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Cleveland Attractions
Sightseeing
The 52-story Terminal Tower, over a three-level railroad passenger station, was built 1927-30 and is considered the showpiece of Cleveland's lakefront. The remodeled concourse of this city landmark contains restaurants, hotels and movie theaters. The Tower City Center Visitor Information Center is in the lobby of the Terminal Tower at 50 Public Sq.; phone (216) 771-0033.
There are ways other than drive-yourself to see the sights in Cleveland. Trolley Tours of Cleveland provides narrated tours of the city. Reservations are required; phone (216) 771-4484.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers train excursions through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Trips range from scenic tours of the valley to a 6.5-hour round trip to various Akron destinations. Trips from Akron to Canton also are available summer weekends.
Self-guiding walking or driving tours are good ways to experience the restoration of Ohio City on Cleveland's west side. A separate municipality that was later annexed, Ohio City is a neighborhood of old Victorian houses, many of which now house boutiques, restaurants and antique shops. Saturdays from May through August the district hosts an urban art market. Many of the neighborhood's restored homes open their doors to the public during the annual "Weekend in Ohio City" celebration held the third weekend in May. Brochures about the area are provided by the Ohio City Near West Development Corp., 2525 Market Ave., Suite A, Cleveland, OH 44113; phone (216) 781-3222.
The more than 21,000 acres of Cleveland Metroparks constitute one of the largest concentrations of parkland per capita in the nation. The 100-mile chain of metropolitan parks known as the "Emerald Necklace" is one of the largest park districts in the country. The 16 reservations offer facilities for hiking, biking, picnicking, golfing, swimming, boating, other water sports and many winter sports. Phone (216) 351-6300.
Various recreational opportunities also are found at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, just southeast of the city.
Golf enthusiasts can try their skill at any one of the dozens of public courses, including Cleveland Metroparks' Big Met, 4811 Valley Pkwy., (440) 331-1070; Manakiki, 35501 Eddy Rd., (440) 942-2500; Mastick Woods Golf Course, 19900 Puritas Rd., (216) 267-5626; Shawnee Hills, 18753 Egbert Rd., (440) 232-7184; and Sleepy Hollow, 4445 Brecksville Rd., (440) 526-4285.
More than 80 miles of horse trails are provided by Cleveland Metroparks. Stables offering horseback riding lessons and boarding are at Rocky River Stables, (216) 267-2525, and Brecksville Stables, (440) 526-6767. Hiking, biking and jogging paths also are available. Swimming can be enjoyed at the sandy Lake Erie beaches, such as the ones found in Cleveland Metroparks' Huntington Reservation in Bay Village, Cleveland Lakefront State Park and Mentor Headlands Beach State Park.
Fishing and boating also are popular pastimes on Lake Erie. Public boat rentals and ramps are at Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River and Hinckley, and fishing piers are at Huntington. Trident Marine Corp. offers custom-designed group cruise service; phone (216) 771-2628. Wildwood Marina offers public and private fishing excursions; phone (216) 481-5771.
Downhill skiing is popular at several nearby sites, including Alpine Valley, (440) 285-2211, and Boston Mills/Brandywine, (330) 467-2242 or (800) 875-4241. Several Cleveland Metroparks offer cross-country skiing.
Because Cleveland is home to several professional sports teams, spectator sports enthusiasts can choose from a variety of activities. At Jacobs Field on Carnegie Avenue between Ontario Avenue and E. 9th Street, the Cleveland Indians play baseball in the spring and summer and guided tours are offered Monday through Saturday, May through September, excluding day games, special events and holidays; phone (216) 420-4385. The Quicken Loans Arena also is where the NBA's Cavaliers tip-off. "The Q" also will be home to Cleveland's as-yet-unnamed AHL team beginning with the 2007-08 season. For hockey or Cavaliers tickets phone (216) 420-2200.
Cleveland Browns football fans do the wave at the Cleveland Browns Stadium at 1085 W. 3rd St. near the North Coast Harbor; phone (440) 891-5050 or (888) 891-1999.
Thoroughbred racing is held throughout the year at the Thistledown Racing Club, 21501 Emery Rd., (216) 662-8600. Harness races are featured year-round at Northfield Park, 15 miles south on Northfield Road, a half-mile west of I-271 and I-480; phone (330) 467-4101.
The world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra performs mid-September through early June in historic Severance Hall, opened in 1931, in the University Circle area and at the open-air Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls early July through Labor Day weekend; phone (800) 686-1141 for tickets. While food is available at both facilities, the patrons of Blossom Music Center can opt to bring a picnic.
The Cleveland Chamber Music Society performs at the Fairmont Temple Auditorium September through April. The Cleveland Contemporary Players, performing in the Music and Communications Building of Cleveland State University, gives concerts of contemporary music; phone (216) 687-9243 for scheduled programs.
Musical events are presented regularly at various sites across the city, including The Cleveland Music School Settlement, Quicken Loans Arena and the civic auditorium at Lakewood High School. The students and faculty as well as visiting artists of the Cleveland Institute of Music, 11021 East Blvd. in University Circle, perform chamber, orchestra and opera music throughout the year; phone (216) 791-5000 for schedule information.
Playhouse Square Center, on Euclid Avenue between E. 14th and E. 17th streets, is comprised of that include five restored landmark theaters--the Ohio Theatre, the State Theatre, the Allen Theatre, the Palace Theatre and the Hanna Theatre--and three performance spaces--Kennedy's Cabaret, 14th Street Theater and Studio One at Idea Center. PSC presents Broadway touring companies, concerts and dance performances, as well as shows by its resident companies: Cleveland Opera; Dance Cleveland; Ohio Ballet; Great Lakes Theater Festival; and Tri-C. For ticket information phone (216) 241-6000, or (800) 766-6048 outside the Cleveland area.
The Cleveland Play House Complex, at 8500 Euclid Ave, was established in 1915 as America's first permanent regional theater company. Built in 1983 based on the design by internationally acclaimed architect Philip Johnson, the complex houses five performance spaces. The season runs September through May, with productions ranging from the classics to new plays and from comedies to musicals. Phone (216) 795-7000.
Other city theaters include the Karamu House, (216) 795-7070, at 2355 E. 89th St., a multiracial, multicultural center for the arts; and the Beck Center for the Arts, (216) 521-2540, at 17801 Detroit Ave.
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