2024 Cleveland Group Tour Guide

2024

GROUP TOUR Guide

inside

EVENTS CALENDAR MAPS

The Land Of Blazing Your

own trail

THE LAND OF EXPERIENCES P.4

GROUP DINING P.16

urban outdoors P.26

uniquely cleveland P.28

SCHOOLS ROCK THE LAND P.24

cleveland ’s

FAMILY OWNE

D

GROCER since 1929

A LANDMARK GROCERY STORE. For 94 years and counting, Heinen’s has been committed to Northeast Ohio. That legacy continues in the heart of Downtown Cleveland.

Our store in the historic Cleveland Trust Rotunda at East 9th Street and Euclid Avenue goes beyond groceries featuring 40 wines by the glass and a wide selection of craft beers on tap. Shop for everything from everyday staples to the freshest produce in town.

Visit heinens.com for info on the go

©2022 All rights reserved. Heinen’s, Inc.

HEINEN’S DOWNTOWN STORE IS LOCATED at the corner of E. 9th St & Euclid Ave Store Info 216-302-3020

Store Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am–8pm Saturday-Sunday, 8am–7pm / 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE

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Contents

Urban Outdoors

P.26

“Nature calls” in this Great Lakes city.

P.20

© CODY YORK

© CODY YORK

IN THIS ISSUE 4 THE LAND OF EXPERIENCES You want a destination that delivers for your group 14 EVENTS CALENDAR World-class experiences without the world-class ego

2024 CLEVELAND GROUP TOUR GUIDE

20 NEW AND NOTABLE Get started with the latest openings and must-see happenings 22 CELEBRATING BLACK CULTURE Explore Black-owned businesses, history and art 30 BEYOND CLEVELAND Hub and spoke destinations are only an hour away 36 LAND OF THE FREE The price of admission is on the house

P.28

TRACKS 16 GROUP FRIENDLY DINING 18 TOUR OPERATORS & SIGHTSEEING TOURS 32 MAPS 33 MAKE & TAKE 35 DRIVE TIMES

P.24

Uniquely

ON THE COVER CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART, PHOTO BY NATHAN MIGAL

Cleveland’s a no-brainer for student groups

Your itinerary to the places that define Cleveland

GET SOCIAL WITH

SCHOOLS ROCK THE LAND

Cleveland

© JEFF GREENBERG © KAYLA LUPEAN

DON’T FOLLOW THE HERD, FOLL OW

ONLINE. JOIN US AT

2 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE / THISISCLEVELAND.COM

See animals from around the world

Ride the Eagle Zip Adventure

Plan your visit at FutureForWildlife.org

Hand-feed a giraffe

THE LAND OF

Experiences P. 6

P. 10

LIVE THEATER

FOOD, US GLORIO FOOD

P. 12

Living History / Take a ride on the historic Euclid Beach Grand Carousel at the Cleveland History Center.

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ON THE QUIRKY SIDE

1 Music Revolution Did you even visit Cleveland if you didn’t go to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? We think not. Check out a live show or explore the museum’s interactive exhibits tracing rock history via a scavenger hunt that has groups compete to find artifacts like music equipment and tour outfits.

If rock isn’t your jam, you’re in luck—Cleveland is also home to one of the best orchestras on the planet: The Cleveland Orchestra. (We’re not joking — they really are that good.) Catch a concert at the historic Severance Music Center or during the Blossom Music Festival, a

By Ilona Westfall

summer series of outdoor concerts complete with group picnic areas and occasional post-show fireworks.

For a slightly more intimate experience, head to Music Box Supper Club for live music with a side of foodie-friendly Americana fare. This inviting spot boasts great views of the Cuyahoga River, two stages and group tour packages that pair dinner with live music and a tour of a local hotspot (such as the nearby Greater Cleveland Aquarium).

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

UB LTURAL H U C 2 L. Chaves

By Tricia

Welcome to University Circle, aka the “Best Arts District in the Country.” (Just ask USA Today , which crowned the square-mile enclave on Cleveland’s east side with the title in its 2021 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards).

Photo opposite: ©Nathan Migal. Photos top to bottom: © Nathan Migal, ©Scott Meivogel

Start your cultural exploration at the Cleveland Museum of Art, which offers free admission to its main galleries.

Upcoming special exhibitions include Claude Monet in Focus (opening March 31) and Fairy Tales and Fables: Illustration and Storytelling in Art (opening May 4). Just across Wade Oval at the fossil-fueled Cleveland Museum of Natural History, your group can score discounted rates and docent-led private tours at this dinophile’s delight.

For a deep-dive into Cleveland’s legends and lore, get your motor running at Cleveland History Center—where visitors can take a spin on the storied Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel and peek inside classic cars at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum. Visiting during chilly weather?

A fragrant escape to the tropics is just a jaunt away at Cleveland Botanical Garden. For special celebrations, moCa offers a curated selection of the city’s best caterers and the ability to host “par-tinis” for groups of 50 or less amid avant-garde contemporary art.

Cleveland Museum of Natural History

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3 LIVE THEATER

Spanning seven spectacular theaters, there’s plenty to be dazzled by in Playhouse Square.

Visitors can catch the hottest touring shows via the KeyBank Broadway series (with special rates available for groups of 10+), or just gawk at the district’s centerpiece— the world’s largest outdoor chandelier.

(Take that, Times Square!)

Photos top to bottom: © Cody york, © Courtesy of Great Lakes Science Center

Inside Playhouse Square’s gorgeous Allen Theatre, the city’s original professional theatre company, Cleveland Play House, does its thing (and has been since 1915).

Whether debuting new work or revisiting an old favorite, its bold performances never fail to thrill, as evidenced by the company’s 2015 Tony Award for Regional Theatre.

By Leslie Basalla-McCafferty

Also staged inside the Allen Theatre, Great Lakes Theater’s shows are pure poetry. The company is deeply devoted to Shakespeare, but also sprinkles in more recent classics (including a definitive “A Christmas Carol”). Check out the company’s 2023-24 season to see why this theatre is anything but a “Little Shop of Horrors.”

As the country’s oldest Black performing arts center (boasting alumni including Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston), Karamu House is regarded as a national treasure, but this performing arts hub refuses to rest on its laurels. Karamu strives to be the “joyful gathering place” its name translates to from Swahili—bringing together diverse audiences for dynamic performances and other events elevating arts and culture.

, SCIENCE E S U A C E ard 4B

By Dairian He Ready to be blinded with science? Cleveland is the land of not-so-hidden STEM gems. See for yourself with an immersive guided tour of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. School and youth groups can take advantage of discounted rates and packages, while groups of up to six can zip around on a 60-minute golf cart cruise or get up-close with the animals on a 90-minute “Inside Tracks” tour.

Although the zoo boasts its fair share of waterdwelling friends, you can also find the real deal at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium on the Flats West Bank. This subterranean aquarium offers both in-person and virtual tour offerings through

6 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE / THISISCLEVELAND.COM

Great Lakes Science Center

its eight awe-inspiring galleries showcasing 2,700+ aquatic animals. (And did we mention the 230,000-gallon Shark Gallery & SeaTube?)

For hands-on STEM fun, head for the Great Lakes Science Center, where aspiring space explorers can nerd out at the NASA Glenn Visitors Center featuring a real-life Apollo Command Module.

(Packages are currently available for groups of 10-25 people.) Nautical types will want to head outside to explore the William G. Mather Steamship, a 618-foot historic flagship that invites imagination about what it was like to work on a Great Lakes freighter in the early 1900s.

An immersive way to learn history!

Public Hours: Jun. 1 - Aug. 31 Wed. - Sun. | 10am-4pm Sept. 1 - Oct. 31 Sat. - Sun. | 10am-4pm Halefarm.org | (330) 666-3711 / 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE

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5 SPORTSTOWN

By Kevin Carpenter

No city loves its sports teams quite like Cleveland—and, no matter the season, fans always have something to shout about. Whether it’s the Cleveland Browns celebrating in front of the Dawg Pound at Cleveland Browns Stadium, our very own boys of summer—the Cleveland Guardians—reaching fever pitch at Progressive Field, or the up-and-coming Cleveland Cavaliers building toward another championship at the transformed Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, there’s no better place to catch a game than our downtown sports palaces. Honestly, a visit to CLE is like hitting the pro sports trifecta.

And the attractions go beyond live sports, too: Discover the hidden history of the National Pastime inside the Baseball Heritage Museum at League Park. A grand slam choice for any field trip or group tour, this museum shines a light on baseball’s multicultural roots with exhibits showcasing the proud legacy of the Negro and women’s leagues, among others.

