage, quarters and engine room!

2. ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, museum and hall of fame in Cleveland that celebrates the history and cultural significance of rock music and honours the contributions of those who have played an important role in the music’s creation and dissemination

3. CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART

The Cleveland Museum of Art was first built in 1913 and officially opened in 1916.

Today, it is an extremely famous place to visit in Ohio, receiving more than half a million tourists from all across the world.

Within its classic and elegant Gregorian marble structure, a collection of near to 45,000 works of art sit, some dating back to 6,000 years prior.

Stunning exhibits are arranged neatly in a chronological fashion, allowing you to witness the true majesty of famed and brilliant artists in all their glory as you watch art evolve over the centuries.

Children can have a great time, too, in a special play studio full of great things to do.

4. MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

The Museum of Contemporary Art houses some of the world’s best selection of modern art from a variety of artists, both local and international.

This includes over 2,000 artists’ work, a mix of permanent fixtures and traveling showcases, and plenty of enchanting and fresh pieces by newcomers to the scene.

Its architecture is equally astonishing, with its current building just been completed in 2012 in an imposing and fascinating new-age hexagonal shape.

5. FRANKLIN CASTLE

The High Victorian Eclectic style stone house located on the north side of Franklin Boulevard across from West 44th Street is still known to many Clevelanders as “Franklin Castle.” The home has been a witness to much of the history of Cleveland’s west side in the 125 years of its existence.

Tiedemann House was built in the period 1881-1883 by Hannes Tiedemann, a German immigrant who became prosperous first as a wholesale grocer and then later as a banker. The house was designed by the famed Cleveland architectural firm of Cudell and Richardson. When Tiedemann built the house in the late nineteenth century, Franklin Boulevard was one of the most upscale residential avenues in Cleveland, perhaps second only to famed Euclid Avenue’s Millionaires’ Row.

Address: 4318 Franklin Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44113

6. A CHRISTMAS HOUSE AND STORY

A Christmas Story House, now restored to its movie splendor, is open year round to the public for tours and overnight stays. Directly across the street from the House is A Christmas Story Museum, which features original props, costumes and memorabilia from the film, as well as hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes photos. Among the props and costumes are the toys from the Higbee’s window, Randy’s snowsuit, the chalkboard from Miss Shields’ classroom and the family car

7. THE CLEVELAND ARCADE

Built in 1890 at a cost of $875,000, The Arcade Cleveland opened to much fanfare as the very first indoor shopping center in America. Designers John M. Eisenmann and George H. Smith designed it as an urban mercantile center and modeled it after the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy. The project was financed by Cleveland’s most esteemed businessmen of the late 19th century, including John D. Rockefeller, Steven V. Harkness, Louis Severance, Charles Brush and Marcus Hanna.

Eventually, The Arcade began to deteriorate until a $60-million renovation was completed in 2001. Today, the landmark has never looked better. As the city’s first building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Arcade plays a vital part in the architectural history of Cleveland.

8. EXPLORE THE WESTSIDE MARKET & CLOCK TOWER

The West Side Market and its iconic clock tower are on the west side of downtown, in the Ohio City district. It’s the oldest market space in Ohio and hosts hundreds of vendors selling everything from produce to poultry, spices to confectionery. Climbing the clock tower that stands on one corner of the market will transport you to Europe in an earlier century; it’s in the National Registry of Historic Places, and the view from the top is one of the best in Cleveland.

9. GREATER CLEVELAND AQUARIUM

Get up close and eye-level with over 300 marine species in various 360-degree displays throughout the aquarium. The facility houses 2,500 freshwater and saltwater animals, many of which come from nearby Lake Erie. Explore 8 different ecosystem galleries, including Tropical Reef and Giant Pacific Octopus. Help care for the stingrays by collaborating on a piece of art, or Sign up for ZZZs in the Seas and spend the whole night sleeping underneath the sharks. Shark enthusiasts can also visit the shark habitat to take a dive with them!

10. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S AIR & SPACE MUSEUM

Located within the terminal of Burke Lakefront Airport, the International Women’s Air Space Museum (IWASM) is an admission-free public museum whose mission is to recognize and preserve the significant contributions of women to the history of aviation and space travel.

Museum programs include an annual family day, lectures, guided tours, career development seminars and other special events. In addition, The Education and Research Center serves as a classroom to educate youths of all ages about aviation careers and the history of women in air and space travel.

Planning your visit to Cleveland

Address:	601 Erieside Ave, Cleveland
Website:	https://greatscience.com/
Telephone:	T:(216) 694-2000
Hours:	Wednesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday : noon – 5 p.m. Check the website for the most up to date information on opening hours
Admission Fees	Adult $16.95 Youth (2-12) $13.95

Best time to visit Cleveland

The best time to visit Cleveland is from September through October or from April to May when the temperatures aren’t freezing cold like in the winter or hot and humid as in the summer. During these months, you’re likely to see pleasant weather with temps between the 60s and 70s that taper off in the evenings.

Where to stay in Cleveland

1. METROPOLITAN AT THE 9 (5-STAR)

In Central Cleveland, just a 4-minute walk from Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena, this hotel features an on-site restaurants and a fitness center. Free Wi-Fi access is available.

Flat-screen cable TV and an iPod dock are included in all guest rooms at Metropolitan at the 9, Autograph Collection. There’s a coffee machine, hairdryer, and free toiletries as well.

The Metropolitan at the 9 has many on-site restaurants. Guests can choose between modern Mediterranean at Adega, American cuisine and entertainment at Alex Theatre, or rooftop cocktails at Azure.

2. DRURY PLAZA HOTEL

Featuring a 24-hour business centre and complimentary daily appetizers and beverages, this Drury Plaza Hotel is located in downtown Cleveland, just 2 blocks away from the Cleveland Convention Center. Free WiFi access is available.

Each room at Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown provides an LCD TV, microwave and refrigerator. An iron and ironing board are also available.

Guests can enjoy the indoor pool, hot tub and 24-hour fitness centre at the hotel. Complimentary hot breakfast and afternoon popcorn and soda are offered daily. On-site guest laundry and a guest pantry are also available for convenience.

3. EMERALD NECKLACE INN BED & BREAKFAST

This Fairview Park bed and breakfast offers free WiFi and individually decorated rooms equipped with a fireplace and a television. Little Met Golf Course and Big Met Golf Course are 1 miles away.

A sofa bed or private deck is featured in each uniquely decorated guest room at Emerald Necklace Inn Bed and Breakfast. An private bathroom is also included.

A full country breakfast is served each morning in the Tea Room and it features hot coffee or tea along with fresh fruit and pastries.

Guests have access to laundry facilities. A gift shop and a hiking trail are also available along with tea tasting.