12 Reasons Why Cleveland Is The Most Unique City In America
By Nikki Rhoades|Updated on October 02, 2022(Originally published September 27, 2022)
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
As an eclectic city with a long history, Cleveland is bound to be home to some unique attractions and people in the world. We’ve been hiding our splendor from the world under the sarcastic guise of “The Mistake On The Lake,” but it’s common knowledge to us Clevelanders that our city is something truly special. In fact, locals could even argue that Cleveland is the most unique city in the country… and they’d be right. There are many things that make us a unique city, but these 12 items are perhaps the most noteworthy:
1. We like to maintain a healthy amount of local lore.
From the tortured soul of Joc-O-Sot to the iconic "black tears" that streak down the Haserot Angel's face, there is an incredible collection of legends hailing from Cleveland's past. Generation after generation pass these stories down, preserving in them an aspect of our own culture that we don't even realize is important. Even in our most ridiculous legends are little pieces of what makes Cleveland so special, and we think that's worth keeping alive.
2. You can spot structures in our city that you aren't likely to find anywhere else in the world.
The Free Stamp is one of our most infamous structures, mostly because many Clevelanders look upon its existence with disdain. Regardless of our love-hate relationship with this iconic monument, we can admit that we probably won't encounter another giant rubber stamp during our travels.
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3. Cleveland is the real birthplace of the Last Son of Krypton.
You may have heard that Superman was born on Krypton, but the truth is that he was born right here in Cleveland to the great minds of high school students writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. It seems fitting that an All-American icon comes from a classic city like Cleveland.
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4. Cleveland has a history of aiming for the stars.
Cleveland's Glenn Research Center is one of ten places in the nation where NASA develops new technology for use in aeronautics and space exploration. Our own research center dates back to 1942, way before space travel was on the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics' radar. Though this facility is fairly easy to overlook, it generates an annual $700 million in economic activity.
5. Holiday cheer throughout the nation can trace its roots to Cleveland.
Cleveland is the headquarters of American Greetings, the greeting card company that has brought people closer together for generations. Despite 112 years of business, the company remains family-owned.
No matter what you're craving, you can find it in Cleveland. From hot dogs piled high with Froot Loops to traditional pierogies just like your Slavic baba used to make, we've got a bit of everything you could ask for in a foodie town.
We love a bit of kooky fun, and Cleveland is overflowing with epic places where we can indulge in the bizarre. From the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft to the Dittrick Medical Museum, there are plenty of places that effortlessly allow Clevelanders the opportunity to embrace the delightfully weird.
8. Cleveland is the birthplace and continuous home of rock and roll.
DJ Alan Freed is credited with using the term "rock and roll" as early as 1951 on local radio station WJW, making Cleveland the birthplace of a musical revolution. The presence of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame ensures that we celebrate that reputation and act as the modern home of the genre.
Pictured here is Margaret Hamilton, perhaps best known as The Wicked Witch Of The West. Hamilton was born in Cleveland in 1902 and grew up performing in the city. You may also recognize the name Jesse Owens, the Olympic gold medalist who first gained recognition while a high school track student here in Cleveland, or James Abram Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, who was born and raised in Greater Cleveland. And, of course, the city is also home to you and me, proving that Cleveland produces some unique and driven personalities!
10. Cleveland has been influenced and shaped by cultures from all around the world.
Intercultural exchange is evident everywhere one looks, from the architecture to our cuisine. Cleveland is a city that loves to celebrate its roots, which have been immortalized in the Cultural Gardens of Rockefeller Park.
There is so much love, in fact, that the first Sweetest Day was celebrated here in 1921. During that celebration, the biggest celebrities of the day handed out candy to locals. Today, the holiday has more of a romantic connotation and is celebrated throughout the Midwest.
It's undeniable. We have a bit of everything here in Cleveland, and we truly adore our hometown.
There is no place in the world like Cleveland, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We love our zany city and everything that it entails, and locals adore that our city has a tendency to lean toward the unusual and bizarre. Life in The Land is fun, and our unique cityscape ensures that we are never ever bored.
For more on Cleveland’s unique attractions, find out why it made the National Geographic Traveler’s Best of The World list. When you visit, be sure to stay at some of the most unique accommodations that you’ll find anywhere. From haunted hotels to a mansion stay at the sprawling Glidden House, Cleveland has it all. Cleveland rocks!
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What are the unique things to do in Cleveland?
Cleveland is home to so many things it can call its own. The Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse turns into an icy sculpture every winter looking like something out of a Game of Thrones episode. The Holden Arboretum is full of unique trees and has works from manly local artists. You can wander around inside an actual castle at Squire's Castle, which was once an oil executive's home.
What foods are made only in Cleveland?
Cleveland is becoming a haven for excellent, tasty foods. The city is known for Polish heritage and Pierogi is a local favorite, especially when you get them in Polish Village. If you like a good deli, Slyman's makes mountainous corned beef sandwiches that you may have to split into two meals! If you like donuts. Jack Frost Donuts has been serving up various flavors of this delectable delicacy since 1937.
What festivals are unique to Cleveland?
Cleveland has so much to do and has no shortage of amazing festivals. Every labor Day weekend, locals gather at St. Rocco's Festival to savor Italian food, enjoy live music, and visit an Italian villa. Polish culture is huge in Cleveland and St. Stans Polish Festival brings people together every October in the gorgeous St. Stanislaus church where they indulge in delicious comfort foods and are treated to live music. Don't forget about Dyngus Day, with polka, Polish delicacies, and all sorts of fun!
