I will more than likely be heading to Cleveland next weekend.  We would like to stay downtown but if that doesn't work out then where is the next best place to stay?

 

The options on hotwire.com are: Downtown, Airport, Beachwood, Independence, University Circle & Southeast Cleveland. 

 

I am aware of the typical Cleveland attractions from the Rock N Roll HOF, The Flats, Warehouse District & Terminal Tower.  What are other must visits while in Cleveland? What neighborhoods do I need to visit while I am there?

 

Note: We might also stop by Akron & Canton along the way.

 

I have been to Cleveland twice, once in passing to Niagara Falls and once for three hours which was enough to drive around, walk around the waterfront and eat dinner in the Warehouse district.

 

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

Stay downtown.  I think you should check some hotel websites directly as they often have "weekend" rates which are comparable to hotwire or priceline and you know exactly where you are going to stay.

 

This thread might provide suggestions of things to see while here.

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=12675.0

 

See:

University Circle

Shaker Square

Coventry

 

Monte, if hotwire.com gives you the option of University Circle, it's likely you'd be placed in one of the Intercontinental hotels at the Clinic. As MTS said, ideally stay downtown if you can - and check some hotel sites directly, because you never know. If you're spending time in Akron, definitely check out their recently expanded (and getting great reviews nationally) art museum, and if you have time, the Highland Square neighborhood along West Market is a nice area.

 

If you end up at one of the Clinic hotels, there's not much in the immediate area (meaning two-minute walking distance) since it's basically a hospital campus. However, since you'll be driving that's okay since the attractions of University Circle proper are literally about eight blocks away. I'd recommend visiting the Cleveland Museum of Art (www.clevelandart.org) - even just the grounds are cool, the lagoon was designed by Olmsted, the Cleveland Botanical Gardens (www.cbgarden.org), maybe the Natural History Museum... the Weatherhead building (aka Frank Gehry) is fun for a few minutes. Basically, park the car near the art museum (or at the Botanical Gardens in their covered garage), and walk around.

 

One cool little trip would be Lakeview Cemetery, which is like Cincy's Spring Grove - it has the Garfield Monument, Wade Chapel (Tiffany mosaic interior) and some all-around cool spots. There's also Little Italy which is just east of University Circle - some great dinner spots (La Dolce Vita, Battuto, etc.), some great dessert spots (Corbos - one of the SSP forumers from Charlotte stops there EVERY time he's in town because his wife orders him to get the chocolate covered peanut butter cookies). If you continue east up Mayfield Road, you'll end up at Coventry which isn't unlike Cincy's Clifton/Ludlow area (funky shops, collegiate feel).

 

Let me know if any of these peak your interest and I can PM some more details.

you can just sleep on my couch monte.

I am going with one of my buddies that is flying in from Florida.  He was interested in a road trip so it was a flip between Pittsburgh & Cleveland.  I am not sure if we will have much time to spend at the Museums since I think he wanted to stop by the NFL HOF.  The Botanical Gardens and such would probably be better suited if I was taken my family.  Little Italy sounds like a must stop, especially since I am Italian.  I will have to make note of your recommendations while we are there.

 

I appreciate the couch offer but with this being a mini vacation for my buddy, I think he would prefer a hotel.  I am a big hotwire.com/priceline.com traveler.  The deals I have gotten are legendary so I will do my best to utilize one of them.  I frequent betterbidding.com to help me figure out what hotel I would more than likely win.

 

Keep the ideas coming.  How is Tremont & Shaker Heights?

Ahh, sorry - thought this was a family trip. In that case, definitely shoot for staying downtown so you can explore the East 4th Street area (and be able to stumble back). Tremont (my 'hood, btw) is definitely a good place for bars and restaurants http://www.restoretremont.com/dining/, plus there's the Christmas Story house http://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/. You'd also want to check Ohio City - during the day, you could take the Rapid from the Tower City (Terminal Tower) station to the West 25th station. From there, there's the West Side Market http://www.westsidemarket.com, and the holiest of beer places, Great Lakes Brewing Company http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com

 

MTS and the pope can give advice for Shaker Heights.

well does your friend have a moderately similar mindset as you monte? (i.e. public transit friendly, appreciation for good urban planning?)

 

I mean Shaker Square is nice and all, but assuming you're coming during the day, the only thing you might get out of it is a good meal and some antiques.

 

Keep the ideas coming.  How is Tremont & Shaker Heights?

Stay out of Shaker Heights, there is NOTHING to see but mansion after mansion :roll:.  But do stop by Shaker Square for a meal and if time allows the Shaker Lakes Nature Center.  Although it has many mansions as well, Cleveland Hts., is a more livier "funner" burb.

 

Keep the ideas coming.  How is Tremont & Shaker Heights?

Stay out of Shaker Heights, there is NOTHING to see but mansion after mansion :roll:.  But do stop by Shaker Square for a meal and if time allows the Shaker Lakes Nature Center.  Although it has many mansions as well, Cleveland Hts., is a more livier "funner" burb.

