Just because it's not the weekend doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of things to do in Cleveland. The city offers a rich variety of sights and activities, from art to athletics, and no matter where your interests lie, you should be able to find something to keep you busy on a Thursday afternoon.
Sports and Recreation
Pop on over to Progressive Field during baseball season to catch the Cleveland Indians, the city's Major League Baseball team. If the Indians aren't in town, check out the Lake Erie Captains, a Class A affiliate of the Indians, in nearby Eastlake, or Greater Cleveland's new independent team, the Crushers, in Avon. Would you rather play than watch? The Cleveland area is rich in golf courses, including those in the Cleveland Metro Parks, which also offers horseback riding and bicycle trails. In the winter, the Metro Parks has tobogganing. If that's too cold a diversion for you, spend the afternoon bowling at the Corner Alley Bar & Grill in downtown Cleveland.
Nature
On the shores of Lake Erie, the Cleveland area offers picturesque scenery and a variety of wildlife. Explore beaches and the lake with jet ski, boat and kayak rentals or take in the sights on a scenic railroad tour of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In addition to walking and riding trails, the Cleveland Metro Parks is home to Cleveland's zoo. A short drive away is the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland and the Cleveland Botanical Garden in University Circle, whose offerings include the Hershey Children's Garden, as well as an an indoor spiny desert and rain forest.
Arts & Museums
Cleveland's many museums are open throughout the year and offer something for everyone. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, housed in a signature structure designed by I.M. Pei, educates visitors about the cultural and historical significance of rock 'n' roll. It is a treasure trove of costumes and memorabilia. University Circle, Cleveland's cultural center, is home to the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Botanical Museum, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum and the Museum of Natural History. A short walk away is the Children's Museum.
Neighborhoods
Cleveland has many charming--and walkable--areas. The 285-acre Lake View Cemetery has a rich history: the Rockefellers and President Garfield are among noteworthy people buried here. The Tremont community on Cleveland's near West Side hosts an array of shops, restaurants and galleries. The nearby West Side Market is home to more than 100 vendors serving up a variety of ethnic foods. On the East Side, visitors can take in the shops and stop for lunch in Little Italy or drive up Murray Hill to the Coventry neighborhood, where trendy shops mingle with other businesses, including Tommy's, well known for it's inventive falafel sandwiches and milkshakes.
Food and Drinks
Cleveland has a number of restaurants and bars--whether you're with your family or you're with your spouse and are looking for a destination restaurant. What kid doesn't love a grilled cheese sandwich? Melt Bar & Grilled in the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood, and now also in Cleveland Heights, offers a menu full of grilled cheese options not only for the young ones, but also for adults. Melt has been featured on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." The city is also home to Iron Chef Michael Symon, whose restaurant, Lola, can be found among several trendy eateries on East Fourth Street.
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