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Access to
Cleveland from I-80 (Ohio Turnpike)
From west to east, the following Interstates provide the easiest (and
fastest) access to the City of Cleveland:
- from exit 142,
take I-90 eastbound
- from exit 151,
take I-480 eastbound
- from exit 161,
take I-71 eastbound
- from exit 173,
take OH-21 northbound to
Miller Rd, turn left, drive some 300 yards to the I-77 northbound
on-ramp, turn right and get on I-77.
Cleveland
Cleveland, once
flat broke, has made a resurgence with a vengeance. This is exemplified
in their Convention and Visitors Bureau: marketing Cleveland is their
name and they do it well. Their offices are downtown in the Terminal
Tower on Public Square.
If you are eastbound on the Ohio Turnpike (I-80), take exit 151
and follow to I-71 at exit 11. Merge with I-71 northbound and continue
through the I-90 interchange (you don't 'exit' here). Keep going (that
was the end of I-71 - you are now on I90 eastbound) to exit 171-B. Exit
and merge with OH-14. This is Broadway at the Interstate but a few
blocks later it becomes Ontario. It is still OH-14 if you can find the
signs. When you cross Superior Avenue (US-6), you're getting close. The
next street is Frankfort Avenue and 'Public Square' is one block to your
left. There are parking garages all over but some of them seem to be
reserved for monthly clients. If there is not sign indicating you're not
welcome, drive on in. Parking in Cleveland isn't as bad as New York City but
they appear to be working hard at catching up. We took a stroll around
the area and found our visit very well worth while. If you like to eat good
food (vs. what is available in a hurry) there are 8 or 10 very good
restaurants in this area. Some are very reasonable (check the prices
before you take a table).
Downtown Hotels
in Cleveland - We did choke when we found that parking in downtown
Cleveland could cost over $20/day (the
Hyatt Regency
charges $19 for guests! The Radisson
Gateway
on Huron Rd - the others aren't far behind.
When we made reservations at the Comfort
Inn Downtown
on Euclid Ave (right near exit 172 of I-90), theirs was about the best room rate
we could find. We hadn't thought to ask about parking. It wasn't free
but it was only $6.50 per night with "in and out privileges".
The Holiday
Inn Express
- same room rates and just a few blocks away on Euclid - charges $12.
The Hampton
Inn -
almost next door to the
Hyatt Regency
and charging about the same room rates - charges $15 if you park
yourself; $18 (only a dollar less than the Hyatt) for valet service.
So there you have it. We stayed at the Comfort Inn, near the
Interstate, found everything was within walking distance plus there are
four good restaurants within a block.
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Cleveland
Botanical Gardens - Like most big city botanical gardens, this one
seems to have about everything. But one special attraction is certainly
worth taking the effort and time to visit: the giant Glasshouse.
The newest attraction in the Botanical Gardens, the Glasshouse
contains two distinct ecosystems - under glass. One, an emulation of a
desert oasis similar to what you might see on the island of
Madagascar. The other, an emulation of a Costa Rican rain forest
complete with a river gorge.
The Botanical Gardens is at 11030 East Boulevard. For more
information, phone 216.721.1600 or visit their web site at cbgarden.
From I-90, take exit 173A and follow US-322 (Chester Ave)
eastbound to E. 63rd Street. Turn left, go one block and turn right on
Hough Avenue. Follow Hough eastbound past the VA Center to the Botanical
Gardens. Hough Ave changes its name to East Boulevard at Liberty Street,
just before the VA Center.
Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame - where else can you view over 50 rock and roll
exhibits, dynamic cinema presentations plus the largest single
collection of rock and roll artifacts? Here is is at One Key Plaza
(East 9th Street at Lake Erie). Phone 1-216-781-ROCK.
Open 10a-5:30p every day except Wednesday when they stay open
until 9p. Admission: $18 (kids 9-12, $11; under 8, free).
If you are already in town, your best route is to follow 9th
Street north to Lake Erie.
If you are on I-90, take exit 174-B and follow OH-2 to the 9th
Street exit. The Hall of Fame is on the lake side of the freeway.
If you are on I-80, take exit 151 - or, if you've passed that
exit, take exit 161 - or, if you've passed that or are westbound, take
exit 173. Follow I-480, or I-71, or I-77 (respectively) northbound to
I-90 and continue on I-90 to exit 174-B. Exit and follow OH-2 to the 9th
Street exit. The Hall of Fame is on the lake side of the freeway.
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