Welcome to Cleveland, the “best location in the nation!” Autumn is a wonderful time to visit The Land. 
Our conference at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is conveniently located at the heart of the museum district in University Circle, within walking distance of the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, Cleveland’s Museum of Contemporary Art, theCleveland Museum of Natural History, the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum within the Cleveland History Center, and the (absolutely magnificent, and free!) Cleveland Museum of Art.
I also recommend a visit to Severance Music Center, home of the internationally renowned Cleveland Orchestra. Severance opened in 1931 and is regarded by many music-lovers as one of the world’s most beautiful concert halls, known for its exceptional acoustics. A few miles from the museum district is Lake View Cemetery, the final resting place of President James A. Garfield, Eliot Ness, John D. Rockefeller, and others of notoriety. Also close to University Circle, the Little Italy neighborhood has numerous options for authentic Italian fare- bring your appetite!
In fact, Cleveland has many internationally recognized restaurants. East 4th Street and West 6th Street in downtown Cleveland boast numerous restaurants including celebrity chef venues by the likes of Michael Symon, Jonathon Sawyer, Zack Bruell, and Dante Boccuzzi.
To get from CWRU to downtown Cleveland, the Cleveland-University Rapid station in University Circle is close to the campus; hop on the red line train. (The RTA Transit App is really helpful!)
You could also take RTA buses around the city, such as to Cleveland’s 114-year-old West Side Market, a unique indoor/outdoor landmark with 100 locally-owned, independent businesses. A must-try: Cleveland’s Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream—just a few feet from the Westside Market. RTA buses provide a convenient way to get to Lake Erie’s Edgewater Park beaches and the Greater Cleveland Aquarium on the West bank of the Flats, as well.
The RTA also has free trolley routes which run during specific hours and serve popular downtown areas like Tower City, the Warehouse District, and Playhouse Square. Scooter rentals are available downtown, as well.
In addition to restaurants and museums, other notable attractions in Cleveland include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Great Lakes Science Center, JACK Cleveland Casino, the Museum of Illusions, and Playhouse Square which is the second-largest performing arts center in the U.S. with nine theaters and the world’s largest outdoor chandelier. Once downtown, these attractions are all within w
alking distance; Cleveland has one of the most pedestrian-friendly downtowns in America.
A quick and convenient way to get acclimated to the city is through Funny Bus Cleveland- a 90-minute narrated tour which departs from the East Bank of the Flats.
For fellow bibliophiles, I recommend a peek in the historic Cleveland Public Library. It is one of my favorite spots in downtown Cleveland; you can easily get lost in the stacks. Directly across the street from the Library, take a moment to check out the Cleveland Hyatt Regency, named one of “The Best Hotel Lobbies in the World” by Architectural Digest. (The Arcade was America’s first indoor mall.)
For movie buffs, it’s a short drive to A Christmas Story House which features props and memorabilia from the film. (And yes, you can get your very own Major Award Leg Lamp from the gift shop!) “This is the house where Superman was born," reads a sign hanging on the front fence of 10622 Kimberly Avenue- in 1932, then 18-year-old Jerry Siegel invented the Man of Steel at this location. Fans of the new Superman movie (2025), the first Avengers movie (2012), and Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014) may recognize landmarks around downtown, including the beautiful Cleveland Trust Building (now Heinen's Grocery Store) at the corner of Euclid Avenue and E. 9th Street. About an hour south of Cleveland in Mansfield, follow in the footsteps of Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman at the (haunted) Ohio State Reformatory where they filmed The Shawshank Redemption.
If you have a car and want to extend your stay and venture beyond the city, consider visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park (exceptionally beautiful in the fall!), Cleveland Metroparks, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, or the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Less than an hour west of downtown Cleveland in Sandusky, Cedar Point amusement park (also known as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World”) is a must for thrill-seekers. Cedar Point's HalloWeekends runs Thursdays through Sundays until October 26th. For shoppers with extra room in their suitcase, visit bucolic “Amish Country” in Holmes County, about a 90-minute drive south of Cleveland.
We are so glad you are here! Enjoy the Conference and enjoy Cleveland!
Jaime A. Klausner, Esq.
Training & Content Integration Manager, BakerHostetler
jklausner@bakerlaw.com