 

so if he had to hit one restaurant in the square, your vote is............

 

Keep the ideas coming.  How is Tremont & Shaker Heights?

Stay out of Shaker Heights, there is NOTHING to see but mansion after mansion :roll:.  But do stop by Shaker Square for a meal and if time allows the Shaker Lakes Nature Center.  Although it has many mansions as well, Cleveland Hts., is a more livier "funner" burb.

 

so if he had to hit one restaurant in the square, your vote is............

I couldn't choose one! :-P

 

1-Sergios Sarava [ www.sergioscleveland.com ]

2-Fire, Food & Drink [ www.firefoodanddrink.com ]

3-Boulevard Blue [ www.boulevardblue.com ]

 

If possible, head over to Lucy's Sweet Surrender [ www.lucyssweetsurrender.com ] for some chocolate sin or the blackberry & cherry pie.   

and by sergio's you mean, Sarava?

and by sergio's you mean, Sarava?

Si pope

Wow, thanks for the ideas.  I am sure we will be overwhelmed during our trip.  On top of it I was notified at work that when I return to Cincinnati, I have to fly out to Dallas for a week.  I was not pleased by this news.

 

Does Cleveland have an equivalent to a Hyde Park in Cincinnati?  What is Cleveland's nicest neighborhood outside of the CBD? (in city limits)

 

 

 

nevermind...I had a senior moment

He asked for neighborhoods within the city limits.

 

Monte, Cleveland doesn't have a all-posh neighborhood like Cincy's Hyde Park per se. There are quite a few nice neighborhoods such as Edgewater (million-dollar lakefront homes), Shaker Square, portions of Tremont and Ohio City, but the closest thing you might find to Hyde Park would be the Cedar-Fairmount area of Cleveland Heights or the Old Downtown area of Rocky River (both inner-ring 'burbs).

I need to go to AAA today and get a map.  I recognize many of these names but I don't know where many of these suburbs/neighborhoods are located?

Don't bother, I can make a google map and send it your way.

You might also consider the Asiatown Scavenger Hunt ... interesting event that would expose you to what Cleveland Magazine has called Cleveland's Most Underrated Neighborhood ... plus some yummy Asian treats and southern cooking at a personal fave, The Town Fryer. More information at http://www.stclairsuperior.org/html/asiatown_scavenger_hunt.html. Saturday, starting at noon.

 

You might also check out Cool Cleveland, which provides an overview of some of the events that will be taking place in Cleveland (often with some Akron and outlying events to boot). Visit http://www.coolcleveland.com/index.php?n=Main.Current; the new one (which will include an overview of next weekend) will be available early on Wednesday.

If there was a bar in Cleveland that we had to hit, which one would you recommend? 

If there was a bar in Cleveland that we had to hit, which one would you recommend? 

 

I think a lot of people are going to say great lakes brewing co.

Or SouthSide in Tremont.  Or Bier Markt in Ohio City.  To name a couple other choices.

 

I guess it all depends on what type of bar you want.

Yeah if you give us what you're looking for in that bar (mixed drinks, atmosphere, prices, beer, quality of people) I'm sure we can make many suggestions

 

:drunk:

Yeah if you give us what you're looking for in that bar  I'm sure we can make many suggestions

 

:drunk:

 

"(mixed drinks, atmosphere, prices, beer, quality of people)"

 

no, yes, yes, yes, yes

 

Does that help? :)

Damn weather...  terrible!

 

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USOH0195?from=36hr_fcst10DayLink_undeclared

 

Damn weather...  terrible!

 

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USOH0195?from=36hr_fcst10DayLink_undeclared

 

 

The Pope's got a raincoat you can borrow!  lol

monte, when you're dealing with a micro-climate like Cleveland, forecasts aren't accurate until 1 or 2 days before they're released.

Hmmm ... atmosphere, prices, beer, quality of people ... That could be a lot of places. I swear by Prosperity Social Club. In general, Tremont is a good neighborhood for a pub crawl ... lots of unpretentious, reasonably priced bars that still maintain positive and distinctive atmospheres.

One thing to mention - Great Lakes Brewing Company had their Christmas in July party last night I believe.  Which means that they brewed up their annual batch of Christimas Ale in July and there should still be some leftover for this weekend.  So, in my opinion, you have to run over to GLBC and try a pint of Christmas Ale.  Then, head over to Tremont and try Prosperity, SouthSide, etc.

Monte - just a heads up, if indeed there is Christmas Ale, you have to try it. Just know that it is VERY potent. :drunk:

sorry to sound like a dingbat, but what is Christmas Ale?  The HBIC has favorably mentioned it in many threads.

 

It's the nectar of the holidays gods, you nincompoop!!!

 

"A holiday ale brewed with honey and spiced with fresh ginger and cinnamon."

It's the nectar of the holidays gods, you nincompoop!!!

Archie, you know I don't drink! 

 

What makes this Ale so special compared to other ales, besides the ingredients.

