Reasons to See Cleveland: It Rocks

By: Debbie Stock

You've probably heard of the Cleveland Indians and Browns, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and a song made famous by the Drew Carey Show, "Cleveland Rocks." Repeated 40 times in a tune by Ian Hunter from his album, You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic, this mantra remains on the lips of tourists who come from around the globe to the Rock & Roll Capital of the World.

"Welcome to Cleveland where it's 70 degrees with light rain," said the flight captain. "We'll be landing in a few minutes." My first stop off the plane was the airport gift shop to buy an umbrella. If I had done my homework, I'd know in May it rains 15 out of 31 days on average. As a photographer rain is not my friend on travel assignments but I'd hope for sunny days and look for the bright spots. I found one right away—scattered throughout the airport were colorful, painted 4-to-5' guitar-shaped sculptures that kids and adults couldn't resist. They stopped and posed with these oversized, pretend instruments, and some even "played" them.

As I arrived at the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade where I would stay for a couple days I saw another oversized and wildly painted guitar—ignored because of the rain.  I had no idea what a treat I was in for staying at this downtown hotel. The Cleveland Arcade, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1890 as the first indoor mall in America. Fashioned after Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy, two nine-story buildings are joined by a five-story arcade with a glass skylight spanning over 300 feet. Balconies on floors two through five are accented with ornate ironwork.

It was slightly overcast the next morning when I stepped onto Lolley the Trolley (lolleytrolley.com) for a sight-seeing tour, but at least it wasn't raining. After passing Cleveland Cultural Gardens, a collection of public gardens located in Rockefeller Park, I got off at University Circle where you can easily spend a day wandering between and exploring a cluster of museums.  The Western Reserve Historical Society, historic Severance Hall (winter home to Cleveland Orchestra), Cleveland Museum of Art (very impressive!), Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the beautifully-designed Cleveland Botanical Garden offer something for every interest, but Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was waiting so I had to cut my visit short.

Do you know... down the "road" from Cleveland several hours south by car you can get some major thrills at Kings Island? California fans of Knott's Berry Farm and Gilroy Gardens are well familiar with Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, which also manages Kings Island. Here's a list of theme parks in Ohio.