Comments on: Ten Things To Do In Cleveland Before You’re Dead

By: heather

heather — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:03:50 +0000

What a wonderful list! I’ve done all of these things in my life (37 years) and will continue on with my own children. Minus the horrible winter weather, Cleveland is a great place to live.

Thanks for the thoughtful information.

By: R E Bruchs

R E Bruchs — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 02:40:18 +0000

No one mentions Youngstown. Probably for good reason! I grew up in Youngstown, actually an unincorporated area just north of the city limits (Liberty Township). Made many trips to/through Cleveland and remember it as a very friendly place. Had a friend in Willowick (extreme NE side) and girlfriend in Bay Village, Hurst Dr. (extreme NW side). Had another friend that went to the Western Reserve Academy (Hudson). I hitchhiked all over Cleveland and many times had to hike I90 from Willowick to Bay Village. Went to school at Ohio State and found hitchhiking much easier in Cleveland than in Columbus. This was all in the “70 folks. One of my favorite areas to be stuck hitchhiking was in Lakewood. There are lots of fine old homes with loads of wrought iron on Lake Ave. & Clifton Blvd. I thought Coventry was cool in the “70″s. I always liked Cleveland and think that it has gotten a bad rap. I saw George Benson at Blossom. I had tickets for seats in the pavilion. When I got there the usher tells me “I have bad news and I have good news. The bad news is that they put the sound board right over your seats. The good news is that we have seats for you in the front row.” Great Concert! I can remember making the drive from Youngstown to Bay Village in about 65 minutes. Yep, I was speeding. Got so many tickets I had to move to California. Anybody remember when that gasoline tanker crashed and burned up the bridge on I80 where it crossed the Cuyahoga River? I miss Cleveland.

By: Sweet 16

Sweet 16 — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:44:31 +0000

I love Cleveland, lived here all my life and would like to travel but I have never thought of leaving for good. I recently visited Columbus, I was NOT impressed and it was filthy. I didnt venture too far from OSU so the dirt may have been beacuse of a high population of college students in that area but hey I know they have a dirty part! I grew up in the St. Clair – Superior area, I am second generation American (Slavic)and I believe we have most cultures covered here. I agree with you that restaurants are not worthy of a “things to do before you die” list but I think its great that whatever you crave from Ethiopian to Eastern-European, you can find it authentic close by. Only thing I have to do is get out on the lake (probably on the Goodtime) and the list will be complete for me but I think there are plenty of repeats.

Cleveland SO ROCKS!!!

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 21:25:22 +0000

I love Cleveland. I moved back after moving away after college b/c I missed it. Don’t plan on moving again.

The place with the corned beef and potatoes (french fries) was Panini’s.

The Flats don’t exist anymore, at least not in the way people remember. The West Bank is still the same – Shooters, Jillians, everything in the Powerhouse, plus the smaller, lesser known bars like Harbor Inn, McCarthy’s, Hooples, etc. The East Bank (what most people refer to when they say “The Flats”) is shut down completely. All of the buildings have been purchased and will be torn down. The area will be redeveloped into housing, retail, etc. But up the hill from the East Bank is The Warehouse district which has effectively replaced the east bank. Lots of bars, night clubs, and restaurants – both inexpensive and high end.

Also, there are some neighborhoods that have developed into neat areas just west of downtown – Ohio City (Home of the Westside Market mentioned above) and Tremont – home of Iron Chef Michael Simon’s Lolita’s, the original home of Lola’s, now located on East 4th.

Anyway, if you’re visiting three days a week and can’t find anything exciting to do, you’re not going to the right spots. There a tons of great restaurants and bar scenes…I mean, it’s a midwest town…we like to eat and drink.

By: Boosh

Boosh — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 19:44:21 +0000

ive done everything on this list. does this mean i’ll die soon?

By: Jackie M

Jackie M — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:45:44 +0000

I have lived in the Greater Cleveland area for 34 years. I grew up in a little village outside of Chagrin Falls called South Russell. I would recommend visiting Downtown Chagrin Falls, enjoying a nice meal at either Gamekeepers Inn or Joey’s – a stop at The Popcorn Shop is definately in order!! If you like to have a few drinks go to Rick’s Cafe or The Greenville! When you go to The Popcorn Shop, take a walk down the steps and see the falls, too! Check out the Christmas lights but then fly south for the winter – it’s cold here!!! :o)

By: Taylor Cooper

Taylor Cooper — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 20:17:05 +0000

There are no good “free trade” coffee shops downtown Cleveland….how depressing!….Also what about good independent theater…..there’s nothing downtown! Tower City has nothing for good shopping. I hope someone can dissprove me on this.

Annoyed with Cleveland Downtown

By: Eric Meyer

Eric Meyer — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:17:01 +0000

I completely agree, Chad. In any city, you can find things that are bad and things that are good and things that are great. Neither Cleveland nor Columbus (nor Cincinnati nor…) is any exception. Why some people insist on setting up a “city fight” is frankly beyond me, but fortunately, there are plenty like you who know better.

By: Chad

Chad — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:12:52 +0000

I don’t see why when ever sombody talks about Columbus they have to compare it to Cleveland. I mean they are both great and very unique cities for many reasons. I mean why is this like a stupid fight. Thy’re both great Ohio cities and neither will ever be better than the other.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 31 May 2007 14:37:17 +0000

I have to be honest here, I have been traveling to Cleveland for three days a week for the past eight weeks, and I am less than impressed. This city is filthy, largely poor, and might have the whiniest people I have ever met. Columbus is a much better way to go. An up and coming city, instead of one on it’s way out.. Now if they would just move a few of your sports teams a little farther south.

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 16 May 2007 00:36:57 +0000

Hi- I have enjoyed reading about my hometown…I have been gone for 15 years. I actually have a question maybe someone can answer. Many years ago when visiting the Flats was a blur the next day, we used to eat at this place that had….Big, messy corned beef with potato sandwiches. I think! Too many drinks prior to the eating maybe. Anyhow, if this rings any bells for anyone and you could refresh my memory (and confirm I have not lost my mind) I would sure appreciate it. My email address is: johnsonlee@alltel.net

Thanks so much and by the way….In my opinion, “Cleveland Does Rock!!”

By: bobby

bobby — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 19:21:16 +0000

you cant leave out going canoeing down the mohican river and going to the flats

By: Diane DeWitt

Diane DeWitt — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 18:32:35 +0000

I think Cleveland is great! I have lived in Columbus for two years now and the people are much more friendly in Cleveland. I would take Cleveland over Columbus any day snow and all. I just wish there were more jobs in Cleveland.

By: Joel Storer

Joel Storer — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 21:48:54 +0000

I visited a friend in Cleveland last winter and had a day to kill, so I went to the Great Lakes Science Center (I think it’s called) next to the Rock and Roll place, which I didn’t bother with, and had a blast. It was inexpensive and had lots of hands-on activities for my inner child (who was surprisingly well behaved). At night, I wandered around the Flats and checked out the old, rusted-out bridges that were nicely lighted in a kind of testament to our Steel Age. To those people who don’t like the city, I’d say they’re not looking in the right places. Joel Storer–Arlignton, VA

By: Cleveland Transplant in NY

Cleveland Transplant in NY — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:14:18 +0000

Agree with your list… Mentor Headlands beach and the marsh may be the metroparks. Great for birding in the Fall and Spring too.

Also Geauga Lake was named this prior to six flags. At one point in history the games were not directly owned by the park, but rather by individuals.