I still love Hingetown. I think its such a cool little stretch of Cleveland. Some of my favorite…read moreplaces are here including Urban Orchid floral, Cleveland Tea Revival and Beet Jar, though I frequent most of the businesses here and have unique love for them all. They're all owned by passionate, cool locals who believe in what they do. But mostly, this update is just to show appreciation for a few things I often forget about Hingetown- how dog-friendly every business is, the beautifully manicured living wall, and the fact that the Transformer Station (a satellite CMA location) even exists here. I mean, where else can you pet tons of good doggos, see world class art and grab lunch? Since the last time I wrote this, new businesses like Larder Delicatessen, Saucy Brew Works and Title Kickboxing have opened. I can tell the people behind Hingetown are really trying to continuously add and improve. Still 5-stars in 2018!

There are a couple cool businesses here. I go to some of them. I don't like calling it Hingetown…read more It never used to be called Hingetown until about a year ago. It feels unnatural for me to call it that. I guess that is how the Native Americans felt when they turned this land into the United States of America. This area was once Cleveland's Gaytown. It was anchored by Bounce. Other notable establishments were the Tool Shed and Man's World.

OK! So our gravity hill is a local oddity where if you put your car in neutral (this requires that…read moreyou dead stop on a city road) then you will roll "up" the hill really slowly. then when you get to the "top" you will crest the "hill" and go down the "hill". haha Don't look for the ticket booth, you are on a city/countryish road. It is not a store. They do not have beer. There is nothing there except you and the hill. Turn "north" onto king memorial and it is the first "hill" Try to stop when you get to the black mailbox. but seriously don't be unsafe. The cops will be unhappy, and the whole thing in general is not a good idea, but if you do a search for it online it is a real thing. Much funner as a youth with screaming teenagers. Now 20 years later it's still weird. Why did I give it 5 stars???? IDK cause it's GRAVITY HILL!!!

I've always loved big markets having grown up in the middle of many in Pennsylvania. I recently…read morevisited Cleveland and friends made sure we started a Saturday here. It was a highlight of the trip! The market is right downtown in a gorgeous old building, make sure to look at the ceilings. There are public parking areas all around outside, but it does get busy. There are also side buildings and outdoor stalls nearby, so be sure to check them out. Inside is rows upon rows of amazing local vendors with food to enjoy there, or many items to buy and take home. Meat counters, fresh vegetables and fruit, sauces, Middle Eastern food, Greek, Mexican, Gyros, sandwiches, baked goods, salads and so much more are all over. Even stalls that repeat the same types of items have their own unique spin and history. It's busy, with people everywhere looking and enjoying their purchases. Prices are reasonable, especially how fresh and local everything is. I bought a bunch of small things to eat while we walked, together we bought shishkabobs and steak to enjoy at home the following day. It's a great place to shop local!

Visiting West Side Market on day two of my trip confirmed a few things for me:…read more 1. Cleveland is seriously underrated as a city. Food and architecture are two areas where it deserves far more recognition, and this market showcases both beautifully. 2. I'm coming back. 3. There is absolutely zero chance I stay in a hotel next time. I need a place with a kitchen. When I return, I fully intend to walk through this market, buy from no fewer than 10 stalls, and somehow end up preparing enough food for 25 people--even if it's only my family of four. The specialties here are endless. The uncooked pierogies nearly broke my heart because I had no way to take them home and cook them myself. Sausage lovers will be in heaven, and beyond that, you'll find incredible produce, fresh fish, quality proteins, and a wonderful representation of the many cultures that make Cleveland what it is. All of this is housed inside a historic building with stunning architecture that makes the experience even better. Pro tip: Climb the stairs to the second floor for an incredible bird's-eye view of the entire market. It's the perfect way to appreciate just how special this Cleveland landmark really is.

This is a very difficult review to write. I am torn between two extremes…read more On the one hand, Little Italy is the one location in Cleveland I have loved my entire life. I still have fond memories of my dad and I going to the feast when I was just a little boy. I have frequented every establishment in Little Italy and LOVE them all. On the other hand, maneuvering through the traffic, finding parking, or using the valet service has become absolutely intolerable. Even the police officer directing traffic didn't help. After trying to find a way to park for nearly 20 minutes we finally had to call the restaurant and cancel our reservation after explaining we could not park. I don't know how to fix this nightmare, but until they do I believe dinner is out. We'll have to settle for lunches... and keep our fingers crossed.

