Cleveland Rocks!

During the 1800s, Cleveland was an important stop on the Underground Railroad. The city’s port provided a route to freedom across the Canadian border for slaves fleeing the South.

With the canal came Cleveland ’s first wave of immigrants, the backbone of its labor force. The city grew quickly from a bustling port to a shipping and industrial giant. The Civil War briefly halted the city’s progress, but the subsequent demand for iron spurred new growth

Fortunes were made in shipping coal, limestone and iron ore, in manufacturing steel and iron, and in communications, railroads and oil. Between 1910-20, Cleveland was the country’s second largest center for automobile production and also ranked close to New York as one of the country’s leading centers for ready-to-wear clothing production.

Behind this growth were the great industrialists: Jephtha Wade I, whose telegraph company evolved into the Western Union system as well as John D. Rockefeller , the world’s first billionaire, who made his fortune in Stanford Oil Co.

Today Cleveland is headquarters for more than 20 major industrial corporations and many smaller companies.

Despite its industrial bent, Cleveland has not overlooked the finer things in life. More than 20,000 acres of the metropolitan parks, districts-and the surrounding rivers, streams and lakes, including Lake Erie and the Cleveland waterfront-offer ample opportunities for recreation.

The city is home of Cleveland orchestra, several art, science and health museums, including the  Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum , the Western Reserve Historical Society; and Cleveland Clinic, which administers some of the world’s most advanced medical treatments

All these facers and more combine to make Cleveland a livable place with much to offer and much to be proud of.

ATTRACTIONS

If you are ready to kick up your heels and rock ‘n roll, Cleveland is the place to do it.

Put on your blue suede shoes and boogie on down to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. From the evolution of rock to rare collectibles, everything that is important to the making of music is encapsulated within this 150,000-square-foot space. It’s dedicated to the living legacy of music from Delta blues, rock ‘n roll and hip-hop to industrial soul and alternative styles.

Visitors can listen to the songs that shaped rock ‘n roll, a sample of the most popular and influential recordings in the history of the genre. A retrospective of music videos from MTV’s beginnings to the present as well as several films are shown daily.

An immense collection of images, artifacts and instruments from current performers, Hall of Famers and other legends is imaginatively presented.

You can’t understand American culture of the twentieth century without taking a serious look at Rock and Roll. It reflects who we are and it defines our society. Since DJ Alan Freed hosted the first rock concert here in 1952, Cleveland has been a major force in music history.

Allow 3 hours minimum 216-781-7625   888764-7625   888-764-ROCK   www.ROCKHALL.com

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage showcases the history of Northeast Ohio ’s Jewish Community through artifacts, unique exhibits and interactive displays.

Special exhibitions of national and international acclaim are regularly presented at Maltz Museum . The Museum premiered a major traveling exhibition tracing the roots of Judaism and Christianity, bringing to the U.S. the first time the most significant biblical artifacts ever found, including The Temple Scroll, one of the most important of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which was newly restored and has never before been displayed. “Cradle of Christianity: Treasures from the Holy Land” explores aspects of early Jewish life and the concurrent birth of Christianity by powerfully presenting artifacts drawn from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem . This special exhibit is on display until October 22, 2006 .   216-593-0575   www.maltzjewishmuseum.org

University Circle is a remarkable destination just minutes from downtown Cleveland . In this one extraordinary square mile, you’ll discover arts and sciences, museums and parks, galleries and restaurants.

There is the Cleveland Botanical Garden ’s Eleanor Armstrong Glasshouse where visitors will be transported to the exotic environments of the spiny desert of Madagascar and the cloud forest of Costa Rica . In this 18,000 square-foot glass conservatory, visitors may see such animals as free-roaming iguanas, chameleons, toads and butterflies.

