A friend of mine invited me to her hometown for the holiday weekend…I have never been to Ohio, so I accepted since I love new adventures. Her family is from Avon Lake, near Cleveland. Avon Lake is a pretty suburb close to Lake Erie. It was about a 5.5 hour drive to get there, so we arrived close to dinner time. After a long drive, we decided to relax at a local winery, John Christ.
I spent the next day taking in the sights of Cleveland since my friend’s mom was awesome enough to take me sightseeing. Our first stop was at Lake View Cemetery, which some might find strange. However, not if you are a history buff! President Garfield’s memorial is there, which is worth checking out in itself. He was president for less than a year before he was assassinated in office in 1881. Sadly, the assassination is mainly what he is remembered for since he spent such a short time in office.
There are eight presidents from the state of Ohio, so I’ll have to look up some more memorial sights next time I visit. There is a statue of the president on the main floor then you can go downstairs to see his tomb where he is buried alongside his wife. It’s a beautiful memorial that is worth taking a look at.
The Wade Chapel is located at Lakeview Cemetery as well…there is a gorgeous stained glass Tiffany widow called “The Flight of Souls.” It was built to commemorate the passing of Jeptha Wade, who was one of the founders of Western Union Telegraph. There some beautiful mosaics on the two different sides of the wall showcasing more images from the Christian stories of death and resurrection. People also marry at the chapel…they cover up the tomb when that happens…that probably would be a little too grim for a wedding. There are other notables like Rockefeller and Eliot Ness that are buried at Lake View as well. It is beautiful and anyone interested in history should check it out. There are tours of the cemetery that you can take, which I will do next time since there is so much I’m sure I missed.
Public Square is nice to walk around in downtown Cleveland. There is an installation of outdoor art created by Cracking Art Group from Italy. There are colored, plastic animals on display all around the city. There are some by the fountains that children can push and move around. I had to climb one of them too. I couldn’t resist playing with them either. They add a lot of color to the city. The plastic animals are there to remind people about conservation and the importance of recycling.
Next to the snails is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument honoring those that died in Cuyahoga County during the Civil War…it also has a tribute to the women who volunteered in the war effort, which I haven’t seen anywhere before…the man working there is knowledgeable and will gladly answer any questions you have. It brings to life many of the famous players from the Civil War.
The Cleveland Museum of Art is a great place to spend a couple hours in the afternoon. It’s in University Circle where there are other museums nearby. The Cleveland Institute of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Museum of Natural History are all within walking distance of each other. It also is the home of Severance Hall, where the Cleveland Orchestra resides. Also, University Circle is primarily known the academic institutions that are apart of this neighborhood, one of which is Case Western Reserve University. The campus is beautiful and you will enjoy walking the grounds. The museum is free which is amazing. When I visited, they had some pieces on loan from the Museum of Modern Art in New York. I was excited to see a painting by Frida Kahlo, as well as a beautiful painting by John Singer Sargent.
There are works by El Greco, Caravaggio, Dali, and I could go on and on…The museum is also well known for its collection of Egyptian art. The addition to the museum houses modern to post modern art.
When I visited Oktoberfest was going on that weekend at the Berea Fairgrounds. I have been to one in Chicago’s Germantown, so I wanted to experience the fest in another city. I tried some beer from Great Lakes brewery, and ate potato pancakes like I normally do at German festivals. What I particularly enjoyed about this fest was the live reenactment of Munich’s Glockenspiel on the Rathaus, which I have seen when I visited Munich (was not there for Oktoberfest). I liked that artists had tables to sell jewelry and artwork. All in all, I had a great time, and was glad that my friend took me.
While driving in Avon, I had to stop at Maria’s Field of Hope. The donations go to brain cancer research for children in honor of Maria who died at 8 years old. You can purchase different things or donate to the cause. Part of the donations go to planting more sunflowers, and the field of flowers keeps growing. The field is beautiful, a loving tribute for Maria. If you like sunflowers, stop by, and (if you can) donate to Maria’s Field of Hope.
West Side Market is a neat place to spend a Sunday afternoon. You can try all kinds of ethnic food, and purchase fresh vegetables and/or fruit. Lots of delicious meat from different Eastern European vendors, as well as amazing pastries. It is crazy crowded, but definitely worth checking out. Any foodie will appreciate and like the market.
Before I left I went to a local café Cravings in Rocky River since we all need a chai for the road. There are many more other things to do, and when I go back I’d like to see an Indians game, see the Rock Hall, see a show in Playhouse Square, and check out some of the other museums. I enjoyed my weekend getaway, and plan on visiting again. I end this post as to be continued…
