Cleveland is More Than Rock 'n Roll

While Canton, Ohio has its Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cleveland's claim to fame is Rock 'n Roll, namely the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. However, there's more to this Midwestern city than guitar legends, and Lake Eire and the Cuyahoga River are the setting for Cleveland's Lakefront neighborhood, one of many tourist districts.

Acclimating Tours

If you've never been to Cleveland, there are a few highly recommended tours to familiarize yourself with the area districts.

Cruise the Nautica Queen to get acquainted with the Lakefront attractions and to get an up close glimpse of the "City of Bridges" that lift, swing and rise up. This queen goes one mile into the lake, along the break wall to view some lighthouses, and up and down the river.

Lolly the Trolley, located at the Nautica complex on the West Bank of the Cuyahoga River, boasts more than 20 miles of facts and fun in a well known City Sightseeing Tour that is can be either one-hour and two-hour. The narrated sightseeing tour includes: Cleveland's North Coast Harbor, Downtown Cleveland, "The New American City"; The Warehouse District, downtown's oldest and newest "neighborhood"; The Flats, a river port by day and a bustling entertainment center by night; Ohio City, with both Victorian homes renovated by "urban homesteaders"; the West Side Market, one of the world's largest indoor/outdoor food and produce markets; Playhouse Square; and University Circle.

Cleveland Culture

Much has been said about the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame with Madonna the latest to be inducted. This Lakefront, however, also houses the Great Lakes Science Center and its Omnimax movie theatre and hands on science experiences. It is here that I learned a great deal about the red planet, including the possibility that life really may exist on Mars.

During the fall you can catch a Cleveland Browns football game in this same area. And if you happen to be in Cleveland on the third Saturday of June, nearby Voinovich Park is the home of the Cleveland LGBT Pride Festival.

Pop over the bridge to the other side of the Lakefront to visit the International Women's Air & Space Museum at Burke Lakefront Airport. Get the info on the achievement of women in aviation and space.

Playhouse Square, located on Euclid Avenue's downtown district, features five 1920's -era theaters including: State Theater, Ohio Theater, and Palace Theater. Expect to see "Broadway" shows like A Chorus Line and concerts, such as Robin Williams and Johnny Mathis at the Palace. Check out the lobby for some great artwork and the best way to use your cellphone.

University Circle

University Circle has a day's worth of sights: Cleveland Botanical Gardens, with its stupendous crystal-peaked glasshouse puts you in the spiny desert of Madagascar and the misty cloud forest of Costa Rica. For a dose of high culture history, request a tour of Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra. Other attractions include the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. University Circle is four miles from downtown Cleveland and abuts Little Italy.

Maltz Jewish Museum

Zap! Pow! Bam! Comic book memorabilia (two local high school students Jerry Siegel and Joseph Shuster created the Superman comic) is the present subject of an exhibit at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, located in Beachwood, just 30 minutes from downtown Cleveland. This recently opened institution is a living testament to the courage and achievement of Cleveland's Jewish community, viewed through state-of -the-art technology, films, computer interactives, unique artifacts, arts and images.

Relax

After all that pavement pounding, exploring the districts and seeing the sights, opt to spoil and pamper yourself at Merango Spa, located at the Hyatt Regency at The Arcade, in the downtown district. Merango provides a dazzling menu with a variety of full spa services, including massages, body treatments, facials, manicures, and pedicures. Those traveling with a girlfriend or boyfriend, they have couples massages as well, the perfect way to start a date night!

Gay Scene

While Cleveland does not have a specific gayborhood, the entire city is smattered with LGBT-centric or friendly businesses, restaurants and bars. Downtown, Ohio City, Tremont, Detroit Shoreway, Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights and Lakewood are the most rainbow-clad of the suburbs.

Night Life

Most LGBT night life is located on the west side of the city, although a few are downtown. Here are some of the clubs to check out.

Union/Bounce is Cleveland's largest LGBT bar with a restaurant up front and dance club in the back. Young and mixed (male and female) crowd with lots of drag entertainment.

The Grid brings out the masses at this boy-heavy destinations at their Saturday dance party. Upstairs (in the "Basement") is a low-key vibe around the pool tables.

Leather Stallion is Cleveland's oldest leather bar that draws a broader crowd on Sunday evenings in the summer.

There are two lesbian locales on the west side: 5 Cent Decision, 4365 State Road, nicknamed, "The Nickel" is a women's bar with a welcoming neighborhood feel. Live bands on some weekends. Paradise Inn at 4488 State Street, is another female-oriented bar with a relaxed atmosphere.

Where To Stay

Cleveland's LGBT guide, which can be accessed through the LGBT tab on the www.positivelycleveland.com site, has rated the listed accommodations as not only being LGBT friendly, but having inclusive workplace policies.

Two with a 5 star LGBT rating in the Downtown area are: Hampton Inn Downtown Cleveland - ask for the Pride rate to receive a special discount and their "on the house" hot breakfast; and Holiday Inn Select City Centre Lakeshore, the closest hotel to the Rock 'n' Roll HOF area. Wyndham Cleveland at Playhouse Square, has a rank of 4 stars and is accessible to much of the night life and dining. Both the InterContinental Hotel & Conference Center and InterContinental Suites, located at University Circle, not only rank 4 stars, but also offer a high level of comfort.