5 underrated places in Cleveland

If you’re a biking person, or even just an adventurous person, taking on the Emerald Necklace Trails is a trip you should add to your bucket list. The Cleveland Metropark reservations form together to create what looks like a giant green, or emerald, necklace. It consists of several smaller trails that rack up to a total of about 70 miles altogether — taking you all the way around the greater Cleveland area, with views such as waterfalls, overlooks and historic structures. Aside from the trails themselves, within the loop is a zoo, popular parks such as Edgewater Park, golf courses and more attractions for a variety of people to enjoy.

Located in downtown Cleveland, Playhouse Square is the largest performing arts center in the nation outside of New York. It is the hub of Broadway touring acts and annual, highly anticipated festivals. One of the biggest festivals of the year at Playhouse Square is the annual Tri-C JazzFest, where several jazz acts take the streets of Cleveland for three days every summer, and their music is heard blocks away.

Located in University Circle, this conjunction of aesthetic gardens is an escape from Cleveland’s urbanism. It is a great spot for a date or even a family outing. The centerpiece of the Cleveland Botanical Garden is The Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse, which is a 17,000-square foot area with over 350 species of plants and 50 species of animals. The Cleveland Botanical Garden also consists of 10 acres of gardens, including Hershey Children’s Garden, the first children’s garden in Ohio.

Aside from the seasonal pool, sports courts and fields, skate park, bandstands and other attractions for the whole family to enjoy, Lakewood Park has the perfect view of Lake Erie. Located in the Cleveland suburb, the park is just a 15-minute drive outside of the city. The Lakefront Promenade walkway leads visitors just a few feet away from the water, and the community favorite Solstice Steps provides a spot for visitors to sit while admiring the water. There is even a beach close to the park.

This restaurant in downtown Cleveland has excellent grub with quick service in a comfortable setting. The South Side’s outside dining patio has a visually appealing setup. The patio is a whopping 1,000 square feet with overhead strands of lights, so it would be a chill spot during both the day or night. There is a fireplace in both the inside and outside dining areas. The menu’s biggest hits are its steaks, sandwiches and tacos, but it goes beyond these highlights. It also has alternatives, such as bean burgers, so people with a variety of diets can enjoy the food. The bar area is spacious, and there are several TVs, so this might be the place for avid sports fans to go on game days.

Cleveland is a beautiful city surrounded by nature. Not only are there several attractions such as museums and concert halls inside the city itself, but there are also exciting places worth visiting just minutes outside of it. With Lake Erie, large regions of wooded areas, several parks and a wide range of eateries, Cleveland is a great place to visit for a weekend trip.