Cleveland: A Cultural Center in the American Heartland

Our travel may be temporarily interrupted, but we can still dream and plan. We’re here to bring you travel inspiration for the trips you’ll take when life returns to normal. – TravelSquire Editors

It is the rare city where everyone is welcome, and where the moxie of its people is on par with their midwestern charm. The people of Cleveland, Ohio look forward to welcoming you when travel returns and to get you ready, we’re exploring the highlights of Cleveland.

Cleveland Against the World

Cleveland has a fight in it that’s exciting. It’s the little city that could—and has! Hometown artist Glen Infante created a sportswear brand born out of the message: “Cleveland Against the World.” (Buy a t-shirt at his shop ilthy as the perfect souvenir.) The drive of the underdog has propelled the city into the spotlight. It’s the city’s perseverance and heart that has transformed this compact midwestern metropolis into a cultural center for art, music and theatre—welcoming an international audience into the American heartland.

Encountering Cleveland Congeniality

My Uber driver, Larry, set the tone for what I would later coin as “Cleveland Congeniality.” On the 20-minute ride from the airport to my downtown hotel, he recommended where to eat, drink, party and see a dueling piano show. I quickly learned downtown Cleveland has experienced a renaissance with new hotels, restaurants and most importantly, the return of residents to the city’s urban center. It is expansive enough to offer a bevy of options and small enough to be pedestrian friendly. From the Kimpton-Schofield Hotel where I stayed it was a 15-minute walk or Uber to anywhere I wanted to visit.  Armed with Larry’s suggestions (and a little pre-planning of my own) I set out to explore what was described on the city’s website as Cleveland’s “world-class experiences without the world-class ego.”

The Cleveland Museum of Art

First stop was the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA). Since its founding in 1913, the CMA has grown into an internationally distinguished museum, with a comprehensive permanent collection of ageless masters (always free to the public) and a roster of cutting-edge temporary exhibits. During my visit, the museum was presenting “Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors,” with seven distinct rooms composed of mirrors and lights, where I become the infinite subject. Not only is the exhibit a master class in immersive art, it’s also a photogenic social media opportunity. I was able to share the artistry of the never-ending me with friends back home. I wonder what they’ll have in store for this year’s visitors?

Museum of Contemporary Art

A reason for art lovers to always return, Cleveland has invested in museums and reimagined spaces housing ever-changing exhibits. The most impressive, at least from an architectural perspective, is the four-story, hexagonal Museum of Contemporary Art, designed by Farshid Moussavi. Beyond the museum district, visit the Transformer Station, an art space converted from a 1924 railroad substation and the SPACES gallery, dedicated t artists who “explore and experiment,” often with socially conscious engagement. If you prefer your art alfresco, stroll through the Canvas City Downtown Mural Program, a multi-mural project initiated by FRONT that will continue to brighten the city’s walls long after the Cleveland Triennial has officially ended.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Beyond the visual, the sound of Cleveland is rooted in rock! After all, it was here that the term “rock and roll” was coined by a local radio DJ in the early 1950’s. Housed in an impressive glass pyramid, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame holds the world’s largest collection of artifacts that span rock, pop, rap, jazz and R&B. Basically, if it has influenced rock and roll in any way—and very few musical styles haven’t—it’s represented here. And in an effort to keep the rock rolling throughout the city, the ROCK BOX project has installed permanent outdoor speakers throughout downtown to bring the music of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees to the streets of Cleveland.

Playhouse Square

If you prefer your music with a storyline, head to one of the ten performance spaces in Playhouse Square, the country’s largest performing arts center outside of New York (second only to Lincoln Center). The original five theatres were built in the 1920’s and originally presented silent movies, legit theatre and vaudeville performers. By the 1960’s the theatres had closed their doors and their neglect mirrored the city’s decomposition during that era. But as a swell of community support grew, Cleveland succeeded in crafting what is described as the “world’s largest theater restoration project.” Today, the grandeur of the space invites a plethora of performances from resident companies like the Cleveland Ballet and Cleveland Play House, America’s first professional regional theatre and winner of the 2015 Regional Theatre Tony Award; and a subscription season that brought the national tour of Hamilton to Cleveland in 2018.

Inspiration for your Cleveland Experience

While most of Cleveland is closed as we ride out this pandemic, there are several ways you can virtually experience Cleveland. Check out the museums and exhibits now and start planning your real visit later this year.

www.thisiscleveland.com