Hey all you Cleveland people.  I'm have a free plane ticket and I've chosen the sunny vacationland of Cleveland to visit.  Everyone's giving me crap and telling me to go to Seattle or San Fran, but I need you guys to help me prove them wrong. 

 

I will be there From Monday June 23 through Thursday June 26. 

 

One major issue I have right now is finding a place to stay.  I'm hoping to spend NO MORE than $40/night on a room, but that's looking to be impossible with the hotels in Cleveland...so if anybody out there would be willing to house me for a few nights, I'd pay the full $40 per night.  I wouldn't need to be fed or entertained or anything.  Hell, I'll even bring my own towel if you want...

 

Anyway, I'm also hoping to meet up with a few of you and maybe get a tour.  Cleveland looks to be a fascinating place, and I'm sure I could enjoy myself just wandering around, visiting parks, and seeing cool old buildings...but if there's someone out there that really wants to dish out the "fun facts" on a mini-tour, I would really appreciate it.  And I'd be more than happy to return the favor on a trip to Milwaukee someday. 

 

Also, I will not be renting a car.  It's entirely transit on this trip, and preferably the Rapid.  So I'm not really interested in going to podunkville suburbia. 

 

One question that's been on my mind recently is: What's the story with Cuyahoga Valley National Park?  How is it national park worthy?  Are there cliffs and gorges that I'm not aware of?  And is there really a railway that'll take you through it?  If there's a photo thread of this park somewhere, I'd love to see it. 

 

Other things I'm interested in:  Beautiful Parks, Quirky shopping neighborhoods, the best mall in the city (unless it's beyond mass transit,) Beautiful old architecturally significant neighborhood (OTR in Cincy is the type of thing I'm talking about,) seeing things that make the city unique (Cincy Chili, Racine Kringle, Underground Seattle, Cincinnati Subway, etc,) and one last thing that's important to note is that I don't really mind visiting "ghetto" areas of a city.  I grew up in the ghetto of Milwaukee and know how to stay alive in them.  But if there's something beautiful to see in a not so great neighborhood, I'd still love to hear about it. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

--AJ

First things first - I am pretty sure the rates are still right around $40 a night at the Motel 6 in Middleburg Heights.  It's nothing special but fits the bill: 7219 Engle Rd

Cleveland, OH 44130, (440) 234-3475.  Unfortunately, that's going to be a tough row to hoe if you are not driving.  If you stay downtown you will probably pay at least $100 a night.  You could try the Marriott at W 150th, it is very close to the Puritas rapid station: 4277 W. 150th St. Cleveland OH 216 252-5333 but I think they will be well over $40 a night for sure.  I live in a tiny apartment with no spare room otherwise I'd offer for you to stay with us.

 

Second, we're so glad you're visiting us and all those other people are full of it!  :-D

 

The Cuy Valley National Park is a very nice park area but would be difficult to get to without a car.  I personally don't think it's any nicer than our metroparks, it just has better constructed/more formal walkways.

 

Here is the website for the railroad: http://www.cvsr.com/

 

I think downtown is our most interesting area architecturally, but I will leave all our board's architects and experts to give you specific suggestions.

 

As to things like dining and entertainment, it really depends on where you end up staying.  Public transportation in Cleveland is primarily geared towards taking people from the suburbs to downtown and back during regular work/office hours.  Outside of that getting to other points can take a lot of time if not be impossible. So we can make specific suggestions for your itinerary based on where you stay or where you will end up visiting, it will just be limited since you will be car-less.  Let us know where you end up and what other suggestions we can make!

Since I can't offer a place to stay, I might suggest using Hotwire (I've used it and had great luck). I say this because there's a 2.5 star hotel in downtown listed for $52 per night, and by process of elimination I can almost guarantee that it's the Holiday Inn Express on Euclid. Perfect location at East 6th and Euclid and in a nicely restored historic bank building:

 

 

It's also a few blocks from the Rapid station at Tower City Center. There's also a 2 star hotel listed for $43 per night, but I can guarantee that's the Comfort Inn near CSU which I've heard scary things about - I don't need the Ritz, but I get the feeling the Comfort Inn is a bit shady.

 

I'll add more for your itinerary, but when you're calculating your costs, deduct the price of one lunch - my treat. :-)

^ Definitely try Hotwire....I always use it when staying in Cleveland, and usually get the Hyatt at the arcade...a 3.5 star for about $80.  It's a great bargain.

I have heard the 2.5 on Hotwire is the scary Comfort Inn, I know some people that ended up with it and weren't very happy. 

