--- Kayaking on the Rocky River and relaxing on the beach ---: recommended
For a fun early August activity, my BF and I went kayaking on the Rocky River. The place we picked pretty much placed the kayaks in the water and pointed us in the right direction. Lucky for us, we went out on a day when there were 3 to 4 foot waves out on the lake. We wound down the river to where it opened up into Lake Erie, and we were daring enough to go just a bit farther out and ride some great waves. Usually you can go out as far as you'd like onto the lake.
Price: about $25 per kayak
Time: approx. 1 to 2 hours (not limited)
http://www.kayak41north.com/
After kayaking, we hit up the beach in Edgewater and just laid around like beach bums. The sand is a little rough and even though the waves were rough that day I don't think I would have gone in the water. But as far as quality beach bumming, it hit the spot. There was also a long pier and picnic areas. Not to mention, this was a great place to view downtown Cleveland.
Price: $0
Time: as long as you like
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/tabid/721/Default.aspx
Edgewater Park © 2008
I invited my sister, brother-in-law, and their two kids up for a weekend in August so we needed some family fun activities. We walked from downtown to the West Side market and shopped for some yummy treats to cook for dinner. The walk was long, but we took the Hope Memorial Bridge and the view wasn't that bad. The market was buzzing and the produce prices are great. The meat was fantastic, but the prices weren't anything to write home about.
Price: $40-50
Time: 3 hours
http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/government/departments/parksrecprop/prpcwsm/index.asp
West Side Market © 2008
After trekking back to my apartment building downtown, we all decided to put our market goodies in the fridge and catch an early game at Progressive Field. It was really hot out, but a good time was had by all. But it certainly wasn't as good a game as the Sept. 19th night game complete with a Grady Sizemore in sky-blue Cadillac bobblehead giveaway, a bean brawl between Fausto Carmona and Gary Sheffield, and the best fireworks I have ever seen.
Price: $14 a ticket for upper deck box seats
Time: approx. 3 to 4 hours
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/cle/ballpark/index.jsp
Progressive Field © 2008
--- Apple Picking ---: not really recommended
I was told that apple picking is a pretty big deal up here, so I looked around for a bit and found a place: Patterson Farm. The day we went was a little gloomy looking so I guess the farm only opened up its auxillary orchard, which was basically just several rows of labeled apple "bushes." I guess I was expected trees with ladders and baskets to put the apples in, barrels and barrels of cider, an assortment of apple goodies, tractors . . . you know, the works. No ladders (ok, from a liability perspective I understand), no cider (that was a big disappointment), and only one sad little tractor carting people around the seven or so rows of apple bushes. But, the apples were tasty and I guess mid-September is prime apple picking time. The activity was fun but I'd recommend another place if you're a bells-and-whistles type of person like I am (or at least going to the main orchard - even though we didn't get a chance to see what it looked like).
Price: about $5 for a good-size bag of assorted apples
Time: 1.5 hours (not limited)
http://www.pattersonfarm.com/
--- Spa ---: recommended
I've tried two spots so far for spa services: Marengo Spa in the Arcade and Ladies & Gentlemen in Legacy Village. I got a mani/pedi and bikini wax at Marengo and really liked the technicians and staff. It's usually not packed because it's in downtown Cleveland, but you should still make an appointment. The BF went in for a haircut and was not very pleased.
Price: on the higher side (depends on service)
Time: depends on service
http://www.marengospa.com/
I decided to get a bang trim at Ladies & Gentlemen (highly recommended by my Aveda hair stylist at my last salon). I was very please with the look and the stylist I had, but again it was only a bang trim. The jury is still out on this place.
http://www.ladiesgentlemen.com/
--- Bikram Yoga ---: recommended
I had done your basic yoga classes before and found them a little less than challenging. I was SO pleased to find a yoga studio up here that does Bikram Yoga. The studio is inside of a shopping centre, but the intructor on Sundays is great and there's a store attached to the studio to stock up on all of the latest yoga gear. The only downside is that the class starts at 8:45 on Sunday mornings, but it makes my Sundays feel like they last forever.
Price: $17 a class ($15 is you purchase 5, 10, or 25 class passes)
Time: 1.5 hours
http://www.evolutionyogastudio.com/
--- Happy Hours ---: recommended (depending on location)
A group of friends and I try to get together once every other week for a Thursday night happy hour. So far, we've gone to Divine Wine Bar, Great Lakes Brewing Co., and The Market Cafe. The only place that was kind of dead was Market Cafe, which only served tapas anyway (but they had great ice cream). Divine was great: the food was tasty and they have a wide variety of wine flights. Great Lakes Brewing in Tremont was a really fun early fall spot (even if the Christie's strip club bus kept circling the block). A word of warning, though: the pretzel chicken is not as exciting as it sounds.
Price: varied
Time: 2 to 3 hours (not limited)
http://www.dvinewinebar.com/
http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/
http://www.themarketcafeandwinebar.com/
Great Lakes Brewing Company © 2008
--- Bowling. No, I'm serious! ---: recommended
The BF and I tried out Corner Alley in the East Fourth neighborhood. Corner Alley is a cross between your typical bowling alley pimped out with huge TV screens at the end of the lanes, a restaurant portion, and lots of drinks. The service wasn't great, but the food was decent. The bowling was a blast and a good idea for a date or a night out with your friends.
Price: $35 for a lane for one hour and shoes
Time: 1 hour
http://www.thecorneralley.com/
Corner Alley/East Fourth Neighborhood © 2008
--- Brunch, a movie at the Cedar Lee Theater, and a stroll in the park ---: recommended
This weekend, the BF and I grabbed a quick lunch at FirstWatch in the University Square area on Cedar Road (note: definitely try the granola/banana pancakes!) before catching a matinee at the Cedar Lee Theater (both mainstream and indie films). If you're one of THOSE people, you'll be happy to know that Cedar Lee plays The Rocky Horror Picture Show every 1st Saturday of the month.
After the movie, we took a stroll in the nearby Forrest Hill Park. It's a great time of year for a walk in the park with the leaves changing and a nice crisp chill in the air. We walked a short path and then sat and relaxed on one of the many picnic benches to take in a riveting game of kickball.
Price: $6 for adult matinee movie tickets
Time: approx. 4 hours (not limited)
http://www.clevelandcinemas.com/cinemadrilldown.asp?incCin=2921
http://www.chuh.net/chhistory/places/foresthill.html
---------
So that brings us up to present. By far, one of my favorite activities is just walking down to the lake near the Rock Hall (which I visited twice before moving to Cleveland and also recommend going to at least once). My favorite water-side spot are the big steps on the East 9th Street Pier just down from the Rock Hall; I like to sit and watch the boats go by.
East 9th Street Pier ©2008Stay tuned for more hidden fun in Cleveland!
2 comments:
Nice blog! :) Very informative, with links and all. I coulda used this for my one and only sojourn to Cleveland a year ago. Next time I guess!
IN YOUR TOWN!!!!!!!!
Post a Comment