Cleveland History and Architecture
Day 1 You'll See:
Cleveland at Night larry-e.-highbaugh Jr Courtesy of ThisisCleveland.com
- Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage
- Hale Farm and Village
- Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
Day 2 You'll See:
- West Side Market
- House of Blues
- Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument
- Observation Deck of Terminal Tower
- Great Lakes Brewing Company
Day 3 You'll See:
- University Circle
- Western Reserve Historical Society
- Little Italy
- Lake View Cemetery
- Kirtland Temple
- Ferrante Winery and Ristorante
Day One
Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage - Welcome to the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, the only museum dedicated to diversity and tolerance in northeastern Ohio. This museum works to introduce visitors to the beauty and diversity of Jewish heritage in the context of the American experience. The galleries contain state of the art exhibits, interactive, films, oral histories, photos, and personal artifacts. Get ready for an educational and enlightening visit to the Maltz Museum, and be prepared to come face to face with the stories of immigrants, modern-day heroes, and maybe even your very own ancestors as you walk through these halls of history!
Hale Farm and Village - Your next stop will take you to the Hale Farm and Village, a historic property of the Western Reserve Historical Society. The Western Reserve Historical Society was founded in 1867, making it the oldest cultural institution in northeastern Ohio, and focuses on the history of the Western Reserve. Being the former home of Jonathan Hale, this section of the Western Reserve was dedicated in 1958 and is actually half living history museum and half village (Wheatfield). The east side of the farm is the Hale Living History Museum. This portion of the farm offers a true pioneer farming experience, complete with sheep, oxen, pigs, and chickens. Your group will be able to take part in some candle, broom, or brickmaking, as well as glass blowing, blacksmithing, and other period crafts.
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens - End your day at the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, the 100-year-old finest example of Tudor Revival Architecture in the whole nation. This estate used to belong to the Seiberling family, the family that in 1898 founded the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. A walking tour of the whole property will take you from the manor house to the Gothic Revival Conservatory, a beautifully built building, and then to the Gate Lodge. Finally, you will see the Carriage House, an 11,000 square foot spare living space that has 13 rooms, used in the past for outdoor workers and extended family. Before you leave the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens be sure to stroll around the stunning landscaped grounds and take a peek at the sprawling formal gardens. Your group can get involved in a game of vintage baseball, geocache, or take a break in the play garden. One of the most exciting activities offered here is the Canalway Quests, an amped up adult version of a scavenger hunt that will have you racing all over the estate!
Day Two
West Side Market - What better way to start your day off in Cleveland than at a truly historical and iconic Ohio landmark, the famous West Side Market. Inside the market, your group will find over 100 vendors from every ethnic diversity imaginable. Within the market, you can find fine meat, fresh vegetables, even fresher seafood, cheeses, baked goods, flowers, herbs, candies, and nuts, as well as many other niche market items you won’t find anywhere else. Make sure you bring your camera and notice the 137-foot clock tower that has been working since 1912! Spending a morning, or even a whole day, at Cleveland’s West Side Market is a historical tradition, and it’s pretty fun as well! If you aren’t in the mood for shopping you can take a half hour tour of the facility for only $5 or hit up all the sample stands for local Ohio delicacies!
The House of Blues -Your group will be able to walk around this Cleveland location and observe artifacts and historical items/ memorabilia locally collected in the honor of the unique art form that is the blues! The stage is one of the biggest points of interest, and often times for reasons outside of the amazing music being played! Every location features a Crazy Quilt stage curtain, a series of patched together fabric paying homage to the souls who had to take part in the Underground Railroad. These curtains took over 1,000 hours of work to complete! There is also a metal box welded to each underneath the stage, full of Mississippi Delta mud. This is to ensure that the "roots of the spirit of the South are beneath each performer’s feet." Your group will love the opportunity to see this piece of entertainment and cultural history, and you may even get the chance to see one of your favorite blues or jazz performers while you are here!
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument - Dedicated to the local heroes of the American Civil War, this 125-foot soldier’ and Sailors’ Monument attracts thousands of visitors from around the nation annually. The 125-foot column is surrounded at its base by a memorial room and esplanade and is topped with the statue of the goddess of freedom. The statue of Freedom is defended by the Shield of Liberty and is the essence of the nation for which the Cayuga County veterans were willing to give their lives for. The monument also features 4 bronze pieces representing the Navy, artillery, infantry, and cavalry.