Cleveland Guardians baseball

Down the road in Canton, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is on every fan’s bucket list. Don’t miss the immersive “A Game for Life” holographic theater experience, the historic Bronzed Bust Gallery or the chance to snag an Insta-worthy selfie next to the Lombardi Trophy. The HOF offers special rates and a store discount for groups of 20 or more.

T RTH COAS O N 6 CITY ine e Ocasio-Lev

By Roxann

Case in point: Edgewater Park, one of the crown jewels on Lake Erie. This lakefront destination offers summer concerts, a fishing pier, a Beach House and one of the iconic Cleveland script signs (perfect for group photo opps). The Whiskey Island Trail connects Edgewater to Wendy Park, another gem with something for everyone. Think volleyball courts, a fishing pier, paddlesports and even a picnic area for rent.

Need a classy night out? Board the Goodtime III or the Lady Caroline, both offering luxury dining cruises on Lake Erie and Cuyahoga River with delicious views of Downtown Cleveland.

Lake Erie paddleboarding

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Photos top to bottom: © Cleveland Guardians, © Destination Cleveland

Ask anyone on the East or West coasts what comes to mind when they think of Ohio, and they’re likely to mention flat, rural farmland.

But anyone who’s been here knows that Ohio is so much more than a flyover state—and that Northeast Ohio borders Lake Erie and boasts an array of aquatic activities for both solo travelers and groups.

Cart Around An Island?

IT’S A SHORE THING Go back in time while you experience historical working museums, enjoy guided excursions aboard an open-air tour train, explore the Lake Erie islands via golf cart, plus many more thrilling activities! The team at Shores & Islands Ohio can put together customized itineraries for your group’s needs.

Let us help plan your group adventure!

Find your Lake Erie Love at groups.SHORESandISLANDS.com.

7 FUN ZONES

By Mary Mihaly

Ramp up the fun factor with a high-energy outing to one of Northeast Ohio’s favorite fun zones. Over in Sandusky, Cedar Point reigns as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World” with 18 killer coasters; customize your group outing to this beloved amusement park with all-day rides, caricatures by on-site artists and henna tattoos. In May, student groups can plug into themed “Education Days” dedicated to physics, science and math; engineering; and behind-thescenes Amusement Park 101.

Closer to Cleveland, Swings-N-Things in Olmsted Falls can accommodate groups of 10 to 2,000 people. Looking for teambuilding? Let SNT’s experts design your day around batting cages, Go-Karts, bumper boats and miniature golf. And for a bowling experience that would make the Big Lebowski jealous, rent a private room at the 16-lane Corner Alley in the heart of Downtown Cleveland—basically what every bowling alley and sports bar wants to be when it grows up.

Corner Alley

D, 8 FOOR D IOUS FOO GLO

rlotti

By Rebecca Fe

Here in Cleveland, we’ve got culinary artists who earned their chops in local restaurants long before receiving James Beard awards and Iron Chef titles. They represent a city teeming with culinary culture —where we put beef cheek in our pierogi, beer in our donuts and our own soulful spin on local comfort food.

Photos top to bottom: © Nathan Migal, © Courtesy of Melt Bar & Grilled

See chefs in action crafting Terminal Tower-sized sandwiches at Melt Bar & Grilled and Slymon’s Deli, or take your crew over to Coventry to tastetest Tommy’s vegetarian fare and famous milkshakes. Speaking of sweets, the sweettoothed can explore b.a. Sweetie Candy Co.’s sprawling candy warehouse and soda shoppe over in Brooklyn. It’s a real-life Candyland with over 5,000 types of candies for sale.

Sworn foodies will find a craft food and drink smorgasbord in Ohio City, thanks to an array of breweries and the famed West Side Market.

Groups can enjoy the market with a self-guided tour, while eating a variety of foods, everything from brats and pierogi to coffee and crepes.

Melt Bar & Grilled

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FIND YOUR FUN

F IN D YO UR Visit MGM Northfield Park and experience the thrill right here in Northeast Ohio.

Featuring state-of-the-art gaming, dining, racing and entertainment.

Pace

Groove

Rewards

MGM Northfield Park is off to the races. You are bound to find your pace with more than 1,300 harness races each year.

The beat goes on at Center Stage. From your favorite musicians to a comedian that will leave you laughing for days, see a show and watch the night come alive.

Get with the program. With MGM Rewards, receive personalized offers, up to 20% off booking and more. Available at MGM Resorts Destinations.

10777 Northfield Road, Northfield, OH 44067 | 330.908.7625 | MGMNorthfieldPark.com Must be 21 years or older to gamble. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available.

For free confidential help 24/7, please call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit org.ohio.gov.

mgmresorts.com/gamesense

9 ON THE QUIRKY SIDE Pockets of weird abound throughout Cleveland—from East to West (and everywhere in between that refuses to contribute to the rivalry). These places are peak Atlas Obscura: perfect for pairs and parties alike. Try a glassblowing class, build a metal sculpture or craft windchimes with Lake Erie driftwood at the Glass Bubble Project, or fulfill your DIY daydreams at Soulcraft CLE. The former offers private classes for both adults and students, while the latter provides private events and project-based classes for groups.

By Rebecca Ferlotti

doesn’t jibe with you, head to Tremont to tour A Christmas Story House for a touch of celluloid nostalgia. (We triple-dog-dare ya not to love this festive film location!)

The city is packed with cultural spots, but for a true Northeast Ohio treat, head to Euclid’s Polka Hall of Fame to peruse artifacts—and accordions, of course—from Cleveland’s notable polka pros. If that Glass Bubble Project

NIC SITES O C I 10 e Zaleski

By Anni

Architecture aficionados are in luck, as Northeast Ohio is full of sites to behold. Find Exhibit A at Akron’s Stan Hywet Hall, first built in the early 20th century as the estate of F.A. Seiberling (co-founder of Goodyear Tire). Today, the 65-room mansion and accompanying 70 acres of gardens (with a massive stone quarry) offer scenic space for exploration and sightseeing via arranged, guided tours.

The heart of Downtown—also known as Public Square —also offers a walk to remember with the postCivil War-era Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Monument, the venerable Old Stone Church with its Victorian Romanesque design and Louis Comfort Tiffanystained glass windows, and statues commemorating the city’s forefather Moses Cleaveland and influential mayor Tom L. Johnson. Take a walk to remember in Cleveland’s city center!

Guardians of Transportation

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Photos : © Cody York

Speaking of scenic, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens are a living celebration of multiculturalism. Along the 2-mile stretch connecting arts and culture hub University Circle to the shores of Lake Erie, are 33 gardens representing a vast diversity that is honored and celebrated. Among the flowers and trees are fountains, benches, statues and inscriptions representing major figures of art, philosophy and the humanities.

Sweeties Candy

• 40,000 Square Feet • over 5,000 types of candies • $5,000,000.00 in inventory • Nostalgic Toys • Pure Cane Sugar Soda Department

Sweeties Soda Shoppe

• Over 100 flavors of Soda • 36 Flavors of Homemade Ice Cream

Sweeties Golfland Park

• 2 - 18 Hole Candy Themed Courses • Seamless Purple Turf • 12 ft. high Gazebo - seats 40 • Fish Pond • L.E.D. Lighting • Open May to Mid October

2024 CGTG

Events Calendar The Land is serving up this year’s greatest hits

Through May 25, 2024, The Cleveland Orchestra 23|24 Classical Season. Mandel Concert Hall at Severance. clevelandorchestra.com

March 13-16, Mid-American Conference (MAC) Men’s & Women’s College Basketball Tournaments.

Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. getsomemaction.com

Through June 30, 2024, Fashion After Dark. Cleveland History Center. wrhs.org

March 17, St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Downtown Cleveland. stpatricksdaycleveland.com

January 2024

March 24-26, Cleveland Home + Remodeling Expo.

I-X Center. ixcenter.com

Opening early 2024, Revolutionaries: Women in Music. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. rockhall.com Jan., Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Concert. The Cleveland Orchestra, Severance Hall. clevelandorchestra.com ©TESSA SMITH

Jan. 15, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration. Various free programs at Cleveland area attractions.

Through Dec. 31, 2023 / Holla If Ya Hear Me: 50 Years of Hip-Hop. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. rockhall.com

Ongoing

Through Feb. 3, 2024, The Obscuring Moon. Transformer Station. clevelandart.org

Ongoing, select Saturdays, Ales on Rails & Grape Escape beer & wine excursions.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. cvsr.com

Through April 14, 2024, New Narratives: Contemporary Works on Paper. C leveland Museum of Art. clevelandart.org

Through Jan. 7, 2024, China’s Southern Paradise: Treasures from the Lower Yangzi Delta. Cleveland Museum of Art. clevelandart.org

Through April 28, 2024, The Girl in the Diary: Searching for Rywka from the Lodz Ghetto. Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. maltzmuseum.org

Through Jan. 14, 2024, Degas and the Laundress: Women, Work and Impressionism. Cleveland Museum of Art. clevelandart.org

February Feb. 2-11, Great Big Home & Garden Show. I-X Center. ixcenter.com Feb. 10, Cleveland Kurentovanje.