 

Edited: ahh, perhaps that was the 2.0 rating.

Well I'll definitely check out Hotwire for sure... I don't mind a shady hotel/motel as long as it's cheap. I've stayed at some scary ass hostels before, and as long as I can spend the night without getting murdered I'd be happy. When I did my trip to Cincy two years ago I slept in my car at a rest area outside of town and showered at a truck stop. I can take anything. It's travel on the cheap.

 

And MayDay, I can only accept a lunch from you if your Patrick Dempsey/James Marsden/_____Baldwin look-alike hubby is there. It's only fair after my ridiculous banter regarding you on the "pic of yourself" thread.

The area around the Comfort Inn is safe. It is one block away from the theaters and across the street from CSU's law school.

OOOH, OOOH, AND CAN I GET AN AUTOGRAPHED BOOK?

Well I'll definitely check out Hotwire for sure... I don't mind a shady hotel/motel as long as it's cheap.  I've stayed at some scary ass hostels before, and as long as I can spend the night without getting murdered I'd be happy.  When I did my trip to Cincy two years ago I slept in my car at a rest area outside of town and showered at a truck stop.  I can take anything.  It's travel on the cheap. 

 

And MayDay, I can only accept a lunch from you if your Patrick Dempsey/James Marsden/_____Baldwin look-alike hubby is there.  It's only fair after my ridiculous banter regarding you on the "pic of yourself" thread. 

 

OH MY GOD!  The horror on my face and mental images that flashed when I read the trucker shower thing.  I'm scared.

 

Also, my assistant says if you do hot wire "night by night" you might come away with a cheaper rate then if you do it for the entire trip.

"When I did my trip to Cincy two years ago I slept in my car at a rest area outside of town and showered at a truck stop.  I can take anything.  It's travel on the cheap."

 

I'm never one to turn up my nose at a bargain, but even I'm way too much of a priss for that. Anyway, as 3231 said, the area around the Comfort Inn is perfectly fine, it's the hotel itself that I've heard less than pleasant things about - but if truck stop showering doesn't phase you, I'd imagine it'll work. That said, you'll also be visiting during the week and I'd imagine it would be quieter than on a weekend. Whatever you do, if you're looking to use transit to get around - stay downtown.

 

Would you like some neighborhood itineraries? I can send PDFs so you can print them and have them to use as reference.

 

 

I figured the Day's Inn across the street from me in Lakewood would be cheap, but the least expensive room was $66 per night, including taxes.

 

I'd be happy to give you a guided tour, either by car or transit, and provide lots of historical nuggets of info. I can be available on Wednesday June 25 for part of the day (except for midday). I'm glad you're coming to town to see the city function on a weekday, but it's too bad you're not going to be here on a weekend as there is more going on at night in the city. If the weather is dry and warm, there will still be people out and about in the evenings -- just not as many as on a weekend. But don't let that stop you.

 

You can buy an RTA day pass for $4 which entitles you to unlimited transit riding anywhere in the city. I'm sure you'll want to ride all the rail lines (we called it "The Rapid") and see what's been done so far on the Euclid Corridor (aka "HealthLine"). I'd be happy to give you the rail tour. Heck, if you want to see the guts of Cleveland City Hall (it's an architectural gem from 1916), feel free to join me the evening of June 26 at a City Council meeting. The meetings are actually fun, as you get to talk to all the council people and it lasts only about an hour.

 

I do have a spare room with a fold-away bed that's not been used in about five years. I also have two cats, so if you're allergic you won't do well in my place. I'm a non-practicing hetero. I expect to be paid $40 a night for the room and I reserve the right to kick you out at a moment's notice if you piss me off.  :-D

MayDay - Hell yeah I would love PDFs. 

 

KJP - A rapid tour would be great.  As of right now, my schedule is completely open, so whenever you're free I'm free.

 

PS - What the hell is a non-practicing hetero? 

A non-practicing hetero:  someone who likes the opposite sex but they don't like him (or her).

Hi, I have stayed at Motel 6 in Middleburg Heights. I drove but had to go to a work meeting and husband took the bus which came practically to the door and took him downtown. It was way cheap.

 

Also, I have stayed at the Comfort Inn on Euclid many times with no problems! They even provide a nice continental breakfast but the cheapest I could get there was about $68 dollars plus tax.  Also the Cleveland Clinic Guest house. I stayed there once and bargained right at the desk for a cheaper room. I just said can't you do better. I want the weekend special and it was aroung $70  a  night. Transit right at the door.

