CLEVELAND (May 14, 2018) - As
Americans commemorate the U.S. service members that made the ultimate sacrifice
on Memorial Day, the three-day weekend also marks the unofficial start of
summer in The CLE. And with visiting family and friends in town for an extra
day, residents have the perfect opportunity to show off all that they love
about The Land. From cruising down the Cuyahoga River to food frenzies at
festivals to rocking out at stellar shows, Destination Cleveland recommends
that locals kickstart their summer by exploring all that Northeast Ohio offers.
Pay Tribute on Memorial Day
Cleveland Pops Orchestra
-
To
salute the brave men and women that gave their lives while defending the
country, the Cleveland Pops Orchestra will perform its annual "An
American Salute" program at Severance Hall. Conductor Carl Topilow will
lead the patriotic concert with a selection of the best military-inspired
compositions. The United States Army Field Band, 910th Air Wing
Color Guard and the Pops Chorus will join the Pops Orchestra for this evening
of music and pageantry. Veterans who wish to purchase tickets for the concert
will receive a 25 percent discount.
-
Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid
Ave., Cleveland
-
Friday, May 25, 8 p.m.
Cleveland History Center
-
To
buff up on Cleveland's involvement in World War I, residents can explore the Cleveland History Center's new exhibition, "A City Worth
Fighting For." Leveraging stories, artifacts from the extensive Western
Reserve Historical Society's art collection and the organization's rarely seen
military collection, guests can learn the many ways, both civic and industrial,
that Clevelanders supported the war effort. Locals can also discover more about
the events, people and experiences that shaped Cleveland before and after the
war with a stop at the History Center's permanent exhibit, Cleveland Starts
Here.
-
10825 East Blvd., Cleveland
-
Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5
p.m.; Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.; Monday, closed
Exciting Events
Flats East Bank Taste of Summer
-
Waterfront views, live entertainment, delicious
dining and drink options and life-sized games are back for the Flats East Bank's Taste of Summer event
along the Cuyahoga River boardwalk. Attendees can enjoy cuisine at Flats
favorites like Alley
Cat Oyster Bar, Bold Food & Drink and Coastal
Taco; test their Connect Four, Operation, corn hole and shuffleboard
skills; or sit back, relax and listen to local performers that will be playing
tunes throughout the weekend.
-
Flats East Bank, 1055 Old River
Road, Cleveland
-
Hours: Friday, May 25, 4 - 10
p.m.; Saturday, May 26 - Sunday, May 27, noon - 10 p.m.
Tremont Greek Fest
-
Festivals are a summer staple in Northeast Ohio,
and Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the fun and feasting. An "escape to Greece"
awaits residents who attend the Tremont Greek Festival at the Annunciation
Greek Orthodox Church. From authentic food and drink to Greek dancing, live
music, and shopping, locals will want to shout "OPA!" all weekend.
-
Annunciation Greek Orthodox
Church, 2187 W. 14th St., Cleveland
-
Hours: Friday, May 25 - Sunday,
May 27, noon - midnight; Monday, May 28, noon - 9 p.m.
Cleveland Indians
-
For
an afternoon or evening that is sure to be a home run, residents can head out
to the ballpark for America's favorite pastime. Locals can root, root, root for
the Cleveland Indians as they take on the Houston
Astros, Friday, May 25 - Sunday, May 27, or the Chicago White Sox on Monday,
May 28. From chowing down at Friday's "Dollar Dog Night" (with Bertman's Stadium
Mustard, of course) to collecting giveaways like a Terry Francona 1988 jersey on
Saturday and Corey Kluber bobblehead on Monday, Clevelanders will have plenty
of things to cheer about as the Tribe brings home a weekend full of wins.
-
Cleveland Indians games: Friday,
May 25, 7:10 p.m.; Saturday, May 26, 7:15 p.m.;
Sunday, May 27, 1:10 p.m.; Monday, May 28, 4:10 p.m.
Cool Concerts
-
The
2018 summer concert season is strong on star power (Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and
Jay Z, Brad Paisley and Imagine Dragons to name a few), and it all gets started
on Memorial Day weekend. In the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park at Blossom Music
Center, locals
can sing along with Jimmy Buffett to favorites like "Cheeseburger in Paradise"
and "Margaritaville" (and maybe even stop at the Flats East Bank's
Margaritaville for dinner and drinks before the show). And for an epic concert
that will embody the "rock of ages," Clevelanders can belt out tunes and play
their air guitars with Def Leppard and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee
Journey at Quicken Loans Arena.
-
Jimmy Buffett: Blossom Music
Center, Sunday, May 27, 8 p.m.
-
Journey and Def Leppard: Quicken
Loans Arena, Monday, May 28, 7 p.m.
