I’m planning a trip to Cleveland to visit my family and the Rock Hall & GLSC in late August. My Sister, Brother & kids are driving in from suburban Cleveland & Pittsburgh to meet me downtown.

 

I plan to take the rapid from CLE to Tower City. My return flight is early on a Sunday and it departs about 7:30 A.M. Will I have any problems taking the rapid this early?

 

I would like to stay at a hotel near PS/TC so I can walk and we can take the rapid to the Rock Hall & GLSC. I’m considering either the Hyatt or the Marriott. Any suggestions?

 

Can someone recommend a casual restaurant that is somewhat kid friendly? My niece & nephews range in ages from 3-10. Outside dinning would be nice but is not a necessity.

 

Your suggestions are appreciated, Thanks.

Not sure about the Rapid that early on a Sunday - I'm sure others might know.

 

You can't go wrong with either the Hyatt or Marriott - the Hyatt is in the Arcade so it wins the "beautiful setting" contest, hands down. The Marriott is a nice hotel as well, more modern - and on the higher floors you can get Lake views, etc.

 

For casual/kid-friendly dining downtown - I'd recommend the Waterstreet Grille on West 9th in the Warehouse District. They have a full bar as well as outdoor dining http://www.wsgrill.com/WSG/WS_Main2.asp. There's also Fat Fish Blue http://www.fatfishblue.com/ at Prospect and Ontario.

I’m planning a trip to Cleveland to visit my family and the Rock Hall & GLSC in late August. My Sister, Brother & kids are driving in from suburban Cleveland & Pittsburgh to meet me downtown.

 

I plan to take the rapid from CLE to Tower City. My return flight is early on a Sunday and it departs about 7:30 A.M. Will I have any problems taking the rapid this early?

 

I would like to stay at a hotel near PS/TC so I can walk and we can take the rapid to the Rock Hall & GLSC. I’m considering either the Hyatt or the Marriott. Any suggestions?

 

Can someone recommend a casual restaurant that is somewhat kid friendly? My niece & nephews range in ages from 3-10. Outside dinning would be nice but is not a necessity.

 

Your suggestions are appreciated, Thanks.

 

I take early morning sunday flights.  The Red Line runs about every half hour between 4:30 AM to 6:00 AM. then about every 20 minutes after that.  the 5:30 train should get you to the airport in about 20 Min. which would leave enough time to check in and go thru security.

 

HINT:  What airline are you flying?  Unless you are flying on a skyteam airline and you are continental, delta or northworst elite AVOID the C concourse security checkpoint at all cost.  It is insane on Sunday Mornings & Evenings.  Use the Central security check point(B Concourse) or better yet the A Concourse security gates and walk around to your carriers departure concourse/gate.

 

Do you have hotel elite status?  What is your preferred hotel brand?

Without knowing if you have status, I would go with the following:

The Embassy Suites - Good for families since each room is a suite.

The Marriott (newly renovated rooms)

The Renaissance

The Hyatt

 

Restaurants downtown for kids. 

Hard Rock

Houlihan’s

Hard Rock? Houlihans? Oh good god - can we please avoid the chains (unless absolutely necessary) when making suggestions to people?!?

It's hard to find a good restaurant for kids downtown.  Most are really geared towards adults.  That said, most do have a kid's menu and at least a couple booster seats.  Really, you should find a casual place that you (the adults) want to go to, because the kids will get the same mac&cheese, hot dogs, and hamburgers anywhere.

 

The Rapid runs on Sunday mornings starting at 4:00 am at TC, but it is a popular time to do maintenance, and you shouldn't trust that equally convenient alternatives will be running from the station if that is the case (a couple of friends of mine this last Sunday morning were left waiting for 2 hours because of RTA's inability to provide adequate alternatives and notice of thereof).  I recommend checking the RTA website ahead of time for any rider alerts.

A would think a good, kid-friendly restaurant downtown would be the Corner Alley at East 4th and Euclid. And while I avoid chains too, if you've got kids, the Hard Rock would be a cool place to take them. There's always the littany of fast food places in Tower City's food court. And there's a cafe inside the Rock Hall and there is/was a McDonald's in the Great Lakes Science Center next door.

