Pardon me, my California is showing

[Handbag Lady]

I'm going to Cleveland for a weekend with my family! YAY!


How do coat checks work? Does every single place have them? Do I need to put my name and number in my new coat? I didn't OWN a coat until now. Do you tip coat check people? Is it just like in every single 1930's movie I've ever seen? Can you check you hat and scarf too?

 

[LuLuO]

 

[powellrj]

Unless you are going to some high end places, I am not sure you will even run into a coat check. I know I haven't seen one in years and I live in Indiana where we also have winter weather.

 

[dawnhaze]

I mostly see coat checks at live music and theater venues, as well as high end restaurants. Sometimes at museums and tourist traps too, but not always. You can usually stick hats and scarves in the pockets of your coat, or they'll wrap the scarf around the hanger. I usually tip $1 per coat on the rare occasion I use a coat check.

 

[tvguy]

I've seen more coat checks here in California than any other state I have been in, especially in San Francisco.
I used to normally tip $1 but I haven't seen an attended coat check area in years, all self check now.

 

[Shagley]

I'm going to Cleveland for a weekend with my family! YAY!


How do coat checks work? Does every single place have them? Do I need to put my name and number in my new coat? I didn't OWN a coat until now. Do you tip coat check people? Is it just like in every single 1930's movie I've ever seen? Can you check you hat and scarf too?

I have very rarely ever encountered a coat check. Like a PP mentioned, that is only at high end restaurants, live theater, etc. and even then it isn't required that you use it. When they do have one, you give them your coat, scarf, hat, etc and they will give you a ticket with a number on it that you will turn back in to them when you are ready to claim them later. Yes, you do tip the coat check clerk a dollar or two. Very few places actually have them, so unless you are going to a party at a fancy venue, a high end restaurant, or somewhere like that, you probably won't ever have a chance to check your coat.

 

[soccerdad72]

Yeah, it depends on where you're heading (Clevelander here ). Nicer restaurants and banquet centers will have them. They'll give you a ticket and you typically tip them a buck or two. And yeah, you can put your hat and/or scarf in the sleeve and they'll check them together.

 

[Imzadi]

I'm going to Cleveland for a weekend with my family! YAY!

How do coat checks work? Does every single place have them? Do I need to put my name and number in my new coat? I didn't OWN a coat until now. Do you tip coat check people? Is it just like in every single 1930's movie I've ever seen? Can you check you hat and scarf too?

You do not HAVE to check your coat. You can just take your coat off and place it on the back of your chair. Take your hat & scarf, fold them and stuff them inside and down one sleeve of the coat. This way, they are together and you do not lose them or forget them. When you go to put the coat on again, there they are, to put on before you put on your coat.

The only places you would have to check your coat is if its a big, puffy, down coat, or extra long and drapes down off the chair, and you are in a theatre to see a play, and you don't want the extra bulk behind you in the chair. When I'm in a Broadway theatre, I just place it on my shoulders, without putting my arms inside, sit, and shrug the coat off, it just lays behind me, at the perfect height between me & the chair.

The other time you may want to check your coat is as a PP said, when you are at a high end restaurant and it would look tacky to have your coat on the back of the chair. At such places, no, you do not have to tip the coat check, since checking your coat is kind of required at those places.

If you are checking a coat + luggage or shopping bags, then yes, you may want to tip a dollar or two for the extra service of them watching your bags. basically, here in NYC, the coat checks are for people traveling and have their luggage with them and they want a safe place, out of the way to stow them until the event is over.

When you check your coat, they put it on a hanger that has a number on it. Then they give you a tag or ticket with the same number. Put this in your pocket where you can find it again. When you pick up your coat, just hand them back the number. They hand you back your coat with your scarf & hat & mittens that YOU tucked in all the sleeves.

 

[pixiewings71]

I've seen more coat checks here in California than any other state I have been in, especially in San Francisco.
I used to normally tip $1 but I haven't seen an attended coat check area in years, all self check now.

