Saturday, May 5, 2012

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum



The main reason for us, and most tourists, visiting Cleveland is to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  This impressive building, with it's front facing pyramid facade, is located right next to Lake Erie and has plenty of parking in the area, as well as being easily walk-able to from most downtown areas.

There is a TON of Rock and Roll memorabilia in this museum donated by musicians of all genres.  From ZZ Top's car from their Eliminator videos to Slash's top hat, there is something for everyone in this museum.  Beyond the memorabilia, you can also learn about the history of Rock and Roll.  From it's very earliest inception to what it has evolved into today, it is shown in a fun way so that people of all ages can enjoy it.  In addition, there are exhibits on the history of technology in music and of course the hall with the signatures of all inductees. The current temporary exhibit on the top two floors focuses on the history of the Grateful Dead and there is a U2 3D concert being shown that lasts about 90 minutes.

The shop also contains a ton of great souvenirs for rock and roll fans, so be sure to visit it before you leave.  Visiting this museum was a great experience and all rock fans should experience it at some point in their life.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Great Lakes Science Center


Right on Lake Erie, between Cleveland Browns stadium and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is the Great Lakes Science Center.  This is a science center built specifically for children.  There is a portion that is dedicated to NASA so that you can learn about various space sciences.  Beyond that, it's a pretty general science museum including many fun and hands on activities for those under 10 years of age.  For adults traveling alone or with older children though, this would probably be best passed on.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Red Roof Inn Canton



The Red Roof Inn Canton was a hotel we chose mainly because it was reasonably priced and located very close (about 10 minutes) to the Akron-Canton airport.  The hotel is right by a ton of shopping and restaurants and is right off I-77.

When we first got to the hotel, we found our bed sheets weren't clean like they should be.  The front desk staff sent someone out immediately who took care of it and replaced all of the sheets and linens quickly.  We found this service to be excellent.  However, the cleanliness of the room wasn't really anything to be proud of.  There was general surface cleaning, but you could tell that the housekeeping staff didn't really work hard to keep the rooms clean...they did just enough so that most guests wouldn't notice any issues.

The price though is pretty cheap compared to some other area hotels, so you can't complain too much.  For a one night stay before a flight, it is a decent find.  I wouldn't recommend a lengthy stay though.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Cleveland Botanical Gardens





On a nice day, taking a walk through the Cleveland Botanical Gardens is a fun and pretty way to spend a day. With a number of gardens outside and inside, there is plenty to do even if its raining outside.

In the spring, the gardens are beautiful and there are lots and lots of butterflies outside also enjoying the beauty of the garden. There is also plenty for children to enjoy here, so it's not just for adults.

The Botanical Gardens, and the art museum across the street, prove that there is more to Cleveland than rock and roll, but that Cleveland rocks for families!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Lola

Smoked Berkshire Pork Chop
Cavatelli Wild Boar Ragu
Lola fries

On 4th Street in Downtown Cleveland is Michael Symon's Bistro and Wine Bar, Lola, and its serving up some delicious food. However, plan to make reservations in advance, or you might have to wait for a table.

We ordered the smoked pork chop, which were tender, not dried out at all, and the cheesy polenta was super yummy and the sauce married perfectly with the pork and the polenta.

We also ordered the Wild Boar Ragu, because, well, where else are you going to find this on a menu?! It was so good. We were a little concerned, not knowing what to expect from wild boar. But the meat was tender and juicy and the whole dish was perfect (we cleaned the plate!). Definitely a must try!

We also order the Lola Fries as a side to share (and they are big enough to share!). We thought they would come out as an appetizer, but instead came out with our meals. However, the seasoning on them was delicious and even when I was full, I still found myself snacking on them.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Bier Markt

Marinara Pizza
Sunnyside Pizza
Leffe Blond

Across the street from West Side Market is the Bier Markt. Food Network Magazine named their pizzas best in Ohio, and, with that kind of commendation, we had to give them a try.

They also carry rare and hard-to-find beers on their menu.

We tried the Marinara with sausage and the Sunnyside.  The Sunnyside pizza was the pizza specifically named in magazine.

The marinara pizza was delicious, the sauce and cheese were perfect. The sunnyside pizza has pancetta, eggs and black pepper. The black pepper as a little overbearing at first, but definitely a wakeup call. Absolutely delicious.

We also tried the Leffe Blond beer, so good, and went perfectly with the pizzas.

The only downside? The Bier Markt opens at 4:30 p.m. everyday, except Saturdays, when they open at noon for lunch.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Courtyard Marriott Independence



The Courtyard by Marriott Independence was undergoing some construction in the lobby during our stay, but it was still a pleasant stay.  They made sure when we made the reservation that we knew about the renovations so that there was no surprise.  The staff was courteous and friendly (and very curious about our thoughts of the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony).

The hotel is located right off the highway (I-77) that goes into Cleveland getting you to the downtown area in about 10-15 minutes.  This is very convenient for anyone who needs to visit Cleveland but doesn't want to deal with the downtown hotels' inflated prices and parking charges (this hotel has free parking).

The room was very clean and comfortable.  It's a pretty standard Courtyard hotel set up and this hotel lives up to the Marriott brand name.  For anyone staying in the Cleveland area, this is definitely a great hotel to choose that can fit into most people's budgets.