Memorial Day Weekend in CLE

STOP! Have you entered to win our Tall Ships Tall Flips weekend sweeps? Visit www.summerincle.com to enter and to learn more about, you guessed it, Summer in CLE!

It’s Memorial Day Weekend and festival season is finally upon us. This weekend, enjoy both the Marc’s Great American Rib Cook-off & Music Festival and the Tremont Greek Festival. When you’re finished with the fests, head over to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum to check out the opening of the new Rolling Stones exhibit, “Rolling Stones: 50 Years of Satisfaction”.

Marc’s Great American Rib Cook-off & Music Festival – Jacob’s Pavilion at the Nautica Entertainment Complex, Downtown Cleveland                     

This Memorial Day Weekend, head down to Jacob’s Pavilion and the Nautica Entertainment Complex and enjoy Northeast Ohio’s biggest and most popular backyard barbeque. Watch (and taste) as ten professional grilling teams from across the country engage in a fiercely delicious culinary battle for barbeque supremacy. As the barbeque battle rages on, enjoy the entertainment featuring rock and roll legends Rick Springfield, Buddy Guy and Bret Michaels along with Rocktopia, a unique concert experience that fuses the worlds of rock, classical music and opera featuring Northeast Ohio’s Contemporary Youth Orchestra and the Cleveland School of Arts Choir. For tickets and information, call 216.622.6558 or visit www.marcs.com/Fresh-Savings/Promotions/Marc-s-Rib-Cook-Off-and-Music.aspx.

Tremont Greek Festival – Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Tremont

‘It’s all Greek to you.’ All weekend long, head over to the Annunciation Green Orthodox Church in Tremont to experience an authentic Greek cultural and culinary event.  From Baklava to Mousaka, the Tremont Greek Festival features many culinary delights for you to enjoy. After eating, make sure to watch the energetic and beautiful Greek dancers, enjoy the live music and take the kids over to the games corner.  For tickets and information, call 216.861.0116 or visit www.tremontgreekfest.com.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Presents, “Rolling Stones: 50 Years of Satisfaction” – Downtown Cleveland

This weekend, experience the opening of the new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum exhibit, “Rolling Stones: 50 Years of Satisfaction.”  This one-of-a-kind exhibit tells the inside story of the Rolling Stones’ history, music, world tours and their creative process. Get in touch with the band that shaped the world’s view on what rock and roll is. For tickets and information call 216.515.1277 or visit www.rockhall.com/exhibits/rolling-stones-50-years-of-satisfaction.

More Events
Cleveland Orchestra, Tchaikovsky Fifth at Severance Hall- 5/24
Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off – 5/24-27
MAC Baseball Tournament at All Pro Freight Stadium- 5/24-25
There is a Happiness That Morning Is at Cleveland Public Theater – 5/24-25
Guys and Dolls at Hannah Theatre - 5/24-26
Lake County Captains vs. West Michigan Whitecaps at Classic Park  – 5/25-27

More Exhibits
Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller: The Paradise Institute at MOCA thru 6/9
Kate Gilmore at MOCA thru 6/9
Dark Stars at MOCA thru 8/25
Sharkabet! A Sea of Sharks from A to Z at Cleveland Museum of Natural Historythru – 9/1
Tantra in Buddhist Art at Cleveland Museum of Art thru 9/15
Spots of Light: To Be a Woman in the Holocaust at Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage 5/24 – 6/9

To search our event calendar visit www.positivelycleveland.com/play/events. Questions, comments or weekend suggestions? Tweet us @positivelycleve.

– Chris Moore 

Dining on the Ship Decks

As the sun begins to set and reflect its summer hues onto the windows of Cleveland’s skyline, there’s no better dinner table in Cleveland than those aboard the well-known sightseeing and dining cruise vessels.

Goodtime III

The Goodtime III, Cleveland’s largest sightseeing vessel, is known for its narrated cruises of the Cuyahoga River and the downtown Cleveland lakefront. In the evening, the Goodtime III’s 6:30pm evening departure features a full dinner buffet. Afterwards, visitors can stick around for late-night dancing on the lake, with a live band on the main deck and a disc jockey cranking out music on deck two. This four-deck ship, which can accommodate up to 1,000 guests, has a spacious top sun deck, perfect to enjoy the unparalleled scenery and summertime air, as well as an air-conditioned lower lounge.