 

 

I have heard about this "couch surfing" thing where you trade sexual favors for a place to sleep. Oh wait that is just what I imagine it to be or misunderstood it as cRrouch surfing. Actually it is legit. You register your "couch" and then people stay with you for free and vice versa.  Some reporter tried it (NYT) and reported no hanky panky.  www.couchsurfing.com/  If you go on there are can report back here with areas and we can  give feedback as to how convenient. For example and old Queen with a king water bed in strongsville may not work.

 

Too bad you are  not here on a weekend. Usually a lot going on in the summer.  Maybe there will be an UO lunch or happy hour that week. (I say this in a way that it will be magically arranged). I know Wonderbar has invited us in for a hello. Or if you have some special food or entertainment preferences we could recommend other places too.  Now, IMO the best tour of the city is on the river. The boat goodtimeiii and Nautica Queen have tours. Maybe the money you save on couch surfer can go for that. I am not sure if the Cuyahoga National Valley train runs during the week. The park is beautiful. there is some gorge action. I hate malls, so none are worth seeing IMO. What kind of stores do you like?

 

Of course the Westside Market on Wed. is a MUST.KJP tour would be good too.

 

some favorite streets:

retail and or cafe:

Market Square area

Detroit and w. 65th

Larchmere (antique area)

Lorain ("  ")

AsiaTown worth checking out-not aesthetically great, but great food

All over Tremont for galleries and churches

 

residential:

Franklin Blvd OC

Fairmont blvd (Cleveland Height -no bus though?)

Lake blvd (lakewood)

 

Whoops, I just got yelled at for checking Urban Ohio on my phone at work.  Thanks for all the tips so far.  I'll check back on my dinner break.  Thanks everyone.

Actually there is transit service on Fairmount Boulevard in Cleveland Heights. The 42 bus operates on it, but only three round trips during rush hours.

 

And yes you can take transit to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad which operates five days a week (Wednesday to Sunday). Take the 77F bus from downtown to the intersection of Brecksville and Rockside roads. Walk a half mile down Rockside hill to the CVSR station to the Rockside Station. That's the easy part. The walk back up the hill is the tough part!

 

In the summer months, there are two trains a day on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, which depart Rockside station at 9 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. Additionally, on Saturdays and Sundays, there is a third train which departs at 3:35 p.m. each of those days. Check out www.cvsr.com

 

Suggestion:  You could take the train to Peninsula, stay in the hostel for a night ([email protected]), rent a bike and use Peninsula as your home base to tour the valley (www.centurycycles.com). Lots of historic scenes and sites to discover. The valley was the route of the Ohio & Erie Canal which linked Lake Erie at Cleveland to the Ohio River at Portsmouth from 1832 to 1913. Cleveland owes its development as an industrial powerhouse to the Ohio & Erie Canal, and Ohio owes its standing as one of the nation's most populous and prosperous states to the canal. There is still much of the canal left to see, as well as places like Hale Farm & Village, Boston Mills/Store, Alexander Mills, various farmers markets (on the site of the farm), Brandywine Falls (also a lodge there), The Ledges, environmental education centers and more.

 

But ultimately this national park is about history. Check out the following for more information:  http://www.nps.gov/cuva/

Fairmount is beautiful just to walk. 

 

Then you can walk over to the lower Shaker Lakes, south on Coventry to Shaker Square.

One of the itineraries I'm putting together is to take the Green Line to the South Park Boulevard stop, walk over to the nature center, then walk up to Fairmount, then south toward Larchmere and Shaker Square. Good way to kill a few hours, I'd say.

One of the itineraries I'm putting together is to take the Green Line to the South Park Boulevard stop, walk over to the nature center, then walk up to Fairmount, then south toward Larchmere and Shaker Square. Good way to kill a few hours, I'd say.

Agreed

One of the itineraries I'm putting together is to take the Green Line to the South Park Boulevard stop, walk over to the nature center, then walk up to Fairmount, then south toward Larchmere and Shaker Square. Good way to kill a few hours, I'd say.

yes that is pretty much a "best of" east side. Nature and city all wrapped up.

If you're good on a bike, you might find that an excellent way to get around the city. You can get to most of the interesting neighborhoods in Cleveland in under 30 minutes from Downtown.  You can take the bike on the 77F and down the hill onto the CSVR to explore the valley or on the Rapid to get to farther out, but still interesting areas of the city like the Heights or Lakewood.