Hard Rock? Houlihans? Oh good god - can we please avoid the chains (unless absolutely necessary) when making suggestions to people?!?

 

I disagree, with a 3 year old, a chain like the Hard Rock will seem cool.  No kid wants to sit down in a boring restaurant that a parent might think is cool.  a 10 year old will think its fun for sure.

It's hard to find a good restaurant for kids downtown.  Most are really geared towards adults.  That said, most do have a kid's menu and at least a couple booster seats.  Really, you should find a casual place that you (the adults) want to go to, because the kids will get the same mac&cheese, hot dogs, and hamburgers anywhere.

 

The Rapid runs on Sunday mornings starting at 4:00 am at TC, but it is a popular time to do maintenance, and you shouldn't trust that equally convenient alternatives will be running from the station if that is the case (a couple of friends of mine this last Sunday morning were left waiting for 2 hours because of RTA's inability to provide adequate alternatives and notice of thereof).  I recommend checking the RTA website ahead of time for any rider alerts.

 

I guess I've lucked out and miss any major service delays.  Sometimes you can be lucky enough to get on a train coming online that isn't scheduled, but thats usually on weekdays.  but X is correct, always check the website as I noticed yesterday they had no service west of west blvd.

"No kid wants to sit down in a boring restaurant that a parent might think is cool."

 

Three year olds don't sit down, period (they're made of cartilage and their bones haven't fused) - so trying to coddle their spastic Ritalin fits is an exercise in futility. The spots I suggested are hardly stuffy adult-only restaurants and I routinely see parents with young children at both and golly gosh - the kids seemed okay with it!

"No kid wants to sit down in a boring restaurant that a parent might think is cool."

 

Three year olds don't sit down, period (they're made of cartilage and their bones haven't fused) - so trying to coddle their spastic Ritalin fits is an exercise in futility. The spots I suggested are hardly stuffy adult-only restaurants and I routinely see parents with young children at both and golly gosh - the kids seemed okay with it!

 

Look Dr. Spock, relax.  My goodness.  Who peed on your cereal this morning??  I have a 6 & 7 year old neice & nephew.  They love the HRC, I based my suggestion on them.

The Rapid runs on Sunday mornings starting at 4:00 am at TC, but it is a popular time to do maintenance, and you shouldn't trust that equally convenient alternatives will be running from the station if that is the case (a couple of friends of mine this last Sunday morning were left waiting for 2 hours because of RTA's inability to provide adequate alternatives and notice of thereof).  I recommend checking the RTA website ahead of time for any rider alerts.

 

Thank you, this is perfect. I think it is about a 5 min walk from Hyatt to TC so I can plan my time accordingly.

 

HINT:  What airline are you flying?  Unless you are flying on a skyteam airline and you are continental, delta or northworst elite AVOID the C concourse security checkpoint at all cost.  It is insane on Sunday Mornings & Evenings.  Use the Central security check point(B Concourse) or better yet the A Concourse security gates and walk around to your carriers departure concourse/gate.

 

I’m on Continental (Elite). Thanks for the tip, I will use A or B. Yes, C is always packed as I always fly Continental to CLE because it is nonstop from FLL.

 

Do you have hotel elite status?  What is your preferred hotel brand?

Without knowing if you have status, I would go with the following:

The Embassy Suites - Good for families since each room is a suite.

The Marriott (newly renovated rooms)

The Renaissance

The Hyatt

 

The Embassy Suites - Looking at the map it looks too far from TC.

Renaissance – I been stayed there before and would like to try something new.

 

I’m leaning towards the Hyatt.

 

Restaurants downtown for kids. 

Hard Rock

Houlihan’s

 

I thought of the Hard Rock but I think my nephew has been to the one in Pittsburgh.

The Winking Lizard on Prospect is good for kids and it has outdoor dining.

MayDay & KJP - Thank you those are good suggestions. I will consider the Waterstreet Grille & Corner Alley.

 

X- Thanks for the tip. What is the best taxi service as a backup plan?

 

X- Thanks for the tip. What is the best taxi service as a backup plan?

 

Musky has given suggestions in the past, so you might want to search posts by him with Taxi in them.

