Suggestions Welcome!!!

by PewterPirate55 on May 26, 2009 3:17 PM EDT Comment 109 comments

As a life long Tribe fan and living in Tampa, I have never had the opportunity to see them play at home. That is about to change. I will be in Cleveland on 06/13 and 06/14 to see them take on the Cardinals. My question to all of those that have been to a home game for the Indians and the city of Cleveland in general is as follows.

What do I absolutely have to do when I go to the Jake/Progressive Park or in the city of Cleveland in general? I don't wanna do anything too tourist oriented. I would like something that is just a secret of the locals. All suggestions welcome.

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A couple suggestions…

take a tour of the ballpark, walk along the water on the lake, Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame

by Tribe Alive on May 26, 2009 3:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tourists go to Cleveland?

by odradek on May 26, 2009 3:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hastily made Cleveland tourism video

by Roger Dorn on May 26, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Best videos on the Internet.

by ClemsonGirl on May 27, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d go to the Great Lakes Brewery before the game. Take the Rapid and get off at the Ohio City stop (only 1 stop from Tower City) and its less than a block from the station.

Have a few beers, and the brewery has a shuttle to the ballpark or you can just get back on the Rapid.

by AllenSmith on May 26, 2009 4:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Here are two previous posts on the same basic topic – some of the stuff might be out of date, but most of it is probably still accurate.

Here, and

Here.

by APV on May 26, 2009 4:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’d recommend visiting League Park. Bring a bat, ball and glove and re-enact Addie Joss’ perfection, the Babe’s 500th or Feller’s debut on the same field. It’s an open city park and part of the beautiful brick grandstand remains.

Stroll around the historic Tremont neighborhood where many of the scenes from the opening montage of Major League (which you’ll be watching on the scoreboard Saturday night) were shot. It’s also a good spot to get lunch, ice cream, cupcakes, coffee, chocolate or a beer—but not necessarily in that order.

I’m not sure if you like beer, but the fact your an LGT member alone makes it a high probability you are, so you shouldn’t miss a pilgrimage to Great Lakes Brewing (as mentioned above, and likely below) and take advantage of the shuttle to the game if you’re into good brews.

And, of course, there is this place called the West Side Market, you do eat don’t you?

No, not you. Your helmet!

by PatBordersHelmet on May 26, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

my good buddy owns a stand at the West Side Market, and I’m down there about every other week, sometimes more.

it’s odd how it’s become more of a tourist attraction than an actual market, much to the chagrin of the proprietors.

You know Selig? Ombudsman.

by rolub on May 26, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Saturday’s are a good split between regulars and tourists, but Wednesday’s (when I go) are pretty breezy minus the occasional school group and Friday’s usually aren’t too bad either. I think the tourists are there because the place is a.) beautiful and b.) rare. It can get to be a bit of a hassle when you’re just trying to get some limes and there’s an extended family blocking the entire width of the produce section while taking pictures, but I’m glad they are there. I seriously think that the market is one of Cleveland’s crown jewels, so if tourists want to get in my way, I’ll take it. Every town ~~should~~ did have an amazing place like this, it’s a testament to the life still left in this city that we do.

No, not you. Your helmet!

by PatBordersHelmet on May 26, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Completely agree, and wish I was able to get down there on a non-Saturday. My buddy’s a big proponent of them expanding their hours for at least one weekday, preferably Wednesday, so that the downtown and 9-5 people have time to stop by and shop during the week.

Are most of the stands open on Wednesday?

You know Selig? Ombudsman.

by rolub on May 26, 2009 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Most of the stands are open, unlike Mondays when most stands aren’t open or don’t have their best stuff. I agree that the hours need to increase.

Additionally, to keep our conversation from becoming bifurcated, I’m a big fan of the Tom Kearn’s stand! My wife and I just grilled up a pair of their great thick-cut chops on the grill before heading to Monday’s game.

