My Overnight Roadtrip to Cleveland

Introduction:

I decided to take a quick road trip up to Cleveland, Ohio. It was both my friend and I first time going up there and I wanted to do a nice budget friendly trip for the weekend just to get out and have a new scenery. It's about a 2 hour drive from central Ohio so we rented a car for our transportation and stay overnight in an Airbnb. So here are some things I did in just two days and maybe these can give you some ideas on what to do when you visit.

Day 1:

Once checking into the Airbnb and getting situated we talked with our host about any recommendations. Sometimes asking the host or employee if your staying in a hotel about where to go can help you find new discoveries you maybe weren't able to find on the internet.

Framed Gallery:

First stop was to the Framed Gallery, an art gallery that showcases the art of Black Artists. Located in the Waterloo Arts District, their main focus is helping to display the voices of artists that are of African descent. If art's your thing or your'e just getting into it this is something you should check out.

City Tower Cleveland:

City Tower Cleveland is a shopping center located in Downtown Cleveland. During the time I went it wasn't crowded at all so if crowds aren't really your thing you may want to check it out. Downtown is very walkable as well to so feel to walk around and explore.

Vero Pizzeria Napoletano:

For dinner we went to Vero Pizzeria Napoletano which is this nice fine dining Italian pizzeria. It was a nice casual experience, with the menu providing food for most diets. However, it is expensive compared to your average neighborhood pizza shop so if you want to try it out be aware of the pricing and budget for it. The food was delicious and I had the pizza and for dessert the pistachio canollis which were really good.

Day 2:

Cleveland Museum of Art:

Once checking out of our stay, we headed straight for the Cleveland Museum of Art. It is free admission and they display artwork from all over the world and in different time periods. The Museum has 2 levels so there is quite a lot to look at and discover. Outside the museum is just as beautiful as its art collections inside. There is a beautiful landscape that is perfect for taking pictures on a nice day. It's also nice to just relax and enjoy the weather before or after heading inside.

A Christmas Story Tour:

If you are a big fan or seen the movie A Christmas Story, this is for you! Even if you have never seen the movie its still a pretty cool tour to check out and see. The tour takes place in the very house it was actually filmed in. Guided tours are a great way to explore and learn something new. I got to learn some interesting facts about how they made certain scenes and how this tour became a tourist attraction for Cleveland.

Crocker Park:

After the tour was Crocker Park, a shopping town center located in Westlake. Does anyone remember Toys R' Us? Cause it's there at Cocker Park! For my Millenials and Gen Z I am sure you can relate to how nostalgic it was to see that store again. Personally, I haven't been to Toys R' Us since the store closed in my city when I was a young child. So to see what it's like now as an adult I couldnt pass up the oppurtunity.

After checking out the toy store we ventured off to find what else is out there. My favorite which is the main reason why I wanted to come to Cocker Park is for Linda's Bee Farm Shop. This is a Black owned and Family owned business that produce and sell their own honey from their bee farm. They sell a wide range a products from honey to skincare. Investing in local businesses is something I like to do so, I would suggest to stop by there once you get to Westlake.

Lastly, for dinner was a Mexican restaurant just on the outskirts of Crocker Park which was like a 12-15 minute walk named Don Ramon Mexican Restaurant. They serve authentic Mexican food for the past few decades. The staff were friendly, the place was nice and clean, and the food was delicious.

Conclusion:

Overall this was a nice overnight trip just to get out and take a break. I think I got to see quite a few things for only 2 days of being there and it was nice to explore. There so much more to do there if you plan on staying there longer and going during a warmer season. I went in late April and if your from Ohio you know the weather can be hit or miss during the spring time. Regardless of it being a little chilly while being there it was a really nice time. I'll be highlighting some of the things I did in Cleveland in more detail next week! Have a great day!