Jaunted - Cleveland

Cleveland's Got a Sunny New Outlook

egw — 2009-01-27T11:51:08-05:00

In a depressed world, at least one Midwestern city is staying positive: It's been a year since Cleveland's visitors bureau changed its name to Positively Cleveland, and the city still has things to be happy about, from some special Central African visitors to the return of rock'n'roll.

Of course the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame never left Cleveland, but its April 4th induction ceremony will be held in The Cleve for the first time in 12 years, with inductees to include Metallica and RUN-D.M.C.. In town for the ceremony? After you've blown $35-$75 for the tickets, you'll appreciate the Hall of Fame's free-admission day April 4 and free concert (artists TBA) on April 2.

Visitors all rocked out might want to check out the quieter Cleveland Museum of Art (11150 East Blvd.), where an exhibit of central African sculptures opens March 1st. Cleveland is also home to the International Women's Air and Space Museum (1501 N. Marginal Rd.), whose free exhibit on the life of Amelia Earhart opens March 13.

Related Stories:
· Cleveland Rocks Less Than New York Sketch [Jaunted]
· Holy Smokes, It's The Real "A Christmas Story" House [Jaunted]
· Cleveland Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of Cleveland's Terminal Tower: JW Ogden]

Holy Smokes, It's The Real "A Christmas Story" House

cmb — 2008-11-25T11:45:19-05:00

One of the most beloved (or at least one of the most rerun) Christmas movies of all time is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, and you can be a part of it. “A Christmas Story”, the tale of poor Ralphie, who wants a BB gun for Christmas but can't have it lest he "shoot his eye out," is set in Indiana but was actually filmed in Cleveland. The house in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood that served as the movie’s primary filming location was restored and opened to the public for tours in 2006.

Though the house is open year round, this weekend is the big 25th Anniversary Celebration and Convention. Special events include appearances by actors from the movie, the premieres of two documentaries about the film, rides in the original fire truck used in the movie and the unveiling of newly-acquired costumes for the A Christmas Story House Museum.

The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel is the official hotel for the convention, and several of the weekend’s events, including a meet-and-greet with the actors, will be hosted by the hotel. They will also be providing transportation to the A Christmas Story House for all hotel guests.

Today Show Travel Guru Defends Honor On Local News Station

pbb — 2008-11-22T12:30:18-05:00

Jaunted homeboy Peter Greenberg recently released his latest book, which, as we explained in our review, highlights the worst places on Earth. Now, when you call your latest tome Don't Go There, you better expect to catch some flak--but lately Peter's been getting dissed by just about everyone whose city was included.

Last week, WJW in Cleveland invited him to do a segment on new travel gear and gadgets--until anchor Stefani Schaefer ambushed him with a question about including her town in his round up of terrible destinations:

Schaefer: I was born and raised here in Northeast Ohio, and I have to say, with many others, [I was] disappointed when your new book... featured Cleveland. May I ask why?
Greenberg: Sure, did you read the book?
Schaefer: Didn't read the book...

Things actually got worse from there.

Note to local news anchors: Peter may be on "The Today Show" instead of "60 Minutes," but if you need any evidence that he knows his stuff and tells it how it is, just call up EasyJet and ask what they think of him these days.

Adrien Brody's Fairy-tale Castle

cmb — 2008-11-13T10:30:12-05:00

If you’ve been following our Chasing Michigan series, you know that right now Adrien Brody is in Howell, Michigan filming the movie "High School." But what you may not know, is that when Brody isn’t jet-setting to movie locations, he's relaxing in the 19th century castle he recently bought as a birthday gift for his girlfriend, actress Elsa Pataky.

In 2007 Brody bought the Stone Barn Castle in Cleveland, New York, located about 30 miles northeast of Syracuse on the north shore of Oneida Lake. According to the Daily Mail, the actor said he completely surprised his girlfriend with the extravagant gift:

I blindfolded her. Right at the castle there's a giant, beautiful church bell. And I said "When you hear the sound of the bell, you can open your eyes and you'll see your surprise." And then I rang the bell.

Spookiest (Not That Small) Towns: All The Ghouls Know Cleveland Rocks

kjb — 2008-10-30T12:30:04-05:00

Even though Liz Lemon couldn't make it work with Floyd there, there's still plenty to do in The Cleve--especially when Halloween is involved. It definitely has its share of spooky stories and haunted legends--and they're all available to you thanks to some ghoulish entrepreneurs.

Start with a tour of some of the Cleveland's oldest buildings and likely hiding places for supernatural beings. A five-hour long Ohio City and Beyond Ghost Tour will even take you into Franklin Castle, a real haunted house.

If you're more of a marine thrill seeker, drop some cash on the Burning River Ghost Tour. You'll step aboard the USS Cod submarine docked on Lake Erie as you look for the serviceman who died trying to protect his ship. Even if you don't spot any ghouls, you'll finish off the tour at a local brewery--so you can wash away any disappointment.

Related Stories:
· Haunted Cleveland Ghost Tours [Official Site]
· Spookiest Small Towns Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: Elfboy]

Missed Connections in Cleveland: The Paul Newman Memorial Edition

egw — 2008-10-03T16:00:38-05:00

Before the late, great Paul Newman was an outlaw, an eater of multiple eggs or a Connecticut salad guy, he was a Shaker Heights son of a sporting-goods store owner, half Jewish and half Catholic but all dramatics (starting with a school play role at age 7).

In honor and tribute to Newman and in particular his fifty-year marriage to actress Joanne Woodward, we hope to inspire a few great pairs with this week's hot spots:

Fall Music Travel: Aging Pumpkins Back on the Road

BS — 2008-09-26T10:30:34-05:00

We hope we're not the only ones who feel extremely freaking old because of this news: Alternative rock legends The Smashing Pumpkins are heading out on tour this fall to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

Wow, twentieth? Wasn't it just a year or two ago that Billy Corgan and Co. were soundtracking our angsty teenage years? Apparently not!

Oh well. The middle-age Pumpkins kick-off their month-long tour in Cleveland on November 1, and will include a four-night run in their home base of Chicago.

Related Stories:
· The Smashing Pumpkins [Official Site]
· Smashing Pumpkins Reveal 20th Anniversary Tour [Pitchfork]
· Live Music Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Ignoto]