Top Five Destinations of Cleveland

I think Cleveland has always been a punch line. So, it is no surprise that the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of traveling to Cleveland is this video. I have to admit that I?d love to write that destination article.

See Construction

Cleveland ... rocks?

For a taste of some nearly done construction, head over to the Innerbelt Bridge, currently scheduled to be completed in 2013, but they probably mean 2033.

See Cuyahoga River – the river that catches on fire

If you get really close to the bridge construction, you can also see the Cuyahoga River, and if you?re lucky, it may be on fire. (Please don?t try to light it on fire as a joke, because that?s how rivers catch on fire.)

Unfortunately, I can?t point you to go see the main part of their economy anymore, since LeBron James left. I?m not sure where you can find crippling depression, except deep in your own soul.

So, the thought of finding interesting things to do seemed like an infinite poser, until I researched the cities of Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. I started to brainstorm and then one thing and another popped up as being closer to Cleveland than any place else. A couple of searches later, and I?m happy to say, a trip to Cleveland has at least these five great things (and I won?t even suggest going to a Browns ?football? game or an Indians ?baseball? game.)

Visit the A Christmas Story House

Just in time for the holiday season, you could visit the ?A Christmas Story? House and Museum where you can see Randy?s snowsuit and the chalkboard from Miss Shields? classroom. Since there isn?t a ?Scrooged? or Grinch museum, if you go to one museum based on a Christmas movie this year, this would be the best one to see.

Go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

When I think museums, I think whispering and reverence and that seems to contradict the idea of one devoted to loud music. Maybe that?s why I need to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. If they have a Grateful Dead exhibit now, give them 10 years, and I?ll bet they have one for Widespread Panic as well.

Have a beer at the Great Lakes Brewing Company

The Great Lakes Brewing Company has a beer that makes you think of tragedy, Gordon Lightfoot and chocolate, and that?s a good enough reason to visit and stare long and hard at the bottom of a bottle. Add in the local fresh plate with hot sausage and plenty of cheese and I?m sure those stares will last until closing time.

Drive the hour to Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame

I?m more of a baseball guy, but the lure of just an hour drive to the Pro Football Hall of Fame is too much of a temptation. With over 100 years documented in those walls, I?m sure even the most casual of fans can find something that piques an interest like maybe an exhibit on what a concussion feels like.

Hike around the North Chagrin Reservation

Lastly, I have to get out in that crisp winter air and hike a while around the North Chagrin Reservation. After getting my nose nice and red and my hands dry and chapped, I?ll head to the Nature Education Building and hopefully get there for a presentation on birds of prey.

Any suggestions for things that I missed? Any additional recommendations for the area? Just let me know in the comments.