Cleveland is Ohio’s second-largest city and has many popular attractions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Progressive Field, Tower City and the Metroparks Zoo. For some of the more unusual things to do and places to go in Cleveland, here are five top suggestions.
West Side Market
Dating back to 1840 this historical marketplace is the oldest public marketplace in Cleveland. Home to over 100 vendors, the Market offers the freshest foods at prices considerably less than the local supermarkets. West Side Market draws a million visitors every year, and has even been featured on the Travel Channel and Food Network.
Location: 1979 West 25th Street at the corner of West 25th and Lorain
Phone: 216 / 664-3387
Hours of Operation: Mon and Wed 7-4 and Fri and Sat 7-6
www.westsidemarket.org
Edgewater Park
Part of Cleveland Lakefront State Park, Edgewater Park has a 900 foot sandy beach along the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland. Additionally the park offers picnic shelters, a fishing pier, playground equipment, boat launch ramps, restroom facilities and a covered pavilion which can be reserved online.
Location: 8701 Lakeshore Blvd, NE
Phone: 866-644-6727
Hours of Operation: Swimming during daylight hours only
www.dnr.state.oh.us
Walking Tours of the Warehouse District
Take advantage of the “Take a Hike” free tours offered through September 18, 2011 every Thursday evening at 6pm. These hour and a half walking tours take you along Cleveland’s original neighborhood in the area of West 9th, Superior, West 6th and St. Clair streets.
Location: 1278 West 9th Street
Phone: 216-771-1994
Hours of Operation: Thursday evenings 6pm through September 18, 2011
www.warehousedistrict.org
NASA Glenn Research Center
Sign up for a free one-hour tour of its research facilities during the months of April through October, where you may get to see the enhanced Zero-gravity Locomotion Simulator, the Simulated Lunar Operations lab or tour the hangar known as the Flight Research Building.
Location: 21000 Brookpark Road
Phone: 216- 433-0097
Hours of Operation: One Saturday a month from April through October. Reservations are required and may be made 30 days in advance.
www.nasa.gov
Little Italy Neighborhood
This historic Italian neighborhood is famous for its authentic Italian food and numerous art galleries. Today it is home to university students and young people as well as some of the families of the original Italians who immigrated here in the early 20th century. Big events here include the four day Festival of the Assumption in mid August, as well as three art walks during the months of June, October and December.
Location: Near University Circle, with Euclid Avenue to the south, Cedar Road to the east, Mayfield Road to the north, and Lake View Cemetery to the west.
Phone: 216-791-4907
Hours of Operation: Always open
clevelandlittleitaly.com