Cleveland

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Cleveland- The best location in the Nation..

A June 2005 trip to Cleveland by Kathy

My brother Dan and his boysMore Photos

This city is a great place to come in the summer. The highlight of the trip would be a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame downtown and very easy to get to. Take a train from airport $ 1.50 and about 25 minutes later you are downtown.

  • 13 reviews
  • 2 stories/tips
  • 27 photos

Cleveland- The best location in the Nation..Best of IgoUgo

Overview

Jacobs Field
Depending on your age.

The flats are really great especially in the summer.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame especially for anyone over 25.

Jacobs Field is the 2nd best place to see a baseball game. See my review of Chicago if you want to know what is in first place.

The slogan *the best location in the nation* was the catch phrase in the 60''s when Cleveland was not the best location in the nation by far. It has come a long way since the Indians have gotten so good and the attraction of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this is a place to put on your list to visit.

Quick Tips:

The best time to go is in the summer. The winters can be very cold.

Best Way To Get Around:

Driving and public transportation.

Marriott Cleveland Key CenterBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Marriot at Key Center"

Marriot at Key Center
Marriot is always running specials and we had $99.00 a night this summer. We had a really nice room that faced the lake and had a view of the new Browns Stadium and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Th staff was very helpful and had no problem when I asked for a room that faced the lake. They have a nice gift shop that sells beer. soft drinks snacks and coffee. We didn't try any of the restaurants but the breakfast buffett looked scrumptous. I also found the lobby spotless. The indoor pool was small and rather crowded with kids so we didn't use it.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Kathy on December 12, 2001

Marriott Cleveland Key Center
127 PUBLIC SQUARE Cleveland, Ohio 44114
216-696-9200

Hard Rock CafeBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

My 3 nephews hanging out
The Hard Rock Cafe's are usually busy and this one was no exception. We got there on a very crowded Saturday at 1pm but had only a 1/2 hr wait for 6 people. I am not a big fan of Hard Rock's. I tend to think they are TGIF's with guitars and so I haven't eaten at one in 10 years but my teenage nieces and nephew wanted to eat there and I was pleasantly surprised. Cost for 6 was 85.00 This included sandwiches for everyone 3 beers, cokes for the kids and nachos as appetizer.

I had a chicken salad with pecans for 7.99, it was very good. My nephew had a chicken caesar and he said it was also good the other 4 had burgers or chicken sandwiches and they all said they were very good. Even though it was crowded the service was very prompt, so it kills me to give it a good review but I have to.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Kathy on February 26, 2001

Hard Rock Cafe
230 West Huron Road Cleveland, Ohio 44113
+1 216 830 7625

Great Lakes Brewing Co.Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Great Lakes Brewing Company"

Great Lakes Brewery
The food here is yummy, ranging from sausages and ribs to pasta and sandwiches. The brewery/restaurant also offers outdoor dining. The outdoor is all non-smoking except for one corner and the inside is all non-smoking. Food ranges from pizza at $10 to $11, and then fish or meat entrees at $18, and a good selections of burgers. Of course lots of micro-brews at $3.50. There is a shop that sells lots of nice T-Shirts and beer to go at $8 a six pack. (the same price I found in a local grocery store). Service is fast and friendly The location is 1 block from the West Side Market.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Kathy on February 13, 2001

Great Lakes Brewing Co.
2516 Market Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44113
+1 216 771 4404

John Q's SteakhouseBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "John Q's"

John Q's Restaurant
I used to be a waitress here from 1981-1986 and I still try and visit whenever I come to town.

They have THE BEST fries in the world. They are cut like potato chips then quickly fried. The Burgers and Ruebens are also very good.

At dinner this is more fine dining. The prime rib is especailly good as are the fish selections.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Kathy on January 23, 2001

John Q's Steakhouse
55 Public Square Cleveland, Ohio 44113
+1 216 861 0900

Joe's Crab ShackBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Outside Joe's after a wonderful meal
Joe's Crab Shack is located right on the river, and they have tables outside for summer alfresco dining. They have quite an extensive seafood menu and a full bar. Service was very good and friendly.

This place reminds me of places in Florida, with a vibe befitting the Gulf Coast on the north coast. You could take a date here or even take the kids.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Kathy on February 19, 2003

Joe's Crab Shack
1036 Old River Road Cleveland, Ohio
(216) 566-1010

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame"

Another view
This is the coolest museum. We got there when it opened and stayed until closing. Some of the things on display are outfits worn by famous groups, they have song sheets and play lists for a tour. The drum set of for example, Aerosmith. (They were inducted in 2000).
Other things like the Trabant (car) U2 used in one of their tours. Lot of things like drum sets and guitars. Another thing that is really cool is some of the lyric sheets and to see old posters and ticket stubs for concerts in the 60''s and 70''s.
They have lots of things on all the people that are in the Hall of fame and a year by year list of who got in what year etc. I can go on and on but please look at the website they also have special exhibits. Now they have an exhibit on John Lennon 2 years ago they had Linda McCartney''s photos on display. As of Feb. 2003 they will have a U2 (my favorite band) exhibit that will be there until Sept 2003. The gift shop is pretty good with lots of t-shirts , baseball caps seatshirts and the typical souvenir stuff.