I traveled down the historic brick streets of Little Italy in Cleveland, Ohio today. It was a…read moreparticularly beautiful scene as I drove down the streets with snow coming down in front of me. Fortunately, the ground was warm enough that it wasn't sticking too much. This made driving quite manageable, and I had no issues. From the stately church on Mayfield Street to the well-worn buildings with character carved in entry ways and window facings, you will enjoy the opportunity to drive or take a stroll through the area and just drink in the ambience of what is Cleveland's little Italy Moreover, if you have the opportunity to stop and take some time, there are great restaurants and fantastic stores to experience, including the flower shops and the mom and pop eateries and stores that line the streets and make the area so endearing. I will be back with my family when I have the opportunity to bring them with me. For now, I enjoyed it tonight alone as much as one can do when traveling for medical reasons and also work. This area is adjacent to the Cleveland Clinic campus downtown on Euclid Street - Which I would add is one of, if not the best healthcare locales in the world, as far as I'm concerned. I'm very grateful for that too.

The efforts made by this group has made an icon of the city of Cleveland. The wonderful murals…read morearranged for and created by them are visible throughout the region. Hopefully other cities will follow their lead.

I visited Graffiti HeArt this past weekend after seeing their new mural on Instagram. It was a…read morequick bike ride from downtown (passing through Asiatown for treats, of course!). They give artists a platform to share their murals and street art across the city. Most of the eye catching art around the city was made possible by Graffiti HeArt! Their HQ building itself is a mural, titled "Beautifully Destroyed". Another mural shines right behind, facing East 49th. It was completed in August by Beau Stanton and features the iconic Cleveland Guardians of Traffic. Check out their website for a list of current street art (http://www.graffitiheart.org/walls/) for a perfect socially distant adventure!

GORDON SQUARE is a super cool arts district with lots to do and see. This is a very walkable…read moreneighbourhood with bus stops as well. There are still some shops that I want to visit. FOOD -- Blue Habanero and Spice Kitchen are by far my favourite places to eat in this district. Blue Habanero is a taco restaurant that I love. Although their tacos are smaller than the ones at Barrio, the taco dinners (3 tacos) come with two sides which in the end make the whole meal worthwhile. They also have lunch option. Spice Kitchen is another local restaurant that has tasty food. It is an American restaurant with a farm to table concept. So you'll find fresh ingredients sourced from their own farm. I recommend that you try their specials when you visit. It is a further down the street from the Gordon Square district but it is not too far. Astoria Cafe & Market and Boiler 65 are other food options that I want to visit. THEATRE/MOVIES -- The Cleveland Public Theatre, Capitol Theatre, and Near West Theatre are still 3 theatres that I have to visit. If you love the arts then you should come and catch a show at one or all of these theatres. TEA/COFFEE -- Relax over at Gypsy Beans and Baking Company cafe. They sell tea, coffee, pastries, and have a full service menu for lunch. SWEET TREATS with DRINKS -- 1) DONUTS - I don't drink alcohol but Brewnuts is a popular spot amongst the locals or at least the tourists. They sell alcohol and donuts. Their donuts are thicker and more doughy than I would prefer but they are unique because beer is an ingredient added into their donut mixture. 2) ICE CREAM - Sweet Moses Soda Fountain and Treat Shop is a heaven. VEGAN / SMOOTHIES -- The Daily Press is a vegan cafe that I recently visited in June 2019. They sell juices, sandwiches, and even body soaps. The shop is very small but they have some tables and chairs to sit on. Enjoy your visit to the Gordon Square Arts District. Read my Yelp reviews on all the business that I've visited. **** - 103 total reviews in 2019 - 312 total Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 24 July 2019

Been here to try "BREWNUTS" but unfortunately they are closed for holidays…read more Nothing else to do , strolled around the hood and they really got some cool murals.

