Is Cleveland, Ohio considered a vacation destination? What's your opinion? (Columbus: hotels, university)

[TheYO]

I think Cleveland is a regional tourist destination for multiple visits. I can also see it as a stopping point tourist destination for people traveling across the country as part of a larger trip.

I could see someone flying in from one of the coasts, checking out the Rock n' Roll HOF, and maybe driving out to Cedar Point or down to Canton for the Pro Football HOF. After spending a day or two in the area, they will take off again for their final destination. However, I can't see many people from outside the region making Cleveland the destination of their vacation.

I think if people want to vacation in the Midwest they are going to go to Chicago. I know that's always my first choice. Cleveland is similar to Chicago, but the only things it has over the Windy City is the Rock HOF, Cedar Point (although not in Cleveland) and being cheaper overall. Aside from that, most everything you can do in Cleveland, you could do in Chicago. IMO, Chicago has better beaches, better food and better museums and is worth the premium over Cleveland as a vacation destination.

[osu4brutus03]

@TheYo I respect your point of view. :-)

[wordlife]

Originally Posted by TheYO

I think Cleveland is a regional tourist destination for multiple visits. I can also see it as a stopping point tourist destination for people traveling across the country as part of a larger trip.

I could see someone flying in from one of the coasts, checking out the Rock n' Roll HOF, and maybe driving out to Cedar Point or down to Canton for the Pro Football HOF. After spending a day or two in the area, they will take off again for their final destination. However, I can't see many people from outside the region making Cleveland the destination of their vacation.

I think if people want to vacation in the Midwest they are going to go to Chicago. I know that's always my first choice. Cleveland is similar to Chicago, but the only things it has over the Windy City is the Rock HOF, Cedar Point (although not in Cleveland) and being cheaper overall. Aside from that, most everything you can do in Cleveland, you could do in Chicago. IMO, Chicago has better beaches, better food and better museums and is worth the premium over Cleveland as a vacation destination.

Yeah I agree with this, but I would say that Cleveland people are full of heart and that's one thing I like when I visit the city. I'm not talking about being around the downtown attractions, i'm talking about actually going into the neighborhoods and exploring (even the unsafe ones). You'll always find great and welcoming people in Cleveland.

[TheYO]

Yeah I love Cleveland, and its people. I agree that most people are friendly and welcoming, but I don't think that's exclusive to Cleveland. I think it's more of a midwest mentality that most of the region has.

I do love going to Cleveland, and I think it does have a lot to offer, but I couldn't see myself traveling much more than the 1 hour and 15 minutes from Youngstown for it.

[Cleveland_Collector]

Sure it is. While I will grant you that people will have more of a connection to a team than to a casino, that certainly doesn't mean that their only prerequisite for going to a casino is that you can gamble there. If that was the case, they would all be constructed to look like a Home Depot. Plenty of people go to ball games just to see the stadium and spend an afternoon taking in a game between two teams they have no affinity for. They go for the spectacle. They'll do that for casinos as well.

[osu4brutus03]

I also Love Cleveland and the pride people have for our city. Currently living in Columbus but moving back this summer to Cleveland. I'm very excited to return back home. For the New Years some close friends of mine decided they wanted to bring in the New Years in Cleveland..so I decided to come along with them and we stayed at the Embassy Suites Downtown Cleveland. I thought it was best for me to stay at the hotel with friends than stay at my parents so that I could help with the cost of the hotel room. Although I was in my hometown it felt like a two day vacation which being in town. I would consider Cleveland a vacation destination because of the many things you could do....for example

During the summer:

* Fly into Cleveland Hopkins Airport than take the Rapid Rail Transit Downtown Cleveland into Tower City Center Mall which is connected to the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Renaissance Hotel.

* I would stay at the Ritz Carlton for a three day Luxury stay with includes a rental car. My vacation includes: visiting the Rock & Roll HOF, Cleveland Playhouse, Greater Cleveland Aquarium, Horseshoe Casino, Great Lakes Science Center and maybe checking out an Arts Museum or a ball game. If I wanted to check out a beach I would take a short drive over to Edgewater Park to enjoy the great summer weather

LOL...figure I'll give some examples of what a vacation in Cleveland could be like.....of course there's other areas in the City to visit like: Ohio City, Little Italy, Uptown/University Circle District, Asian Town, Downtown Warehouse District, The Flats, East 4th District, The Arcade, Galleria for dining, clubs, art and cultural...etc.....OK I'M DONE

[no1brownsfan]

Originally Posted by osu4brutus03

With all the attactions in Downtown Cleveland and the redevelopment of the Flats, Lake Erie Development, Major Sports and Casino etc... Is Cleveland considered a vacation destination or can we become one? We have beaches, famous attractions etc...Would you take a vacation to Cleveland?

Sure. Why not? Not so much in the winter maybe, but definitely plenty to do in the summer. And while I'm excited about the redevelopment of the Flats, sadly I don't know that it would have that vibe that it had in the early 90s. It definitely was a draw in the region. I always saw a ton of out of state plates down there. It's too bad the city killed it!

As you mention

we have beaches (believe it or not)
World class museums
3 major sports teams
one of the top zoos in the nation
short distance to Cedar Point

[ram2]

Originally Posted by Cleveland_Collector

That's like saying nobody from Toledo will come to Cleveland for a Browns/Indians/Cavs game because Detroit has teams too.

Toledo has the Mudhens.

[Natural510]

No. It strikes me as a decent place to live, but Joakim Noah told the cold truth...people don't choose Cleveland as their vacation destination if they have the option of going somewhere better for the year.

[osu4brutus03]

With the redevelopment of the Flats and the Lake Front I can see more people wanting to choose Cleveland as their vacation destination...