The Under-The-Radar Destination In Cleveland With The Most Beautiful Fall Foliage In The State
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Nikki Rhoades
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In the bustling city center of Downtown Cleveland, there’s a surprising array of public attractions to help locals keep active. In addition to a slew of public attractions like metropolitan parks and the Cleveland Metroparks district, locals also love the urban walking and biking trails throughout the city. Immersing hikers in surprisingly beautiful Forest City foliage and providing an active alternative to commuting on the city’s public transit, each urban trail in Cleveland is a great resource worth taking advantage of. Today, we’re going to take a visit to a route you’ve likely driven past without even knowing it had a name… and you’re going to love this area in the autumn months!
Donated to the city in 1896, this long, narrow municipal park isnt quite like any other park in Cleveland. Designed for walking and leisure, this pleasant park has captivated visitors for over a century.
The park was actually donated by John D. Rockefeller as a 100th birthday present to the city of Cleveland. This East Side park stretches from the Shaker Heights area to Gordon Park, intersecting University Circle and touching a number of other Cleveland neighborhoods along the way.
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If you've never heard of this iconic Clevelander, you're in for a treat! This lifelong local was a four-time Olympic
gold medalist in track and field, and an unforgettable one at that. He was considered the “World’s Fastest
Man” in 1948! If that wasn't enough, he is also a veteran and a prominent local. He served in the all-Black U.S. Army 92nd Division, got involved with the Cleveland e Board of Education, and then spent his days following and writing about Cleveland sports.
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The Cleveland Cultural Gardens are a step back in time. The very first garden, the Shakespeare Garden (now the British Garden) was unveiled in 1916 to much fanfare. This ethereal beauty has only expanded since then, growing to include distinct gardens that nod to the various cultures that build up Cleveland's diverse population.
Personally, I don't disagree! This route is one of my favorite walks in the entire city. Some of the gardens feel a bit like ancient ruins, thanks in part to intricate stonework and masaterful bronze statues. I always tell locals to pay a trip to the Cleveland Cultural Gardens in each season, because its ambiance changes depending on what's in bloom.
Doan Brook, like Dugway Brook, is a surprising natural feature in one of the busiest parts of the city. Doan Brook and its sister spring belong to the Dugway Brook Watershed, draining local runoff as a Lake Erie tributary. The brook exists in a unique morphological zone between the Appalachian Highlands and Central Lowlands, and it was formed some 14,000 years ago. Hard to believe something so mundane could be so ancient!
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With a wide variety of landscaping styles, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens offer visitors a chance to explore the world without ever leaving Cleveland. You'll learn about places near and far, getting glimpses into international elements of beauty along the way.
Despite the falling leaves, the park remains well-manicured and clean. It's almost hard to believe how clean Rockefeller Park is, as it's right alongside one of the busiest, most tourist-heavy districts in the city.
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Take the time to read plaques, admire the winding stone walls, and climb the hand-cut stairs throughout the park. While you're here, life moves at a slower, more peaceful pace.
The Italian Cultural Garden, where this fountain is located, is probably my favorite garden in Rockefeller Park. Combined with autumnal hues, this pretty spot truly feels like a fairytale destination.
And it intersects with Cleveland history in a unique sort of way! From the story of the Cultural Gardens to one local Olympian, there's so much more than initially meets the eye along this urban trail in Cleveland.
This little-known urban trail in Cleveland is so worth a visit! Surrounded by beauty and foliage, this city-based hike is always a good time. If you are planning on visiting, don’t be afraid to take it slow… there’s tons to see in the area, and you’ll pass several photo-worthy spots.
Looking for another incredible historic hike in Cleveland? You’ll want to check out the Towpath Trail, which stretches at over 100 miles in total length.
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