St. Clair Superior/ AsiaTown neighborhood. clevelandkurentovanje.com Feb. 16-18, Cleveland Golf & Travel Show. I-X Center. ixcenter.com Feb. 23-March 3, Cleveland Auto Show.

I-X Center. ixcenter.com

April April 5-7, Summit Racing Equipment I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama.

I-X Center. ixcenter.com April 6-8, Total Eclipse Festival 2024. Great Lakes Science Center. greatscience.com April 6-8, SolarFest: Eclipse Family Fun Days. Cleveland Museum of Natural History. cmnh.org April 8, Total Solar Eclipse.

Cleveland, OH. thisiscleveland. com/2024-solar-eclipse April 8, Total on the Oval Watch Party. Wade Oval, University Circle. universitycircle.org April 8, Total Eclipse of the Park. Crocker Park, Westlake, OH. crockerpark.com

RE E FOR MO R WEBSIT SEARCH OU INGS AT EVENT LIST

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© CIFF

Through Feb. 3, 2024, Tabaimo: Blow. Transformer Station. clevelandart.org

Jan. 27-28, Shen Yun. Playhouse Square. playhousesquare.org

March 31-Aug. 11, 2024, Claude Monet in Focus.

Cleveland Museum of Art. clevelandart.org

© COURTESY OF PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

Through Jan. 28, 2024, Mummies of the World: The Exhibition. Playhouse Square’s The Corner Gallery. playhousesquare.org/mummies

Mummies of the World

March

April 3-13, 2024 / 48th Annual Cleveland International Film Festival. Playhouse Square. clevelandfilm.org.

April 5-7, NCAA Women’s Final Four. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. clevelandsports.org April 12-14, FanExpo Cleveland. Cleveland Convention Center. fanexpocleveland.com April 26-28, Geauga County Maple Festival. Chardon, OH. maplefestival.com

May May, Cleveland International Tattoo. Downtown Cleveland. clevelandtattoo.org May-Nov., Cedar Point Amusement Park 2024 Season. Cedar Point. cedarpoinr.com May 3-12, The Biggest Week in American Birding. Oak Harbor, OH.

biggestweekinamericanbirding.com

May 4-Sept 8, Fairy Tales & Fables: Illustration & Storytelling in Art. C leveland Museum of Art. clevelandart.org

June June, Avon Heritage Duck Tape Festival. Avon, OH. ducktapefestival.com June, Juneteenth FreedomFest. Mall C – Downtown Cleveland. juneteenthcle.com June 8, Parade The Circle.

Wade Oval, University Circle. clevelandart.org

Tri-C-JazzFest

July-Aug., Ohio Shakespeare Festival. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. stanhywet.org July-Sept., The Cleveland Orchestra’s 2024 Blossom Festival. Blossom Music Center. clevelandorchestra.com

© TRI-C JAZZFEST

Oct., Thurs.-Sun., HalloWeekends. Cedar Point. cedarpoint.com

July 12-21, PanAmerican Masters Games. Various locations. clevelandmasters2024.com

Oct., Murder in the Mansion.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. stanhywet.org

August Aug., Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival & Enshrinement Weekend.

Canton, OH. profootballhof.com Aug. 2-3, Vintage Ohio Wine Festival. Lake Metroparks Farmpark. visitvintageohio.com

September Sept.-Dec., Cleveland Browns NFL Football.

Cleveland Browns Stadium. clevelandbrowns.com Sept. 7-9, Cleveland National Air Show. Burke Lakefront Airport. clevelandairshow.com

November Nov., Cleveland Christmas Connection. I-X Center. ixcenter.com Nov., Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. rockhall.com Nov.-Dec. (select evenings), Deck the Hall. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. stanhywet.org Nov.-Dec., FROST. Cleveland Botanical Garden. holdenfg.org

Oct. Corn & Pumpkin Weekends. Lake Metroparks Farmpark. lakemetroparks.com

Nov.-Dec., Country Lights.

Lake Metroparks Farmpark. lakemetroparks.com

Oct.-April 2025, Cleveland Monsters AHL Hockey.

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. lakeeriemonsters.com

Nov.-Dec., Holiday Lantern Tours. Hale Farm & Village. wrhs.org

Oct.-April 2024, Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Basketball.

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

800.820.CAVS. cavs.com

December & Beyond

Cleveland Cavaliers

Dec., The Cleveland Orchestra Holiday Concerts. Mandel Concert Hall at Severance. clevelandorchestra.com March 21-23, 2025, NCAA D1 Men’s Basketball 1st & 2nd Rounds. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. clevelandsports.org

THEATER SCHEDULE OUR PERFORMANCE PEDIGREE PRESENTS BROADWAY TO INDIE

Playhouse Square 216.241.6000 playhousesquare.org

2022-23 Key Bank Broadway Series:

Jan. 9-28, 2024: Mrs. Doubtfire Feb. 20-March 10, 2024: Funny Girl April 30-May 19, 2024: Company June 11-July 7, 2024: Back to the Future The Musical July 16-Aug. 11, 2024: MJ The Musical Featured Performances:

Dec. 5-10, 2023: Hairspray Jan. 30-Feb. 4, 2024: Mamma Mia! March 19-24, 2024: Annie April 17-21, 2024: Stomp

Beck Center for the Arts June 20-22, Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland. Playhouse Square. tri-c.edu/jazzfest

October

© CLEVELAND NATIONAL AIR SHOW

©2024 NCAA FINAL 4

2024 NCAA Final Four

Cleveland Air Show

July

© CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

April 8-Sept. 29, Cleveland Guardians MLB Baseball.

Progressive Field. cleguardians.com

beckcenter.org Dec. 1-30, 2023: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Feb. 9-25, 2024: Ride The Cyclone April 5-May 5, 2024: Jitney

May 31-June 30, 2024: A Doll’s House Part 2 July 12-Aug. 11, 2024: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Cleveland Play House

clevelandplayhouse.com Dec. 1-16, 2023: Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity Feb. 10-March 3, 2024: The Play That Goes Wrong Feb. 21-March 2, 2024: Middlettown April 6-28, 2024: Amadeus May 11-June 9, 2024: In The Heights

Dobama Theatre

dobama.org Dec. 1-31, 2023: Little Women Jan. 26-Feb. 18, 2024: At The Wake of a Drag Queen March 8-30, 2024: Something Clean April 26-May 19, 2024: Significant Other

Great Lakes Theater

greatlakestheater.org Oct. 20-Nov. 5, 2023: Dracula:

The Bloody Truth Nov. 24-Dec. 23, 2023: A Christmas Carol Feb. 9-March 3, 2024: Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express March 22-April 7, 2024: The Merry Wives of Windsor April 16-May 19, 2024: Always…Patsy Cline

Karamu House

karamuhouse.org Jan. 26-Feb. 18, 2024: The Breakfast at the Bookstore March 8-30, 2024: It Happened in Atlanta April 26-May 19, 2024: Choir Boy

Near West Theatre

nearwesttheatre.org Nov. 17-Dec. 3, 2023: The Wizard of Oz Feb. 2-17, 2024: Bklyn The Musical April 12-April 28, 2024: The Prom

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GROUP-FRIENDLY DINING THE RESTAURANTS LISTED BELOW ARE READY TO MEET YOUR GROUP NEEDS. BON APPETIT!