They have a small cafeteria and outside in the summer they have hot dogs and coke stand also. Unfortunately you can''t take any pictures inside since a lot of the stuff is on loan and they don''t have the rights for the displays.
The John Lennon exhibit was extended until the end of the year and we saw it 3 times and it was very moving there is also a Jimi Hendrix exhibit with lots of artifacts from Jimi''s father''s collection. He is still alive and lives in Seattle.
I think he passed away in 2002. The cost for entry is 18.00 for adults. If you think that you may want to return within 1 year, a good deal is to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame membership. Cost is 50.00, this gives you and 1 guest free entry in and 10% off gift shop and a free t-shirt also they give you a magazine and invitations to the openings and special nights with different artists. For example Ray Manzarek (Doors) had an evening and other artists also. We joined even though we don''t live in Cleveland since we go there at least 2 times a year the membership pays for itself.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Kathy on January 30, 2001

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
1 Key Plaza Cleveland, Ohio 44114
+1 216 781 7625; +1

Jacobs FieldBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Mark having a snack before the game
This ballpark was built in 1994. The Indians were in 1st place and then they went on strike.In 1995 and 97 they got to the World Series and in 97 they almost won. But they continue to sell out 46,000 seats and not a bad one to be had. Tickets are pretty hard to get but not impossible. They usually sell them on the internet before the season starts but during the summer they are hard to find, if you get a chance to go make sure that you don't pass it up.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Kathy on January 23, 2001

Jacobs Field
2401 Ontario St Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 420-4200

Tower City CenterBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Tower City"

My sis and other niece shopping...
This is a typical downtown shopping mall. They have movie theaters and a pretty good food court.
Typical stores:
The Gap
Bath and Body Works
Body Shop
Record stores
Jewelry stores. Sporting Goods. Shoes.

This was a rainy cold Saturday in February and it was packed. I never saw so many baby strollers.
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by Kathy on February 26, 2001

Tower City Center
230 W. Huron Road Cleveland, Ohio 44113
(216) 623-4750

Terminal TowerBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Terminal Tower
The terminal tower is a 708 foot, 52-story building that is the landmark of the city of Cleveland. Any time you see a nationally televised baseball game, they will show the skyline and the Terminal Tower is the main building, although Key center at 27 Public Sqaure is 63 stories and the Terminal Tower is now the 2nd tallest in Cleveland.

This is now known as Tower City. The rapid comes in on the lower level and there are shops and restaurants and a movie theater in the complex. The observation deck is on the 42nd floor and gives a spectacular view of the city.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Kathy on February 13, 2001

Terminal Tower
1 Public Square Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 771-0033

St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox ChurchBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The claim to fame of this church, beside the fact that it is really a beautiful church is that it was the Church that was used as a backround in the 1978 movie "The Deer Hunter." You can see the onion-shaped dome as you are driving on the highway.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Kathy on February 13, 2001

St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Church
733 Starkweather Ave Cleveland, Ohio
216 861 5363

West Side MarketBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

West side Market
Note: the Market is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 7am to 6pm. This is a real treat of sights and smells. They have all kinds of ethnic food. Stalls have all kinds of meat, look for the lambs just hanging in the booth. There is also wonderful bakery and bread there.

Check out the fresh fish. The produce is a bargain if you shop after 4pm as the vendors are anxious to sell their stuff so they can head home.

This was always a treat for us to go to the West Side Market when I was a kid and I still like to go when I visit Cleveland.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Kathy on February 13, 2001

West Side Market
1979 West 25 St Cleveland, Ohio 44113
+1 216 664 3386

Jimmy's in the FlatBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Flats"

Flats
The FLATS is the old warehouse district on the river. There are lots of restaurants and bars on both sides of the river and water taxis will take you from one side to the other. The rapid transit (train) also comes down from Tower City and the Lakefront. (Near the Rock Hall of Fame) Sitting on a deck of one of these places having a beer is a real summer pleasure. Cleveland gets pretty cold in the winter, so the Flats are still hopping but you wouldn't want to sit outside.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Kathy on December 12, 2001

Jimmy's in the Flat
1061 Old River Road Cleveland, Ohio 44113
+1 216 566 1460

Lakewood OhioBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

From downtown, go west on the shoreway get off on Lake Rd. and enjoy looking at all the fancy houses on the Lake. After you pass Lakewood Park take a left. Then go up to Detroit St. around Warren Rd find a place to park and get out and walk around.

Explore Rozi's wine store and just keep walking down Detroit St until you see an antique shop that suits your fancy. There are more than 20 in a few block range so this will keep you busy for a while. If you get tired stop and lunch or a cold drink at one of the many local restaurants in the area.

Trolley tours of ClevelandBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

The red trolley covers 20 miles and more than 100 points of interest. Phone is 216-771-4484. Cost is $6.00 adults. $5.00 seniors and $4.00 kids (5-18). Pickup is Burke Lakefront Airport on 9th St. 2 blocks from R and R Hall of Fame.

About the Writer

Kathy
Kathy
Northern Va Suburbs of DC, Virginia

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