Observation Deck of Terminal Tower - The Terminal Tower in Cleveland is one of the most prized landmarks the city has, with a very rich history and even richer cultural icon status. The tower is 52 floors tall, which doesn’t seem very impressive until you realize that this building was constructed in the 1920s. The 360-degree view will allow your group to see 30 miles into the distance. This sightseeing opportunity is only open to the public seasonally during the weekends and is limited to 30 minutes per group (including elevator time) so be sure to spend your time wisely as you gaze at the wonder of Cleveland from above, or perhaps frantically snap as many pictures as you can because the view is unbeatable!
Great Lakes Brewing Company - Established in 1988, the Great Lakes Brewing Company established itself as the first brewpub and microbrewery in the northeast Ohio area. The Great Lakes Brewing Company takes pride in their innovative 7-barrel brewing system in which they pump out the most flavorful pub exclusive beers. There are three different sectors of the company, the microbrewery on one side, the brewpub in the middle, and an indoor/outdoor beer garden on the far side. The beer garden is an eco-friendly guest favorite, featuring a canvas retractable roof, radiant heated floors, a fireplace, a cobblestone patio, and also a straw bale wall. Visitors can grab some of the best pub brews, such as the Heisman, Eliot Ness Amber Lager, or Burning River Pale Ale (Cuyahoga River), each with their own unique story, and dance the evening away with some live music over at the garden, or head inside to the Tiger Mahogany Bar for the classic Great Lakes Brewing experience.
Day Three
Downtown of Cleveland, Ohio seen during sunset
University Circle - Start your third day of Cleveland adventures at University Circle, the premier urban district and world-class center of education, medical, and cultural institutions. A mere four miles from downtown Cleveland and situated next to the historic Euclid Corridor, this massive city block is the only location where you will be able to find education, health care, art, culture, religious services, and social services all in one! Anchored by the University and hospital, this myriad of residences, restaurants, and retailers are the fastest growing employment center in northeast Ohio.
Western Reserve Historical Society - While you are here you will have the opportunity to explore Hale Farm and Village, an old farm homestead complete with active work animals and heritage gardens, the History Center, or the Outdoor Living Museum. Inside the Hale Farm, you can watch cooking demos, learn about the trades of the time, or partake in period-appropriate crafts. The History Center is home to the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, offering a unique opportunity to see the history of every type of transportation from horse-drawn carriage to seafaring ferries! This location is a great opportunity for your group to learn about the history of Cleveland, northeast Ohio, and 19th century living in general!
Little Italy - Continue your Cleveland adventure at the very site that Joseph Carabelli created an Italian sculpture, and entire Italian village, right here in Ohio! The area boasts over 20 art galleries, 15 authentic restaurants, several professional businesses, two schools, and the Holy Rosary Church. With a location directly adjacent to University Circle, this spot is easy to find and even easier to spend your day in! While you are here you must try an authentic meal, perhaps from Angelo’s Nido Italia or Valerio’s Place, both offering homemade pasta, cannoli, and gelato! Shopping here is an exciting adventure as well, be sure to stop by the Spuzzillo or Venetian Merchant Markets to pick up your authentic foods, books, and souvenirs from Italy!
Lake View Cemetery - Known as "Cleveland’s Outdoor Museum," the Lake View Cemetery is a 285-acre cemetery with 70 free acres for the future (that's about 150 years!). This cemetery is popular due to its acceptance of anyone, regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic status. About 107,000 people are currently buried here or have had their ashes spread here, including such important Ohio members of the community such as James A. Garfield, John D. Rockefeller, and the Wade family.
Kirtland Temple - On a tour of the facility, your group will first see a theater presentation at the visitor center and then undergo a 45-minute walking tour of the gardens and historic structure. Guests will visit the upper and lower courts of the temple and discuss the construction and community uses of the building in the 19th century. The museum holds artifacts from the Kirtland Saints, such as original temple stucco, an 1837 Book of Mormon, and an 1837 store daybook. The curator's corner within the museum also holds a Hebrew grammar supplement, an 1835 hymnal, and plenty of historic doctrines. Your group can choose from the basic tour described above or go with a behind the scenes tour of the structure, a cemetery tour, or a historic district tour, which will highlight all the important historical facts as well as interesting architectural features of the Kirtland Temple.
Ferrante Winery and Ristorante - What better way to end your Cleveland trip than with a nice evening visit to the highly admired Ferrante Winery and Ristorante? This winery planted its roots in the Cleveland area in 1937 and has since built upon its 65 acres that original owners Nicholas and Anna Ferrante established. Today both the restaurant and the winery are both up and running and better than ever. Ferrante can take pride in their state of the art winery operation, spacious tasting room, and full-service eatery.
