Rock and Roll on the Shores of Lake Erie
Cleveland is a city in northern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, known for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a strong arts scene and a lively food culture. The Hall of Fame, opened on the lakefront in 1995 in a striking glass-and-steel design by I. M. Pei, tells the story of popular music through instruments, handwritten lyrics and stage costumes. The city has long been tied to rock, and the early radio broadcasts of disc jockey Alan Freed are often cited in that history.
University Circle, a short ride from downtown, is one of the finest cultural districts in the Midwest. The Cleveland Museum of Art offers free general admission to a collection ranging from ancient Egypt to contemporary work, while Severance Hall is home to the Cleveland Orchestra, among the most admired in the world. Nearby Wade Oval hosts gardens, museums and summer events. A tourist board can present a city that quietly outperforms its reputation.
Markets, Pierogi and a National Park Next Door
Food here is hearty and rooted in immigrant communities. The West Side Market, open since 1912 beneath its distinctive clock tower, sells meats, cheeses, pastries and produce from dozens of stalls. Pierogi, corned beef and the Polish Boy sandwich are local signatures, while Little Italy serves classic Italian bakeries, and the Ohio City and Tremont neighbourhoods add inventive kitchens and craft breweries. Playhouse Square, with its restored theatres and chandelier-lit lobby, is one of the largest performing arts centres in the United States.
Beyond the city, Cuyahoga Valley National Park follows the river through woodland, with waterfalls, towpath trails and a scenic railroad. Lake Erie's islands and the amusement rides of Cedar Point, to the west, are within a day's reach. Connections to Chicago on the opposite shore of the Great Lakes region are straightforward, and Philadelphia and Boston are a short flight east. A hotel group can package lakeside and park stays.
Read the full Cleveland guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitCleveland.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.