I’m more likely work on Saturday’s, but if I’m there I’ll look for ya.

No, not you. Your helmet!

by PatBordersHelmet on May 26, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think most stands in there still make their money off of locals. What kind of stand does your buddy have?

No, not you. Your helmet!

by PatBordersHelmet on May 26, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i’ll give him the full plug:

Tom Kearns Pork Avenue (however, his name isn’t Tom Kearns… he bought it from Tom about 5 years ago after working for him for over a decade). Call me biased, but I’ve never had a bad pork butt or slab of St. Louis ribs from him.

And if you happen to be there Saturday mornings between 8:30 and 10:00 and see a bald dude leaning against his counter, say hi.

You know Selig? Ombudsman.

by rolub on May 26, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m there all the time. Which stand?

Stuart Dean

by stuart dean on May 27, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nevermind. I’ll check him out. I’ve been buying Pork from Sebastians.

Stuart Dean

by stuart dean on May 27, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sebastians?!??! Those BASTARDS!

You know Selig? Ombudsman.

by rolub on May 27, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A hot dog at Johnny Hot Dog in the market. I recall being told it is the oldest hot dog stand in the city. And Steve’s Hot Dogs on Lorain.

by odradek on May 26, 2009 5:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

YES

Steve’s Lunch is a MUST. The later the better.

I'm *always* in the driver's seat, cugino -- Chuck

by Turkmenbashi on May 26, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mmmmmm … old hot dogs.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on May 27, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

This vintage frankfurter comes from Cleveland, circa 1942.

by odradek on May 27, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

While most of the world’s metropoles have their Red Light Districts, only Cleveland has a vintage hot dog district.

by jhon on May 27, 2009 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cedar Point is the most fun thing to do if you have the time. Everything else can be a similar experience to almost any other city in the country

by Roger Dorn on May 26, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I concur. Cedar Point is the best amusement park in the country, and it’s not even close. If you love roller coasters you much visit Cedar Point; it has the most roller coasters of any park on earth. If you go, you absolutely must ride the Millenium Force. An amazing thrill ride and easily the best roller coaster I’ve ever ridden. Ride it two or three times if you can.

by Buckeye Brad on May 26, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My family has now all left Ohio, but we’re meeting by the lake in July for a reunion and trip down memory lane. Cedar Point, a trip to Put-in-Bay via ferry, the Rock hall, Progressive Field. I have a different trip in June to Akron, where we’ll make a pilgrimage to Strickland’s.

by FredOx on May 27, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I second Chuck’s nomination of Slyman’s in a previous post if you love good corn beef.
Also, previously unmentioned, Geraci’s serves a great pizza (in University Hts.).
Finally, nobody mentioned the USS Cod, on the lakefront, if you would enjoy exploring a WWII submarine.

by elsandito on May 26, 2009 7:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Love Geraci’s

by Roger Dorn on May 26, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Slyman’s may be the most significant culinary spot in Cleveland.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on May 27, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

West Side Market.

by Ryan Kelsey on Jun 4, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate to burst everyone’s bubble, but every decent city has a nice farmers market at this point. West Side Market is a nice place to go in Cleveland, but it’s not exactly a notable feature of the city.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Jun 4, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And West Side Market is one of the best. I mean, it isn’t just an every-city farmer’s market.

More significantly, any decent market is the culinary capital of its city, in my opinion.

Also, I’d say that good corned beef sandwiches are easier to find than a good market.

by Ryan Kelsey on Jun 4, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: the WSM, I have no reason to think it’s anything above typical, although I certainly haven’t been to every city. Philly has at least two large market areas that are more impressive.

Re: good corned beef sandwiches being easy to find, it depends how good you’re going for. Slyman’s is at a very high level, and I don’t think it’s easy to find.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Jun 4, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is just so totally false. Every city has a farmers market, sure, but very few have one as culturally significant as the WSM.

