Cleveland

On Ohio's Lake Erie Coast All joking aside, there's a lot more to Cleveland than polka, bowling and kielbasa. Thanks to a multi-million-dollar revitalization effort, this Lake Erie port has earned new respect as a center for business, culture, recreation and entertainment. The proof is evident across the lakefront, from the gleaming pyramid of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to the giant wind turbine at the Great Lakes Science Center to the state-of-the-art Cleveland Browns Stadium. Look for the 52-story Terminal Tower on the skyline and you'll find Tower City Center, a multiplex of shops, offices, restaurants, two hotels and a rapid-transit hub. From here, an indoor skyway leads to the Gateway Sports Complex, home of the Indians at Progressive Field and the Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

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Four miles east of downtown, University Circle features the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the Cleveland Botanical Garden and Severance Hall, winter venue of the acclaimed Cleveland Orchestra. With the restoration of five historic theaters at PlayhouseSquare, Cleveland also boasts one of the largest performing arts centers in the country. Away from the bustle of downtown, the peaceful towpaths of the Erie Canal beckon to weekend walkers and bikers. Cleveland is the gateway to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, one of the most-visited parks in the national system. In addition, some 70 miles of trails connect the 23,000-acre Cleveland Metroparks, a network of 18 nature preserves known as the “Emerald Necklace.” From green space and culture to major league sports, Cleveland has all of its bases covered with many fun things to do.

Getting There

By CarCleveland sits in the middle of a “Y” formed by two of the nation's major transcontinental routes: I-90 and I-80. I-90 passes through the heart of the city, bringing traffic along the lakeshore from the east; I-80 channels motorists from the interior through the southern suburbs. From the west, these routes combine over the Ohio Turnpike, with the “Y” beginning at neighboring Elyria.

Both highway systems interchange with important intersecting routes for easy access to the suburbs, and I-90 links conveniently to important city streets. Other supplemental east-west roads are SR 2, US 6 and US 20. These routes primarily serve local traffic, but also follow some of the major city arteries.

Downtown Cleveland is the northern terminus of I-71 and I-77, which bring traffic from the southwest and the south, respectively. I-490, south of the city, provides a connector for I-71 and I-77. SR 176 also channels traffic from the south connecting to I-480 and I-71. Approaching the city, each interchanges frequently with other routes, including I-80 (toll), before joining I-90 near the city's center.

Other routes from the south include SR 8, SR 21 and US 42, which are used chiefly by local traffic. Upon entering Cleveland, these roads constitute some of the principal thoroughfares.

I-271, forming an irregular arc between I-71 and I-90, provides a bypass around Cleveland's east side. I-80 (the Ohio Turnpike), I-480 and I-271 that bypass the city to the east and south, provide connections for I-90 corridor traffic.

Getting Around

Street SystemCleveland's streets are in a grid pattern that centers on Public Square, from which all major avenues radiate. Euclid Avenue is the major business thoroughfare, running from the square through downtown to the eastern suburbs. Ontario Street, running north-south through Public Square, divides the city into east and west. North-south routes are numbered streets, while the majority of east-west thoroughfares are named avenues, roads or boulevards. Right turns on red are permitted unless otherwise posted.

ParkingOn-street metered parking is available. Meters operate Monday through Friday from a minimum of 20 minutes to a maximum of 4 hours from 7 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost to park at a meter ranges from 50c to $1 per hour. Parking is available in the municipal parking lot on the Memorial Shoreway (SR 2) just east of the 9th Street exit; this affords easy access to the Waterfront Rapid Transit Train serving Tower City Center, The Flats and other Cleveland attractions. Parking lot and garage charges can vary from $2 to $10 daily, and up to $25 for special events. Park and ride lots are at some RTA stations.