Chicagoan visiting Cleveland for the first time (Brook Park, Peninsula: bus, safe)

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by Urbanist928

I like more artsy, hipsterish, urban neighborhoods and places. Pretty much like Wicker Park and Logan Square in Chicago...

As a native Clevelander who just moved back after living in Chicago for 20 years, I can tell you that such neighborhoods in Cleveland aren't quite a match for their Chicago counterparts. However, here are a few you might enjoy:

Ohio City

Tremont

Gordon Square

University Circle

Shaker Square

And, in the close-in suburbs (dense and urban), check out:

Cleveland Heights -- particularly the Coventry Village and Cedar/Fairmount areas

Lakewood -- particularly the downtown area along Detroit Avenue and a few stretches of Madison Avenue


Hope this helps.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by costello_musicman

Cleveland Air Show will be going on Downtown on Monday (Labor Day) as well: Cleveland National Air Show

To the OP: This is pretty much the same thing as Chicago's Air and Water Show that you guys have the third weekend in August (IIRC). Although because Cleveland's is always held Labor Day weekend, it means we get to enjoy it for a whole extra day.

[216facts]

You can get an all day pass from the RTA in Tower City (Termainal Tower) for $5.50, good for bus, rail, and BRT. If you're arriving by air, the redline will get you downtown from the airport. The redline will get you to the West Side Market, University Circle, and Little Italy. Use the Little Italy stop if you're going to the museums in University Circle: CMA, MOCA, Nat History, Botanical Garden, Western Reserve (History). Keep in mind the downtown trolleys are free.
The green line will get you to Shaker Square (restaurants) and the Shaker Lakes Nature center and park (use South Park Blvd station.) The Shaker Lakes area is a nice place to run too.

A couple of possible running trails downtown: Go down to East 9th street and run on N. Marginal east, go all the way to the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve and turn around. The Marginal is lightly travelled and part of that route is bikeway. Another option, as has been suggested, is to run across the Lorain-Carnegie bridge towards W.25th (Market district) but hang a left onto Abbey road, then another left onto Columbus Road and take it to Settlers Landing near the river, this is the east bank of the flats, from there you can run back into downtown on any road you feel like. This whole route is very safe as long as there is daylight. As with any urban area, running around downtown at night - by yourself - is not recommended unless you completely stay within crowded areas.

Hope you enjoy your stay, I suggest doing a little homework to pick restaurants that fit your tastes, you should have a reasonably good selection.

[Urbanist928]

Wow you guys have given me so much! Thank you! I think what I will do is check out downtown (obviously) for sure, rock and roll hall of fame, University Circle/Little Italy, and Ohio City. From there I will see how much time I have left and what else I can check out.

I appreciate the heads up on the Air and Water show, but not really into that, and we just had ours in Chicago a couple weeks ago, so if I don't attend it here I am pretty sure I wouldn't attend it in a new city where I want to explore. But I appreciate the heads up. I am looking forward to it though! Also are there any beaches you recommend?

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by Urbanist928

Wow you guys have given me so much! Thank you! I think what I will do is check out downtown (obviously) for sure, rock and roll hall of fame, University Circle/Little Italy, and Ohio City. From there I will see how much time I have left and what else I can check out.

I appreciate the heads up on the Air and Water show, but not really into that, and we just had ours in Chicago a couple weeks ago, so if I don't attend it here I am pretty sure I wouldn't attend it in a new city where I want to explore. But I appreciate the heads up. I am looking forward to it though! Also are there any beaches you recommend?

Edgewater Park is the closest beach to downtown. Don't miss hiking the upper part of the park if you visit it.

Edgewater Beach | Aquatics | Cleveland Metroparks

Alternatively, consider renting a kayak to explore Cleveland harbor; their are a couple rental options downtown. The Goodtime III cruise boat also is a possibility (consider a cruise that leaves the harbor and goes out on the lake for the best views).

Cleveland Boating | Things to Do in Cleveland Ohio

[216facts]

To get to Edgewater, I suggest the Cleveland State BRT line 55-A-B-C: Cleveland State Line | Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
You would get off at the Clifton & West Blvd stop. A short walk north along West Blvd takes you right into the park. This would also be a nice place to run. Unfortunately there is no easy way to walk to the beach from downtown - yet. A trail system is being planned.

[Urbanist928]

Originally Posted by 216facts

To get to Edgewater, I suggest the Cleveland State BRT line 55-A-B-C: Cleveland State Line | Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
You would get off at the Clifton & West Blvd stop. A short walk north along West Blvd takes you right into the park. This would also be a nice place to run. Unfortunately there is no easy way to walk to the beach from downtown - yet. A trail system is being planned.

Would I use the same pass for the train that I would for the BRT to get to the beach? Also how is the water in Lake Erie? Lake Michigan is pretty darn clean, but curious about Lake Erie near Cleveland?

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by Urbanist928

Would I use the same pass for the train that I would for the BRT to get to the beach? Also how is the water in Lake Erie? Lake Michigan is pretty darn clean, but curious about Lake Erie near Cleveland?

The RTA day pass covers all rail rapids, BRTs and buses. Downtown bus trolleys are free for everyone and don't require passes.

You can check water conditions at Edgewater here.

Ohio Nowcast

Cleveland traps most storm water for treatment, but after significant storms I would be careful about swimming in many Lake Erie beaches for a day or two.

[theurbanfiles]

Edgewater Park is a must, especially the top of the hill view. The prominence helps to make the view outstanding. I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Towpath Trail. Yes, it isn't complete, but I believe there are signs the whole way, and once you get past the first few miles, it's entirely reasonable that someone in pretty good shape could get to the entrance of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (a unique feature so close to the city. If you get over to the beach, instead of running along the beach, perhaps running the top trails, and Edgewater Drive immediately west would be more interesting and better than running directly along the beach, which isn't all that long.

Another thought I had in terms of trails was the Rocky River Reservation. It is massive, and impressive, and especially the Fort Hill trail and overlook is super impressive. However, I'm not sure how easy it is to get to there from downtown sans car (it's right by the airport, about 15 mins. from downtown). Many out of towners are shocked by how sheer/high the river bluff is there.

[WRnative]

Does RTA provide convenient service from downtown to any Rocky River Reservation trailheads? Google transit shows over 1 hour 30 mins., but my hunch there may be faster access to a more northern trailhead in the reservation.