Ride on ye fearsome Horsemen of the Basketball Apocalypse. We got this.

by Turkmenbashi on Jun 4, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jay is spolied. He lives in a city with perhaps the greatest municipal markets in the country. Reading Terminal Market is awesome. Baltimore has great markets too. So does Toronto. The West Side Market is still one of my favorites, but it may be for family reasons. I go there every chance I get. And that’s not even taking into consideration the cultural aspect Turk refers to.

by odradek on Jun 4, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is that it? I’ll take your word for it. Of course the Italian Market is pretty impressive, too.

A friend of mine was part of a big fight with the Amish vendors for the RTM to be partly open on Sundays. Took years, but they finally won it.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Jun 5, 2009 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude the Italian market is amazing, and I haven’t spent enough time in Philly to know really anything about the cultural impact of the thing, but you really can’t write off WSM as “just another market.” Much as I love it, Eastern Market in DC is “just another market.” WSM is on a different level.

Ride on ye fearsome Horsemen of the Basketball Apocalypse. We got this.

by Turkmenbashi on Jun 8, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your beef is with odradek.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Jun 8, 2009 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is it?

Ride on ye fearsome Horsemen of the Basketball Apocalypse. We got this.

by Turkmenbashi on Jun 8, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. He says WSM is awesome and I just don’t realize it because Philly has super-incredible markets. I take his word for it. WSM has never impressed me, but my standard may be unrealistic.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Jun 8, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, yeah, well, all I mean to say is WSM is sweet. Yeah. That.

I mean, maybe I’m a young, poorly-traveled Cleveland apologist, but WSM is one of my “must-sees” for folks that visit.

Ride on ye fearsome Horsemen of the Basketball Apocalypse. We got this.

by Turkmenbashi on Jun 8, 2009 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We’re in agreement. I think WSM is great. Jay has the benefit of two markets that are superior, but that doesn’t diminish the West Side Market. The WSM also has definite cultural value in Cleveland.

by odradek on Jun 9, 2009 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you do Geracis, it MUST be Pepperoni…

Stuart Dean

by stuart dean on May 27, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

correct. I haven’t been in a good 8-9 years though

by Roger Dorn on May 27, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

personally, I feel it’s overrated. Just my opinion, though.

FE WEE

by westbrook on Jun 5, 2009 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the suggestion. I will definetly be visiting the R&R HOF. I also will take a tour of the ballpark. After reading the previous threads as suggested I have decided for tickets I am going to get 1 game of bleacher seats and one game of upper deck seats behind home plate if possible, I am going to be staying at the Embassy Suites downtown which I believe is about a half mile from the stadium so I will be within walking distance, A co-worker also reccommended the Great Lakes Brewing Company too, I am going to have to find time to sneak that into my schedule as well. Sounds like I have a pretty full couple of days ahead of me. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Additional Question …. what are the prices of concessions in the ball park like?

by PewterPirate55 on May 26, 2009 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually just checked the website for tour tickets and they will not be having tours on that saturday or sunday that I am in town. Which sucks. So I won’t get to do the tour as my flight is arriving at about 9:45pm the friday night before and I won’t be there early enough on Friday to take the tour then.

by PewterPirate55 on May 26, 2009 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least budget a good half-hour to read the plaques in Heritage Park out in center field.

by Voltaire on May 26, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ballpark prices:

16 oz. Beer – $7, but some stand will sell you a 12 oz. for a similar price!?!
Hot Dog – $4
Waffle Fries – $5
6 Chicken Wings – $6 (has anybody ever bought these?)
Nachos – $5
Pizza – $4
There is a Subway in the park that charges a bit more than a normal franchise which is interesting because there is a Subway across the street on Carnegie that charges normal price.

You can bring in a bag or soft cooler of food (no water/pop bottles or cans.)