Out and About
BrewBoat CLE
-
Cruising
down the Cuyahoga River on a sunny day with views of the Cleveland skyline and
an adult beverage in hand sounds sublime, right? Well, locals can spend an
afternoon doing just that on board BrewBoat CLE. With tunes playing on the
speakers and a bring-your-own cooler of beer and wine on deck, residents can
enjoy this unique sightseeing experience along Cleveland's waterfront. And a
bonus for boaters? They get to integrate some minor cardio on the human-powered
cycleboat - yes, that means riders' pedaling will speed the boat down the
river.
-
Channel Park Marina, 5300
Whiskey Island, Cleveland
-
Cruises for the season begin on
Friday, May 25. For cruise schedule and reservations, visit www.brewcle.com
Golf in the Cleveland Metroparks
-
Warm
weather in the CLE over Memorial Day Weekend gives the green light to golf
enthusiasts to get out and hit the links at one of the Cleveland Metroparks' golf
courses. Whether
residents (think they) are at pro-level or are new to the game, the
Metroparks' eight golf courses vary in layout from a sporting par three at
Shawnee Hills to championship designs at Manakiki and Sleepy Hollow. And for those that want to learn
how to golf or improve their game, lessons are offered for various skill levels
at the different courses.
Take a Hike Tours
-
Seeing iconic Cleveland landmarks enveloped with
history lessons from famous Clevelanders like Mayor Carl Stokes, John D.
Rockefeller and DJ Alan Freed is basis of the Historic Gateway
District's "Take a Hike" tours. The free walking tours of the different
Downtown districts are offered throughout the week, allowing residents to learn
about the history and culture of each area.Plus, surprise guest
appearances from well-known Clevelanders offer residents and their visiting
family and friends a new way to discover more about The Land they love.
Family Fun
Cedar Point & Cedar Point Shores
-
Whether
it's screaming on a record-breaking roller coaster or sauntering along a lazy
river, locals can enjoy an activity-filled day or two at Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores. Just an
hour west of Downtown Cleveland, residents can hop on one of 70 rides at Cedar
Point ranging from thrill rides like the new Steel Vengeance coaster to
kid-friendly rides at Camp Snoopy. To beat the heat, Clevelanders can cool off and
make a splash at Cedar Point Shores by riding the waves of the Breakwater Bay
Wave Pool or taking a six-story drop on Point Plummet. In appreciation of the
service and bravery of our Armed Forces, Cedar Point and Cedar Point
Shores will offer free admission to all active, retired and honorably
discharged members of the United States military throughout Memorial Day
Weekend.
-
1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky
-
Cedar Point hours: Friday, May
25 - Sunday, May 27, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.;
Monday, May 28, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
-
Cedar Point Shores hours: Saturday,
May 26 - Monday, May 28, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Play:CLE
-
From
ziplines racing at 30 miles an hour to Rubik-cubed climbing walls to ropes
courses with mazes and cable walkways, residents can spend the day combining
fun and fitness at Play:CLE, the Midwest's largest indoor
adventure park. Friendly competition is highly encouraged with challenges like
the ninja warrior course. Even the youngest Clevelanders can participate in
activities at the Play:CLE kids' obstacle area. And have no fear, if residents
need to re-energize they can stop by the dining area for flatbreads, sandwiches
and hot pretzels.
-
38525 Chester Road, Avon
-
Tuesday - Thursday, 3 - 9 p.m.;
Friday, 3 - 11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.;
Sunday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Holden Arboretum
-
Just a 30-minute drive from Downtown Cleveland,
theHolden
Arboretumoffers families a relaxing day filled with picture-perfect
views as they meander about the green-filled grounds. From strolling through
the Butterfly Garden and Wildflower Garden to hiking above the forest floor along
the Murch
Canopy Walk or climbing the Kalberer Emergent Tower, residents can take
this time to be one with the great outdoors. And, on Sunday, May 27, the
arboretum will host a "night hike and
s'mores" event where guests can spend an evening exploring the fields,
forests and ponds while the sounds of owls and frogs accompany their journey. The
evening's adventure will end on a sweet note with hot chocolate and s'mores around
the campfire.
-
9550 Sperry Road, Kirtland
-
Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. - 5p.m.; Night
Hike and S'mores event, Sunday, May 27, 8 - 9:30 p.m.
For
more Memorial Day Weekend events or to learn more about new attractions and
activities, please visit thisiscleveland.com,
follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
and subscribe to our channels on YouTube
and Pinterest.
DON'T
FORGET: Destination
Cleveland's Concierge Team is also available to help residents and their
visiting family and friends explore the region. Contact our team through email
at cleconcierge@destinationcle.org, live chat at thisiscleveland.com or stop in the Cleveland Visitors Center
(334 Euclid Ave., Cleveland) Mon. - Sat., 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. to plan your
adventure.
###
ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination
Cleveland is Cleveland's convention and visitors bureau. This private,
non-profit organization's mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate
community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel.
Cleveland welcomes 18 million visitors annually. For more information, visit thisiscleveland.com.