Running Tuesday – Saturday from June 15 through Labor Day, the Goodtime III offers comprehensive two-hour overviews of Cleveland’s waterways on standard narrated tour at noon and 3pm, as well as narrated lunch cruises and Sunday brunch offerings. Additionally, they offer “Rush Hour” Happy Hour cruises on Fridays and special events for occasions such as Father’s Day and the Fourth of July.

Nautica Queen

Located on the Cuyahoga River in the Flats District, the Nautica Queen features a variety of theme cruises and special events – all of which feature buffet lunch or dinner dining options as guests glide along the lake and soak in the spectacular skyline views. Monday through Saturday the vessel offers both lunch and sunset cruises, and Sunday offers mid-afternoon brunch.

Visitors especially love their themed events such as Wednesdays “Tropical night,” bringing the tastes and sounds of far-off seas and emerald islands to this corner of the Great Lakes, while Friday nights are set aside for dinner and tastings as a part of the weekly “Wine on the Water” event. For visitors interested in Lake Erie lore, the Nautica Queen’s Friday “Legends of Lake Erie” lunch cruises held from June through October, treat guests to tales of sunken treasure, ghost stories and shipwrecks galore.

So, no matter the time of day or the vessel, sometimes the best table in the city is one that’s rocking on the waves of Lake Erie.

– April Ingle

Cleveland Food Festivals

Pick a weekend in Cleveland, and visitors can find a chance to boogie with bagpipers, drift downriver on dragonboats, “mangia” manicotti and more. With such an appreciation and celebration of the 117 different ethnicities that make up our region, it’s not just Cleveland, Ohio… it’s more like Cleveland, World.

May – September: Throughout the summer months, Cleveland’s gourmet cuisine on wheels comes together for Walnut Wednesdays. Nearly a dozen of the area’s most popular food trucks gather in downtown’s NineTwelve District for delicious food, live music and an enjoyable mid-day break.

May 11: The Kamm’s Corners neighborhood recently introduced a new type of ethnic celebration to Cleveland. The Hooley (an Irish slang term for “party”) brings together the community for day of music, pipes and drummers, Irish dancers and food vendors galore. The inaugural year brought out more the 15,000 attendees for a block party like none other.

May 25 – 28: Each year on Memorial Day weekend, families head to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in the Tremont Neighborhood for delicious traditional dishes such as moussaka and hours of Greek music and dancing at the Tremont Greek Festival.

May18 – 19: In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month the region’s Asian community hosts the annual Cleveland Asian Festival, a weekend of fun for the entire family. With cultural performances, martial arts demonstrations, children’s activities, authentic Asian cuisine, trolley tours and fun competitions, this festival is quickly becoming a “not-to-be-missed” summer activity.

May 24 – 27: Get the bib ready for some lip-smacking, finger-licking fun at the Berea National Rib Cook-Off at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. Rib masters battle it out to provide some of the tastiest ribs in town with other events for kids, themed nights and a slew of favorite local bands.

May 24 – 27: Taste all of the delicious barbeque goodness provided when grill pros go head-to-head to earn best ribs in the land during the Marc’s Annual Great American Rib Cook-off and Music Festivalat Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica.

June 8: A free community arts celebration, Parade the Circle incorporates the drama and artistry of handmade colorful floats (no motorized vehicles, though), giant puppets, bright costumes, handmade masks, stilt-walkers, dancers and musicians. Held in University Circle, the nation’s most concentrated square mile of arts and cultural institutions, the event draws more than 60,000 people every year.

June 14 – 16: Attendees choose from more than 200 wine samples from around the world while learning about new and exciting varieties from the experts at the Cleveland Wine Festival, located at Voinovich Park in downtown Cleveland. Some of the region’s best restaurants and caterers are on-hand selling their signature dishes.

June 20 – 22: At the 35^th Annual Ohio Scottish Games on the Lorain County Fairgrounds, traditional musicians compete head to head in solo piping and drumming, pipe bans, harping fiddling and highland dancing. As a one-day escape to the highlands, visitors are immersed in traditional Scottish culture with massed bagpipe bands, along with art displays and traditional food. The weekend also features Clan Village where heritage clans and societies gather to assist the general public with family, genealogy and membership questions pertaining to their clan/society.

