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My First Cavs Game (Cleveland Trip)

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CavsFaninNJ

CavsFaninNJ

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I'm 28, born and raised in New Jersey, I have been to Cleveland three times. August 2007, July 1999, and November 1998 (lockout). Been a Cavs fan since 1997, back when I used to listen to a muffled Joe tait through AM radio - but never have been to a game.

That changes on Sunday! Booked my flight to Cleveland for tomorrow and I'm amped. Playoff opener, first Cavs game, lower level. Can't wait for that game atmosphere, and getting win one of sixteen. #Believeland

I get in early on Saturday... any activities I should do? Bars to go to? Museums? Whatever else... I literally only know about Nissan of North Olmstead, "The Flats", Akmed's at the Galleria, Universal Window's Direct, and all the other bullshit they advertise and talk about on WKNR. Help me out!
 
Awesome, man! Have a blast! I moved from NE Ohio 15 years ago, so I'll leave the tour guide advice to the folks who still live there. That said, if you're a music fan you definitely have to hit the Rock and Roll HoF. It's top notch.
 
Not sure where your hotel is, so I'll focus on downtown stuff and everything within a close cab ride.

Ohio City is a really cool area that I always recommend. Great Lakes Brewery is fun, and there's a few other bars right nearby that you could hang out at Saturday night (https://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/brewpub/around-the-brewpub http://marketgardenbrewery.com/ ). People in that area tend to be more chill and laid back than if you went out downtown. There's also the West Side Market right down there that is always fun to visit, but during the day. The Art Museum is actually really good (and almost all of the museum is free, just an exhibit fee if you want to see the special exhibit), and the cafeteria is excellent. I think the Rock Hall induction ceremony is this weekend, so it'll probably be crazy crowded but the Rock and Roll HOF is still worth seeing. Little Italy is a cute area (I used to live there), Presti's is nice for pastries, but unless you're in the area for the Art Museum it probably isn't worth a cab ride there just to see it.

Restaurants I'd recommend-
The Butcher and the Brewer (downtown) http://www.butcherandthebrewer.com/
Barocco (West Side) http://www.barrocogrill.com/
Haven't personally gone there but the Casino is supposed to have a great buffet for Brunch on Sunday, and it's right next to the Q so that would be easy https://www.caesars.com/horseshoe-cleveland/restaurants/the-spread-buffet#.VTFy6_nF98E
MELT is amazing, but you will be so full you won't want to move (several locations, all good) http://meltbarandgrilled.com/

There's a ton of other more eclectic restaurants that are really good, but I'm not sure what your tastes are.
 
Yeah I don't think I went into the Rock Hall before. Only saw the outside I believe, way back. I did go into the science museum...but I was like twelve lol I'm sure it could be worth another visit. Thanks!

edit: This was addressed to World...I'll read Helium's post now
 
Helium filament said:
Not sure where your hotel is, so I'll focus on downtown stuff and everything within a close cab ride.

Ohio City is a really cool area that I always recommend. Great Lakes Brewery is fun, and there's a few other bars right nearby that you could hang out at Saturday night (https://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/brewpub/around-the-brewpub http://marketgardenbrewery.com/ ). People in that area tend to be more chill and laid back than if you went out downtown. There's also the West Side Market right down there that is always fun to visit, but during the day. The Art Museum is actually really good (and almost all of the museum is free, just an exhibit fee if you want to see the special exhibit), and the cafeteria is excellent. I think the Rock Hall induction ceremony is this weekend, so it'll probably be crazy crowded but the Rock and Roll HOF is still worth seeing. Little Italy is a cute area (I used to live there), Presti's is nice for pastries, but unless you're in the area for the Art Museum it probably isn't worth a cab ride there just to see it.

Restaurants I'd recommend-
The Butcher and the Brewer (downtown) http://www.butcherandthebrewer.com/
Barocco (West Side) http://www.barrocogrill.com/
Haven't personally gone there but the Casino is supposed to have a great buffet for Brunch on Sunday, and it's right next to the Q so that would be easy https://www.caesars.com/horseshoe-cleveland/restaurants/the-spread-buffet#.VTFy6_nF98E
MELT is amazing, but you will be so full you won't want to move (several locations, all good) http://meltbarandgrilled.com/

There's a ton of other more eclectic restaurants that are really good, but I'm not sure what your tastes are.
Click to expand...

Thanks!!! I'll take a look at the menus for the restaurants. I'm vegan lol so there might not be much for me. Figure I should mention that now before I get the steakhouse that I just have to try lol.

Will definitely check out the markets and the Great Lakes Brewery (whose name I do recognize). Art Museum too. And they are free? That's incredible! Yeah it seems that I should really check out the Rock Hall if I have time - which I should, the only thing I have to do between Saturday at 1pm and Sunday is go to the game.

Thanks !!
 
CavsFaninNJ said:
Thanks!!! I'll take a look at the menus for the restaurants. I'm vegan lol so there might not be much for me. Figure I should mention that now before I get the steakhouse that I just have to try lol.

Will definitely check out the markets and the Great Lakes Brewery (whose name I do recognize). Art Museum too. And they are free? That's incredible! Yeah it seems that I should really check out the Rock Hall if I have time - which I should, the only thing I have to do between Saturday at 1pm and Sunday is go to the game.

Thanks !!
Click to expand...
Ahhh okay, if you're Vegan, both Melt and Great Lakes Brewery should have options for you. One of my vegan friends really loves this place, too: http://www.jmango.com/index.html and it's close to Great Lakes Brewery if you want to eat dinner somewhere before hitting the bars for drinks/apps. Great Lakes Brewery offers tours, I think there's a fee. But yeah, the Museum of Art is really amazing and shocking that it's free. :)
 
Yup. @Helium filament laid out a pretty good guide for you. For a short trip where you wanna stay in the downtownish area, Ohio City and Tremont are your best bet for food and nightlife. Especially right on w 25th by the West Side Market. Tons of great restaurants and bars. E. 4th is great too, but unless you wanna get there a full 4 hours before the game Sunday, you'll be waiting for hours for a table anywhere.

The Flats haven't been a thing for like 15 years. Haha. They are now (or will be soon), but only because they are undergoing a major overhaul.

Cleveland is, without exaggeration, one of the top 5 cities for food in the country right now. Eat well while you're here!
 
bushwick_bill said:
The Flying Fig for brunch / lunch and then hit Great Lakes Brewery. Located right on outside of Tremont.
Click to expand...
Or Town Hall for brunch would be pretty great too. (that's where the picture of Marion meeting with Griffin and the team was taken in the offseason if you're looking for fun Cavs Facts)
 
theSTEREO. said:
Or Town Hall for brunch would be pretty great too. (that's where the picture of Marion meeting with Griffin and the team was taken in the offseason if you're looking for fun Cavs Facts)
Click to expand...
My best friend's Mom owns it so I always push it. Love the Fig.
 
CavsFaninNJ said:
Thanks!!! I'll take a look at the menus for the restaurants. I'm vegan lol so there might not be much for me. Figure I should mention that now before I get the steakhouse that I just have to try lol.
Click to expand...

As a fellow vegan who eats out a lot, in my opinion the best places to eat in within 15 minutes of downtown Cleveland on a weekend:
1) Townhall: The place I eat at most. Menu designates which items are vegan or have vegan options. A lot of really good stuff, and awesome drinks and a lively and young atmosphere too. If you can't get a seat at the bar side you can usually walk to the other half of the restaurant and seat yourself in the cafe side.
2) Mellow Mushroom: Just opened a couple months ago but the pizzas are awesome and they have vegan cheese and tempeh and other toppings.
3) Root Cafe: Coffee shop/cafe for a healthy lunch with really nice desserts too.
4) Cleveland Vegan: Breakfast
5) Flaming Ice Cube: The veggie burgers is probably their best item.
6) Mitchells Ice Cream: Two doors down from Townhall, has a few fantastic vegan flavors of ice cream.
7) Melt Bar and Grilled: Definitely very tasty, though everything is so heavy and greasy you'll feel it for the rest of the day.
8) Pura Vida: Solid for slightly more formal dining, also downtown.

Tommy's, about 20-25 minutes from downtown is pretty good too. The menu probably hasn't changed in 30 years but it's a local favorite and their milkshakes are fantastic. If you're here on a weekday, my favorite local place is a soul food place downtown called Pure and Supreme Cuisine, though they'e only open 11-4 on weekdays. I've tried Johnny Mango 4-5 over the years but never cared for any of their food, always seemed kind of bland to me. I've met people who like it though.
 
Ohio City is the best place

eat at townhall, get the grassfed kobe burger
 
If you're looking to go out Saturday night, go to the Barley House or Tomo hookah lounge/bar on W 6th. Both are good environments.
 
Check out the famous Simmy thread, too. Lots of good stuff/recs in there.
 
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