One fine morning, on my day off, I happened to be carrying my guitar with me and it wasn’t even in its case, because there was no sign of rain in sight. I guess I’d also put quite a lot of faith in the weather forecast, but it all turned out well, because it didn’t rain and I’d go on to meet a busker who I joined in song to enhance what was an already a beautiful piece of music she was playing. Read more

One of the most culturally diverse and fascinating cities lies on the southern shores of Lake Erie. Cleveland, Ohio was almost cut off from the rest of the country until the Erie Canal was built, and it has always strived economically, but in spite of this, it is considered one of the best cities in the Midwest for cultural and social activities. Today, people call it the New American City because it is a model for the rest of the country for private and public partnerships for urban planning.

Make Other Museums Seem Boring

Cleveland has one of the most amazing museums in the world, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It is located in the downtown area right on Lake Erie. It recognizes and archives the work of the most famous musicians, writers, producers, engineers, and others who made Rock and Roll a generational force around the world.

The museum puts on concerts, lectures, film screenings, and interviews throughout the year. The most acclaimed is the annual American Music Masters series, a week-long celebration with programs and interviews of one of the Museum’s inductees.

Another museum in Cleveland that is anything but boring is the Museum of Contemporary Art. With pieces from local and international artists, it is considered one of the best contemporary art collections in the world.

General Attractions

Some of the other Best Places to Visit in Cleveland, in no particular order, are:

Playhouse Square is Cleveland’s theater district and the largest performing arts center in the country after New York. There are many excellent hotels near Playhouse Square.

Boating, kayaking, and fishing on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River where you can stop at dockside restaurants and bars.

Downtown’s University Circle is another first in the country with the densest concentration of cultural attractions. It is 550-acres of museums, historical societies, botanic gardens and much more.

The Arcade is Cleveland’s historic retail center and the home of some long-established businesses and institutions.

West Side Market has a lot to offer. Some of the stalls have been there for more than 100 years. You will find fresh produce, baked goods, prepared meals, crepes and coffee bars. It is a great place to spend an afternoon.

The Emerald Necklace is the name of the Cleveland Metropolitan Park system that includes the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Cleveland boasts another great attraction here with the largest collection of primates in the country. It even has a rainforest exhibition where you can experience a tropical rainstorm.

A Beach Vacation in Cleveland

Edgewater Park has a clean, sandy beach where you can relax and enjoy Lake Erie. You can swim, paddleboard, kayak, fish, and there are even jogging and bicycle trails. It has two snack bars, restrooms, and free live music concerts in the summer.

Where to Stay

Another historic landmark is the Hyatt Regency Cleveland, located at The Arcade. Built in 1890, it gives you a historic hotel experience just a 10-minute walk from the major entertainment and sporting venues and just steps from the East 4th Street Entertainment District. If you plan to visit Cleveland for a vacation, you and your children will never be bored. The Hilton Cleveland Downtown is located in the middle of it all, right in the heart of the city’s downtown. With its great location, it’s convenient and offers great city views.

Cleveland is one of the most exciting vacation destinations in the United States. It may not be as famous as some of the places in Florida or California, but, surprisingly, it meets and surpasses many of them for cultural activities, entertainment, and outdoor recreation.