There is no place in the world quite like Cleveland. Sure, we’ve been on the receiving end of some nasty jokes over the years (if you have found yourself joking about the “Mistake on The Lake” thing, we’re looking at you…), but Clevelanders know that the city is truly an incredible place. It is even home to some world-class attractions:
1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
CVNP is a great source of local pride, and it certainly deserves to be. It's an incredible cultural site and one of the most-visited national parks in the nation. The park consists of approximately 33,000 acres, and its landmass hides amazing historic destinations like the Canal Exploration Center at Lock 38 and the only remaining covered bridge in Summit County.
2. The Cleveland Museum of Art
Our local art museum is actually among the finest in the world. It has a collection that is world-renowned, particularly in its Asian and Egyptian collections. In fact, this famous museum once worked hand-in-hand with one of the most famous archaeologists of all time; Howard Carter, remembered best for discovering the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, worked on behalf of the Cleveland Museum of Art to procure artifacts for their galleries.
3. The Museum of Divine Statues
There is nowhere else in the country quite like this Greater Cleveland museum. As churches closed around the region, The Museum of Divine Statues swooped in to rescue their loveliest works of art. They preserved these stunning statues that would have otherwise gone to churches outside of the region, removing an interesting piece of local culture. However, the collection has grown to include items from all over the world since it opened. To make this museum even more impressive, it is set in the stunning environment of the former St. Hedwig Church.
4. The General Electric Chandelier
Playhouse Square itself is notable as the second largest theater district in the nation, but at the heart of this cultural haven is a sparkling gem that you just can't miss. This giant structure speaks volumes about Cleveland's influence as a supporter of the arts and as a steel magnate, and it just so happens to be the largest permanent outdoor chandelier in the world. It can sustain up to 32,000 lbs. of added weight! You can learn more about this local landmark
here .
5. The Cultural Gardens of Rockefeller Park
In 2016, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens celebrated their 100th birthday. Over its lifetime, Rockefeller Park has seen a variety of stunningly landscaped gardens pop up across its 250 acres. The elegance of areas like the Italian and Hungarian Gardens attracts locals, surprising them with an international history lesson disguised as a beautiful statue garden.
6. The Cleveland Metroparks
The Cleveland Metroparks are overflowing with charm. Each and every one of its parks and reservations is spectacularly beautiful, featuring a unique ecosystem and the occasional cultural site or two. On several occasions, the Metroparks have earned the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, and it is plain to see why. This collection of parks is one of a kind, and it can only be found here in the best location in the nation.
7. Detroit Shoreway
Detroit Shoreway is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Cleveland, and its diversity makes it a standout destination. Located on the West Side between the lake and I-90, this charming neighborhood is overflowing with personality. Featuring upscale dining, excellent entertainment venues, and incredible urban art (such as the Edgewater Hill Blue Bird project by LAND Studio, pictured above), there is no place in the world quite like this incredible community.
8. Heinen's Downtown
Heinen's Grocery Store has long delighted Northeast Ohioans with fresh produce. The Heinen family has been serving the area since 1929, which you can read more about
here . In 2015, the company grew to include a store Downtown, which moved into the exquisite Cleveland Trust Company Building. Now, it's rotunda houses an incredible supermarket, which is perhaps the most beautiful in the world.
9. Severance Hall
Severance Hall is an architectural gem, overflowing with the splendor of our vastly expanding industrial city at the time of construction. Today it continues to house the Cleveland Orchestra, regarded as one of the finest in the world. The ambiance and sounds of this enchanting landmark will leave you mesmerized.
These incredible destinations are some of Cleveland’s most famous, and their reputations are well reserved. What do you consider to be Cleveland’s most famous attraction? Tell us in the comments below!
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