June 28 – 30: The community of Lorain located west of Cleveland, hosts a week-long annual International Festival and Bazaar to celebrate various nationalities and cultures. Along with authentic music, live performances and costumes, a three-day bazaar features more than 40 food vendors and craft booths with products from native lands.

July 11: A not-to-be-missed summer event great for the whole family is the Taste of Tremont. For the past ten years, this art and culinary-centric neighborhood throws a massive street fair to showcase all the best that Tremont has to taste.

July19 – 21: The Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival seeks to preserve, memorialize and document Irish history and traditions. The festival includes more than 20 performers on nine stages, a multitude of exhibits and Irish vendors. From traditional Celtic dancers, pipe bands and harpists to massive rock bands, the festival truly exemplifies the spirit of the Irish community.

July: Help Cleveland celebrate environmental awareness with great music, incredible food and a frothy pint of Great Lakes Brewing Company beer during the Great Lakes Burning River Festival. Held at the historic Coast Guard Station on Whiskey Island, this festival features educational exhibitors who raise awareness of environmental issues affecting the region.

August 2- 3: Vintage Ohio Wine Festival, an annual wine festival held at Lake Farmpark, features the latest and greatest offerings by some of Ohio’s best vineyards. Besides all the wonderful wine, visitors can enjoy the fabulous food offered by participating restaurants with menu items ranging from $3-$10. Also experience great music, entertainment, crafters, exhibitors and cooking demonstrations.

August 15 – 18: Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood is famous for its annual four-day festival, Feast of the Assumption. The throughout the weekend, affectionately called “The Feast,” the streets are shut down and all the family-owned Italian eateries bring their menu to the streets where more than 100,000 people visit just to get a taste.

August 17 – 18: During The National Hamburger Festival, at Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron, burger fans in goggles bob for foam hamburger patties in a kiddie pool full of ketchup. This delicious weekend celebration features many fan favorites, such as burger cook-off events, Hamburger Eating competition, the Miss Hamburger Pageant and more.

August 30 – Sept. 2: The Cleveland Labor Day Oktoberfest honors German culture with a beer-stein holding contest, a nationally-recognized marionette company, wiener dog races and more. The scale of Europeans foods, microbrews, exhibits and vendors participating in the festival is of Germanic proportions. The festival takes place at the Cuyahoga County fairgrounds all weekend long.

August: The City of Cleveland has hosted the Puerto Rican Parade and Latino festival for more than 40 years. The activities highlight the Latino community’s rich music, foods, folklore and splendor.  Stunning floats and costumes line the city streets for a spectacular conclusion to the weekend-long festival.

Sept. 7 – 8: Shaker Square, home to the ever-popular North Union Farmers Market, once again becomes the place to be for “all things garlic” in the region during the Cleveland Garlic Festival. Attendees, armed with breath mints, enjoy garlic-themed food (everything from ice cream to oysters) prepared by local chefs, an onsite celebrity chef Grill-Off, live music, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, taste and grow tents for children and more.

October: Visitors can enjoy an entire week dedicated to beer! Cleveland Beer Week showcases local breweries, restaurants, bars, taverns, grocers and specialty beverage stores. From music and activities to ale tastings and brewmaster meet-and-greets, all events offer unique specials for and raise awareness of craft brews.

Nov. 8- 10: Foodies who desire to learn the latest techniques from top chefs, shop for the holidays, sample outstanding food and taste fantastic wines should take a trip to The Fabulous Food Show, a consumer culinary show at the I-X Center. Take a trip down the aisles and aisles of cooking products and savory samples mixed in with a dash of cooking demos and the zest of celebrity chef appearances.

December 31: For more than 15 years thousands have gathered in Port Clinton for the “Madness at Midnight” Walleye Drop. Located approximately an hour and a half outside of Cleveland, the town of Port Clinton is home to a hearty population of walleye capital in the Lake Erie waters nearby. To celebrate such a distinction the town uses a massive crane to lower a fiberglass walleye replica, approximately 30 times larger than the average walleye, at the stroke of midnight.

