Cleveland, Ohio- It's Not Just the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

 

When you hear Cleveland, Ohio rust belt and rock and roll first come to mind, but there is more to this city than music and metal. Multi-million dollar redevelopment projects and new business is playing a key role in the revitalization of a city once rusted over in an economic downturn. Energy and city pride is a constant here, which is why, on any given weekend, the city comes alive with festivals, welcoming eclectic neighborhoods and a colorful outdoor scene that starts with one of the most visited National Parks- Cuyahoga Valley. The resurgence continues with prideful small business owners building community in ways ranging from hosting run clubs, screen printing clever Cleveland shirts and bringing trendy new restaurants to the social scene.  Here are 10 reasons to experience the energy.

1. Cycle On. Any city with a focus on bike culture gives off good vibes. Bike Cleveland advocates for more city bike lanes and has a goal to build 80 miles of paths running through the city by 2017. Find an additional 100 plus miles of recreational trails, built and maintained by Cleveland Metro Parks that sprawl through open space and more scenic spots. Bike share programs have also been implemented in town- riders can rent wheels for a flat rate of just 3 bucks an hour. (Download the zagster app to find one of the 6 stations in the city) Or, rent a bike from the Cleveland Bike Co op where you are supporting a volunteer based business that also educates kids on how to repair bikes.

2. Bike Aboard. Cover major ground biking along the towpath in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Hop on a train with a rented bike from a boarding station to bike in wooded wetlands, marshes and ravines that make this eagle country- so make sure to keep an eye out for a soaring wingspan. The towpath is a former canal dug by hand that took Ohio from a struggling frontier to one of the richest and most sought after places to live.

Details: A Bike Aboard! Train ride is $3.

3. Run On! Head to Harness Cycle in the Hingetown neighborhood for a community run club, Run the Bridges, that takes runners on a 3.5-mile loop across Hope Memorial Bridge and the Detroit Superior Bridge- a dynamite spot to catch sunset.  If you want to double up, or need a later start, check out another club, Run with the Winners, led by one of Cleveland’s favorite DJ’s, Steph Floss.

Details: Run the Bridges: Wednesday Nights 6:30 p.m.

Run With The Winners: Mondays and Wednesdays 8 p.m.  25^th St. and Detroit near the Ohio City neighborhood.

 

 

4. Grub. The food scene in Cleveland is both creative and diverse. This goes beyond the cheesy goodness at the national news-making restaurant, Melt, which is most famous for a stacked grilled cheese. Find everything from pizza and cannoli’s in Little Italy, Vietnamese in Asia Town and celebrity chef owned restaurants (Zach Bruell, Michael Symon, Jonathon Sawyer) on E. 4^th in the downtown core. For a custom take on tacos, check out Barrio Tacos in the Tremont neighborhood, where you will find a sheet of paper to check off what you are craving for just $3. For dessert after dinner, grab a scoop of homemade ice cream or old-fashioned soda at Sweet Moses in Gordon Square. French caramel is the most raved about flavor but the vegan chocolate and vanilla (made with soy and coconut milk) brings a crowd of non-dairy goers into this antique diner.

 

5. A Christmas Story House and Museum.

Still dreaming of your Red Ryder BB Gun? You may find that and even a leg lamp at A Christmas Story House and Museum, which has turned the original set of this nostalgic flick into an experiential museum. Pose with props; rest on Ralphie’s bed and even step into the backyard to see the shed where Black Bart hid out. Once, you’re finished walking through the house set, check out the museum across the street where original props like Randy’s snowsuit and even the Family car is parked.

6. Get Crafty. With Beer. In Ohio City. Breweries are exploding in Cleveland and Nano Brewery is one of the newest in town. Sample four beers for $8 and enjoy at a community table on the back porch. For a bite- the Brewers chips are insanely delicious- cooked with brewers yeast and served with a malt ailo sauce. This is the newest concept from Cleveland champion Sam McNulty, who owns four other concepts in town, including a speakeasy. For a second stop, head on over to Great Lakes Brewing Company for a German take in the city. Sample brews from the rotating menu like the Elliot Ness Amber Lager and Edmund Fitzgerald IPA. Chow on everything from dumplings and cabbage or even a schnitzel sandwich. Settle in on the massive patio or downstairs where you will find a true pub environment with stonewalls and narrow wooden booths.

7. Get Outside. And you will see why Cleveland Metroparks is given the name the emerald necklace. More than 100 miles of multi use trails loop around the city. For an especially unique experience, take a guided kayak tour along the Cuyahoga River for a grasp on city history. Massive freighters passing by may blaze the horn if you throw up a wave.

Insider Tip: Post Water enjoy lunch at Merwin’s Wharf, where you will find one of the best waterside patios in town. Order the Erie Fish Tacos with blackened walleye and a goat cheese guacamole. Top it off with Fat Heads Trailhead Pale Ale and a portion of proceeds go to Cleveland Metro Parks to help build and maintain trails.

8. Embrace Diversity. Stroll Martin Luther King Junior Drive. Along this stretch, you will quickly see this is a city that embraces cultural diversity in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Spot gardens and sculptures dedicated to different countries including Estonia, Hungary and Germany all in a unique way.

 

9. Java. Rising Star Coffee set up shop in one of Cleveland’s original firehouses- keep an eye out for a fireman’s pole behind the counter. Go for pour over coffee or try a crazy cool flavor, like the Cardamom bomb- made with a house mix of brown sugar and cardamom along with milk from a local dairy. If chocolate is more your speed, go for the Al Pacino, which is mix of chocolate milk and coffee. All beans are roasted in house in the emerging Hingetown  district in Ohio City.

10. Rock on.! You can’t leave Cleveland without diving into the birthplace of Rock and Roll. For a novice, set aside a few hours to listen to music and explore cases filled with treasures like Michael Jacksons’ bedazzled glove, hand written lyrics and consumes. For the rock and roll obsessed, this could be the better part of your day.

 

Carri’s Catch: Head to the Cleveland Zoo where you will find a Wildlife Carousel with 64 animals hand carved including an emperor penguin, lemur and lynx. The zoo opened in 1882 and is one of the oldest zoos in the nation. The Rainforest is an added bonus where you will find 10,000 plants and 600 animals in the 2 story exhibit.