Founded in 1796, there are lots of things to discover in Cleveland which is the seat of Cuyahoga County, Ohio’s most populous county. The greater Cleveland area, perched on the shores of Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River, is home to over two million people. Locals called “Clevelanders” have affectionate nicknames for their city, including “The North Coast” and “C-Town.”
There is a lot to do and see in Cleveland, so if you are moving to this busy city, discover the seven things that only the locals know about:
Asia Town
Located on Superior Avenue, represents Ohio’s largest concentration of Asian businesses, including over two dozen retailers, numerous restaurants, and the area’s largest Asian supermarket. A stop at the grocery will introduce you to preparations and ingredients for Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Thai, Laos, Korean, Japanese, and Indonesian cuisine. Should you prefer a “European touch,” Cleveland’s Little Italy, on the city’s east side, was originally settled in the 1800s. Restaurants, bakeries, art galleries and specialty shops exist shoulder to shoulder on the main thoroughfares. As a new resident, you’ll discover Cleveland isn’t one large city, but a collection of unique and interesting neighborhoods.
Rocky River and Bradstreet’s Landing
For a quiet getaway, head a few miles west of the city to Rocky River and Bradstreet’s Landing, a six-acre park on the shores of Lake Erie. A 600-foot pier juts out into the lake and attracts anglers from all over. The dog-friendly park has several picnic areas as well as hiking and biking trails.
West Side Market
Cleveland’s West Side Market opened in 1912 in grand quarters that features a 44 foot high tiled ceiling and a 140-foot tall clock tower. Home to nearly one hundred vendors, the market is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and offers artisan, craft, and specialty foods, including the freshest local meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, dairy, and prepared foods.
Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame
While everyone knows Cleveland is home to the world-famous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, insiders enjoy visiting the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame at 605 East 222nd Street in Euclid. It’s filled with artifacts and memorabilia dating back to 1900 that give due recognition to the popular music of the masses of early Slovenian immigrants.
Cleveland Metroparks
The Emerald Necklace of the Cleveland Metroparks is a large network of green spaces encircling the city. The park system spans over 21,000 acres with hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding, along with rivers and streams. Each park is unique, and they are extremely popular with the residents of Cleveland.
Amish Country
For a day or weekend away, head an hour south of the city to Amish Country, and visit shops that sell handcrafted wares and goods from Amish farmers. Tour local farms and dine at one of the many area restaurants serving Swiss and German family-style hearty home cooking.
Find just about any kind of cuisine
Whether you are looking for a fine dining experience, some wholesome pub food or gourmet dessert, your options are plentiful. Plus there are just as many budget-friendly options as there are expensive ones. From phenomenal rice noodle soups at Superior Pho to fantastic cheese plates at L’Albatro’s, you will be able to treat yourself to something special, without putting a huge dent in your paycheck.
Cleveland is a great choice for a move, and Unpakt is a great site to help you compare movers and lock in a guaranteed price!
