For this year, my parents decided that we should explore more of the midwest rather than go west (saving up for a trip to S. Korea next year). Here is what they are wanting:

 

• Some pleasant rail trails or bike paths.
  
• A trip to a Great Lake island. There is one that I remember does not allow cars -- that would be fantastic, since both are just learning to bike and be comfortable around traffic.
  
• Some unique destinations in Cleveland and surrounding towns. They are not heavy into museums, but wouldn't mind perhaps a play, show, etc.
  
• Some delicious local fare.
  

 

I'll try to be more descriptive tomorrow, when I know more of the itinerary and places to check out on my map. Thanks in advance!

For this year, my parents decided that we should explore more of the midwest rather than go west (saving up for a trip to S. Korea next year). Here is what they are wanting:

 

• Some pleasant rail trails or bike paths.
  
• A trip to a Great Lake island. There is one that I remember does not allow cars -- that would be fantastic, since both are just learning to bike and be comfortable around traffic.
  
• Some unique destinations in Cleveland and surrounding towns. They are not heavy into museums, but wouldn't mind perhaps a play, show, etc.
  
• Some delicious local fare.
  

 

I'll try to be more descriptive tomorrow, when I know more of the itinerary and places to check out on my map. Thanks in advance!

We have a vast metropark system

If you look at this forum, you'll see lots of areas of cleveland to explore

Restaurants? What type of food and what is your dining budget.

 

Table 45 is a must, so are the restaurants on Shaker Square, East 4 and Tremont.  There are also spots in Ohio City, D-S, HWD, Little Italy, Cedar-Fairmount and Coventry to explore.

-Cleveland Metroparks system.  I would go into the Rocky River Reservation, take it down to Berea and then down into strongsville.  Miles and Miles.

 

-Put n Bay

 

-Little Italy, Lakewood, Cleveland Heights

 

-Try MELT when you are in Lakewood.

-For a trail, I recommend the Towpath Trail through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  It's very beautiful, with many interesting bits of history, especially canal locks dotting the landscape.  Start in Peninsula and go north or south from there.  Get a meal or snack in Peninsula before or after.  It's a reasonably nice little town.

 

-Put-in-Bay is the most touristy of the islands, for better or worse.  There is probably more to do there, but lots of people.  But it's a pretty little town, and a pretty little island.

 

-I don't know what's showing, but if they like live theater, Playhouse Square is the place for Broadway style shows.  It is comprised of 4 old movie palaces rebuilt for stage shows, plus a vaudeville stage that has been modernized into a thrust stage theater as of last year.  There are a few smaller stages in the area, too.  The Cleveland Playhouse, about 2 miles west of Downtown on Detroit Ave might interest them as well.  It tends to play more challenging independent fare.

 

-There are lots of restaurants of course, but I'd recommend stopping in at the Westside Market for a lunch.  Grab some cheese, a loaf of bread, and some beverages and sit across the street in market square and make a picnic of it.  It's only open m,w,f,sat till about 2-3ish, so keep that in mind.

So far I agree with Playhouse Square, the Towpath Trail - starting in Peninsula, and definitely the West Side Market http://www.westsidemarket.com but instead of doing the picnic in Market Square park, I recommend ordering some prepared foods (I have some favorites, let me know and I'll post them) and going to the mezzanine level of the Market and grab a seat there and just take in the action.

 

Just out of curiosity, you mention a trip to South Korea - would you be interested in any Korean restaurants? Cleveland has two three, both located in Asiatown.

Yes! Where is Asiatown at relative to downtown?

It's about 30 blocks east of downtown - keep in mind that if you're expecting something along the lines of say, Chinatown in SF or Toronto, it's not as built up. Visually speaking, it looks like a typical inner-city Cleveland neighborhood but the signage is how you know you're there. There are three Korean restaurants located in Asiatown - I've only been to Seoul Hot Pot; not the fanciest place (like many good ethnic restaurants) but good food and according to friends - very authentic.

 

Here's the website for Asiatown - click on "Dining"; most places have a menu available:

http://www.asiatowncleveland.com/

I think Put in Bay is just a party island.  If you want a more laid back island with more adults and families, I would suggest Pelee Island - it's the southernmost point of Canada (so passport is required) and is small and easily traversed by bikes, which you can rent there.  There are lots of cute B&Bs, some restaurants, and a great winery you can tour.  There is also a performance troupe that does plays during the summer months.

Adding to the thought on Peninsula...  You can rent bikes there and throw them on the train for $2 one way to Akron and then eat at Vegeterranean which is next to the station in Akron.  You're pretty much downtown so you can explore Akron on your bikes.  Main St. is pretty quiet on the weekends unless there is a festival.  Then ride back to Peninsula on the towpath about 12 miles away.

If you can't make it to Pelee (it's marginally more difficult to reach), Kelleys Island is a reasonable compromise.  There are cars, but very, very few.  Most folks get around via bike or golf cart, and it too is more family-oriented.

^ As an avid boater that is trying to make a return trip to Kelly's Island I strongly endorse this one.  The island is big enough for calrs and you will encounter some, but it is more likey that you will see people on golf carts and bikes.  Most, if not all, bars and restaurants have bike racks so it is really considered the main form of transportation.  And as the island is around 4 sq mi it is easily transversed in one day.

