Cleveland Ohio

by Ann Terry Hill

Expect the unexpected in Ohio. Cleveland hosted the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) in early June this year. The Doubletree Inn/Downtown-Lakeside turned itself inside out to make us all feel welcome. Located walkably close to Lake Erie and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with complimentary shuttles to other downtown sites, it makes a great place to stay. (www.clevelanddowntownlakeside.doubletree.com )

The eye opener to me was Cleveland’s deep commitment to the arts. The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) is ranked as one of the top five art museums in the country. Reopened in 2007 after a $37 million expansion, it continues to garner international acclaim. You need to allow at least a half day here, and even then you won’t be able to assimilate all the treasures on display.(www.clemusart.com) We were there for a preview of the opening of the new East Wing and barely scratched the surface.

Cleveland likes it Live! Playhouse Square, the product of a committed community, was saved from the wrecking ball in the 60s. It has emerged in the 21st Century as one of the country’s leaders and prime examples of a fiscally responsible and forward looking performing arts center. Painstakingly restoring the five theaters Playhouse Square encompasses, one-by-one. The opulence of the 1920s is again evident and quality entertainment again comes from the theaters. Something big, usually national in scope, is frequently going on.(www.playhousesquare.org)

You’ve probably all heard of the renown Cleveland Orchestra, that makes its home in Severance Hall. Although we didn’t get to experience a concert there, we were treated to a complete tour of this fabulous facility, one of the finest, if not the finest, in the country. It added to our pleasure that the lead violinist was in the Hall practicing while we were there, so we did get a little taste of how glorious a performance would be. (www.clevelandorchestra.com)

Severance Hall was financed by John Severance to commemorate the love of his deceased wife.

It opened in 1931, under the watchful eye of Severance. Ever the perfectionist, he made the contractors do and redo until he was satisfied. Visit this magnificent hall and see if you can spot the one bit of imperfection in the Grand Foyer that escaped his eagle eye.

Cleveland hosts so many things; home to LeBron James of the Cavs, and Michael Symon, Food Channel TV star and proprietor of Lola’s restaurant in downtown Cleveland.and of course you haven’t lived until you’ve visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Don your 50s outfit and immerse yourself in nostalgia. As often happens when on a trip, I returned home vowing to get back to Cleveland when I could spend some extra time and experience it all in a more leisurely fashion. (www.positivelycleveland.com)

One of my travel colleagues while in Ohio and also a member of NATJA, Barbara Singer, had the good fortune to go on to Columbus and filed this report.

Columbus, Ohio

by Barbara Singer
Travel & Entertainment Journalist
 
Who knew that an unexpected trip to Columbus, Ohio, would evolve into an amazing adventure! Imagine that four strangers were whisked away from Cleveland in a luxury van enroute to experience Columbus without a clue what was in store for us.
Our destination was the convenient CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL COLUMBUS, Arena District downtown,  614-461-4100. From here, it’s a quick walk to the arts area, restaurants, shopping and sports events. Our welcoming host Scott escorted us to lunch at the popular North Market.  Folks meet and mingle here, a tradition since 1876. Known for home grown freshly prepared foods and delectable ethnic cuisines, gifts and delicious food sampling the market is a fabulous experience in cultures.

Moving right along to the Short North Arts District, we peeked into galleries, specialty shops, restaurants and antique stores – I purchased a pair of 1940 turquoise earrings as we strolled along.  This lively place is a favorite past time days and nights. We lingered at Goodale Park and admired the neighborhood old mansions and then visited the historic German Village area, known for its cobblestone streets, German restaurants and favorite bookstore, The Loft, with 32 rooms of books, books and more books. Best selling author and comedian David Sedaris was autographing his latest book causing a frenzy in the store while we were there.
We were thrilled to stop at the Franklin Park Conservatory to catch a preview of Dale Chihuly’s fabulous glassworks of  The Sunset Tower set among the wonderful botanical gardens. A focus of Chihuly Reimagined is set for July 4, 2009 thru March 28, 2010. The city’s glassworks theme is in the works.

Columbus was gearing up for its renown annual Art Festival rated as #1 in the U.S.   First we toured the Columbus Museum of Art to view the Egyptian Treasures and Kleibacker’s Class Art, featuring designer clothes worn by powerful women like Brooke Astor, Nancy Reagan, Kitty Carlisle Hart and First Lady Michelle Obama. The visit ended with the start of the Patron’s Party for the Arts Festival, a perfect opportunity to mingle with the Columbus arts supporters and then explore the blocks of arts and crafts outside the museum.

And that was just the first day in Columbus!

The next day, we were off to Dublin, Ohio for the Memorial Golf Tournament at Ohio’s favorite son Jack Nicklaus’ Murfield Golf Course.  Wearing all access passes, we visited the Golf Club and attended an awesome house party. It was here on this lush green, rolling hills golf course that we watched the amazing Tiger Woods tee off at Par 1. With a one shot victory, Woods won the tournament.

I consider myself a test pilot for pleasure and a visit to Columbus was a chance to seize the moment for discovery and good times. Find out everything you want to know about Columbus at www.ExperienceColumbus.com or call
866-EXP-COLS.

 

2010

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