If you like Italian eats, there’s a great place that serves family recipes a block from the ballpark. Alesci’s Downtown is connected with a great East side Italian grocery store/deli. You can’t go wrong with their pizza before or after a game. The meatball sub is the tops though.

No, not you. Your helmet!

by PatBordersHelmet on May 27, 2009 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WS Market open on SAT only & across street from GLBrewery.

Stuart Dean

by stuart dean on May 27, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then who are all those people selling me things on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and how did they get in the building?

No, not you. Your helmet!

by PatBordersHelmet on May 27, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Poster is in town on SAT & SUN only – hence the “open on SAT only”

Stuart Dean

by stuart dean on May 27, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, my bad. Incomplete sentences always mess me up.

No, not you. Your helmet!

by PatBordersHelmet on May 27, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is my worsening ability to complete sentences ones that is getting me…

Stuart Dean

by stuart dean on May 27, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve stayed at the Embassy Suites before. Nice enough hotel. Definitely very close to lots of things. Also, when I was there, they had a managers special hour at the bar when all drinks were free….I would take advantage of this. We did and then rode the free shuttle the hotel has out to the GLBC and the BeerMarket (?) next door. Good times

by Luis (Tribe Fan in London) on May 29, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s good to know that I’m not the only Cleveland fan that’s never been too Cleveland

“feels shame”

by world dictator on May 27, 2009 12:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No worries. I’m right there with you. Although my streak will end roughly the same time PewterPirate’s does. My family is going to that series too.
We were wondering what the Zoo is like because since the game is at night now we have all day Sunday. We were going to go to Cedar Point but decided it would be too tiring. :( So how is the Zoo?

by ClemsonGirl on May 27, 2009 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Zoo is incredible, if you’re into that sort of thing, which not everyone is. I am.

by FredOx on May 27, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

St. Louisans like Zoos. Except our Zoo is free and awesome so we’re spoiled.

by ClemsonGirl on May 27, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is indeed an awesome zoo. We went a lot – my kids loved the train. It’s a tossup between that one and the National Zoo in DC for me (also free, being as it is part of the Smithsonian). Plus, after the zoo you can play in Forest Park.

by FredOx on May 27, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now we have the penguins too. My personal favorite. I have never been to the National Zoo. I love Zoos. They are so much fun.

by ClemsonGirl on May 27, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The National Zoo has pandas. Penguins and puffins, too. It also has way too many people in it. Now I live in Richmond, which I only discovered has a zoo at all because my first grader took a field trip to it. Not even remotely the same. Even the Akron Zoo is better.

by FredOx on May 27, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I too am a connoisseur de zoo.

For your geographic location, allow me to recommend the NC zoo in Asheboro. It would probably take just as long to get there as it does to get to the DC Zoo and it’s WAY better. It’s huge too; we only try to see half of the Asheboro zoo on any given trip, but we can get there in a couple of hours.

When we were living in MD, my kids defined the DC Zoo and the Baltimore Zoo by their selection of bears. DC has pandas and Baltimore has polar bears. Frankly, we all preferred the polar bears.

I have taken in the St. Louis zoo. I don’t have strong memories of it, bloody hot the day we went. That’s one of the great things about the NC zoo as well, loads of canopy and national habitats as you make your way through. Even a hot day isn’t unbearable, pardon the pun.

-Erik

by drerikbrady on May 28, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hear that the DC zoo has fired the Giraffes and is looking to hire more Elephants.

by jhon on May 28, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No kidding?

-Erik

by drerikbrady on May 28, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about the Atlanta zoo? I had a lovely time there. Heard a lion roar.

by NickFantana on May 28, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haven’t made it to that one yet. I went to the Milwaukee zoo in my childhood, but don’t remember a whole lot from that one, except Samson the gorilla in a small glass room. I wasn’t overly impressed with the San Diego zoo. Regrettably, I didn’t have time to get to the wild animal park in San Diego when I was last out there.

