Fun things to do in Cleveland

In my opinion, Lake Erie is one of Ohio's most important and most underutilized resource. In the Cleveland area for example there is pathetically little public greenspace along the Lake for residents and visitors to enjoy. And it is the most beautiful attraction this State has to offer.

For a little outdoor adventure try sea kayaking on Lake Erie. There is no better place in Ohio to sea kayak. If you are an experienced paddler with your own boat you can go it alone or if looking for a rental, lessons or a kayak tour check out "41°North", a sea kayaking outfitter in the Cleveland area. They typically have 2 to 3 kayaking tours per week in the spring through fall months. *UPDATE (the owner of 41°North emailed me with updated hours - rental center is open 6 days a week in the summer mnths,weekends only after Labor Day and close in October).

Favorite tours include half day tours like the Cleveland Rocks! Downtown Tour where you can view the Cleveland skyline and kayak under the Rock Hall of Fame, the Lakewood Cliffs and Coves trip, and full day trips where you are ferried out to Lake Erie's islands and explore them via sea kayak.

Warning: If you want to rent your own kayak by the hour, 41°North currently only rents them on the weekends. I don't know of anywere else to rent them other than 41°North, but there could be.

Warning: If you decide to go it alone on the Lake please be prepared. Lake Erie is a rather shallow lake (as far as the Great Lakes are concerned) and weather and lake conditions can change rapidly resulting in sizable waves and dangerous conditions. There is also a lot of boat traffic on the lake so watch out.

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One of Lakeview Cemetery's don't miss monuments is the one to President James A. Garfield, America's 20th President. Lasting only 6 months in office due to assassination (actually shot at 4 months and lived another 2 critically wounded), Garfield's was the 2nd shortest term of any U.S. President.

Garfield served as an officer in the Civil War and in the U.S. House of Representatives before the Presidency. He is the only Representative to move to the Presidency.

Garfield's reputation is marred by stories of scandal and misconduct; however, a new book that I have not yet read largely refutes such assertions. I plan to read it (I am reading all of the Presidential biographies) and will report back once I am finished.

The Monument itself is impressive (and purportedly haunted) and also supposedly the country's first true mausoleum. During business hours and on weekends you can go inside. Inside are beautiful stained glass, murals and mosaics, and a statue to the late President. You can climb a winding staircase to a top balcony and have a beautiful view of downtown Cleveland. You can also descend to the basement where the President and his wife are laid to rest.

The Monument also contains a ballroom of all things. Although this is blocked off and not open to the public. How I would love to see that!

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For a great view of downtown from the shores of the North Coast, head to Edgewater Park just west of the Cuyahoga River and downtown. During the day the park is safe and well manicured. I have never been there at night?

A lot of people fish from the shore and a pier. A hike/bike trail runs through the park and there is even a little snack stand that sells hot dogs and chips during the summer months. There is also a sand beach available for swimming, but one must be cautious of high bacteria counts within the lake (days when bacteria levels are unsafe for swimming are posted at the beach).

My wife and I like to pack a picnic lunch (with foods purchased from West Side Market if possible) and eat it sitting on the large sandstone boulders piled up along the shore to prevent erosion. When strong winds come out of the north and northwest it can be just like sitting somewhere at the ocean.

Also accessible from Edgewater Park is Whiskey Island, which is becoming a park in its own right. The Cleveland Port Authority at one time was going to convert this island (made from fill dredged from the Cuyahoga River) into a gravel storage area. Luckily for us, the City has decided otherwise and the park will be permanently protected as greenspace. Whiskey Island's waterfront sits behind the Cleveland Harbor breakwall and at the northern terminus of the island sits an abandoned Coast Guard station that will hopefully be restored to its prior condition.

I don't know if there is anything like this elsewhere. Discover yourself. A museum on human health. Fully interactive, the museum allows you to learn about your health and lifestyle. Yuo'll find out how your body works in a fun way. Yes, kids like it, because that's when I first visited the place.

Hours: M-F 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sa, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Su noon - 5 p.m.

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CLSP is a large network of parks along the lakeshore of Cleveland. They are not inter-connected, but are close enough. Edgewater park, just West of downtown, is very popular. It's very expansive, and you'll likely see kite flyers, cyclists, fishers, soccer games, a beach crowd, picnics, etcetera. A friend of mine and I recently tried the Wheel Fun pedal vehicles. Although a tad pricey per hour, it was fun! Edgewater is divided into the upper and lower section. The upper section has a lot more trees and a very large pavilion, so it is better for large picnics. The lower section has more wide-open space, and is where you'll see the kite flyers, and occaisional soccer games. Don't miss out on the pier on the lower section! Great views of the water and the city. :) I personally do not recommend swimming from the beaches! The water is dirty, and you can swim in cleaner water from beaches further to the East and West. Edgewater is bordered by some good & troubled neighborhoods, so don't be alone there at night. The best way into the park is to take Rt. 2/The Shoreway past the W 48th St. exit. Once past there, you'll see on/off ramps to take you into the park. I recommend visiting! And definitely see the website listed below, because there really is a lot to the park system.

Although I have been to the other smaller parks, I didn't spend as much time there as that I was biking my way along the Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway (not fun when there's wind). Therefore, I don't feel qualified to say much about them. However, be careful as you go Eastward, because bad neighorhoods are in proximity to most of the parks.

No trip to Cleveland is complete without going to gawk at our Free Stamp! It is a Cleveland icon! :) Many people around here either like it or don't; it's kitschy or ugly; depends on who you ask. Nonetheless, it's a novelty experience and much worth going to gawk at. You can even walk right up to it, as well.

Yes, there are things to do at this small lakefront airport. :)

There are numerous exhibits from the Internatinal Women's Air & Space Museum scattered in the lobby, including an old biplane from the barnstorming era... I am not recalling what type, though. Also, the IWASM museum itself is very worthy of investigating: You can look at old trophies from the National Air Races that were once held here in Cleveland, browse the library and gaze over other historical artifacts; volunteers are on-site in the office, too. There's even some sections of the consoles from MCC at the Jonhson Space Center sitting outside the office! Buttons and everything! Very cool. :] There are no admission costs to go into the IWASM museum nor to wander through the exhibits in the lobby.

You can also sit along the big glass windows and watch the airplanes... Ya never know what really unique ones will suprise you with an appearance.

Most people aren't aware that there's these interesting things to do there at BKL. :)

Security is on site, though. Terminal entrances are adjacent to the parking lot.

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If you have read some of my posts, you will know I am a photography fiend, so I always include great areas to shoot photos. In Cleveland, anywhere on Euclid Ave one will find many opportunities for some nice architecture pics with plenty of statues and interesting neon lighting. So go have fun, and watch out for those sneaky homeless, sorry, but these guys are aggressive.