BrewDog Cleveland brewdog.com/uk/Cleveland Craft Brewery, American Collision Bend Brewing Co. collisionbendbrewery.com Craft Brewery, American The Corner Alley thecorneralley.com American & Bowling Dante Dining Group danteboccuzzi.com American, Italian, Japanese Flat Iron Cafe flatironcafe.com Irish Flannery’s Pub flannerys.com Irish Forest City Brewery forestcitybrewery.com Craft Brewery, Eastern European Goodtime III goodtimeiii.com American Great Lakes Brewing Co. Craft Brewery, Contemporary American Heinen’s heinens.com American & Boxed Lunch Hofbräuhaus Cleveland hofbrauhauscleveland.com German Brewery House of Blues houseofblues.com/cleveland American, Southern-Inspired JACK Cleveland Casino jackentertainment.com/ cleveland American Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville margaritavillecleveland.com American

Lago lagoeastbank.com Italian

Southern Tier stbcbeer.com Craft Brewery, American

Lady Caroline ladycaroline.com American

Susy’s Soup & Deli susysoup.com American

Mallorca clevelandmallorca.com Spanish & Portuguese

Townhall townhallohiocity.com American, Non-GMO

Masthead Brewery mastheadbrewingco.com Craft Brewery, American, Wood-Fired Pizza

Yours Truly ytr.com American

Market Garden Brewery & Distillery marketgardenbrewery.com Craft Brewery, American

UNIVERSITY CIRCLE

Morton’s Steakhouse mortons.com Steak House

Tavern of Little Italy tolicleveland.com Italian

Music Box Supper Club musicboxcle.com Contemporary American Nuevo nuevomodmex.com Mexican Punch Bowl Social punchbowlsocial.com American Pickwick & Frolic pickwickandfrolic.com American Rascal House Pizza myrascalhouse.com Casual Italian Rumrunners rumrunnersflats.com Contemporary American Saigon saigoncleveland.com Vietnamese Sausalito On Ninth sausalitocle.com American, Mediterranean Shooters on the Water shootersflats.com Contemporary American

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Maxi’s Bistro maxisbistro.com Italian

Provenance Café at Cleveland Museum of Art clevelandart.org Global

EAST & SOUTHEAST BD’s Mongolian Grill gomongo.com Asian The Fairmount thefairmount.net Contemporary American The Capital Grille thecapitalgrille.com American MGM Northfield Park mgmnorthfieldpark. mgmresorts.com American, Italian Pinstripes pinstripes.com American Tommy’s tommyscoventry.com American, Vegetarian

SOUTH Lockkeepers lockkeepers.com Contemporary American Melt Bar & Grilled meltbarandgrilled.com American Slyman’s – Independence slymanstavern.com American, Deli Your’s Truly – Independence ytr.com American

WEST & SOUTHWEST The Aviator Pub Cleveland aviatorcle.com Contemporary American Buca Di Beppo bucadibeppo.com Italian Dave & Buster’s daveandbusters.com American Don’s Lighthouse Grille donslighthouse.com Seafood Main Event Entertainment mainevent.com American, Bowling, Arcade Pier W pierw.com Seafood

MARKETS & FOOD DISTRICTS Crocker Park crockerpark.com Van Aken – Market Hall thevanakendistrict.com West Side Market westsidemarket.org

PHOTO: © NATHAN MIGAL

DOWNTOWN, OHIO CITY & TREMONT

More than buggies Shopping, Food & Brews, Places to Stay, and more.

Plan a winter getaway to Ohio Amish Country – home to heartwarming holiday traditions, unique shopping experiences, and your favorite seasonal flavors.

Living life simply.

Holmes County & beyond.

Explore the Possibilities visitamishcountry.com

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Sightseeing & Tour Operators

A Great Day! Charter Bus Service/Tours & Charter Bus Service (S) | 440.526.5350 800.362.4905 greatdaytours.com 375 Treeworth Blvd.

Cleveland, OH 44147

© CODY YORK

Company Car & Limousine (D+CMP) | 216.861.7433 800.413.2527 companycarlimo.com 3100 E. 45th St., #226, Cleveland, OH 44127

Goodtime III

KEY = Group Discounts = Performance Venue = On-site Parking = Bus Parking

Brewery & Food Tours City Brew Tours Cleveland (E) | | 216.868.7233 888.623.8687 citybrewtours.com/cleveland Serving the Greater Cleveland Area Market Garden Brewery Production Facility (CW+OC) 216.621.4000 marketgardenbrewery.com 1849 W. 24th St. Cleveland, OH, 44113 Mitchell’s Ice Cream Ohio City Tasting Tours (CW+OC+MD) | | 216.861.2687 mitchellshomemade.com/ ohio-city-flagship/tours 1867 W. 25th St. Cleveland, OH 44113 Relish Cleveland Food Tours (CW+OC) | | 440.622.4465 relishcle.com Serving the Cleveland Area

Cruises & Boats BrewBoat CLE (CW+WI) | 440.941.6690 brewcle.com Channel Park Marina 5300 Whiskey Island Dr. Cleveland, OH 44102 CLE Tiki Barge (D+FLT) | | 833.747.2929 cletikibarge.com 1180 Main Ave. Cleveland, OH 44113

Goodtime III (D+NCH) | 216.861.5110 888.916.7447 goodtimeiii.com 825 E. 9th St. Pier Cleveland, OH 44114

Special Interest Tours

Lady Caroline (D+FLT) | 216.696.8888 ladycaroline.com Nautica, Flats West Bank 1153 Main Ave. Cleveland, OH 44113

Funny Bus (D+FLT) | 216.404.7786 funnybus.net/cleveland 1250 Old River Rd. Cleveland, OH 44113

Destination Management Plum City Events (W) 330.310.6026 plumcityevents.com

Guided & Walking Tours Take A Hike (D) 216.771.1994 takeahikecle.com Tours of Cleveland, LLC (D) | 216.318.3865 toursofcleveland.com Downtown Cleveland University Circle, Inc. (CE+UC) 216.707.0132 universitycircle.org

Island Boats & Ferry Services Miller Ferries to Put-in-Bay & Middle Bass Island (SND+LEI) | 419.285.2421 800.500.2421 millerferry.com 5174 E. Water St. Port Clinton, OH 43452

18 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE / THISISCLEVELAND.COM

Cleveland Public Library (D+CIV) | 216.623.2821 | CPL.org 325 Superior Ave. Cleveland, OH 44114

Country Coach Adventures (S) 877.359.5282 | ccatours.com 13519 Stoneford St. Beach City, OH 44608 Discover My Cleveland (E) | | 216.369.9399 discovermycleveland.com Serving the Greater Cleveland Area Twin Travel (OT) 216.930.4188 twintravelconcepts.com

Train Tours

Gotta Groove Records (CE+STCL) | 3615 Superior Ave., #4201A Cleveland, OH 44114 The Hamilton Collaborative (CE+STCL) 216.664.0955 thehamiltoncollaborative.com 5401 Hamilton Ave. Cleveland, OH 44114 NatureVation Outdoor Adventures (S) 216.393.7716 naturevation.com

Receptive Operators & Step-On Guides A Cleveland Rendezvous Receptive Service (E) | 440.953.8687 800.347.8687 clevelandrendezvous.com 7620 Buchanan Court Mentor, OH 44060

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (S) | 800.468.4070 | cvsr.com P.O. Box 158 Peninsula, OH 44264

Transportation & Charter Companies Anderson Coach & Travel (OT) | 724.588.8310 800.345.3435 goanderson.com One Anderson Plaza Greenville, PA 16125 Barons Bus Inc. (CW+WP) | 440.882.3703 888.378.3823 baronsbus.com 12800 Brookpark Rd. Cleveland, OH 44130 Precious Cargo Transportation, Inc. (E) | 440.543.9272 | pctbus.com P.O. Box 23617 Chagrin Falls, OH 44023

DESTINATIO N C LE V E L A ND IS A “TOP 5 C VB/DMO BY CIT Y/ REGION.” G RO U P S TODAY RE ADER’S CHOICE A WARDS

Named “Wo rld’s G Family Entert reatest ain Center (FEC)” ment national awa by the rd-winning television sh ow World’s Gre atest When you choose Swings-N-Things as a stop on your tour, you can rest assured that you are providing your guests the very best in a safe and fun-filled event. Our beautiful 13-acre park includes attractions that everyone in your group will enjoy at any time of the year.

Bumper Boats with Squirt Guns

NEW Outdoor Laser Tag

Huge Indoor Gameroom & Mini Bowling

Famous Homemade Ice Cream

Two Thrilling Go-Kart Tracks

Two Award-Winning Miniature Golf Courses

Heart Pounding Paintball Course Batting Range with 15 Pitching Machines

Performance Groups

Great Food Options

FREE performance opportunities for bands and choirs

Enjoy our delicious pizza or add on a catered all-you-can-eat buffet. Top off with our famous homemade ice cream.

Educational Trips Make learning come alive with an “Edutainment” Field Trip at no extra charge.

Free Bus Parking On-site motorcoach parking available.

For more information contact our Group Sales Office at 440.235.4420 ext.125 8501 Stearns Rd, Olmsted Twp, Oh 44138 | sntfun.com

NEW&

NOTABLE

Check out the latest and greatest openings

Bookmark This

BY LESLIE BASALLA-MCCAFFERTY

The Cleveland Museum of Art is known for curating thought-provoking fare, and Degas and the Laundress is no exception.

Showcasing the Impressionist works of French artist Edgar Degas, this widely hailed exhibition explores Degas’ career-long fascination with Parisian laundresses and his iconic depiction of women’s work in 1800s France.

THROUGH JANUARY 14, 2024

Make way for the Great White Way! Glittery new marquees beckon from Playhouse Square to check out this year’s KeyBank Broadway Series, which will feature seven straight-outta-Broadway shows including “Funny Girl,” “Back to the Future” and “MJ: The Musical.”

