I ARRIVED at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport two hours shy of midnight, at springtime. The place was almost deserted, a stark contrast to New York’s eternally busy John F. Kennedy International Airport, where I spent 10 hours waiting for my connecting flight.
Before I set foot on its soil, all I knew about Cleveland was that it is home to a massive hospital (Cleveland Clinic) and a professional basketball team (Cleveland Cavaliers) bearing its name. But there’s more to the city than I initially thought.
They say in centuries past, Cleveland was a commercial hub due to its strategic location near the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. It had easy access to the railway system and various canals, easing the transport of coal, iron ore, automobiles and other goods. As its economy ebbed and flowed with the changing times, it reportedly never wavered in its commitment to reinvent itself.
Ohio’s second largest city (after capital Columbus) has been named an All-America City five times. The award recognizes a city, town or neighborhood whose citizens demonstrate exemplary means to solve critical issues and bring about change.
The Cleveland of today sports a different skyline. Dilapidated industrial buildings give way to gleaming high-rises. Its arts and culture scene is as dynamic as ever. It is rising in the ranks of top foodie destinations. And with the NBA championships one of the locals’ favorite pastimes, it is now popularly known as LeBron James’ city.
So what to do in Cleveland if you only have four hours to spare? Check out the “usual suspects.” Cliché, but you can always return to explore the city at leisure.
University Circle
Cleveland’s University Circle is dotted with art venues and schools. Soak up art and culture for free at the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA). Whatever strikes your fancy—Impressionist, Asian, contemporary, Roman, Greek—CMA has huge art collections segregated in sections. Aside from the permanent displays, CMA also hosts special exhibitions, performances, and events, and conducts guided tours for different groups.
Don’t miss the neighboring must-sees Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland ($9.50), Cleveland Museum of Natural History ($15), Western Reserve Historical Society ($10), and Cleveland Botanical Garden ($12) on your next visit. You may add to the list Cleveland Orchestra’s base, Severance Hall, which offers free public tours.
While in the area, stroll through or people watch in Wade Park. With picturesque views of the lagoon and the entire lush neighborhood, it is the perfect spot to cap off an afternoon of museum hopping, or the perfect backdrop for Instagrammable snaps.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Did you know that Cleveland is the ground zero of rock and roll? A brief mention of the music genre’s origins is immortalized in a historical marker, while a motley collection of instruments, photographs, and memorabilia of well-known musicians, producers, and composers is being preserved in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ($26). The Louvre Pyramid-lookalike building (it was designed by Louvre Pyramid architect I.M. Pei) by Lake Erie has seven floors for visitors to wander, with exhibits being replaced regularly, so prepare to be surprised when you come.
Fountain of Eternal Life
This outdoor attraction, though standing right smack in the middle of a public square (Veterans Memorial Plaza), may look inconspicuous for the harried tourist if not for its green paint that seems to scream “Look here!” The monument features a man rising skywards, symbolizing “man rising above death, reaching upward to his God and toward Peace.” It was built in memoriam of those who died in the World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Spanish-American War, and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. There are benches nearby where you can take in the stunning views at night, when the landscape glints with lights.
Quicken Loans Arena (fondly called The Q)
When in the city, you might as well not pass up any opportunity to see the Cavaliers (cheapest tickets at $172) play at their home turf. You may not be a basketball fan, but wouldn’t it be worth it to experience that pleasant sensation when the crowd collectively erupts in a din of cheers and whistles? Aside from the Cavaliers, football team Cleveland Gladiators and hockey team Cleveland Monsters also call The Q home. Moreover, it is the go-to venue for other sporting events, concerts, and shows.
East 4th Street
Just walking distance from The Q, this block features rows of restaurants, bars, and comedy clubs, with tables spilling onto the brick-lined street. The area sports a hip and festive vibe, and is constantly packed with people out for a bite, drink, or some entertainment before or after a game.