We Are All Made of Stars Mural is lovely! I've really been on a tremendous kick of wanting to…read morereview the beautiful murals that exist in our city. Cleveland has tremendously public art, and we should all do our part to raise awareness of these colorful treasures! This particular mural is on the side of a building on W. 28th Street and Detroit Avenue in Hingetown. To me, it's a little different than most of our other murals. It has a different shape than most, and is more horizontal, standing at about about 130 feet wide by 16 feet high. The flying tiger is pretty unique in contrast to other murals around town. This mural was part of the SPACES Creative Fusion project in 2016 and still looks amazing. The vibrant colors are fantastic and speak a lot to the uniqueness of the neighborhood. Thanks Michela Picchi of Berlin, Germany for bringing some excitement to an otherwise white wall in Hingetown!

Great museum, the interactive exhibits are amazing. I really enjoyed the evolution rooms…read more Definitely geared towards the kiddos, they seemed to be having a blast. Cafe is also definitely geared more towards the kids tastes compared to other museum cafes in the area, which makes sense. Lots of chicken tenders, grilled cheese, burgers, etc. Some of the animals outside did seem kind of anxious, which made me feel a little sad for them. Lots of pacing. However I think it may be because it was their feeding time.

I've been to Cleveland a few times now and I usually stop by the nearby Museum of Art, but I…read moreFINALLY decided to check out this spot today and I had so much more fun! I've been to my fair share of natural history museums, and while this one is compact, it is very modern and packs a punch! When you enter, you're immediately greeted by a giant dinosaur and that set the tone for the whole visit, I felt like I kept seeing dinosaur bones everywhere! It took me a moment to orient myself to the museum layout, but looking back it's pretty compact and I could've easily wandered and enjoyed most of the museum in a couple hours. I especially enjoyed how interactive the earth section was, and this is silly but sit on those rock-looking cushions - they are SO comfortable! The little planetarium area was also very cool, and I would consider seeing a show in there next time! The dioramas are by far the most beautiful/engaging I've seen, and with between the fish video cave and the outdoor animal area, I felt like I also got a mini trip to the aquarium and the zoo. Overall I had an amazing time and this spot is super baby/toddler friendly! Note: If you have ASTC membership, admission is included! As a non museum member, I'd recommend street parking. It's much cheaper than the flat rate garage fare.

Wow, such an awesome event! A friend gave my fiancé and I some VIP tickets to the Bourbon Boxcar…read moretasting event this weekend and we both had a great time! The event was at Tenk on the west bank of the Flats and I think it was the perfect venue for it. The general admission line to get in was long and slow, but the VIP line moved pretty quickly! Lucky us. :D It started with a few displays showing water in a cave, wood and grains, along with a guide and prerecorded narrations on how bourbon is made..kinda cheesy and lame. Then we got our drink tokens and VIP wrist bands before boarding a replica boxcar where a cool guy gave an introduction for the event. Four companies were there: Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, and Basil Hayden's. Each person was given a token for a sample at each bourbon and two tokens for a bar drink. Samples and drinks were great and the place was packed! They also had a caterer serving up pulled pork sliders and biscuits with assorted spreads and toppings. Yumm! We had great night in the CLE! Thanks, Michelle!

Nice big wooden swings but the first swings view is blocked by trees and plants. I suggest at least…read moretrimming the greenery

Tried out the new section of the Towpath Trail in the Tremont area and it is fantastic. Located…read morealong the ridge between Tremont and the Flats on the East Side of the neighborhood you can have a great walk and see some interesting sights. I started at the intersection of W.13th and University Roads, next to where Sokolowski's was located. Going North from this location the path winds down under some bridges to go down into the flats. Going the other way you will skirt along the residential areas of Tremont where there is a great mix of restored older houses and new modern residences. There is quite a bit of new construction going on and you will see some amazing properties. Looking across the valley you will have some great views of the Cleveland skyline and plenty of industrial activity. They have added some picnic areas with seating and grills. There are also some interesting signs and themed areas covering the bridges, Camp Cleveland (Civil War era), railroad roundhouse, and the industrial history of the flats. As you move further along you will encounter a series of sculpted hills next to I-490 that are designed to reflect the piles of materials that you see in the industrial areas of the flats. They provide a nice point to stop and look around and even to climb if you are so inclined; which gives you some interesting views. A great place for an interesting hike near to downtown. Plenty of dogs being walked, people stretching their legs and very bicycle friendly. They spent a lot of time, energy and money to create this section of the Towpath Trail and it has turned out quite well.