Thanks for all the tips everyone.  I really love the map you sent me MayDay, I will definitely check all that out.  I can't wait to get there.  I think I might take one day and ride the Cuy Valley Railway.  We'll see.  Is the University Circle Area worth going to if I don't want to spend much money?  I would love to see the Symphony but I can't afford that.  The Art Museum might be worth it though.  Is there anything else worth seeing there?

 

 

 

Wait, you can take a bike on the Rapid and the buses?  That helps a lot.  If that's in fact the case, I think I just might rent a bike while I'm there. 

Yeah, you can wheel them right onto the Rapid, and there is a rack on the front of the busses.  But I should let you know to beware that there are only two slots on the bus racks, and the Rapid operators can say "no bikes!" at their discretion.  Otherwise, it's a nice transportation combo.

One of the itineraries I'm putting together is to take the Green Line to the South Park Boulevard stop, walk over to the nature center, then walk up to Fairmount, then south toward Larchmere and Shaker Square. Good way to kill a few hours, I'd say.

yes that is pretty much a "best of" east side. Nature and city all wrapped up.

 

No, I think East Blvd, Wade Oval, and the botanical and cultural gardens are beautiful.

^I'd like to second the suggestion that you couple a walk/ride through cultural gardens with a visit to the art museum.  The combination of MLK drive, East Blvd and the cultural gardens is a really lovely strip of green that Cleveland is lucky to have preserved.

 

And if you end up renting a bike, there is a bike trail that goes all the way along MLK from University Circle to the Shoreway.  Unfortunately the lake access there is limited, but it's still a pleasant ride.

aj,

 

the art museum is undergoing a massive renovation and expansion. In the meanwhile, they still have portions open. The museum is free (except for special exhibits). There is a pretty cool show going on right now.

 

 

you'll be here during the beginning of wade oval wednesdays in university circle.  in addition to live music and food tastings and beer garden, there is some sort of discounted admission to several area museums.

 

http://www.universitycircle.org/content/wow_2008.asp

This bike renting has me intrigued.  I really like the idea of riding my bike down the towpath, and then taking advantage of the $2 train ride back.  I would rent from Peninsula, but the only way to get there is by taking the CVSR at full fare.  So, I'm wondering if anyone's heard of Garfield Bike Shop over on Warner Rd.  Google street view makes it look kind of shady, but I'm fine with that as long as the bike shop's worth going to.  If they do rentals, I could go there Wed morning via the bus, ride the bike from there down the towpath until I get tired, ride the scenic railway back, and then take the 77 back into downtown.  Does that sound like a good plan, or am missing something?  Leave it to me to realize that some bus doesn't run on Wednesdays last minute and get stranded in the middle of a national park. 

The other option, of course, is to rent a bike somewhere in the downtown area (haven't checked it out yet) and take it on the 77 bus to the towpath.  But "X" says that it's up to the drivers and that leaves me a bit nervous.

 

Here's an update:  I officially have plane tickets.  I'll be arriving (in theory) at 9:55 AM on Monday the 23rd, and I fly out at 6:56 PM on Thursday the 26th.  I think I'll do the Shaker Sq expedition on Thursday so that I can just stay on the Rapid all the way to the airport.  Monday looks like downtown, and Tuesday like Ohio City and Detroit/Shoreway.  Does that itinerary make sense? 

 

With that out there, is there anyone who might want to get together for lunch or dinner on Monday?  That way I could get my bearings, and maybe a short history lesson *wink* as I really don't know anything about the history of Cleveland.  I'd be happy to return the favor and give some insight on Milwaukee if anyone's interested.

 

Thanks again for all the help.

I could do lunch on 6/23 if you're going to be downtown.  Anyone else free?  Maybe we can organize a small UO GTG.

I'm free!

where should we go?  With only one DT lunch it seems the best "showcase" would be Lola.  I'm happy to make reservations for however many will be in our party.

ajknee, the good thing about being in Cleveland during the week is that the fabulous building lobbys will be open to walk through (on the weekends many are closed).  Im sure KJP and Mayday will fill you in but, with Clevelands legacy came some amazing old bank lobbies (such as Huntington and National City) and Mall buildings (City Hall, County Court House, Metzenbaum Fed. C.H., Library), and of course the Terminal Tower and the hidden-away Van Swingeran Arcade as well as the other arcades), Also, if you can get into the Theatres in Playhouse square (even just a peak at the lobbies that sometimes the attendants will let you look at).  Oh, and the West Side Market on Wednesday is a must! 

