Visitors from far and wide have spent the week in Cleveland and the resounding verdict is that they freaking love it here.
It’s not like we needed the validation, but it’s certainly nice. From the relative bargain-basement prices — “Wait, a pitcher of beer is really $6.50?” — to the landscape of downtown itself to the people, it’s all cheers. And, it should be noted, it’s not all about the new stuff, the upgrades dotting the city, all in prep for the spotlight (though Public Square has been a star, and rightfully so).
A few choice cuts from Twitter are below but honestly, every social stream coming out of the 216 is basically a love letter to the city.
This article appears in Jul 13-19, 2016.
Come back and enjoy the city with all of the great things we have to offer without the presence of the convention. World class art museum (free), world class orchestra, the Flats, great restaurants, beautiful MetroParks (canoeing, kayaking, hiking, swimming) , great shopping, fun festivals, Amish country, Cleveland Flea, great local artists and that Midwestern hospitality and wonderful people. Be sure to come back even for a long weekend. You won’t be sorry.
Winning the NBA championship helped this area get it’s Happy Mojo on. The whole northeast part of Ohio is feeling pretty damn good about itself right now. Our motto now is Great by The Lake. As far as that national line about a Mistake, As Cavs color man Austin Carr says “Get that weak stuff outta here!
I agree with Janet! The Cleveland Museum of Art, the botanical gardens (and enchanting butterfly aviary), the Cleveland Orchestra, the theaters, the food (OMG, the food), the beautiful parks build right into the city (including the beaches at Edgewater Park and the bluffside hiking trails out of Rocky River Nature Reserve), the music scene, the farmers’ markets and co-ops, the unbelievable beer scene, and the sports (for a delicious beer at Great Lakes Brewery, you can ride the “fatty wagon” to Progressive Field for an Indians game, and then catch it back at the end, making parking a breeze.)
One of my very favorite things about Cleveland though is that it has room to be weird: the rents are SO cheap that local businesses don’t really have to fit a mold. Take the bar scene: You’ve got bars that are just bicycle bars (Nanos Brew), just punk bars (Now That’s Class, a hole-in-the-wall with a skate ramp and 2 stages), just soul bars (the 5 O’clock Lounge), just metal bars (the Foundry), just arcade game bars (16-Bit, where all the games are free), and just geek bars (the Side Quest, with board games and Harry Potter’s Birthday celebrations, Star Wars trivia nights, etc.) All this stuff is right in Lakewood.
I lived on Cape Cod for years, one of the most swanky vacation spots in the US, but I used to vacation in Cleveland in the summer, which seems weird until you get to know the city. I eventually moved there. My large, pet friendly apartment, with high ceilings and hardwood floors in a beautiful brick Tudor style building, with garage parking, was across the street from Edgewater Park and the trails and beach, and a sub-10 minute drive to downtown. It cost me $725/month, heat included. Though I moved away, I still miss it and the wonderful friends I made there. Once my knees give out and I can’t snowboard anymore, I’ll probably move back.
But we already knew this! I am a transplanted Clevelander in Indiana and have always told everyone that Cleveland is an awesome place to live. I miss it and Love you Cleveland! I’m very proud of you!
Yup…Well said folks…
I too am a transplanted Clevelander and am so proud of my hometown. The people are the best! When I return, I can even feel the difference in my car. People smile and LOOK at you, not turn away with a glazed egocentric cloudiness. Best location in the nation!
I too am a transplanted Clevelander, now in Atlanta. I am so proud of my hometown and particularly its people for successfully pulling this off… with the rust-belt / Rock-n-Roll charm that is uniquely Cleveland. You guys really nailed it; AWESOME job!
I have to ask…why would anyone hit “dislike” on any of these comments above? Really? Way to go CLE! Way to be a shining light for the rest of our country!!!
Everyone needs to send Joachim Noah – Chicago Bulls – a message of the greatness of Cleveland, OH…he really made a snide remark…”Why would anyone want to go to Cleveland, OH for a vacation?”
I am proud of my hometown…really miss all the ethnic happenings there and the awesome ethnic restaurants! I hope EVERYONE realizes what a great city Cleveland is…and by the way…today is Cleveland’s 220th birthday!!!
From Cleveland area and live near Chicago, I miss Clevelanders they are awesome and the city is great… THis all made me even more homesick.
lol the dislikes are from Cruz, Kasich , n Bush’s
so incredibly proud of my town !
Whelp, there goes the price of beer. 🙂
Always felt that Cleveland and the area was the best kept secret in America. OPPS! Secrets out now.
Easy enough to rave (under sunny blue skies and mild breezes) from mid-May through mid-November. From Thanksgiving through March (when both the sunshine and the warmth go away), not so much. Come back then…and you will rave (and curse) out the other side of your (mostly frozen) face.
Chuckles the Clown