48 hours in Cleveland (Lorain, North Olmsted, Bay Village: hotel, houses, neighborhoods)

[drb85650]

48 hours...that's what we have to experience Cleveland and Ohio. Piece of cake, huh? Arriving Friday early afternoon, staying at the Glidden House, flying out Monday late afternoon. Ok, a little more than 48 hours, but being in our late 50's we go to bed early, plus there's the 3 hour time difference...
3 things we've already planned on....
1. seeing Browns Stadium
2. The Christmas Story house
3. Brandywood? falls in the national park, maybe taking the train tour.

Obviously we are not high society or night life crawlers either. Simple stuff.....saw on the travel channel some place called Steves Hotdogs?
Throw us some suggestions for great dives to eat at, beautiful places to see the city,trees, leaves(are they turning at all?) and old houses. Being from southeastern Arizona, these things are rather sparse.
This will be the wifes return to Ohio after 50 years! Born in Lorain at some old hospital, Lincoln I think? And anyone out there last name of Soviak?
Thanks and btw...we already have Browns sweatshirts, so please tell me it's gonna be under 65' during the day!

[Pgserge27]

Steve's Hot Dog. Ha. Great Joint but I hope you've had a few beers and it's two in the morning. This place is an awesome dive spot to catch some real Clevelander's, all economic levels.

Anywho... In Cleveland, Detroit Shoreways is having their Historic Haunts walk this weekend, a historic, somewhat scary of the neighborhood that has been very successful. Tremont has it's art walk, plus all the great restaurants around. University Circle is beautiful now this time of year and the museums would be a great day trip between the history, art, botanical, museums. There's tons more to do also, just pick up a scene magazine and check it out.

[drb85650]

That's what we like...dives with all economic levels as you put it. Isn't University Circle right by the Glidden House..?
Best local breakfast place, great pancakes?
Giant cheeseburgers? Pizza?
Safe park to walk it off in?

[airics]

brandywine falls

[costello_musicman]

Right by where you've staying is Little Italy. At least try the bakeries if not a restaurant. Also, all the musuems/Cleveland Orchestra are all walking distance from your hotel.

Ultimate Cleveland experience would be Sokolowski's in Tremont. Try the pierogies!

Here's a decent guide as well: Believe In Cleveland Foundation | Blog


Also, here's a few other places that they showed on travel channel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9axN9...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_2ANHLi8RA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9-qk...eature=related

[airics]

corbo's and mama santo's pizza, need i say more?

[1watertiger]

costello-musicman has a great suggestion,, eat an early dinner at sokolowskis in tremont on fri... then walk off all the food at the tremont "art walk" 6pm-10pm. university circle has so many things to see and do (you wont have time to see everything,museums,etc.) but it will give you and your friends a reason to come back. also, playhouse sq. district, lakefront,zoo,metro parks for some other "laid back" activities.

[drb85650]

Thanks for the tips!
Couple of things....weather says it will be in the 70's this weekend, darn!

Are the leaves changing at all? Remember, we are coming from high desert in Arizona, my wifes #1 love is fall and the colors it brings.

What surface streets are options to freeway travel? Are there main arterials for north/south east/west? Even if they pass thru rough areas, beats freeway only. And, being from Phoenix for years, we've grown accustomed to police helicopters,drivebys, even seeing our neighborhood on "Cops"!

Light houses? Reasonably close to Cleveland/Lorain area, best places to see the Lake?

This is all so new to us, kind of like a lifelong Ohioan(?)coming to the desert, seeing Saguaro, scorpions, javelina, and people freezing when it drops below 70'. Arizona was granted statehood in 1912 I believe, we have "historic" neighborhoods built in the late 50's early 60's....that's 1950, 1960....

[ottomobeale]

When driving DONT speed in Cleveland or go through red lights. They have (had?) robocop cameras for that.

Little Italy is VERY nice and safe. DONT get lost. It gets ugly within 10 blocks.

Not alot of lighthouses. At least ones worth looking at. For the lake there is Edgewater and IMHO one that is nicer is Huntington Park in Bay Village.

Lorain Road goes East West from near downtown to Lorain county. Its drive-ably safe during the day the whole length.

[VO1ONE]

Close to the airport is a great burger joint called Brown Bag Burgers. It's in North Olmsted just outside of the Great Northern Mall. Delicious!

Welcome - Brown Bag Burgers - "Premium Burgers At Brown Bag Prices!"