Hello everyone. I last posted on here when my team, Cleveland State, played Kentucky in November of the 13-14 season. the UK fans at the game were very kind and hospitable to my group that went. I will never forget your fans giving Cleveland State a standing ovation as we exited the court. I wanted to return the favor of sorts and offer a tour guide of Cleveland, of sorts. Feel free to ask me anything at all about what to see, places to go, or anything!
First, I think everyone going to Cleveland will be pleasantly surprised. We aren't the city that got dumped on for years anymore. The politicians have gotten their act together and the city has come a long way. We built a brand new convention center, which impressed the Republican national committee and they selected our city to host the RNC next July. I think the best kept secret in Cleveland is the restaurants. There are a ton of great restaurants, and most of them are run by local chefs that are well known nationally.
Restaurants - any restaurant downtown is going to be more expensive. There a several great steakhouses - the chain restaurant Morton's, as well as Hyde Park steakhouse, XO steakhouse (which I have been to), and Red the Steakhouse, which is the best one from what I have heard. If you want to head to the suburbs they have the chain places like Outback, Longhorn, and Brown Derby. Ruth Chris steakhouse is also on the East side of town. Blue Point is a very good seafood restaurant. Cleveland Chop is a little fancier than normal, but won't break the bank and offers a good variety. The local chef's restaurants are some of my favorites. Chef Michael Symon's restaurants B Spot (burgers) and Lola Bistro (variety) are excellent. Chef Rocco Whalen's restaurant Fahrenheit is a little away from downtown but excellent and worth the trip.
East 4th street, which is right next to Quicken Loans arena where the NCAA regional games will be, has several upscale options. Greenhouse Tavern is run by another local chef and I have heard very good things about. Zocalo is a popular Mexican restaurant. There is also a Vietnamese restaurant that the name escapes me. Several bar and wine bar options here as well.
The bar scene is pretty good. If you are looking for nightlife and club-type places, West 6th street downtown and West 25th street a short trip from downtown are both filled with night clubs and bars. Velvet Dog has a rooftop patio and is one of my favorites. Barley House has a nice atmosphere as well.
There are many bars right near Quicken Loans Arena as well. Panini's bar is a popular spot and has great sandwiches. Clevelander bar, Thirsty Parrot and Wilbert's are close by as well. Winking Lizard is near the arena, and is more of a sports bar. Harry Buffalo is literally across the street and has a nice bar, and offers bison burgers as well.
We have a full casino right near the arena too. Blackjack, roulette, craps, one floor of poker rooms and a couple floors on slots. I can give recommendations on what slots seem to have paid out best for myself. If you plan on gambling at all while up here, the casino offers free parking when you earn 15 tier credits at the casino, and the parking garage itself is connected to the arena by a walkway and is ideal for gameday.
Anyone looking for shopping can find several malls in the area. Southpark mall in Strongsville on the West side and Beachwood mall on the East side are regular malls. There are two very upscale shopping areas. On the west side, Crocker Park and on the East side, Legacy Village.
I also highly recommend our locally brewed beer, Great Lakes brewing, on West 25th street which is where the brewery is. They have several different really good craft beers. We also have Cleveland Whiskey which is distilled locally and is available in many local stores. 100 proof whiskey.
I'll probably think of more to add later! Feel free to ask and questions and welcome to town! Hope your stay is enjoyable and UK leaves Cleveland 38-0!
First, I think everyone going to Cleveland will be pleasantly surprised. We aren't the city that got dumped on for years anymore. The politicians have gotten their act together and the city has come a long way. We built a brand new convention center, which impressed the Republican national committee and they selected our city to host the RNC next July. I think the best kept secret in Cleveland is the restaurants. There are a ton of great restaurants, and most of them are run by local chefs that are well known nationally.
Restaurants - any restaurant downtown is going to be more expensive. There a several great steakhouses - the chain restaurant Morton's, as well as Hyde Park steakhouse, XO steakhouse (which I have been to), and Red the Steakhouse, which is the best one from what I have heard. If you want to head to the suburbs they have the chain places like Outback, Longhorn, and Brown Derby. Ruth Chris steakhouse is also on the East side of town. Blue Point is a very good seafood restaurant. Cleveland Chop is a little fancier than normal, but won't break the bank and offers a good variety. The local chef's restaurants are some of my favorites. Chef Michael Symon's restaurants B Spot (burgers) and Lola Bistro (variety) are excellent. Chef Rocco Whalen's restaurant Fahrenheit is a little away from downtown but excellent and worth the trip.
East 4th street, which is right next to Quicken Loans arena where the NCAA regional games will be, has several upscale options. Greenhouse Tavern is run by another local chef and I have heard very good things about. Zocalo is a popular Mexican restaurant. There is also a Vietnamese restaurant that the name escapes me. Several bar and wine bar options here as well.
The bar scene is pretty good. If you are looking for nightlife and club-type places, West 6th street downtown and West 25th street a short trip from downtown are both filled with night clubs and bars. Velvet Dog has a rooftop patio and is one of my favorites. Barley House has a nice atmosphere as well.
There are many bars right near Quicken Loans Arena as well. Panini's bar is a popular spot and has great sandwiches. Clevelander bar, Thirsty Parrot and Wilbert's are close by as well. Winking Lizard is near the arena, and is more of a sports bar. Harry Buffalo is literally across the street and has a nice bar, and offers bison burgers as well.
We have a full casino right near the arena too. Blackjack, roulette, craps, one floor of poker rooms and a couple floors on slots. I can give recommendations on what slots seem to have paid out best for myself. If you plan on gambling at all while up here, the casino offers free parking when you earn 15 tier credits at the casino, and the parking garage itself is connected to the arena by a walkway and is ideal for gameday.
Anyone looking for shopping can find several malls in the area. Southpark mall in Strongsville on the West side and Beachwood mall on the East side are regular malls. There are two very upscale shopping areas. On the west side, Crocker Park and on the East side, Legacy Village.
I also highly recommend our locally brewed beer, Great Lakes brewing, on West 25th street which is where the brewery is. They have several different really good craft beers. We also have Cleveland Whiskey which is distilled locally and is available in many local stores. 100 proof whiskey.
I'll probably think of more to add later! Feel free to ask and questions and welcome to town! Hope your stay is enjoyable and UK leaves Cleveland 38-0!