 

Family-Friendly Dining

Playing away the day is hard work. But feeding a ravenous crew shouldn’t mean sacrificing flavor or breaking the bank. In Cleveland, visitors can fuel-up on gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, “surpalious” noodles and savory milkshakes at the wide variety family and budget-friendly dining spots.

Beardan’s
A tradition in the west side suburb of Rocky River since 1948, Beardan’s serves up steak burgers and milkshakes in an authentically-vintage diner setting. Families can try the famed “Peanut Burger,” a steak burger topped with melted peanut butter and wash it down with a thick milkshake for less than three dollars.
440.331.7850, www.beardens-cleveland.com

B Spot
With four locations around the Cleveland region, the B-Spot features “Iron Chef” Michael Symon’s famous burgers, brats, bologna and craft beers. All the items on the kids menu are only five dollars and include unique side dish options such as sliced avocados or apples, yogart and salads in addition to a beverage and cupcake.
www.bspotburgers.com

Corner Alley
A fun dining experience for the whole family, Fourth Street Bar and Grill is located in the Corner Alley, a bowling alley in the heart of Downtown. Families can bowl for strikes and enjoy scrumptious contemporary American cuisine with a kids’ menu to boot.
216.298.4070, www.corneralley.com

Corky & Lenny’s
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Corky & Lenny’s is a traditional Jewish deli in the eastside suburb of Beachwood. Offering everything from smoked salmon lox to hot corned beef sandwiches, Corky and Lenny’s is a true Cleveland favorite!
216.464.3838, www.corkyandlennys.com

Dewey’s Pizza
Dewey’s Pizza, with locations in Lakewood and Cleveland Heights, is a hip, neighborhood pizza place with an inviting vibe the whole family. Children love watching through the window as the kitchen tosses massive pizza dough, while the adults love the great beer selection and delicious pizza flavor combinations.
www.deweyspizza.com

Grumpy’s Café
Grumpy’s  Café is a local favorite in the Tremont neighborhood. The classic, American menu with some southwest-inspired flair features great, big breakfasts and lunch and dinner specials of all at budget-friendly prices.
216.241.5025, www.grumpys-cafe.com

Hard Rock Café
What better way to celebrate Cleveland’s rock and roll roots than with a visit to the Hard Rock Café? Conveniently connected to Tower City Center, the Hard Rock features down-home American cuisine seasoned with rock music and loads of rock ‘n roll memorabilia. Children’s menus are available.
216.830.7625, www.hardrock.com

House of Blues
From alternative to heavy metal, the House of Blues showcases an eclectic variety of live entertainment through its doors every week. While the restaurant is connected to the music venue, it is not intrusive or are you required to have a show ticket to eat in the restaurant. The House of Blues restaurant serves distinctive Creole cuisine with kicked up contemporary flavors created by celebrity chef Aaron Sanchez.
216.523.BLUE, www.houseofblues.com/cleveland

Luigi’s Restaurant
As an Akron institution for more than 60 years, the family-owned Luigi’s Restaurant is known for its famous pizza and Italian dishes for which the recipes remain the same since it opened. While small in size, Luigi’s is big on taste and welcomes families with children.
330.253.2999, www.luigisrestaurant.com

Noodlecat
What kid doesn’t like noodles? Chef Jonathon Sawyer  plays to this strength at his whimsical second area-restaurant, a Japanese noodle-house named Noodlecat.  In addition to the “Noodlekid” menu featuring items such as customized steamed buns, kid-friendly portions and even noodlekid “cocktail” specials, the Sawyer family often hosts “Noodlekid” nights which are overwhelmingly popular for both locals and visitors alike.
www.noodlecat.com

Mama Santas
For families who want some deliciously inexpensive pizza they should look no further than Mama Santas. Located in Little Italy, Mama Santas is a great family restaurant which has been a Cleveland tradition for more than 60 years.
216.421.2159, http://mamasantas.com

Melt Bar and Grilled
A rockin’ restaurant with four area location, serves up every kind of grilled cheese possible! But this isn’t the typical piece of American cheese slabbed between two slices of white bread.  Melt features more than 20 different takes on the original all with their own unique twist.  Try a “Parmageddon” stuffed with onions, kraut and a potato and cheese pierogi.
www.meltbarandgrilled.com 

