Hey everyone,

Not set in stone yet, but about 95% of the leg-work is done for a transition in my job to occur. With this transition, comes training: five weeks of it, in fact. It'll be in Cleveland, OH and starts around February 14th. I will be flown in, given a rental, and all that jazz. But they're only paying for one return home in the interim, and I'll be using that for the flight back to TN so I can get married in mid-March.

Summary? I'll be Crossfire-less, Kim-less, and bored. Rental is provided, so I'll be getting a gas-sipper.

I've never been to Cleveland, so any tips are appreciated! Where to go, where to avoid, etc...

Thanks!

 

LOL try and schedule something to come over to Indianapolis for a night. Molly and I would love to have you and we can get several other characters on board as well. I realize it is still a drive, but not that bad at all, just depends if you can take the rental out of state or not

 

Places to avoid:....CLEVELAND!!!

John, I hate to say this but I think your company is trying to tell you something.

Seriously though, I suppose it's really not that bad, just not in the winter.
Hot spots (for a guy your age) would probably be in the "Flats" area. Also many places near LeBron's old job site, and the Indians Stadium.
Just figure nearly everybody you see is "packin" and you should be OK.
We live about 50 miles South of Cleveland, (Akron area) I think Tom2112 is about the same distance East of Cleveland, (Sharon PA.) and it would be great to get together with ya.
There are several other forum members in the area, and I'm sure you'll hear from them as well.
I Luv ya Buddy, but sorry I can't be of any help in the Kim-less category. You're on your own.

 

Good info, Mike! Thank you. Looks like I'll be doing some Googling to get familiar

John, I'm pretty sure the rules of the rental prohibit out of state driving, otherwise I'd remedy the Kim-less status.

 

The "Flats" are no longer the IN place to go. There is a new 'Warehouse District" that is now the happening spot for nightclubs, bars and restaurants.

 

Every time I have visited Cleveland I have had a great time leaving it.

It is a nice place to see in the rear view mirror.

The departure lounge at the airport is a welcome sight.

I'm only joking of course. Seriously though, those five weeks will seem like the longest five years in your life.

You'll have to go where the locals go to have a good time .......... Detroit.

 

LOL.

Didn't Cleveland have the nickname "Mistake by the Lake" .....oh no that was the nickname for the old Cleveland Stadium!!!!
haha

 

You guys are seriously making me dread this trip.

 

Oh I just remembered. Don't swim in the Cuyahoga River.....it has actually caught on fire several times. The last time was in the late 60's.

 

No worries there, I'm not a river swimmer in any locale, lol

 

Seriously, Cleveland is really a nice destination. I was there this past summer with my family and we had a great time. Be sure to take in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while you're there.
Enjoy your stay.

 

I'm not thrilled about using a laundromat for five weeks tho.

 

Sparkie, You're absolutely correct, my bad. I'm suffering some "brain fade". I forgot they pretty much closed down the Flats area because of all the shootings and fights. Unfortunately (during the summer months) the fights are starting to spring up in the Warehouse District now. I guess it's probably no worse than any other larger city, but the Police have a handle on it.
There are a lot of nice nightclubs and restauants downtown as you said. The Crawford Auto Museum is cool too. But Geeeezz, a couple little fires on a river (40 and 60 years ago) and there goes the neighborhood. lol
http://images.search.yahoo.com/searc...oga+river+fire

 

John, don't worry about those jokers. While the everyone loves to make fun of Cleveland, it's not a bad place. You just have to know what to enjoy and what to avoid.

First off, it's gonna be REALLY FARGIN COLD! Bring a heavy winter coat, gloves and boots. Being right next to the great lakes, Cleveland gets A LOT of snow and A LOT of wind. Also, brush up on your winter driving skills.

Next: what to enjoy in Cleveland - Cleveland happens to have a large Italian population. So if you like Italian food, you're going to enjoy Cleveland. Avoid the chain restaurants, and go to the family owned places. Also avoid the fancy dishes. The real gems are what you might call ordinary: spaghetti with marinara, cavatelli, gnochi, etc. The magic is in the sauce. It's an art.

Along the same lines, Cleveland has some great pizza places too. Again, avoid the chains (Dominos in Cleveland is just as bad as Dominos in Tennessee). Try the Mom & Pop shops. Avoid any that don't have an Italian sounding name.

You may want to check out the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1100 Rock and Roll Blvd. Cleveland, Ohio 44114) which is right up on the lake. Or a short trip to Akron/Canton for the Football Hall of Fame (2121 George Halas Dr NW Canton, OH 44708), which is about an hour south of Cleveland.

I'm sure there's a ton more to do in Cleveland, but I'm not as familiar with Cleveland as I am Pittsburgh. I live about half way in between them both.

Where will you be staying in the city?

As +fireamx (Mike) said, I'm sure we can meet up with you. We both live about an hour from the city. We might even be able to round up Fritz, Towncrier, and RickZ.

 

Thanks Tom! This is all great info. I'll get exact details within the next week, my training starts in ~4 weeks.

 

Tom I knew you would chime in with all the right answers.
John is going to have to make it over to your neck of the woods though and take in the "Original" Quaker Steak & Lube".
I keep forgetting you're the "go to guy" for "REAL" Italian restaurants in our area.
Sounds like a good reason for some more GTG's next summer.

 

Just stay away from the Cross-dressers named Kim when trying to cure those problems.

If your company wants to save money, I'm sure one of us that met Kim will be more than happy to fill in for the wedding...

 

I'm sure you would!! Hahahaha

 

Say hi to Drew Carrey while you are there.




Pizzaguy
(he's about the only claim to fame they have)

 

There are a lot of interesting things to check out in Cleveland, and there some diehard forum members that would love an excuse to get together. 4th street downtown has a lot of good restaurants clubs and we enjoy Hilarities comedy club. Playhouse Square has several renovated old theaters. I would also recommend checking out the West Side Market while in town, any kind of ethnic food and fresh fruit and vegetables meats and cheeses you could think of.
make sure you let us know when you are going to be around Peggy and I live about 55 miles east of Cleveland and near us there are a lot of very nice wineries we would like to show off if you are so inclined.
Don't let them scare you there is plenty to do, but they are right it will be cold and the farther east you get more snow.