Good suggestion, jmc8651 - can't believe I forgot the Lizard and kids love the iguana. Florida Guy, if you're going to Tower City and the Rapid is slow/not running, you should be able to grab a cab from the Renaissance Hotel - they're usually lined up near the entrance. Again - check with musky and others who are more familiar with that.

Lizard looks good, I checked out the website. It doesn't look far on the map from Hyatt (all though it can be deceiving) is it in walking distance?

 

I guess I can always ask to Hotel to call me a cab.

Downtown is very walkable, especially from the Arcade.

The Lizard is about a 5-minute walk (at most) from the Hyatt: exit the Hyatt on the Euclid Avenue side, cross Euclid to East 4th Street; take East 4th south to Prospect; make a left to go east on Prospect. The Lizard is before East 9th Street, with entrances on Huron and Prospect.

I also endorse the Winking Lizard... wonderful food, wonderful vibe

I suppose this is as good as any place - I've been working on a comprehensive map of downtown Cleveland via Google Maps. I'm hoping to collect info and combine it with an easy to navigate map. The green shapes are hotels and the flags delineate restaurants/shops/etc. It's not even close to being complete but Florida Guy, you might find this map handy:

 

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=111501388969053870983.0000011363facc126202d&ll=41.49863,-81.687663&spn=0.011925,0.023067&t=h&z=16&om=1

Thank you everyone for our helpful suggestions & information.

 

As a sad side note: This will be my niece & nephews first time ever in the city of Cleveland. I don't think they have ever been north of I-480. Their uncle from 1,100 miles away has to come show them what is 20-25 miles up the road. Riding the train, going to the science center, etc. they will have a good time. My brother I'm sure will do nothing but complain :roll:

I've found the phrase "put a sock in it" to be quite effective :-D Seriously though, maybe he can just drop the kids off with you so he doesn't ruin the day.

I've found the phrase "put a sock in it" to be quite effective :-D Seriously though, maybe he can just drop the kids off with you so he doesn't ruin the day.

 

thats what my sister in law does.  She drops the kids off in front of my building or at my parents house so as not to annoy me or put a damper on our quality time!

I'd say Fat Fish Blue for the kids. Decent kids menu and something a little different for downtown.

Mayday:  That's a very helpful map.  I will be able to use it this weekend.  As is all of this conversation . . .  Thanks!

jebus mayday!

Otto Moser's at Playhouse Square is probably kid-friendly.  Burgers and fries and sandwiches and so on.

X- Thanks for the tip. What is the best taxi service as a backup plan?

 

You're welcome on the RTA tip, I wish I could help you more on taxi's, but I don't ever take them.  I've heard good things about Westlake Cab, though.

I don't think Westlake Cab makes pickups downtown do they? I know they don't at the airport. They're owned by Yellow Cab which makes the pickups downtown and at the airport.

If RTA happens to be closed, I will just ask the hotel to call me a cab. I booked my room at the Hyatt with a view of the arcade.

 

Once the date draws nearer I will be asking for some recommendations on nightlife.

hyatt-tastic!

Once the date draws nearer I will be asking for some recommendations on nightlife.

 

Try the city's brand-spanking new Strip District in the Flats. It's fun for the whole family!

 

(Maybe I shouldn't have used "spanking" in the same sentence as "Strip District"?)

Once the date draws nearer I will be asking for some recommendations on nightlife.

 

Try the city's brand-spanking new Strip District in the Flats. It's fun for the whole family!

 

(Maybe I shouldn't have used "spanking" in the same sentence as "Strip District"?)

 

yeah, I thought that you couldn't touch the ladies in the Cleveland strip clubs.

Thank you again to everyone for your helpful suggestions. The Hyatt was nice and I think they’ve done a great job on the restoration of the Arcade. There were lots of camera flashes and people video taping inside, it was nice to see.

 

The Rock Hall was cool and packed! E 4th Street is a lot of fun and I really liked the Wonder Bar & Pickwick & Frolic. The Winking Lizard was the perfect suggestion for the kids (and for the adults who enjoyed a few burning rivers).

 

We all enjoyed our visit to Cleveland. Look for the photo thread coming soon.