Susy’s Soup
Conveiently located in Tower City Center in the center of Downtown, Susy’s Soup is a family-friendly fast-casual deli serving specializing in hearty soups, chowders, bisques and chili, as well as deli sandwiches, wraps and the ever-popular grilled cheese.
216.771.7792, www.susysoup.com 

The Greenhouse Tavern
While traditionally The Greenhouse Tavern may not appear to be a “family-friendly” dining location with its upscale, French-inspired farm-to-plate menu but as a father himself, Chef Jonathon Sawyer aims to make new flavors and cuisines accessible to all. So, instead of a formal kid’s menu at East Fourth Street restaurant, Chef Sawyer and his staff will make anything “kid-friendly,” in both portion and price.
216.443.0511, www.thegreenhousetavern.com 

Tommy’s Restaurant
Soon after Tommy’s started out as a small soda fountain in the Coventry neighborhood in 1972, Rolling Stone magazine voted it “Best Milkshake East of the Mississippi.”  While the shakes and menu stayed the same since then, Tommy’s is now in a much bigger venue with a menu that pleases any type of customer including vegetarians, vegans, meat-eaters, health-conscious and the just plain hungry.
216.321.7757, www.tommyscoventry.com

Yours Truly
This family-owned restaurant group operates eight quick-serve restaurants throughout the region. Since the 1980s Yours Truly has been serving up everything from omelets and pancakes to mac and cheese and pie, combining good, old-fashioned neighborhood friendliness with a standout menu.
http://www.ytr.com/

The Winking Lizard
Since its inception in 1983, The Winking Lizard is a favorite with the locals, as it offers high-quality food served in a friendly, unique atmosphere. At any of the Winking Lizard’s 12 locations across the Cleveland-area, the restaurants are a great spot for catching a game while enjoying delectable wings, pizza and burgers.
216.589.0313, www.winkinglizard.com 

Profiles: Emma Beno & Alexia Rodriguez, The Culinary Experts

Emma Beno, 23, and Alexia Rodriguez, 31, met in 2009. They live in the West Park/Kamm’s Corners neighborhood. They are co-owners of the Pork Chop Shop at the West Side Market. They stay here because of the quality of life in Cleveland, including the nightlife and dining scene.

What makes Cleveland’s foodie scene unique? There is an abundance of fresh food, locally grown. There is also a great tradition of many ethnic cuisines. The increasing numbers of creative chefs and adventurous restaurants and customers makes the Cleveland food scene second to none.

What can visitors expect to find at the West Side Market? It is a unique experience. You’ll see things and discover food that won’t be found anywhere else. The other thing you’ll notice right away is that this is a working market. You can do your grocery shopping here. At the same time, you’ll learn about and taste new foods, talk with vendors and get to know where your food comes from.

What are some of your favorite things about Cleveland? It’s easy to get around, which is great because there are so many fun and exciting neighborhoods. There are many pockets of hip and interesting places to go, whether you like art, dancing, dining, sports, culture, theater, or whatever. We live in the Kamm’s Corners neighborhood, where there are lots of great restaurants and bars; we work in Ohio City, where there are galleries, breweries, clubs, restaurants and more. Also check out Tremont, University Circle, Little Italy, East 4th St. and Waterloo. There are so many.

Hipster Hangouts

Retro bowling machines, “Polka Happy Hour,” a contemporary underground wine “cave,” artisan coffee selections and endless beer menus all make-up Cleveland’s counter-culture hangout scene. Here, visitors can unwind like a local while sipping on high-end wines or just a PBR as gourmet chefs create artistic delicacies inside a cozy neighborhood corner bar.

Market Avenue Wine Bar

Situated on a cute brick lined street in Ohio City, Market Avenue Wine Bar is an intimate, homey space featuring a wide selection of wines, vegetarian appetizer plates and a great outdoor patio.

