The Northeast Ohio climate is versatile enough to potentially throw off a Clevelander's day or week. Snow and rain frequently batter America's North Coast, but fortunately, there is a tropical getaway hidden in The Land that can make the hustle and bustle of city life feel a thousand miles away. Your inner pirate won't mind enduring the cold (or admiring the Lake Erie sunset if the weather decides to cooperate that day) after a visit to this carefree paradise for your taste buds:
Welcome to Cleveland's famous Porco Lounge & Tiki Room.
Ohio City features some incredible attractions, ranging from the West Side Market to breweries, pubs, and sweet shops. For our Ohio City itinerary, click here.
The best part? This restaurant paradise is open late.
You've just found the best way to unwind after a long day at work. Stop by Monday through Thursday between 5 p.m. and midnight or Fridays and Saturdays between 4 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.
Are you ready to experience paradise from the comfort of your own hometown?
There is so much to love in Cleveland, but it's almost easy to forget that the city's location lends it a bit of nautical heritage. Mementos from sea-faring excursions and a menu that would please a pirate help make the Porco Lounge & Tiki Room feel like paradise. Cleveland's culture will feel even more upbeat after a visit to this spectacular neighborhood.
Taking a road trip through Northeast Ohio? A Cleveland scavenger hunt would make things so much more interesting. You see, we've got a distinct local culture that has manifested in identifiable marks on the landscape. Our personality comes through in and around the city, and you'll know it when you see it... but these ten things absolutely scream "Cleveland."
We'll start our scavenger hunt off with an easy one: A Tim Misny ad. This guy's branding is so strong that locals only need to see his iconic eyebrow cock to think, "Tim Misny makes them pay." From billboards to bus stop posters, this guy is all over The Land. I've even seen locals joke online that future archaeologists will eventually assume that Misny was the King of Cleveland, once upon a time.
As the birthplace of rock and roll, Cleveland has a certain reputation to maintain. That's part of the reason why GuitarMania was born, though the trend has arguably expanded beyond just the one style of guitar. All throughout Northeast Ohio, giant guitars are likely to pop up. Whether they're out in the open as a public art display or tucked away inside some local building, you're bound to encounter one somewhere!
In and around Cleveland, the Cleveland Metroparks span over 25,000 acres. That's 18 massive reservations, dozens of parks, and hundreds of miles of trails. Mostly located in Cuyahoga County with one reservation down in Medina County, you're likely to encounter a Cleveland Metroparks sign or two as you're roadtripping through the area. And if you do spot one, pull over and spend some time in nature! Time spent in the Emerald Necklace is always memorable.
I have family members who have since moved out of the area who still stock up on Mr. Hero when they're back in town. This iconic Cleveland restaurant got its start in 1965, and it's headquartered in Middleburg Heights to this day. This specialty sandwich shop is beloved by many locals, with Romanburgers and those iconic Waffer Fries falling firmly into the comfort food category. If you see one during your travels, be sure to make a stop!
Throughout Cleveland, we have six signs to remind us where we live. (Just kidding... mostly.) These iconic, picture-perfect signs are typically located in super scenic locations, so they're fun to seek out. Strike a pose, snap a photo, and get ready to turn your masterpiece into next year's Christmas card.
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6. The Guardians of Traffic (or a likeness of the Guardians)
Art deco and eye-catching, the Guardians of Traffic are more famous now than ever before. Why? Well, we rebranded our local MLB team in their honor! Since 1932, these massive structures have stood on the Hope Memorial Bridge, overlooking the city skyline. They're visible from the highway, but they're also a topic of local art. Whether you're spotting them on Cleveland merch or a local billboard, you'll know you're in The Land when you see these guys watching over your safe travels.
I just love these things! They're all over the state, but they're especially plentiful in a place like Cleveland where history was made over and over again. From heart-wrenching to jaw-dropping stories, these brown plaques preserve a slice of local history at every location where they're present. You won't regret taking some time to read the story on them!
Cleveland has star-studded roots, as many movies have been filmed here. I've had family members make appearances on the big screen as a result, from The Deer Hunter's wedding scene in St. Theodosius to game scenes in Shooting Stars. Before you take a trip through Cleveland, be sure to watch a few movies filmed here to see if you can spot some of the iconic locations in them. Some cult classics like A Christmas Story might be ones you're already familiar with!
Speaking of movies filmed in Cleveland... these things have, oddly, become a source of local pride. It's not at all unusual to spot these beauties sitting in local windows, preserved in area art, or mixed in amidst the decorations at Cleveland restaurants. Keep your eyes peeled for leg lamps as you're traveling through Cleveland!
