Things to do in Cleveland???

[Big Daddy Incredible]

Hi all. Everyone here is so great about sharing all things Disney that I thought I would ask for help about Cleveland. DW and I are taking DD9, DD8 and DS6 to Cleveland on the weekend of July 16 to 18 so we can watch our beloved Detroit Tigers play a game or two at the Jake. We are flexible with the number of days that we stay.

Can anyone with local knowledge of Cleveland suggest things to do and see besides the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum and the Science museum? Also, how about some great places to eat? No chains, please. And also, nothing upscale either. We will be in shorts and t-shirts the whole time.

In particular, is there a good place in Little Italy that would be a better fit for us?

I can't wait to see some suggestions. Thanks disers.

 

[cabanafrau]

The Cleveland Zoo is quite nice. They also have a separate/attached Rain Forest attraction. Overall one of the better zoos we've been to.

 

[marlynnp]

I was also going to suggest the zoo!

 

[charming23]

The zoo here is great and the rainforest is so beautiful to walk through.

Another suggestion would be the Cleveland Natural History Museum. They have some great exhibits and special events throughout the summer.

Not sure about eateries in Little Italy as the last time I was there I was a little girl but the Coventry area of Cleveland has some great little eateries like Tommy's which has a killer breakfast menu.

Some other good restuarants would be My Friends in Lakewood, Melt in Lakewood (best sandwiches) and Flannery's Downtown is good as well and within walking distance to Progressive field.

If you would like anymore information, let me know.

 

[FireDancer]

Your kids (especially your son) might enjoy the Crawford Auto and Aviation Museum in University Circle. It isn't all that far from Little Italy actually. That same site also has links to Hale Farm and Village which is great but a little bit out of town. It isn't far but you will need a car.

University Circle has a lot to do and this site has some details. Along with the Museum of Natural History a PP mentioned there are the Botanical Gardens, Children's Museum, Art Museum, and some other things that your kids might be into depending on their interests.

In little Italy I would recommend just walking around and finding something you like. You can't go wrong with Presti's or Trattoria on the Hill.

If you guys want to try the best beer in the world (and they have a good restaurant for the kids) check out the Great Lakes Brewing Company in Ohio City. I recommend the Burning River Pale Ale.

Lastly, if you are going to try and catch a meal before the game close to the stadium I would check out the East 4th area over by the house of Blues. La Strada would be my recommendation unless you want to treat yourself to Lola, which is one of Michael Symon's (The Iron Chef's) two area restaurants.

I will have to warn you that we don't have great public transportation so I hope you are either driving in or renting a car. Are you going to try and stay downtown? If you want to be able to see the Jake (which is technically Progressive Field now but I refuse to call it that) from your hotel and be close enough that your 6 year old could hit it with a ball from the the room check out the Hilton Garden Inn.

 

[LoraJ]

I also love the Coventry Road area, especially the store Big Fun.
http://bigfunbigfun.com/

There's some casual restaurants in the area but I can't remember any of them. I grew up in the area and moved 20+ years ago but I go home once a year to visit.

Is the Christmas Story House still open for visitors?

 

[focusondisney]

Not in Cleveland, but Cedar Point amuesment park or the football hall of fame are both short drives away. Might be good a day or two before or after your stay in Cleveland.

 

[MushyMushy]

We're headed to Cleveland soon too!

Thanks for the idea about the zoo -- sounds nice. I really love the Pittsburgh zoo, so it'll be nice to compare the two.

 

[deva]

Mama Santa's in Little Italy is casual, good and inexpensive. As a PP poster mentioned, there is lots on E 4th, close to the stadium - if you like Mexican, Zocalo is tasty. Corner Alley has bowling inside. The Chocolate Bar (in the Arcade) has yummy deserts.

 

[RNMOM]

In Little Italy, on Murray Hill Rd, which is brick and is quite short is a wonderful pizzaria called Valentinos. I swear it is the most amazing thin crust pizza on the planet. I used to work at University Hosp. and would bring it home but now we live all the way over on the far west side and we STILL will drive 15 miles each way a couple times a year and buy 4-5 pizzas so we can have it a freeze some. There are a few small art shops on Murray Hill also.