 

I would also suggest the Shaker/Cleve. Hts. tour, its impressive how beautiful it is over there, and you can check out Shaker Square and Conentry area's as well as hopefully University Circle and Little Italy (If in Little Italy, Lake View Cemetary is a must (tells Clevelands story))  Between the cemetary and the East side Mansions it gives you some perspective of the history and legacy of Cleveland.             

AJ,

 

The West Side Market in Ohio City is not open on Tuesdays. I highly suggest that you go to Ohio City on either Wednesday or Monday. You won't want to miss this place.

I hope that Little Italy and Lakeview Cemetery (Garfield Monument) are on your University Circle itinerary.

 

I love the bike suggestion and I’m considering doing this myself this summer.

Yeah I noticed those hours, I think the best option is to go there when they open at 7 on Wednesday before heading down to the valley.  Monday and Tuesday's travel locations are blurred in my mind.  I'll have an RTA pass both days, so a trip over a bridge shouldn't be too difficult.  I could easily do the market on my way into lunch downtown, but I'd prefer Wednesday.

 

As for lunch on Monday, I just checked out Lola's website and that really looks too formal.  I don't need a restaurant that would showcase Cleveland, that's what you guys are for.  Also, I'll be getting up at 3AM on Monday to catch the flight, so I might not be the most put together and I certainly won't have anything dressy on.  So, with that in mind, I think we'd have a better time at something more casual. 

Of course, wherever your comfortable.  But the servers at Lola wear jeans.  The patrons are a mostly business people but most of downtown people dress "business casual" so it's not like it's all suits or anything.  But we can make alternative suggestions for something really informal.  It's just tough to find numerous places with good food and the ability for a small group to sit down in downtown proper.  It's a challenge I face many days of the week.  Most of our decent lunch places I consider either strictly take-out or only comfortable to sit if you have maybe 2 people since tables can't be guaranteed. 

 

Does anyone else have some good suggestions for lunch? 

You can also see the baldwin reservoir if you ride thru University Circle and Glenville.  Just don't distrub my grandpa if he's out on his hammack!

Really, the servers wear jeans? I completely got the wrong impression from their website. In that case, Lola sounds great. What is the Baldwin Reservoir? I'll have to google it later, I'm finishing up my move today so I'm going to be stressed in a few hours. My old landlord is really difficult to work with...

 

Side note: So it's the end of May, and I'm still wearing a sweater and coat. Please tell me things are a little warmer down there.

^we've had cold stretch. It is supposed to be in the 70s and low 80s by Monday.

Really, the servers wear jeans?  I completely got the wrong impression from their website.  In that case, Lola sounds great. 

 

Yes, the servers wear jeans (and black converse shoes) but I don't think you got the wrong impression.  You don't have to dress up to go there for lunch, but I would say it is more formal than casual (not in a "what you have to wear to feel comfortable" sense, but in an "atmosphere" sense).

 

Regardless, I would go there no matter what if I am visiting Cleveland.  The food is amazing.

And the chef (Michael Symon) is a culinary rock star on a national level. Do a Google search on his name sometime and you'll see what I mean.

how about #1 Pho for lunch?  DELICOUS vietnamese food in a really cool, casual space.  a gem of cleveland's growing (?) "asiatown".

^I agree, it's a great place but considering how many attendees work downtown (as in downtown proper) it's not exactly practical.

^What about Saigon, though?

Wait, you can take a bike on the Rapid and the buses?  That helps a lot.  If that's in fact the case, I think I just might rent a bike while I'm there. 

 

If you're up for doing some biking up here, I'm up for joining you after I get out of work one night.

Sweet, I would love that.  I still need some recommendations for a good bike shop to rent from.  This is shaping up to be a pretty great trip.  I want to thank all of you again for your help.  I'll see you in a month.

^ regarding bike rental, i would strongly recommend the ohio city bike co-op.  their website is really informative, and here is a link to the rental section:

 

http://www.ohiocitycycles.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15-rentals&Itemid=34

 

the OCBC is housed in a cool warehouse-esque building in an interesting part of the flats west bank right next to the river, and only a 5-10 minute walk from the west side market.  after the bikes, the location is the second coolest thing about it.   

If you are going to do this, please post, as we will need to give you walking instructions down there. The Abbey Bridge is closed. I agree the Bike Coop people are great -I bought my bike there. My guess is they will even have maps for you, or at least ideas on where to ride. They have funky hours though. Make sure you bring or rent a lock.