In some way, shape, or form, you're bound to encounter pierogies in Cleveland. These delicious dumplings are a local specialty, and many area restaurants tout them with bold signage. Heck, many local business operate around pierogies. It's worth stopping and grabbing a meal if you see pierogies around... nobody does them quite like Clevelanders.
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This fun Cleveland scavenger hunt will make local road trips and adventures so much more interesting! How many of these do you think you encounter on any given day? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Want to expand your local bucket list? There are over 27 top-rated attractions clustered together, making local adventure effortless.
Lake Erie is a stunning sight that we, believe it or not, sometimes forget about. When you see it daily, it becomes a familiar part of your routine and loses some of its ability to wow you with its majesty. Fortunately for Clevelanders, the entirety of Lake Erie's southern shore is abundant with parks that offer us new perspectives of the lake's beauty. Many of the parks are surprisingly close to home, and a quick visit as the sun is retreating into the horizon will restore in you incredible awe for this vast body of water. Fuel up the car, because we're about to go on an adventure featuring stops along the following Lake Erie drive.
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Prepare to immerse yourself in complete beauty, because this quick road trip will take you to the best parks on Lake Erie's southern shore.
Lakefront Reservation is, without a doubt, one of the more magical places in Greater Cleveland. Located right on Lake Erie's shore, this park along this Lake Erie scenic drive has gorgeous trails and swimming beaches. It's a splendid place to enjoy the seasonal migrations of birds and butterflies alike. This is a downright dreamy place to visit at dusk, as there's nothing like a Cleveland sunset.
Next up on our scenic drive to Lake Erie, we're headed into Euclid to take in the splendor of a little-known spot on the lakeshore. This park is petite, (at only about 32 acres in size), but birdwatchers and nature lovers covet it. The park's playground is fun for visiting children, but adults will find themselves wowed by the on-site English Tudor-style estate, Henn Mansion.
The appropriately named Sunset Park, along this Lake Erie scenic drive, out in Willoughby is a breath of fresh air. At only two acres in size, this is one park that's often overlooked by nature-loving locals. However, its stunning sloped bluff landscape offers one of the most spectacular views anywhere on the coast. The park also features swing benches, which provide a serene space to cozy up for a romantic evening.
At three acres in size, Overlook Beach Park is another site that's easily overlooked. However, its 375-foot-long beach offers a stunning way to spend the day in the sun. Much of this park along this Lake Erie drive is void of shade, meaning that you should certainly plan to bring sunscreen on your trip. Pack a picnic and dine in the lakefront gazebo, or wade in the water and feel the sand beneath your toes.
During your drive to Lake Erie, make sure to stop at Mentor. Mentor, as it turns out, is a splendid area to immerse yourself in lakefront beauty. This 13-acre park includes swings that face the lake, offering a lovely place to enjoy a little bit of the Lake Erie breeze.
The one-mile-long sandy beach of Headlands Beach State Park will leave you feeling like you've just spent the day somewhere tropical. As the largest natural beach in Ohio, this is a must-see site for nature lovers and sun-worshipers alike who plan to drive to Lake Erie. The beach is accented by the presence of plants that are usually only found on the Atlantic Coast, adding watercolor-like magic to the otherwise barren dunes.
This 37-acre park has entertained visitors since the 1920s and it has recently undergone renovations under the care and guidance of Lake Metroparks. This park on your Lake Erie scenic drive is always open, and every season decorates its landscape in a new and spectacular way. The water is too unpredictable here to swim, but fishers adore this Lake Erie fishing spot. There's nothing dreamier than a sunset strut down the park's 200-foot pier.
You'll find lakefront views, wetlands, and meadows throughout this magnificent 600-acre park. The appropriately named Lake Erie Bluffs features beach bluffs overlooking both sandy and cobble beaches, creating a dreamy place to hike, fish, and camp. Lovers of the great outdoors are hooked to this dreamy destination, which is why it's an ideal way to end this road scenic Lake Erie drive adventure.
We think a drive to Lake Erie is often the best medicine if you start to feel the pangs of cabin fever. If you agree, let us know which of these spectacular waterfront parks is your favorite. Let us know if you have any recommendations of where to stop when taking a Lake Erie drive too.
Can't get enough of the outdoors, but can't quite convince yourself to leave the amenities of home behind? Don't worry, you can find the best of both worlds when you go glamping near Cleveland. We also suggest checking out AllTrails if you'd like to spend more time outdoors when you're in the Cleveland area.