-Erik

by drerikbrady on May 28, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It has gotten a lot better over the past 15 years. They now have a pretty wonderful primate section, with a particularly nice gorilla habitat.

by APV on May 28, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We’ll be in Greensboro later this summer. Might have to hop down I-73 and check it out.

by FredOx on May 28, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A Møøse once bit my sister …

  No realli! She was Karving her initials on the møøse
  with the sharpened end of an interspace tøøthbrush given
  her by Svenge – her brother-in-law – an Oslo dentist and
  star of many Norwegian møvies: “The Høt Hands of an Oslo
  Dentist”, “Fillings of Passion”, “The Huge Mølars of Horst
  Nordfink”.

Stuart Dean

by stuart dean on May 28, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

Ollie, throw this guy out.

by odradek on May 28, 2009 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rec for Monty Python reference.

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on May 30, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We apologise for the fault in the previous comment. Those responsible have been sacked.

by FredOx on Jun 1, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In St. Louis, though, you have a bonobo with alopecia (or at least you did last time I was there, ~ 9 years ago).

“Mommy Mommy, why is there a little naked man in there with those ~~monkeys~~ apes?!”

by APV on May 27, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The penguin exhibit smells awful though. Best part is watching the penguins get in line and dive into the water before getting back in line. Worst part is the smell

by Roger Dorn on May 27, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can walk to the St. Louis zoo in like 10 minutes. Needles to say, I’ve been a few times.

by ClarkM on May 27, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You must live close to my grandparents

by Roger Dorn on May 28, 2009 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I live down the street from Kaldi’s and Jimmy’s on the Park.

by ClarkM on May 28, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve been to the Kaldi’s on Forest Park. Good coffee shops. There used to be one in Cincinnati and New Orleans as well, but I believe they’re gone.

by odradek on May 28, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

St. Louisans like Zoos. Except our Zoo is free ~~and awesome~~ so we’re spoiled

I really hated my St. Louis Zoo experience.

I think location-wise and not counting Busch Stadium my favorite visit in St. Louis was Sonic.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on May 27, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What? How do you not love the St. Louis Zoo? I go at least two or three times every summer. Did you go when it was like 40 degrees out and there were no animals?

by ClemsonGirl on May 28, 2009 2:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I went when it was 90 degrees out and I chose to wear uncomfortable sandals. Which is partially my fault. But the coffin-sized box of meerkats didn’t really excite me either.

It wasn’t necessarily a knock. Sonic is just awesome.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on May 28, 2009 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A good pair of sandals can be very difficult to find.

by NickFantana on May 28, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen, Iron.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on May 28, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would agree with NickFantana on that point. I am impervious to the 90 degree days in St. Louis at this point. I went to Grant’s Farm last year when it was over 100 and the weather girl told everyone to stay inside at all costs. I wasn’t the only there so clearly no one cared. I will give you that there really isn’t much else to do in St. Louis minus going to baseball games and the Zoo. That’s pretty much all we’ve got.

by ClemsonGirl on May 28, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And the Arch museum.

-Erik

by drerikbrady on May 28, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And one of the great American art museums.

by odradek on May 28, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely. I shouldn’t have left that out.

-Erik

by drerikbrady on May 28, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My children would tell you that the City Museum is one of the Greatest Places in the World.

by FredOx on May 28, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is. Not free. But awesome.

by ClemsonGirl on May 28, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess if you aren’t from St. Louis the Arch is fun.
And Forest Park is full of great free places. St. Louisans like free. It makes a place like ten times better.

by ClemsonGirl on May 28, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, I’m not from St. Louis, but every damn time I go someone asks if I want to go to the Arch. Why the hell would I want to go to the Arch? It’s… an arch.

I haven’t spent as much time downtown bar-hopping as I probably should, being the drunk I am and all, so I can’t comment on the quality there. That big greenhouse-looking thing with the Hard Rock Cafe and stuff was kinda cool.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on May 28, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs