Editor’s note: At a recent meeting, the Black Girl team was issued a challenge. If you had a friend coming to visit for 72 hours, where would you tell them to go? What should they do? This series will feature our answer to the question and we will revisit it as the seasons change.
by Alyssa Dimes
When my friends are coming to visit from out of state, I want to show them some of the best things about Cleveland. Where do I take them? To answer this question I thought about my childhood and places that I loved that my parents took me to as well as places that I have taken a liking to as an adult.
The first would be anything related to the arts. The Cleveland Museum of Art has spectacular exhibits and MIX gatherings where guests can dance, enjoy music and drinks and get an early look at the latest exhibit. Playhouse Square and Karamu House are two other beautiful spots since I enjoy musicals and plays. I and a few friends could easily catch the latest show in Cleveland and grab dinner at Sung’s House which is my favorite place to eat before a show.
Another place I’d recommend no matter the season is University Circle. This is home to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Museum of Art, and Wade Oval Wednesdays. The Children’s Museum and Great Lakes Science Center are the perfect places to go if you are looking for kid-friendly activities.
Airbnb vs. Hotel
Where to stay when you visit Cleveland? This depends on your preferences. If you want to be able to walk around downtown and enjoy the nightlife a hotel may be best. When my family comes to town they always stay in a hotel, while my friends prefer to rent out an entire Airbnb for a more intimate feel.
Photo from Earth Bistro Facebook page
Places to Eat and Shop
There are so many delicious restaurants to eat in and around Cleveland and these are a few of the top places that I like to take my friends. First, are the vegan options, Earth Bistro, and The Plant Based Burger Company. Earth Bistro has a delicious strawberry pancake breakfast. The Plant Based Burger Company opened recently in Maple Heights and they have a very tasty vegan po’boy.
Second, I know there are several schools of thought about who has the best-corned beef in the city and Vienna’s is one of them.
Third, are restaurants that I visit for comfort foods and a change in pace. Miega Korean Barbeque located on Superior has a japchae and kimchi stew that’s worth getting out of your comfort zone. Bombay Chaat is a delightful Indian restaurant in Cleveland’s downtown district right near CSU. Chokouya Resto-Bar, an African food spot has a tasty Egusi and fufu.
Stock photo of the West Side Market
For local produce, look no further than the Westside Market. As a child, my parents took me here a lot on Saturdays and we bought local goods. Last but not least is Banana Blossom my absolute favorite Thai food restaurant located on the westside. It is small, intimate, and packs a lot of charm.
As a nature lover, I could not end this without mentioning that Cleveland’s Metroparks and Edgewater beach are excellent places to unwind and re-energize with friends.
I feel that Cleveland has so much to offer, what are some of your favorite places to visit in Cleveland? Let’s us know in the comment’s below