LOL this, but consider how cold SF is. LOL
When I've done a coat check I've tipped a dollar or two but I rarely do coat check, I prefer to keep my coat with me as I get chilled easily and want something on hand just in case.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I'm going to Cleveland for a weekend with my family! YAY!


How do coat checks work? Does every single place have them? Do I need to put my name and number in my new coat? I didn't OWN a coat until now. Do you tip coat check people? Is it just like in every single 1930's movie I've ever seen? Can you check you hat and scarf too?

Every place I've been with a coat check puts a little tag with the coat and hands us a number to keep in our wallet. The name is also on the tag.

 

[barkley]

I've seen more coat checks here in California than any other state I have been in, especially in San Francisco.
I used to normally tip $1 but I haven't seen an attended coat check area in years, all self check now.

i was going to say the same. in San Francisco back in the day it used to be pretty common, but i want to say that the last time i saw an attended coat check area was in one of the casinos in Tahoe back in the 80's.

 

[Handbag Lady]

We're going to a museum that lists a coat check and I know there is a coat check at the wedding. I was really hoping to check my coat everywhere as I hate to carry things besides a bag. I would imagine it would be too warm inside any place to carry a coat.

(and of course I meant SoCal!!)


And thank you, everyone!

 

[Handbag Lady]

Yeah, it depends on where you're heading (Clevelander here ). Nicer restaurants and banquet centers will have them. They'll give you a ticket and you typically tip them a buck or two. And yeah, you can put your hat and/or scarf in the sleeve and they'll check them together.

We are going to the casino, the Art Museum, the casino, the RNR Hall of Fame, the Christmas Story House (my sister insisted), the casino, the indoor market, and Lake View Cemetery.

Did I miss anything that is a "don't miss" in your fair city?

 

[Imzadi]

We're going to a museum that lists a coat check and I know there is a coat check at the wedding. I was really hoping to check my coat everywhere as I hate to carry things besides a bag. I would imagine it would be too warm inside any place to carry a coat.

(and of course I meant SoCal!!)!

That's not necessarily true. What is warm to us northerners may be cold to you. There have been plenty of times where it's a nice 60 degrees out and someone from down south says they are cold. And we say, "Oh, it's warm today! It's usually 50 degrees."

BTW, the museum may be regulated on the cold side. It may be better for the art.

And not all of the other buildings you've mentioned may be properly insulated. They could also be cold & drafty inside. Heat doesn't always work the way it's supposed to up here.

 

[Laura66]

I live in Cleveland and I've been all of those places. The last time I checked my coat was at a wedding 2 years ago.
Even when I go to the Orchestra or Theater I never check my coat. I prefer having it with me and not having to wait to pick it up.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Not sure how things will be set up at the museum Handbag Lady is going to, but I have been to museums where you are required to check backpacks, satchels and courier style bags along with coats. At any rate, I wouldn't want to spend several hours wandering around in a parka with a hat and gloves stuffed into my pockets at a museum, so I always check everything!

Coats are usually hung up, often on rotating belts, and just stuff everything into or around the coat. For backpacks and such, there are usually cubbies that the check people tuck things into - you can hand them shopping bags and boxes if necessary; at museums they'll have a place for those sorts of things. Some museums have lockers instead of coat check, but they're so small and often you have to plop in a quarter or two for the key. I'd much rather do the coat check!

Just have a dollar or two ready - a dollar per item in tip is plenty, you just hand it over with your claim ticket at the end of your visit. Really, it's no big thing!

Also, just happened to think - if you go to a large museum with more than one entrance, there may be multiple coat check areas, but even then, the tickets are different, so if you go to the wrong one, they'll direct you to the correct place.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Jewel3k]

We are going to the casino, the Art Museum, the casino, the RNR Hall of Fame, the Christmas Story House (my sister insisted), the casino, the indoor market, and Lake View Cemetery.

Did I miss anything that is a "don't miss" in your fair city?

The casino will probably have a coat check, the art museum and Rnr hall of fame might have one (most likely self serve) the Christmas Story House did not have one last time I was there. I've never been to west side market, but doubt they have one and I'm pretty sure you'll want your coat at Lake View Cemetery.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Thank you all so much. I'm quite looking forward to this trip.