THROUGH AUGUST 11, 2024

Indies rule at The Cleveland International Film Festival, which brings cinematic gems from near and far, with Cannes-do spirit, to Playhouse Square. Screenings sell out fast - grab tickets early and tell your friends you saw the next big flick first.

APRIL 3-13, 2024

“MJ the Musical” comes to town as part of Playhouse Square’s KeyBank Broadway Series

Get ready to hoop it up! The Big Dance is coming to Cleveland when Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse hosts the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Final Four in 2024.

Start working on your bracket - the March Madness will be upon us soon!

APRIL 5-7, 2024

Shiny New Objects

SOLAR

STUNNER

BY KEVIN CARPENTER

Mark your calendars now for 3:13 p.m. on April 8, 2024—when we get a front-row seat to a celestial stunner.

Cleveland sits along the path of totality for that day’s solar eclipse, meaning nearly four minutes of mid-afternoon darkness as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

(Not to brag or anything, but that’s one of the longest durations of any major city.)

from 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars and mind-blowing snaps from the Hubble Telescope and International Space Station.

For those attending the Cleveland Guardians’ home opener on Monday, April 8, the eclipse will add an extra layer of excitement as the Guards take on the Chicago White Sox. (We’ve never been so excited to see Progressive Field go dark!) And at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, a “Total on the Oval” watch party will take place on Monday following a weekend of “SolarFest: Eclipse Family Fun Days” featuring special programs and activities for sky-gazers of all ages.

Don’t miss out—after all, Cleveland won’t be back in an eclipse’s path of totality until 2444.

How’s that for FOMO?

PHOTO OPPOSITE: ©BROADWAY CAST PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY PHOTOS CLOCKWISE: ©PAU, ©NASA GLENN, ©JO CREBBIN SHUTTERSTOCK

To celebrate the oncein-a-lifetime occasion, blackout-themed bashes will take place across the city. From April 6-8, the Great Lakes Science Center will host a Total Eclipse Festival at North Coast Harbor. Along with themed activities, GLSC will host the Cleveland Orchestra for an “Out of this World” performance—complete with intergalactic scores

Exciting new developments are underway at Cleveland’s beloved institutions.

BY LESLIE BASALLA-MCCAFFERTY

1

Coming right up: a revitalized and recharged West Side Market! Now under nonprofit management, the market is rolling out a $44 million master plan that includes a reconfigured North Arcade with two bars, 10 food vendors and abundant indoor/ outdoor dining space.

2

Why hibernate when you can check out the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s new $7.7 million Bear Hollow area (nearly triple the size of the previous exhibit)? See all four new habitats from an immersive treehouse with 360-degree views.

3

Celebrate work in progress at Cleveland Museum of Natural History, where a $150 million renovation is happening in real time.

See for yourself at the reimagined Smead Discovery Center, or catch a 3D flick at the updated Murch Auditorium.

4

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is dropping the needle on a massive $135 million expansion.

Plugging in the new wing means more space for concerts, traveling exhibits and amped-up artifacts from the archives.

5

The heart of Cleveland’s Hispanic community will beat even stronger when CentroVilla 25 opens its doors. The multifaceted centro mercado will include a grocery and food hall, commercial kitchen and lively plaza for outdoor gatherings.

2024 Total Solar Eclipse

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame / 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE

21

BLACK CULTURE

CELEBRATING

Cleveland’s Black community is deeply woven into the fabric of the city

Heritage Comes Alive

BY ILONA WESTFALL AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL GARDEN

Located within the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, architect Daniel Bickerstaff designed this space to convey the past, present and future of the African American community, as well as promote the education and interest of its culture and heritage.

COZAD-BATES HOUSE

Long regarded for its important role in the Underground Railroad, the Cozad-Bates House stands as the only surviving pre-Civil War structure in University Circle. Its new indoor-outdoor interpretive center underscores the area’s significance in the abolitionist movement with relics including photos, newspaper articles, engravings and more.

KARAMU HOUSE

Cleveland is an epicenter of arts and culture, boasting the nation’s oldest African American theater.

Founded in 1915, this cultural staple sits on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Enjoy professional theatre productions and arts education while honoring the Black experience.

CLEVELAND HISTORY CENTER

Cleveland’s oldest cultural institution is the venerable keeper of Northeast Ohio history. Search online through the African American Archives or add your activist-related story. In person, be sure to visit the Carl & Louis Stokes Making History exhibit, spotlighting two Black Clevelanders who made national history in the political arena.

Karamu House

Black History Year-Round CLEVELAND INSTITUTIONS SUPPORT A LIVING LEGACY OF BLACK CULTURE

Coco’s Chalky Paints

Start Me Up

PHOTO OPPOSITE: © KAYLA LUPEAN; PHOTOS CLOCKWISE: © EDRIC MORALES, ©CODY YORK, © NATHAN MIGAL

BY AJA HANNAH

Get to know these thriving Black entrepreneurs and their businesses. Coco’s Chalky Paints in the 5th Street Arcades is a D-I-Y haven and a hub of imagination for creatives, artists and fans of thrifting and upcycling. Just below the retail paint shop is an immersive furniture showroom that doubles as event space. In the Kinsman neighborhood, innovative urban agriculture thrives at RID-ALL Green Partnership’s little farm and kitchen. Founded by five Black men, the company offers training on composting, aquaponics, tree nurseries and the environment. It’s a living classroom for all ages. Tours must be scheduled in advance. Stroll through The Vineyards at Chateau Hough where cold-hardy grape varieties become locally produced wines served in the onsite tasting room. Located in the Historic Hough neighborhood, the charming winery supports a neighborhood nonprofit with a mission to foster economic transformation and support at-risk youth, veterans and those previously incarcerated.

FORKIN’

GOOD

BY LISA SANDS

We’ve got plenty of soul…in our music and in our food.

Zanzibar calls its food sexy, sophisticated and soulful. Classic chicken and waffles cozy up alongside fusion items like soul rolls, a savory stuffed appetizer. Try nearly everything with the “ultimate feast.” In the heart of Downtown, the good times roll at House of Creole.

Dreaming of oysters, gumbo, fried green tomatoes and heaping baskets of fried catfish? This is your place.

BY AJA HANNAH

1

Black History Month in February 2023 is packed with Black appreciation and education from the Cleveland Cavaliers Black Heritage Celebrations to the Cleveland Pops and Pops Chorus joint concert on American Jazz.

2

What are Black Clevelanders like Garrett Morgan, Amanda Wicker and Alonzo Wright known for? What about Paul Simpson and Jesse Owens?

Learn about their contributions and see cool artifacts like LeBron James’ championship shoes at the Cleveland History Center.

3

From Jimi Hendrix to Cleveland’s Bobby Womack, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame features Black artists throughout music’s dynamic history, all the way back to local radio DJ Alan Freed and his playing of “race records” in the 1950s.

4

Learn all about standouts like Larry Doby, who broke the American League’s color barrier in 1947, and Minnie Miñoso, who became MLB’s first Black Cuban player in 1949 at the Baseball Heritage Museum.

5

Zanzibar Soul Fusion

Destination Cleveland’s Expressions of Black Culture Public Art Passport offers a self-guided tour of 35 works of art by celebrated local and national Black artists.

Maya Angelou mural / 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE

23

Saturday’s Alright for STEM MAKE IT A “WOW” WEEKEND WITH ART, HISTORY, BOTANY AND SCIENCE.

BY ERIN O’BRIEN

Cleveland Museum of Natural History Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Rock to Bach

BY ERIN O’BRIEN FRIDAY MORNING WITH THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA

Matinee concerts featuring the works of Debussy, Schubert, Prokofiev and more will captivate high school students amid the grandeur of historic Severance Hall in University Circle. Classroom resources, online teacher guides and Spotify playlists round out concert and music exploration offerings for younger students. Noted: Education concerts align with national and state music education standards.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON AT THE ROCK HALL

With offerings spanning K-12, the Rock Hall’s free “Rockin’ the Schools” programs put a fun spin on music education with classes such as “The Birth of Hip-Hop Culture” and “Shake, Rattle and Roll: The Building Blocks of Music.”

Via the “Voice Your Choice” program, students curate their own class of Rock Hall inductees using aesthetic judgment.

Rock on!

FRIDAY EVENING AT PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

Explore our universe from the outside in—starting with an immersive planetarium program that will have students contemplating the stars and beyond. From bobcats to bald eagles, students can also make some new furry friends in the outdoor wildlife walk (all of whom have been rescued and rehabilitated). An array of other gallery and classroom programs challenge students to ponder geography, the human body and diverse cultural histories.

Cleveland Museum of Art

Trained guides spark critical thinking and offer hands-on activities during hourlong gallery explorations such as “Design Your Own Exhibition” or “American Art and History.” The innovative ArtLens gallery brings fun into the mix with a host of digital interactives—from a pottery wheel to a 40-foot multi-touch wall highlighting snapshot collages of the museum’s collection.