216.696.9463, www.marketavewinebar.com

Edison’s Pub

Visitors can come to Edison’s Pub in Tremont blues night on Saturdays and discover how they covers their slices crust to crust with a liberal amount of fresh toppings such as their thick, quarter-sized pepperoni. In addition, each pizza is served with a couple honey packets to dip the crust in, a tasty “salty and sweet” complement to finish the slice. Additionally, their Beer Wall features approximately 100 beers from around the world.

www.edisonspub.com

The Root Cafe

Located in Lakewood, The Root is a popular indie coffeehouse with a vegan and vegetarian kitchen, an organic bakery, Asian teas, tisanes and smoothies and an espresso bar featuring Rising Star Coffee. Additionally, the space features a number of local artists, musicians and events.

216.226.4401, www.theroot-cafe.com

Lucky’s Café

Perfectly situated in the artsy, blue-collared neighborhood of Tremont, Lucky’s Café is brimming with charisma and quirkiness with its home-cooked breakfasts, lunches, pastries and coffees. Their biscuits and gravy are practically world famous and the Shipwreck (hash browns, eggs, seasonal veggies, bacon and cheddar cheese served in one delicious mound) is a fan favorite.

216.622.7773, www.luckyscafe.com

Map Room

No DJ. No strobe light. No nonsense. Often recognized a one of the best “hang out” bars in Cleveland, the Map Room is the one of the only “old world” pub and pizzerias in Warehouse District. Map Room offers delicious subs, pizzas, and appetizers, as well as an impressive selection of bar items.

216.621.7747, www.maproomcleveland.com

Old Angle Tavern and Bogtrotters Doorstep

This Ohio City duo goes together better than peanut butter and jelly. Old Angle Tavern, a laid-back cozy neighborhood bar atmosphere has a wide selection of bottles. In a small space next door, Bogtrotters Doorstep serves up massive handcrafted au jus sandwiches. Visitors can take them to go (perfect for the late-night crowd as they are open until 3am) or, order from a side window inside Old Angle.

216.861.5643

– April Ingle

Soul Food

Hungry Hearts will Find Satisfaction in Northeast Ohio’s Unique Comfort Cuisine 

Pierogi at Prosperity Social Club

In Cleveland, comfort food isn’t something you indulge in to alleviate stress. It’s celebratory dishes prepared with equal portions of nostalgia and nourishment. Northeast Oho has a rich heritage of comfort food, rooted in eastern European family fare (kielbasa, stuffed cabbage and pierogi) and blue-collar American pub grub (Polish Boys, perch fish fries and gourmet burgers). Tremont is one of the oldest neighborhoods in northeast Ohio, and it’s an epicenter for Cleveland’s uniquely ethnic, blue-collar comfort food. At its heart sits Prosperity Social Club (www.prosperitysocialclub.com).

“We should probably be called Prosperity Comfort Club instead of Social Club,” smiles owner Bonnie Flinner. “We’re a poster child for comfort food, all of which is made from scratch— Hungarian-style stuffed cabbage, beer battered fish, corned beef Reubens on potato pancakes, pierogi, mile-high killer Gouda burgers. You can’t go wrong.” 

Tremont is a buffet of comfort food traditions. At Grumpy’s Café on West 14 Street (grumpys-cafe.com), customers enjoy a cozy, homespun atmosphere (with ever-changing artwork on the walls, and a leg lamp in the window) while feasting on huge portions of fresh meatloaf, catfish, lasagna, burgers, and awesomely enormous breakfast foods. Only a few blocks away, Lolita (www.lolitarestaurant.com) has become synonymous with gourmet Cleveland cooking, owned by Food Network Iron Chef, author, and local restaurateur Michael Symon. But beneath the swanky gastronome, Lolita’s menu is full of comfort food favorites.

Monte Cristo at Melt

Tremont is just the start. The many boroughs, burgs, and hamlets of Cleveland are filled with famous stops for comfort food. In Little Italy, Guarino’s (www.guarinoscleveland.com) cooks homemade Italian dishes just like grandma used to make. Melt Bar and Grilled (meltbarandgrilled.com) serves up the city’s best grilled cheese with three metro locations in Lakewood, Cleveland Heights and Independence and a fourth on the way. Each Cleveland neighborhood has a distinct restaurant that uses feelings and flavors to fill both stomachs and souls. We suggest you explore them all.

