Taking a Road Trip to Cleveland, Ohio
Sometimes the best travel experiences are the ones you least expect them to be!
I hate big cities.
They’re often filled with miles of traffic and rude people rushing to a job they hate, as well as restaurants and hotels price-gouging tourists because they’re in the middle of the action. Then there’s the overpriced paid parking no matter where you go or the street people harassing you for a dollar or the pollution killing your lungs.
All that stress and anxiety! It’s just not my thing.
But every so often, I discover a city that feels different or has a unique vibe that makes the rest of the unpleasantries pleasant.
Cleveland is a place I never expected to embrace.
For me, it’s not about the Browns or the Guardians, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, or even my love for A Christmas Story — all things this city is certainly known for.
I think it’s about the people.
This town boasts a strong community of hardworking, blue-collar Americans who exude pride while continuing to support their beloved sports teams regardless of their win-loss record. Many of the folks I’ve talked with are down-to-earth, a genuine quality to appreciate in this day and age.
Perhaps my affection for The Forest City, as it’s called for the 24,000 acres of green space surrounding it, is also largely due to the cultural influence of European immigrants, evidenced by its architectural beauty and the diverse cuisines available throughout the city. As a Dutch-American, it certainly resonates within my soul.
Cleveland is an eclectic blend of some of the best things life has to offer.
Speaking of …
The Westside Market, with its broad range of fresh-cut meats, seafood, and produce, along with the endless plethora of breads, pastries, pierogis, cheeses, and other prepared food, will make you feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven. Never have I enjoyed such tasty delights in one place. It is easy to spend hours walking here, looking at all the delicacies it offers. You just gotta visit if you get the chance!
That’s not all.
One cannot discuss Cleveland without talking about beer. Great Lakes Brewing has perfected its craft and offers a wide selection that will make your mouth water. Their Vibacious Double IPA and Christmas Ale are among the best beers I’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking. The food is also worth mentioning.
For other amazing breweries in the area, I’d recommend Dark Room Brewing in Geneva and Eleven Three Brewing in Chardon. You can’t go wrong there either.
Right now, we’re completing our third road trip to Cleveland and Northeast Ohio (NEO) as we housesit for some of our best friends, and I can honestly say I never expected to fall in love with this part of the United States.
The wooded landscape is filled with towering trees and rolling hills. The weather is cool and mild for the beginning of summer. And the variety of wildlife scurries about in search of food as the rain trickles down. It’s a slower pace of life here. It feels so peaceful and welcoming. Maybe someday it could even be home.
The best part of these experiences, however, is being able to share them with the people you care about most: friends and family who bring you joy and a smile.
We would’ve never discovered this part of NEO without Brent and Michelle, who have always opened their home and their hearts to us since we met them. I’m glad they moved here and shared Ohio with us in the way they have.
As for the Rock Hall of Fame. Yeah, it’s a groovy experience and worth the visit if you love music and the artists who created it, but it pales in comparison to the rest.
Finally, the thing about road trips is you never know what you might find. Sometimes you go into it expecting it to be what it’s like in your mind, but soon discover it’s the complete opposite. That’s been Cleveland, Ohio, for us.
So as you plan your travels, keep an open mind. It might just change your life.
Cool. I spent a year in South Euclid. It was gorgeous. In the Summertime. Not in -20 degrees.
Hi James,
I've been to Cleveland only once and it was to visit the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. I was favorably impressed! Because I was on a tight schedule, I had no time to spend exploring the rest of the city. I hope to return some time for a more leisurely visit.
Speaking of Midwest, if you are not familiar with Chicago, I think you would find it an equally friendly and beautiful city. Lake Shore Drive along Lake Michigan is one of the most beautiful downtown city drives ever, even rivaling iconic cities like San Francisco for beauty. Chicago deliberately kept its lakefront totally free from industry, instead preserving it for beauty and recreation - boating, beach, swimming, biking, hiking, fishing - instead of lakeside warehouses for cargo shipping.
Chicago is an extremely friendly city where you can strike up a conversation with a variety of people in a hotel, cafe, restaurant, bar, store, etc., and possibly find things in common. If you're lucky enough to talk to a local resident, it's a pretty sure bet they won't brush you off as an annoying interference in their day.
In case you didn't guess, I'm a Chicago native and it's my favorite city in the world, even though I left years ago after graduating college and moving on with my life elsewhere.
I still love to visit Chicago any time of year and I make it back there for a long weekend about once a year. There's always something new and exciting to do and see in Chicago, My Kind of Town!
And now, as a lifetime Catholic, I'm thrilled that we finally, finally, finally have an American Pope, who just happens to be from Chicago. Even if he cheers for the White Sox and not the Cubs, I will forgive him that little transgression.