(And did we mention the free admission?)

Get the backstage lowdown on KeyBank’s Broadway Series with free “Broadway Buzz” talks scheduled one hour before curtain time for upcoming shows like “Funny Girl,” “Company” and “MJ The Musical.” Other field trip options include matinees with accompanying workshops and programs illuminating the performance arts.

(Bonus glitz: a giant outdoor crystal chandelier towering 25 feet overhead sets the stage for a great experience.)

24 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE / THISISCLEVELAND.COM

Cleveland Museum of Art

PHOTOS OPPOSITE: © ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME, © CODY YORK. PHOTOS TOP TO BOTTOM: © CODY YORK, © GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER.

SCHOOLS ROCK CLEVELAND

It’s a no-brainer for students looking to break out of classroom walls

THAT’S

ENTERTAINMENT Round-out your itinerary at a one-stop shop for all things fun.

BY JEN JONES DONATELLI GOOD TIMES

Warning: fun overload just might be in store at Ohio City’s Pins Mechanical Co., with over 40 vintage arcade games, plus pinball, foosball, bocce and duckpin bowling.

EARN YOUR STRIPES

Great Lakes Science Center

Saturday’s Alright for STEM (continued) Cleveland History Center

Local history comes alive with programming on yesteryear’s cars, bikes and airplanes; turn-of the century toys; and civic topics such as Cleveland’s role in WWI and the Underground Railroad. A math and design program revolves around the Euclid Beach Grand Carousel (ride included), while the “Flight” program highlights Cleveland’s historic National Air Races using paper airplane experiments.

Cleveland Botanical Garden

With eye-popping foliage abloom at every turn, students will blink in wonder and then learn how it all lives together via programming on symbiotic relationships, the secrets of soil and plant reproduction.

“Butterflies in the Garden” takes visitors inside the dazzling Costa Rica glasshouse for lessons on the life cycle of a butterfly, while a hands-on sensory tour encourages exploration with all five senses.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Get up close and personal with zoo residents such as wallabies, koalas or tortoises with the “Inside Tracks” program. Activities may include observing behind-the-scenes holding areas and animal training sessions. Students can learn to think like a vet with the “Veterinarian Bag program, in which students diagnose an under-the-weather grizzly bear and work together to plan a proper course of treatment.

Great Lakes Science Center Blast into space inside the Skylab 3 Apollo Command Module with the “Mission to STEM” app at the NASA Glenn Visitor Center.

Interactive fun abounds, from light sculpting to augmented-reality sandboxes to a towering wind turbine. Groups of 50-plus can enjoy dinner and a movie in the six-story Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater via the museum’s private “After Dark” package.

Cleveland is one of the “Top Destinations to Watch in 2022 and Beyond.”

Teach & Travel Magazine

Have a ball, but have it your way with both bowling and bocce at Pinstripes. Afterwards, feast on Italian-American eats by the fire pit!

HEY, ANDRETTI!

Quench your need for speed at the slick BOSS Pro-Karting & Axe Throwing indoor go-kart track that facilitates lively racing competition among friends.

LET’S ROLL

Kid-friendly bumpers, selfie scoring pics, dragon bowling ball ramps and 22 black-lit lanes set the stage for big fun at Main Event.

Sunday Funday AT CEDAR POINT, YOUR SUNDAY IS SURE TO BE A WILD RIDE.

BY JEN JONES DONATELLI

Get to the Point

Cedar Point isn’t just for thrill-seekers.

The science-minded will geek out over Physics, Science and Math Days (May 6, 9 and 10, 2024), where the laws of physics come to life via amusement park fun. For instrumental and choral groups, all of Cedar Point becomes a stage during the Festival of Music (May 6, 9 and 10, 2024). / 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE

25

URBAN OUTDOORS

OUR GREAT LAKES CITY HAS NO SHORTAGE OF ADVENTURE.

By Annie Zaleski

Get close and personal with aquatic wonders at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium

DAY 1 — MORNING

City Tours Led by lifelong residents, See CLE tours offer an insiders’ view of Cleveland’s history and hidden treasures with intimate tours and bespoke experiences. For those wearing comfy shoes, Tours of Cleveland highlights Public Square, The Arcade and Playhouse Square on a two-hour walking tour.

Ohio City Farm Find fruits and veggies galore when you tour Cleveland’s largest urban farm. Learn about the history of the farm’s land, its commitment to sustainable growing and how its work benefits the mission of The Refugee Response. Group tours are available from May to October.

Greater Cleveland Aquarium Go fish at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, perched next to the Cuyahoga River on the Flats West Bank.

Take a deep-dive into aquatic life from both the Great Lakes and around the globe, then kick the experience up a notch with group add-ons like stingray art sessions and animal encounters.

DAY 1 — EVENING

Lady Caroline Cruise Cruising the Cuyahoga River has never been so much fun (or tasty). An evening dinner cruise aboard the Lady Caroline combines sunset and city views, DJ-spun tunes and an unrivaled vantage point for enjoying Cleveland’s waterfront atop the ship’s rooftop deck.

PHOTOS TOP TO BOTTOM: ©CODY YORK, © LADY CAROLINE PHOTO OPPOSITE: © DESTINATION CLEVELAND

DAY 1 — AFTERNOON

Lunch at West Side Market Feast on a Parisian-style savory crepe, shrimp Pad Thai or handmade pierogi (or all three—we won’t tell!). With dozens of vendors, the world is your oyster at this nationally renowned historic market that has served Cleveland for over a century.

Mitchell’s Ice Cream Scoop’s up! Take an hour-long tour of Mitchell’s Ice Cream’s flagship shop and kitchen to get up to speed on how the magic happens—in other words, how the local creamery whips up tasty flavors like Key Lime Pie and Double Chocolate Chunk.

Don’t worry—free samples are included.

26 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE / THISISCLEVELAND.COM

Lady Caroline

DAY 2 — MORNING

League Park & Baseball Heritage Museum See the spot where the Cleveland Buckeyes clinched the 1945 Negro League World Series, then explore the adjacent museum packed with sports stories and treasures from the lost Latin, Caribbean, Barnstormer, Negro and Women’s leagues.

Cleveland Botanical Garden Stroll through the greenspace oasis Cleveland Botanical Garden, which boasts 10 acres of outdoor gardens—including the popular tranquil Japanese Garden—and year-round indoor destinations like the tropical Costa Rican Glasshouse and the Madagascar Glasshouse.

DAY 2 — AFTERNOON

Explore & Lunch at Cleveland Museum of Art There’s always plenty to see at the Cleveland Museum of Art. After a filling lunch at the museum’s Provenance Café, enjoy exploring the special exhibits and permanent galleries. Hone your artistic eye by gazing at colorful Warhol paintings or ornate Greek and Roman Art. Lake View Cemetery Besides being the final resting place of President James A. Garfield and other notable Clevelanders, Lake View Cemetery doubles as an Instagramworthy nature enclave. Be sure to see Wade Memorial Chapel, which boasts an interior by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Cleveland’s Community Rowing & Sailing Center Work on your fitness at the Foundry Community Rowing and Sailing Center on the riverfront in the Flats. Groups can customize their experience and book rowing and sailing classes on Cleveland’s waterfront, either the great Lake Erie or the mighty Cuyahoga River.

Cleveland Botanical Garden

DAY 3 — MORNING

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad All aboard this round-trip jaunt through 33,000-acre Cuyahoga Valley National Park! Ride the rails between Independence and Akron, scoping all that jaw-dropping natural beauty from the comforts of CVSR’s passenger cars. No matter the season, this is gorgeous stuff.

DAY 3 — AFTERNOON

Lunch at Hale Farm & Village Step back in time at Hale Farm & Village, which recreates 19th-century farm life in the Western Reserve (open seasonally between June and October).

Lunch at the on-site Café 1810 is thoroughly modern, however, with regionally sourced ingredients and menu.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens This historic estate was built in the early 20th century for F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Today, the 65-room mansion and accompanying 70 acres of meticulously landscaped grounds offer plenty of room for exploration.

DAY 2 — EVENING

DAY 3 — EVENING

Progressive Field Play ball! There’s no better place to be on a beautiful summer night than a Cleveland Guardians game at Progressive Field, which features an abundance of local food and drinks options. Group tickets provide perks like scoreboard recognition and merch discounts.

Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center Conclude your day with wide open skies and pitchperfect notes at Blossom Music Center, the warmweather home of the famed Cleveland Orchestra since 1968. Groups of 10 or more receive not only group discounts, but also priority seating, free bus parking, and other perks. / 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE

27

UNIQUELY CLEVELAND Enjoy traditional Dim Sum at Li Wah

THE LAND, THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE IT THANKS TO THESE ONLY-IN-CLEVELAND EXPERIENCES.

