Tags
adventure, beer, cleveland, cocktails, midwest, music, ohio, rockandroll, tourism, travel, vacation
2013 has been dubbed ‘The Year of Long Weekends.’ With weddings, family obligations and limited vacation time, we’ve accepted that there will be no lengthy vacations to Disney World or dreamed of trips to Europe. That’s OK. We’re ready to embrace the Long Weekend: 36 hours of fun and adventure in places we might not have ventured to because of their close proximity and wrongly assumed lack of excitement.
Cleveland, OH was the first stop this year. Not your typical vacation destination, but it provided a great opportunity to see our busy friends in medical school and a chance to discover a few Midwest gems.
at the rock and roll hall of fame and museum.
the higbee company, famously seen in ‘A Christmas Story’ and is now a casino.
exterior shot of the velvet tango room.
each menu features an original piece of art and is available for purchase.
inside the back room at the velvet tango room – password required.
the double-sided mirror & entrance to the back room.
It was a quick trip, but here are the highlights:
- 101 Bottles of Beer: If you find yourself in the college town of Kent, outside of Cleveland, stop in for a flight or to shop their extensive stock of hard-to-find brews.
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum: An absolute must-see if you’re in the city. It’s full of awesome information, has an amazing costume exhibit and there are plenty of interactive stations to keep everyone entertained. It’s the equal to a science museum for anyone who studied mass communication in college or loves the history of rock and roll.
- The Velvet Tango Room: I read about this bar in the New York Times 36 Hours book and I’m so glad we were able to go. It’s a speakeasy type bar with amazing drinks ($$$). Make it extra special and call ahead and ask for a reservation for the back room. You’ll be provided with a password to give to the hostess before being escorted to a secret, locked room in the back of the venue. Inside you’ll be able to relax on leather sofas, enjoy a private bar and listen to the live music. It also has access to a private patio in the summer months. An absolute must if you enjoy a expertly made cocktail.
As far as food goes, there weren’t any restaurants I would go out of my way to go back to next time. So if you’re familiar with the area, I’d love recommendations as I’m planning to go back later this year.
I’m looking forward to our future adventures close to home and throughout the midwest (and south!). Although I’d love to go back to Europe or have a tropical vacation planned, I’m coming to find a well-planned weekend trip can leave you feeling just as refreshed.
Do you prefer long weekends over lengthy vacations?
I need at least one lengthy vacation of at least 10 days each year!
I can give you a nice long list of great places to eat in Cleveland
Some are downtown, but some are outside of downtown in a neighborhood called Tremont- this is also where the “Christmas Story” house is!