This garden is on ten acres of beautifully landscaped grounds including 12 distinct gardens- Japanese, herb and rose to mention a few.  216-721-1600   888-853-7091  www.cbgarden.org

Explore the universe at the Cleveland Museum of natural History’s state-of-the-art Shafran Planetarium. It features more than 5,000 stars, nebulae, galaxies and planets. The Gallery of gems and jewelry showcases more than 1,500 dazzling objects. Other exhibits include dinosaurs, armored fish and sharks. Discovery Center and live animal also are offered.  216-231-4600   800-317-9155   www.cmnh.org

Western Reserve Historical Society is housed in two early 20^th-century mansions built in the Italian Renaissance style. The society offers challenging exhibits including an auto-aviation collection, a historical museum and a library.

Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum has nearly 200 antiques, vintage and classical vehicles. Displays trace the evolution of the automobile 1895-1981.

A late 1890s cobblestone street portrays the horseless carriage era with a blacksmith shop, stores, barbershop, pharmacy, saloon and tobacco shop.

The History Museum explores the history of Northeast Ohio . Guided tours of hay-McKinney mansion describe the family’s early 1900s lifestyle.

The research Library has books and manuscripts related to African-Americans, Jewish, Ohio Labor and general American history with emphasis on the Civil War and 19^th century publications. Family history research is featured.  216-721-5722   www.wrhs.org

Lake View Cemetery is Cleveland ’s Outdoor Museum and Arboretum-not your ordinary resting place.

The James A. Garfield Monument is the final resting place of the 20^th president of U.S. and his family. This memorial was paid for by contributions from citizens of U.S. and dedicated in 1890. It rests on the highest point in the Cemetery. Also, John D. Rockefeller and Eliot Ness are buried here.   216-421-2415   www.lakeviewcemetery.com

My visit coincided with University Circle ’s “Parade the Circle Celebration.” This fabulous, free community event features fun for the entire family, beginning with a dazzling parade at noon . Entertainment, food and hands-on activities help make the day memorable.  www.clevelandart.org   www.universitycircle.org

DINING OPPORTUNITIES

Located adjacent to university Circle, Little Italy features more than 30 art galleries that showcase local and national artists. We dined at Guarino’s. It was the first Italian restaurant in Cleveland and arguably the first Italian restaurant in the state of Ohio . The menu consisted of Southern Italian cuisine including veal, chicken, fish and pasta served in large portions.  216-231-3100

The House of Blues Cleveland Sunday Gospel Brunch was spiritually uplifting and gastronomic delight. An all-you-can eat buffet featured breakfast favorites plus a host of Southern inspired specialties including: slow-cooked ribs, Creole jambalaya and white chocolate banana bread pudding.

Every Sunday, different gospel groups from around the region perform live on stage. The music is energetic and did indeed bring crowd to their feet. A whole lot of roof-raising music was going on!   216-523-BLUE   www.hob.com/cleveland

In the outskirts of Cleveland , Madison , Chalet Debonne’ Vineyards/Winery offered our dining experience in their signature wine cellar. Food was delicious and wine superb. So much fun in this private hide-away!

The Debonne’ family created this winery to establish world-class standards in the Lake Erie & Grand River Valley District. They were successful in establishing one of the most successful wineries in the Mid West.  800-424-3485    440-466-3485   www.debonne.com

IF YOU GO

Accommodations: The new Marriott Cleveland East was a most  comfortable and enjoyable property. The staff was top notch!  800-533-0162   216-755-1901  www.clevelandmarriotteast.com

Airline: Continental Airline offers more non-stops to more places than anyone else in the Cleveland area.  800-523-FARE    www.Continental.com

Tourist Information: Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland   216-621-555   216-621-4110  800-321-1004  800-321-1001  www.travelcleveland.com  Information hotline: 800-323-2787

Cleveland Sightseeing Tours with Lolly the Trolley are fully narrated, informative and fun! They offer 1 hour tours-a brief overview of Cleveland and 2 hour tours-an in-depth look at Cleveland covering 100 points of interest.  216-771-4484   800-848-0173   www.lollytrolley.com

Lolly Trolly

Painted Guitars

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage

Elliot Ness Grave