PHOTOS TOP TO BOTTOM: © DESTINATION CLEVELAND, ©CODY YORK. PHOTO OPPOSITE: © NATHAN MIGAL, ©B.A. SWEETIE

By Annie Zaleski

DAY 1 — MORNING

DAY 1 — AFTERNOON

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame See that futuristic-looking pyramid set on Lake Erie? That’s the Rock Hall, an only-inCleveland experience that belongs on every music fan’s bucket list. Amid the highlights are the “Power of Rock Experience,” an amped-up 12-minute concert montage by Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme.

Lunch at Heinen’s Rotunda Talk about an awe-inspiring lunch! Seating at the Downtown Heinen’s grocery store—located in the Cleveland Trust Rotunda Building—is under an 85-foot-high dome with Tiffany-style-stained glass panels and Italian Renaissanceinspired touches.

Cleveland History Center On display are the Euclid Beach Carousel, the first map of “Cleaveland” and, at the adjacent Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, vintage cars once made right here.

DAY 1 — EVENING

Dinner at Maxi’s Bistro Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood is full of cozy restaurants and bakeries. Chief among them are gems like Maxi’s Bistro. In addition to a menu full of seafood and Italian fare, the restaurant offers a second-floor space for groups of up to 50 people.

Heinen’s Rotunda

Karamu House Over at Karamu House, an ambitious renovation has rejuvenated the country’s oldest Black theatre (est. 1915).

At this culture hub in Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood, live theatre à la Tennessee Williams and Langston Hughes takes center stage alongside comedy and jazz.

28 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE / THISISCLEVELAND.COM

DAY 3 — MORNING

A Christmas Story House & Museum ‘Tis always the season for visiting this quirky movieinspired museum. A leg lamp beckons not so subtly from the window, signaling to A Christmas Story fans that they’re in the right spot for viewing original props, costumes and memorabilia and enjoying an “A+++” experience.

DAY 3 — AFTERNOON

Lunch at AsiaTown Grab shareable Dim Sum items for brunch or lunch at Li Wah. Afterward, treat yourself to a delicious baked good from Koko Bakery. Then hit the various shops in and around Asia Plaza and Asia Town Center for imported dresses, jewelry and collectibles.

Polka Hall of Fame

DAY 2 — MORNING

Polka Hall of Fame Barrels of fun await at the free National ClevelandStyle Polka Hall of Fame, which celebrates Cleveland’s legacy in the polka world. Learn more about the evolution of polka music, and marvel at memorabilia including Frank Yankovic’s accordion and gems from Tony Petkovsek’s radio show.

Museum of American Porcelain Art Tucked away in the William Telling Mansion in South Euclid, the Museum of American Porcelain Art features delicate and rare sculptures from artists like Edward Marshall Boehm. Groups can book a custom or private curator-led tour of the galleries and mansion.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo & RainForest Go around the world in a day at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo—where visitors can travel from the African Savannah to the Australian Outback and back again.

The RainForest is a popular stop, delving into the jungles of Asia, Africa and the Americas with a 25-foot waterfall, 10,000+ plants and over 600 animals.

B.A. Sweetie Welcome to a real-life Candyland! Feeding Cleveland’s collective sweet tooth since 1950, B.A. Sweetie offers the largest candy store in North America at 40,000 square feet. If that’s not enough of a sugar fix, visit Sweetie’s Soda Shoppe parlor, serving up 200 soda flavors and 36+ scoops of homemade ice cream.

DAY 2 — AFTERNOON

Lunch at Van Aken Market Hall Variety is the spice of life — especially when it comes to lunch options. Luckily the Van Aken Market Hall has local restaurant options, no matter if you’re craving pizza, sandwiches or tacos, as well as java jolts from local darlings Rising Star Coffee Roasters.

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage Tales of immigration abound at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, where that culture’s American story comes to life with multimedia, tours and ceremonial art—not to mention an oversized ode to the Jewish Clevelanders who created Superman.

B. A. Sweetie

DAY 2 — EVENING

DAY 3 — EVENING

JACK Thistledown Racino & Dinner The race is on! Cheer on your favorite horse via either live racing or a simulcast. After you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a bite to eat at one of the on-site restaurants. Choose from pizza, burgers, bar grub and even farm-to-table fare at Millcreek Grille.

Dinner & Show at Pickwick & Frolic The whole dinner-and-a-show thing has never been quite this hilarious. Part restaurant, part martini bar and part comedy venue, Pickwick & Frolic provides all-in-one fun inside the former Euclid Avenue Opera House. True to form, the restaurant provides an array of options including gluten-free, vegan and pure carnivore. / 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE

29

BEYOND CLEVELAND

Add adventures along your way to The Land

That Lake Erie Life

BY JEN JONES DONATELLI

Just an hour west of Cleveland, Sandusky and the Lake Erie islands region provide an array of compelling places to drop anchor for a day.

CEDAR POINT

Get back on track at “the roller coaster capital of the world,” which boasts a laundry list of world records for its 18 thrillpacked coasters. It’s honestly the world’s greatest amusement park.

(We checked.)

MARITIME MUSEUM OF SANDUSKY

From shipwrecks to pirates, Lake Erie legends unfold at this quaint maritime museum. Hands-on, interactive exhibits make it easy to discover the rich history of the Sandusky Bay—spanning ice harvesting to the Underground Railroad.

MARBLEHEAD LIGHTHOUSE STATE PARK

Looking for plum views, rich history and a great picnicking spot? Let this inviting state park light the way. From 65 feet up, the Great Lakes’ oldest continually operating lighthouse provides awesome views of Cedar Point and the Lake Erie Islands.

LAKE ERIE ISLANDS

Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay are like yin and yang, with the former offering low-key, relaxed recreation and the latter known for its lively social scene. Get into the (glacial) grooves on Kelleys Island, or dine and drink lakeside the PIB way.

Cedar Point

Sip and Sample AMISH

UNCORK THE BEST OF NORTHEAST OHIO’S WINE SCENE.

COUNTRY

BY KEITH GRIBBINS

Brandywine Falls

Mighty River Valley

BY CINDY HILL

PHOTO OPPOSITE: ©CEDAR POINT; PHOTOS CLOCKWISE: ©CODY YORK, ©CHATEAU HOUGH, © MARTIN PESEK COURTESY OF DESTINATION GEAUGA

Just south of Cleveland, a refreshing change of pace awaits. Escape city life and explore 33,000 acres of parkland at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where 30 millionyear-old rock formations are sure to provide a dose of fresh perspective.

Warning: strolls along any given trail may reveal tall forests, breathtaking ponds, waterfalls or active waterlife in Beaver Marsh—along with popular sights like Brandywine Falls (the second tallest waterfall in Ohio) and stunning Blue Hen Falls. Oh, and did we mention a river runs through it, i.e. the spectacular Cuyahoga River?

Groups can start their adventure at the new Boston Mill Visitor Center or hit the Canal Exploration Center for interactive maps and games about canal life. Prefer to explore from the rails? Hop on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and head for the charming town of Peninsula to browse art studios, shops and comfort food spots.

Amish communities make an excellent refuge for today’s 24/7 lifestyles.

About an hour south of Cleveland, Holmes County boasts the largest population of Amish residents in the nation. Visitors from all over the world explore these Amish communities, buying handcrafted furniture, eating home-style cooking, and enjoying the clipclop of a horsedrawn buggy ride.

In Geauga County, try Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen, Rothenbühler Cheesemakers, and End of the Commons General Store.

BY MARY MIHALY

1

Located in Cleveland Heights’ Cedar-Lee district, CLE Urban Winery lives up to its name with citythemed sips like Mighty Cuyahoga Merlot and Shoreway Viognier. Book your group experience for up to 75 people.

2

Canton’s Tuscan-inspired Gervasi Vineyard is like a playground for the palate, offering Italian eats alongside wines grown on its 55-acre estate. The Still House also hits all the sweet spots as a hybrid coffeehouse-distillery-craft cocktail lounge.

3

At Ferrante Winery, the tasting experience extends beyond wine to its full-service Italian restaurant.

Be sure to order dessert, which will pair nicely with Ferrante’s gold medal-winning ice wines. (Limoncello gelato or tiramisu, anyone?)

4

Bring your beer-swilling brethren along for the ride to Ohio’s largest estate winery, Debonne Vineyards—also home to Double Wing Brewing Co. Winery tours and tastings can be arranged for groups of 25 or more.

5

Walk among the vines at verdant Chateau Hough, a gamechanging urban winery between Downtown and University Circle that sells eight wines made with the two grape varieties grown on-site.