Speaking of Little Italy, at the top of Mayfield hill is Lake View Cemetary. Now, I know it sounds weird but it is a beautiful place and well cared for. They have some programs for walking tours or used to. Pres. Garfield is buried there as well as John D Rockefeller and many other rich and famous of the era. The Wade Chapel is the one designed by Tiffany and was shown on Antiques Roadshow when they were in town. I don't know how you go about seeing it but I'll bet you can by appointment. This cemetary is so cool it even had some picknic tables in a few spots. I used to sit and read there when my DH had some frequent proceedures at the hospital. It is very safe too. It is just a block or two from Coventry Road which a pp mentioned. Tommy's there is a great restaurant. They do a mean breakfast and have lots of good food.

Have a great time when you are here. This is really a great city.

 

[carmiedog]

Our favorite thing is the botanical gardens (bring swimsuits as the kids will get wet in the children's garden) and the zoo. We haven't been to the chidren's museum in years...unless it's changed a great deal, we weren't impressed compared to other children's museums we've been to.

 

[HillPete]

First of all, ditto to everything else previously posted. A few other things; If you are in Cleveland Heights (Coventry area and Lake View Cemetery) there is now a Melt Bar and Grilled here, too! Just opened Friday! If you are in the area of the Botanical Gardens (University Circle) you can park in one place and walk from there to the Natural History Museum, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Crawford Auto Museum (part of the Western Reserve Historical Society - look for my dad, he volunteers there twice a week!). There are some good restaurants in the area as well. Just ask around

If you want to head to the west side of the river, look for the Tremont area. Great, funky stores, restaurants (including another Michael Symon place- Lolita) and my friend, Amanda's chocolate shop; Lilly's. Lolita is a bit pricey, but Southside and Lucky's are good options. This neighborhood is about a five minute drive from the Jake.

Have fun!

 

[DeluxePrincess]

You might enjoy an excursion on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The Rockside station would be the closest to downtown.

http://www.cvsr.com/explorer.aspx

When my family visits from out of town, they always enjoy Shooters in the Flats. We go during the day. Less of a party atmosphere then.

http://www.shootersflats.com/

 

[Big Daddy Incredible]

Thank you very much to all that have posted in this thread. DW and I have a lot of great ideas to choose from. Cleveland sounds really cool. I wish Detroit was half as nice.

 

[Buckeye Princess]

I just want to Ditto a few of our favs. The zoo is wonderful and the botanical gardens are nice too, even my sister and mom loved it and they are not botanical gardens kind of people. Melt is an amazing, unique and affordable restaurant. They just opened a second location in Cleveland Heights which is near the cemetery and natural history museum that have been mentioned. The Lakeview Cemetery is relatively close to our house and we go at least once a month. If you are there on a Tuesday, The WaterStreet Grill on W. 9th has two for Tuesdays where entrees are buy one get one free. Good food, nice but relaxed atmosphere.

If you are not staying downtown and will be driving downtown for the game I'd recommend parking in one of the garages about 3-4 blocks East of the stadium. There are two in particular that are near Prospect and 14th (west side of that intersection on the north side of the street). Not only are they cheaper, but they are much easier to get out of and "home" if you are staying east or south of the city.

 

[RachaelA]

Chiming in a bit late.

Like others suggested, Melt in Lakewood and Mama Santa's in Little Italy are great. I looooove Tommy's in Coventry (best milkshakes ever!).

 

[kdudley3]

All of the suggestions you got are all great ones. Especially for the zoo. It's great, we go there every year (going tomorrow).

But the one place I don't think I saw listed was Slyman's. If you loved great sandwiches, especially corned beef, this is the place to go. Best corned beef I've ever had in my life, and the sandwiches are huge and not pricey. It's a tiny place and fills up quick for lunch but the line usually runs out the door and down the street. Many people just stop and get a to go order and that would give you time to pick a scenic spot by the lake and eat them Thay are on Chester and are only open during the week.

Have a great time.