To get to pelee you leave via a ferry in Sandusky just like the other islands.  Why is that more difficult?  Just asking.

Well, there's the whole passport thing.  Also, it takes about twice as long to get there.  And, it's infested with Canadians.  ;)

LOL.

Plus you'll probably end up with some of their currency in your pocket and then you'll be unable to buy that Twinkie from the vending machine the week after.

 

The no autos island you're likely thinking of is Mackinac Island which is in northern Michigan.  In my opinion Put-in-Bay is more of a mixed bag of things to do than strictly a party town.  My parents love to go to the shops and such, bike around, look at what real estate is on the market and so on.  But they're pretty into live entertainment too which makes Put-in-Bay great overall for them.  I've been told that the Perry Monument observation deck is closed this season for repairs.  Other places of interest are Lakeside (www.lakesideohio.com) which is a Chatauqua community, has lots of educational, spiritual, and historical appeal.  The full experience isn't for everyone but I find most everyone enjoys at least a short visit.  Then of course there's the Marblehead Lighthouse.  But yeah, I'm going on here, not sure how much time you want to spend out in the Erie Islands area, but there's certainly tons to do if you have the time and interest.

 

I caveat all of this as second hand as I spend my time on the water and haven't actually done any of the attraction like things in years, just cart folks about on the boat  :-)

Nice!  I have some great ideas, and the last two issues of Ohio Magazine provided me with even more ideas.

When you say next week, what are your dates? If this coming weekend is included, you might want to consider stopping by Walk and Roll (major thoroughfares of particular neighborhoods are closed down to car traffic; pedestrians and bikers can get out and wander an urban setting without car traffic, and there are a variety of activities that take place too; event was launched in Cleveland about 4 years ago and now is being replicated in other U.S. cities; http://walkroll.com/specialevents/index.php). On Saturday, it's taking place from 1-4 p.m. around Gordon Square Arts District (about 3 miles due west from downtown ... running from the area around W. 65th and Detroit and continuing up through Battery Park to the lakefront). On Sunday, it's in Slavic Village (about 2.5 miles southeast of downtown) from 1-4 p.m. along Morgana Run, Mill Creek Falls and Washington Metropark Reservation and with lots of events (picnic in Washington Reservation afterwards. These are large-scale events ... we're talking 3 miles of car-free access in Gordon Square and almost 8 miles in Slavic Village. Definitely worth checking out.

 

And if you go to Asiatown, I would recommend stopping by Tink Holl (1735 E. 36th ... one of the neighborhood's many Asian markets and perhaps the most impressive ... I believe there are 6), followed by Seoul Hot Pot (3709 Payne) and dessert and bubble tea at the AMAZING little Koko Bakery (3710 Payne). These are all located along Payne Avenue and are easily within a 5-minute walk of each other. It's not always visually obvious amidst all the industrial buildings, but this Asiatown has a big footprint that extends from E. 30th to E. 40th along St. Clair, Superior and Payne ... 2nd largest in the Midwest after Chicago; 4,000 Asian residents, the largest concentration of individuals from Asian backgrounds in Ohio. And overlapping this group, there are several hundred artists living in many of the warehouse buildings along Superior and Detroit between E. 18th and E. 55th. I heart Asiatown :)

 

Hope you have a lovely trip, and let us know if we can help more.

Got into Cleveland this afternoon, which was a fairly long drive because it downpoured pretty much through Columbus and towards Cleveland. Made for some slow driving, but it was still a good drive.

 

Took my parents to the Holiday Inn Express on Superior, across the street from a RTA bus stop. They went "oooo" and "ahhhh" over how clean downtown was, and how large in scale it was. I took them to the Asiatown east of downtown, although we were craving seafood this evening. I hopped onto OH 2 west towards Lakeshore, and took them down Lake Avenue and back on Clifton. They were blown away at how nice and immaculate the neighborhood was, and the style of architecture.

 

Ate at Don's Lighthouse, which was DELICIOUS and worth the +$100 bill we received at the end. Top notch food, by far. We are back in downtown, relaxing for a few minutes and will be heading out for a walk towards the shore.

Got into Cleveland this afternoon, which was a fairly long drive because it downpoured pretty much through Columbus and towards Cleveland. Made for some slow driving, but it was still a good drive.

 

Took my parents to the Holiday Inn Express on Superior, across the street from a RTA bus stop. They went "oooo" and "ahhhh" over how clean downtown was, and how large in scale it was. I took them to the Asiatown east of downtown, although we were craving seafood this evening. I hopped onto OH 2 west towards Lakeshore, and took them down Lake Avenue and back on Clifton. They were blown away at how nice and immaculate the neighborhood was, and the style of architecture.

 

Ate at Don's Lighthouse, which was DELICIOUS and worth the +$100 bill we received at the end. Top notch food, by far. We are back in downtown, relaxing for a few minutes and will be heading out for a walk towards the shore.

 

Great! Did you take a drive down Edgewater Drive and around Cliff when you were there?

Yeah, a slight bit, but we were hungry :)

 

If anyone is up for drinks or something, let me know. I should be free tomorrow night.

I hopped onto OH 2 west towards Lakeshore, and took them down Lake Avenue and back on Clifton. They were blown away at how nice and immaculate the neighborhood was, and the style of architecture.

 

Glad you liked my neighborhood. I've lived on Clifton in Lakewood for almost 13 years.