How To Play Tourist in the 216
This December Travel & Leisure named Cleveland #23 in its list of “25 Best Places to Visit in 2015” and Fodor’s placed Cleveland at #20 on its “Go To List 2015”. We held great company with cities from all over the world. And, both pieces referenced the things that make us great: the food, the culture, the sports. Those of us who call the 216 home already know why it’s great. And, sometimes when you live in a place it’s easy to forget the wonderful draws that encourage outsiders to travel here.
One of my favorite things to do in any city I live is to play tourist. So I thought about the 10 things I want to do here in 2015. Now, I may have actually done one or two of these things already, but so what? We’re always changing and the city is, too. I encourage you to do the same. So grab a real camera, invite a friend or family member and hit the town like the tourist you are. You’ll see the city with a fresh pair of eyes and you’ll appreciate our home even more.
10. Cleveland Orchestra – It’s a cultural crime that, living here since 2003, I have yet to experience the world’s greatest orchestra. Especially given my classical music upbringing: I was a drummer and a percussionist for a decade, performing hundreds of numbers in various genres across America’s stages. It’s now time to listen to our own. So whether Mozart or Brahms, Strauss or Beethoven, I can not wait to put on some fancy clothes, take my binoculars and enjoy the beauty of timeless music.
9. Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) – The last time I visited this museum it was still in the old building. The new architectural geometric masterpiece is itself a sight to see. As an Art minor, I’m excited to see what paintings, sculptures and exhibits the museum offers and how it will shake up my way of thinking.
8. Herman Pickle Company – If you know the taste of the proper Kosher dill, then you know that Herman’s is the best there is. It can stand toe to toe to anything sold in old world Brooklyn, New York. The company is located in Garrettsville, Ohio. How wonderful would it be to visit and submerge yourself in all that pickle goodness?
7. Cedar Point – I love roller coasters. Love them. Yet very few people my age will go on them. And, ever since I’ve moved to Cleveland no guy has ever wanted to go with me on one. The thrill is intoxicating. And the higher it is and the more upside down turns it does, the more I’m tempted. And in Summer 2015, I am riding that ride.
6. PlayhouseSquare – With Cleveland having the second biggest theater district only to NYC’s, attending quality productions is certainly a priority. The last one I attended was several years ago, the Janis Joplin small stage story. It was fantastic. In 2015, I want to see more performances, including plays and musicals. And enjoy strolling through the area, taking in all the lights — from the World’s Largest Chandelier, the marquis and the rooftop sign announcing your location.
5. Concerts – In 2014 I attended only two concerts in this city. The Retro Futura New Wave bands at the Cleveland Masonic Auditorium, where I got to shake hands with Katrina of Katrina and the Waves, and then Pete Yorn at the Beachland Ballroom, with whom I got another photo. Given how much I traveled this year, giving up concerts seemed like the right thing to do. Next year, I want to see the new bands, the seasoned bands and everything in between. And, I hope that Cleveland does a good job promoting these shows.
4. Boat Ride – I have yet to take a boat ride in Cleveland. I’ve done the historical Chicago River ride in the 312 and the Booze Cruise in Rochester, but haven’t yet been on water in this city. So whether Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga River or the Erie Canal, it’s a good time to go on a boat ride and learn more about how the water and The Port of Cleveland continue to shape this area and how the past is influencing the present.
3. Crop Bar & Bistro – Ever since this place has opened I’ve been very curious to go in. The architecture of the old bank building is stunning. And the vault. The vault! As mush of a foodie as I am I’m actually less curious about the food and more intrigued with all the nooks and crannies of this landmark and the energy I’ll get from being inside.
2. Cavs Games – Last month I attended my first game in six years. Between my arrival in Cleveland in 2003 and until early 2009 I attended quite a few games — this is my second favorite thing to do in this city — and each time I attended, the Cavs won. I have the ticket stubs to prove it. This past November, being in the stadium, with all that explosive energy, refueled my psyche. It’s encouraging watching the players play like a collective team. I absolutely and unequivocally love attending the games. And plan on attending more this season.
1. Fall In Love – Not the first time that would happen. And, yet. This time, I want to fall in love with a man in Cleveland who has the open heart for a relationship, the courage to fight for a good woman, the wisdom to be successful in whatever career he’s in and, most importantly, a place of his own. One where he doesn’t live with his mother and his mother doesn’t live with him. And who knows? Maybe he’ll have a bucket list of his own and will share it, as well as his life — including his friends and family — with me. And we can enjoy this city together.
Because there’s no place like Cleveland. And there’s no place like home.
Alexsandra (Alex) Sukhoy, a globally-networked creative and business professional, is CEO of Creative Cadence LLC. Her Career Coaching skills have resulted in numerous success stories for her clients.Her new novella, Diary of the Dumped: 30 Days From Break Up to Breakthrough, is now available on Amazon, in paperback and Kindle.
Alex recently completed her new book: The Dating GPS™, with childhood friend and Relationship Coach Anita Myers.
Follow Alex on Twitter: @creativecadence.
One Response to “My 2015 Top 10 Cleveland Bucket List”
Joyce Hoffer
You MUST put Lake View Cemetery, in SPRING, on your bucket list!! The flowering trees and shrubs are amazing, and there are literally thousands and thousands of daffodils on display. Not to mention the graves of some VERY famous people —
Elliott Ness, the detective/policeman. Walter Johnson, the only pro baseball player ever killed by a pitched ball. President
Garfield, assassinated only months after his inauguration. Dozens and dozens of unique angel statues, stately mausoleums,
etc etc etc. Go on a Sunday Walking Tour day and have a docent lead you around. Drive down to Wade Chapel and listen
to a guide tell about the Tiffany mosaics. Look for unusual statuary – the man with a guitar, for example. ENJOY!!