By Keith Gribbins

Cold Remedies

Indoor Adventures Aimed at Spicing Up Your Fall and Winter Itinerary   

Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park

If skiing, tobogganing and skating in the snow is not your speed, Northeast Ohio has plenty of entertaining indoor activities that can satisfy fun-seekers during the chilly season.  Take Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park (www.raysmtb.com) on Cleveland’s near west side—a warehouse perfect for wheeled entertainment during the fall and winter. Both beginner and expert bike buffs can conquer ramps, rails, logs, rocks, stumps and teeter-totters in gnarly-named indoor arenas like the Skate Park and Grind Room.

Go even further west and Kalahari Resort (www.kalahariresorts.com) offers swim lovers a 173,000-square-foot African-themed water park that can brighten any winter disposition, full of wave pools, water slides, arcades, animal parks, lazy rivers and lots more.

“We are here 365 days a year,” says Brian Shanle, Kalahari Resorts general manager. “This is America’s largest indoor water park with world-class dining and updated spa services. We’re the ultimate winter getaway—all under one roof.”

I-X Indoor Amusement Park

Take your cup of cocoa with a shot of thrill-seeking adrenaline? The I-X Indoor Amusement Park (ixamusementpark.com) opens for a few weeks each winter (March 22 to April 14 in 2013), offering more than 20 acres of roller coasters, thrill rides and live entertainment that can heat things up no matter the temperature outside. “My favorite ride is Pharaoh’s Fury—the boat ride,” says Amy Girton, marketing director for the I-X Center. “It swings you back and forth and gives you that funny kid feeling of being back on the big swing at the park.”

Regardless of the season, Cleveland sports are always an excellent alternative for action and entertainment. During the fall and winter, the Cleveland Cavaliers (www.nba.com/cavaliers) and the Lake Erie Monsters (lakeeriemonsters.com) will dominate courts and rinks at Quicken Loans Arena (theqarena.com). Looking to compete yourself? Try the Corner Alley on Euclid Avenue (www.thecorneralley.com), offering the best in bowling, billiards and martinis downtown. And these are only a few of the many venues offering great escapes and warm memories this fall and winter.

By Keith Gribbins

Cleveland Sweethearts

Toothsome Attractions Draw Sugar Aficionados to Northeast Ohio Neighborhoods

Lilly Handmade Chocolates

There’s a sweet, satisfying center at the heart of Cleveland. Confectionary boutiques attract sugar-lovers to their unique neighborhoods. Sweet Moses Soda Fountain and Treat Shop (www.sweetmosestreats.com) is a nostalgic-style soda shop that sits in the Gordon Square Arts District, drawing folks back to Cleveland’s Detroit Shoreway neighborhood with the allure of retro deliciousness. Order up homemade ice cream, signature sundaes, or a frothy fountain soda (we suggest a mug of Sweet Moses Root Beer), before hitting artsy local landmarks like the Cleveland Public Theatre for a performance or Capitol Theatre for a movie.

Lilly Handmade Chocolates

At the savory center of Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood, Lilly Handmade Chocolates (www.lillytremont.com) specializes in pairing fine wine and craft beer with its handmade, chocolate creations. Lilly can match more than 200 craft beers and over 130 fine wines with their homemade dark and milk chocolate, which are infused with exotic ingredients like Hawaiian black lava salt and Périgord mushroom truffle pâté. After energizing with a Lilly sugar fix, visitors can enjoy Tremont’s many famous pubs, restaurants, local boutiques and art galleries.

Sweet Moses

By Keith Gribbins 

In the Market for Some Local Cuisine?

Housed in an iconic clock tower topped brick market house designed by the same architects who came up with the initial plans for the Cleveland Museum of Art and Lakeview Cemetery’s Wade Memorial Chapel, Ohio City’s West Side Market (www.westsidemarket.org) is one of the city’s most unique shopping experiences.

Named one of the country’s “10 Great Public Spaces” by the American Planning Association, it offers fresh produce and fine meats in addition to pastries and a variety of ethnic eats. Even if you can’t take any of the fruits and veggies home with you, you’ll love the variety of exotic food like falafel, street crepes, pierogi, empanadas, cannoli, and more that you can eat while spending the morning at this city-owned market.