Just know that it is VERY potent.   :drunk:

Damn I tried 8 different bids on Priceline.com and was denied.  What is going on in Cleveland this weekend that would fill many of the hotel rooms?

 

Maybe we need to go to Pittsburgh ;)

 

I will try again later.

 

Here are some of the other bids: http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showforum=129&

Football Hall of Fame inductions, I believe.

Prosperity & Treehouse in Tremont

 

Great Lakes, Bier Markt in Ohio City.

 

Flannerys, Map Room downtown.

 

Those would be my top two for beer, people, & atmosphere in those three nabes.

monte, I'm seeing the Wyndham on travelocity for around $128, the Intercontinental @ the Clinic for $139, Intercontinental Suites for $99...

$99 for the IC Suites is a good deal.

^True, though it isn't in the best spot for bar-hopping, etc.

^True, though it isn't in the best spot for bar-hopping, etc.

 

he can always take a stroll down to the Lancer..........

^True, though it isn't in the best spot for bar-hopping, etc.

 

he can always take a stroll down to the Lancer..........

 

My uncles hang out spot! 

I know there is not a single hotel room available in both summit and stark county this weekend due to the bridgestone classic and the NFL HOF inductions.  Alot of the spill over has seeped into Cleveland at this point.  Rooms are getting scarce.  Rough weekend to get a deal on a hotel in NE Ohio. 

Holiday Inn Express - $96 on Orbitz.  It's in downtown and essentially next door to the East 4th area.

^And I can vouch for it being decent. Monte, if you can get that deal, I'd pounce on it if I were you.

 

It's in a restored building, and the furnishings were surprisingly decent for what you would think of a Holiday Inn Express:

I agree with mayday, the lobby is amazing

Except none of those prices were available because we will be there from Thursday to Saturday and Thursday was the problem date.  I couldn't book until today because my buddy was flying in on a stand-by ticket.  Oh well, I didn't get to stay where I wanted to but we will still be heading up to Cleveland.  We will be on the road tomorrow.

 

I hope there are biodiesel stations up there.

 

Thanks for all the help, you guys truly love your city and I am looking forward to exploring it.  Now get over to this thread:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=13589.0

 

I can't get 44 replies out of a photo thread but in two days inquiring about Cleveland, you guys surely know how to role out the welcoming carpet.

For biofuel locations, visit: http://www.nearbio.com/

 

According to their site, here are two stations within 50 miles of downtown Cleveland (Oberlin might be your best bet location-wise and fuel blend-wise -- exit I-71 at SR301 north to SR303 west to SR58 north into Oberlin. From Oberlin, you can take Highway 10 to I-480 to I-71 for a fast, direct route into Cleveland)....

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Western Reserve Farm Coop 13762 Ford Lane Burton OH 44021 440-834-8834 B2 CREDIT CARDS OK 8AM-5PM 

 

Full Circle Fuels 141 S Main St Oberlin OH 44074 440-574-5436 B100 B50 B20 B5 CASH/CHECK 9-5 M-F 

 

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I would like to thank all the Cleveland forumers for their hospitality in helping a fellow member out.  You should all be proud of your great ideas and suggestions.  I absolutely loved my time in Cleveland.  I have been busy since I came back to talk about it but thought I needed to at least let you guys know that my time in Cleveland was very enjoyable. 

 

I love downtown Cleveland and the suburbs of Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights & Lakewood.  I even experienced quite a bit of East Cleveland and the smack in the face of class divide called Bratenahl.  Superior Avenue in Downtown reminded me of Toronto and Lakewood reminded me of Evanston, Illinois.  Shaker Square was so unique to me in design, transportation and function that I was very envious.  I didn't make it to Tremont on this trip so I will check it out next time with the family.  We explored Ohio City and ate at Great Lakes Brewing Company and it was fantastic except the neighborhood got very sketchy after 25th Street.  We attended a game at Jacob's Field and visited the Rock N' Roll HOF and enjoyed both.  We even make stumbled across a lifestyle center called Legacy Place in what I believe is Beachwood on one of our drives. 

 

Akron had a unique downtown with a weird look and layout and the relationship of factories close to downtown were unexpected.  I had the feeling of being in a Chris Farley movie.  Was Tommy Boy filmed there?  I swear I saw some Tire store that was in one of his movies.

 

Canton was a major disappointment, I expected much more and the Pro Football Hall of Fame was a big snooze fest to me.  I guess I was expecting so much more with more interactive exhibits.  I enjoyed my time at the Reds Hall of Fame more and I am not even a Reds fan. When we stumbled across the Pro Football HOF iconic building, I expected it to be much more grand on more land.  Woosters downtown/business district was more impressive than Canton.

 

In the end, the trip was a success and my buddy was thoroughly impressed with Cleveland.  Thanks again.

No problem!

 

Come on back real soon!  :wave:

And Tommy Boy was filmed in Sandusky. :)

 

On a side note: did anyone ever think it was weird that they had a giant auto parts production facility inside a large, downtown Chicago skyscraper in that movie?