Tastings and tours available with advanced noticed.

Amish Country

Chateau Hough / 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE

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CLEVELAND Motorcoach parking BURKE LAKEFRONT AIRPORT

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Playhouse Square Theater District East 18th St. SW (On-street between Chester Ave. & Euclid Ave.) | Jim 216.640.8605 Free | No Overnight Unattended Playhouse Square groups only

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Flats East Bank 1010 Front Ave. | Shaia’s Parking, Inc. 216.621.0328 | park@shaiasparking.com Rates vary | Advanced reservations required 24 hr. parking

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Flats West Bank Parking + Greater Cleveland Aquarium + Nautica Queen 2014 Sycamore St. – Nautica Entertainment Complex | ProPark 330.612.7345 | pmartin@propark.com $100/24hrs. | Overnight | Limited Security

Port of Cleveland 543 W. 3rd St. | parking@portofcleveland.com Book & Pay at Parkwhiz.com or Download Park Whiz App 24hr. Access | Unattended Advanced reservations required No Browns Gameday parking

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Tower City Center + Progressive Field + Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 351 Canal Road | Laz Parking | 216.571.9313 Rates Vary | Advanced Reservations 24 hr. Access | Overnight 24 hr. Security | Game Day parking

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North Coast Harbor: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame + Great Lakes Science Center 101 Erieside Ave., North Coast Harbor Lot Dock 32 | SP+ | 216.418.6440 Book & Pay at Parking.com or Download Parking.com App (99813 Lot Code, select oversize vehicle) $36/24 hrs. | Overnight | Unattended No Browns Gameday parking

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Traffic Updates: innerbelt.org | OHgo.com | 800.732.4896 City of Cleveland Parking Permits: 216.664.2174 Destination Cleveland Visitor Information: 216.875.6600 | grouptour@destinationcle.org

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Cleveland’s Largest & Best

GOODTIME III Have a “GOODTIME” with your group while seeing Cleveland!

TWO narrated tours are available 6-days a week.

Group discounts, comps and professional tour operator rates are available. Contact us today!

• Sightseeing tours available Tuesday thru Sunday • Catered lunch and dinner cruises available • Wheelchair accessible gangway, main deck and restrooms • 1,000 passenger capacity • Family owned & operated since 1958 • Cruising May thru September

216.861.5110 or 888.916.SHIP www.goodtimeiii.com Docked at North Coast Harbor (Next to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and Great Lakes Science Center)

Make and Take GO OUTSIDE THE BOX AND GO HANDS-ON WITH THESE IMMERSIVE GROUP EXPERIENCES.

BY ILONA WES TFALL

SPARK SOMETHING NEW

Learn the art of blowing glass during a group class at the Glass Bubble Project. Instructors work one-on-one with each student to create their own works of art they can take home. The studio also offers a metal sculpture class where guests learn welding.

FLAME ON

Ignite a new passion at the new Ohio City outpost of Cleveland Candle Company. Master mixologists are on hand helping groups select from 150+ scents to make unique DIY candles to take home. Bonus: shop for candles, lip balm and other gifts while your creations set.

Soulcraft CLE

CHANNEL YOUR INNER ARTIST

DIY DAYDREAMS

Talk about pulp and circumstance: the Morgan Art of Papermaking Conservatory is one of the foremost schools of its kind. Book a custom program to learn papermaking, letterpress printing, bookbinding or other art forms. Tours give an inside glimpse of the conservatory on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Located at the hip Hamilton Collaborative, this staple allows hands-on types a space to shine.

From woodworking to metalworking to blacksmithing, Soulcraft CLE offers plenty of tools to test out so you can find your niche whilst surrounded by others who share your passions. / 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE

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Regional Map Map Regional

Driving Times & Distances from Major Cities to Cleveland

Quebec City Montreal

Ottawa

Minneapolis Toronto Niagra Falls

Buffalo

Detroit

Chicago

Cleveland

Pittsburgh

St. Louis

Philadelphia

Columbus

Indianapolis

NYC

Washington D.C.

Cincinnati LouisVille

Nashville Memphis

Charlotte

Birmingham

MARKET AREA

Atlanta

MILES/KM

DRIVING TIME

MARKET AREA

MILES/KM

DRIVING TIME

Cincinnati, OH

244/393

4 Hours

Columbus, OH

147/237

2 Hours

Louisville, KY

352/658

5.5 Hours

Memphis, TN

731/1,180

Dayton, OH

217/350

11 Hours

3 Hours

Milwaukee, WI

455/734

7.5 Hours 11.5 Hours

Toledo, OH

106/171

1.5 Hours

Minneapolis, MN

753/1,215

Atlanta, GA

774/1,249

10.5 Hours

Montreal, CAN

583/940

9 Hours

Baltimore, MD

371/599

7 Hours

Niagara Falls, CAN

213/345

3.5 Hours

Boston, MA

622/1,068

10 Hours

Nashville, TN

530/855

8 Hours

Buffalo, NY

200/323

3 Hours

New York, NY

481/776

7.5 Hours

Charleston, WV

252/408

4 Hours

Philadelphia, PA

441/712

7 Hours

Charlotte, NC

518/839

8 Hours

Pittsburgh, PA

143/231

2 Hours

Chicago, IL

345/557

5.5 Hours

St. Louis, MO

529/856

8.5 Hours

Detroit, MI

173/279

3 Hours

Syracuse, NY

335/542

4.5 Hours

Grand Rapids, MI

311/504

4.5 Hours

Toronto, CAN

291/469

5 Hours

Indianapolis, IN

323/521

5 Hours

Washington D.C.

375/605

6 Hours

/ 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE

35

LAND OF THE

FREE

IN CLE, FUN DOESN’T HAVE TO COST A THING.

BY LESLIE BASALLAMCCAFFERTY

Cleveland Museum of Art CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART

ROCKEFELLER PARK GREENHOUSE

This University Circle mainstay has been free to the public since it first opened in 1916. It houses some 45,000 art pieces spanning 6,000 years, along with a breathtaking central atrium and the interactive ArtLense Gallery.

Need an urban oasis? This peaceful botanical garden and greenhouse marks the spot—blooming brightly with an array of specialty plant collections and gardens (including a renovated Japanese garden and a “talking garden” for the blind).

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART (MOCA)

CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Meet the Cleveland Museum of Art’s edgier cousin— pushing boundaries with often-interactive work by contemporary artists from around the globe.

The building itself is a work of art in itself, aptly resembling a multi-faceted gem.

Nestled along the Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cleveland is Ohio’s sole national park—where groups can bike, hike and explore the day away.

Recreation meets education on the 87-mile Towpath Trail, located on the historic Ohio & Erie Canal.

Celebrated artists from all walks of life have left their colorful imprint on CLE through initiatives such as Cleveland Walls (which brought new murals to 20 MidTown buildings) and #VoicesofCLE (elevating impactful work by artists of color).

CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

Designed to look like it sprang fully-formed from the 19th-century Main Branch Library, the 163-foot, 10-story Louis Stokes Wing houses special exhibits and docent tours. After exploring, picnic among an array of public art in the urban Reading Garden.

36 2024 GROUP TOUR GUIDE / THISISCLEVELAND.COM

SOLDIERS’ & SAILORS’ MONUMENT

Military history buffs will appreciate this massive Civil War monument. Admire the Goddess of Freedom statue outside before heading into the Memorial Room to view bronze tributes to the end of slavery, Ohio veterans and more.

WOMEN’S AIR & SPACE MUSEUM

Fly girls, indeed: Cleveland is home to the world’s only museum dedicated to the history of women in aviation and space, and groups can visit it for free at Burke Lakefront Airport.

PHOTO: ©NATHAN MIGAL

CITY MURALS

“...not just America’s most elegant symphonic ensemble, but also one of it’s premier opera bands...”

—THE NEW YORK TIMES

At historic Severance or their summer home at Blossom Music Center a concert by the internationally acclaimed Cleveland Orchestra is guaranteed to be the highlight of their trip to Cleveland CONTACT: JACKIE NACHMAN, SALES MANAGER 216-307-6662 l groupsales@clevelandorchestra.com CLEVELANDORCHESTRA.COM

ABOUT US Finished in 1931, our hotel combines modern comforts and historic charm in Cleveland’s University Circle area. We’re located next to Cleveland Clinic and one half mile from Case Western Reserve University. Our free shuttle covers a two-mile radius, including Severance Hall and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

MORE FACILITIES • Free Wifi • Meeting Rooms • Bar & Grill • Two Elegant Ballrooms • Fitness Center

• Room Service • Business Center

CONTACT US 216-456-2680 10660 Carnegie Ave Cleveland, OH 44106 TUDORARMSEVENTS@MRNLTD.COM

Mention this Group Tour Ad for special group rates and discounts!