That's not necessarily true. What is warm to us northerners may be cold to you. There have been plenty of times where it's a nice 60 degrees out and someone from down south says they are cold. And we say, "Oh, it's warm today! It's usually 50 degrees."

BTW, the museum may be regulated on the cold side. It may be better for the art.

And not all of the other buildings you've mentioned may be properly insulated. They could also be cold & drafty inside. Heat doesn't always work the way it's supposed to up here.

I didn't even think of that! I don't put the top down on my car unless it is 72 or higher. I freeze at 60. We just don't get very cold here.

I live in Cleveland and I've been all of those places. The last time I checked my coat was at a wedding 2 years ago.
Even when I go to the Orchestra or Theater I never check my coat. I prefer having it with me and not having to wait to pick it up.

I also didn't think of having a wait when we're done some place. That's something to consider.

Not sure how things will be set up at the museum Handbag Lady is going to, but I have been to museums where you are required to check backpacks, satchels and courier style bags along with coats. At any rate, I wouldn't want to spend several hours wandering around in a parka with a hat and gloves stuffed into my pockets at a museum, so I always check everything!

Coats are usually hung up, often on rotating belts, and just stuff everything into or around the coat. For backpacks and such, there are usually cubbies that the check people tuck things into - you can hand them shopping bags and boxes if necessary; at museums they'll have a place for those sorts of things. Some museums have lockers instead of coat check, but they're so small and often you have to plop in a quarter or two for the key. I'd much rather do the coat check!

Just have a dollar or two ready - a dollar per item in tip is plenty, you just hand it over with your claim ticket at the end of your visit. Really, it's no big thing!

Also, just happened to think - if you go to a large museum with more than one entrance, there may be multiple coat check areas, but even then, the tickets are different, so if you go to the wrong one, they'll direct you to the correct place.

Enjoy your trip!

Thank you!

The casino will probably have a coat check, the art museum and Rnr hall of fame might have one (most likely self serve) the Christmas Story House did not have one last time I was there. I've never been to west side market, but doubt they have one and I'm pretty sure you'll want your coat at Lake View Cemetery.

Yes, I'm pretty sure I'll need my coat at the cemetery! How much time should we put aside for the Christmas Story House? I was thinking two hours?

 

[FireDancer]

We are going to the casino, the Art Museum, the casino, the RNR Hall of Fame, the Christmas Story House (my sister insisted), the casino, the indoor market, and Lake View Cemetery.

Did I miss anything that is a "don't miss" in your fair city?

The RnR HOF has a coat check on the lower level as does the Casino and the Art Museum has one at the north entrance. The West Side market does not and I'm not sure about the Christmas Story House but if they do it is most likely more of a self-serve coat closet. I'd keep your coat at the cemetery.

It is hard to say about the wedding without knowing where it is but most likely they will have either a coat check or a coat room.

As for other things to do, we have a lot. If you have some extra time on your Art Museum day I'd check out some of the other museums in the Wade Oval area. That Art Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and the Botanical Gardens are right by each other and an easy walk. A little further away but easily walkable is the Western Reserve historical Society. If by chance you are in town on December 8th there is an event called Holiday CircleFest and most if not all of the University Circle museums are free along wither there being special shows and performances.

If you can let me know what week you are here I can let you know if there are any specific events going on that might be worth checking out.

 

[soccerdad72]

We are going to the casino, the Art Museum, the casino, the RNR Hall of Fame, the Christmas Story House (my sister insisted), the casino, the indoor market, and Lake View Cemetery.

Did I miss anything that is a "don't miss" in your fair city?

I think you've hit many of the highlights. I would second what FireDancer said -- if you have time and the weather is decent (keep in mind that this time of year, anything over 40 is considered "decent" ), you might want to check out more of the University Circle attractions (that's the area the Art Museum is in). The Museum of Natural History has always been one of our favorites.

It might be a little too outdoorsy for a So. Cal person, but the zoo is open year round and often in the colder months the animals are out and about a lot. My wife is on the board of directors at the zoo, though, so I'm required to make a pitch for it, even in November.