Northern Ohio Tourism One Day Trip #1 - 2009 - Cleveland's Little Italy, Italian Food Store and Lakeview Cemetery

Some mornings you wake up and you just feel Italian. Dress in your red shirt and green khaki pants and load an empty cooler with ice in the trunk. Where you are going today, you are going to want to bring home some food for eating later. Breakfast: This is a tough one. Knowing where your stomach will end up you may want to just grab a small little healthy yogurt, bowl of cereal and of course an Italian Coffee at anyone of our local Coffee shops. Then it is off to the east side of Cleveland.

Stop #1: The first stop in our Day #1 journey will lead you to Gallucci’s Italian Market located at 6610 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland’s Midtown Corridor. For many taking this trip it will be the first time in a long time to see the new Euclid Corridor. At Gallucci’s you will be met with a wonderful “cast of characters” who will help you make your meat and cheese selections along with the other delectable goodies located in the bakery and throughout the store. They do offer a take out lunch consisting of homemade pizza to pasta to subs. When you are at the deli please ask for “Kevin”, according to Kevin he is the “good Kevin, the one that works there”. As you can tell he has a wonderful dry wit and will make your experience enjoyable, as well as all the other store employees. Don’t be afraid to let them know your not sure what to buy. When I go I like to stock-up on the grated Romano Cheese, sharp provolone and traditional Italian deli meats. Of course in the bakery I purchase a few loaves of Italian Bread as well as a new love, a loaf of Portuguese bread. Did someone say homemade cannolli? And don’t forget the many varieties of olives and their homemade tomato sauce. If you live outside the Cleveland area or you are flying do not worry they do ship!

Stop #2: Now that your cooler is full and your tummy has been reborn it is off for a little nature hiking at Lakeview Cemetery (located at 12316 Euclid Ave. Cleveland). I know what you are thinking a cemetery? Lakeview Cemetery is not your ordinary cemetery. It is rich in history and the final resting place of our 20th President – James A. Garfield. President Garfield is the only President that lays In State. The Monument is open daily April 1st through November 19th from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM and is staffed with a guide. The view from the monument of downtown Cleveland and the surrounding grounds is breathtaking. The Wade Chapel is another must visit while at the cemetery. It was built in honor of Jeptha Wade, founder of The Western Union Telegraph Company, by his grandson. What I find fascinating is the interior was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.Let’s also not forget the see the final resting place of “Rockefeller”, “Elliot Ness” and many other famous residents. Click here for more info: http://www.lakeviewcemetery.com/famous_residents.html

Stop #3: Now off to Little Italy. An authentic little Italian community that has kept all its Italian charm. Located along Mayfield Ave – Murray Hill, there are bakeries to enjoy the faire, coffee shops to sit and enjoy the view as well as galleries filled with local artesian ware to browse. For additional info: http://www.littleitalycleveland.comFor dinner may we suggest the Guarino’s Restaurant (12309 Mayfield Rd, 216.231.3100). Located on the main street of Little Italy our party found the food to be very “Italian” and the cost not to prohibited.

Stop #4:Now what to do for the evening? How about a movie. A Great place to let your stomach take a rest and your feet. Cedar Lee Theatres located at 2163 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights. 440.717.4696. What I like about this theater they offer a chance to view independent films as well as Hollywood films. I have seen many great independent films at this theater. After your movie you may want to finish your Italian evening off with a glass of wine at a local are pub of your choosing.

Holiday Idea #2

Holiday Idea #2

One of the prettiest sites in Northern Ohio is all of our beautiful holiday lights. We are passionate about our lighting displays, from those personal yards filled with thousand of holidays lights and plastic ornaments, to whole neighborhood streets lit up with holiday music playing. And yes, we even have those homes stepping into the new age by having the newest "blow-up" creation on the market. (Some holiday traditions are hard to accept - does anyone have a pin? Ha Ha)

One great way to see the lights of the area is by taking a ride on Lolly the Trolley. Trolley Tours offer a Tinsel, Tales, and Trees ride. The tour is a narrated One Hour City Sightseeing Tour featuring the past, present and future of Cleveland while viewing the area lights. You will see and learn about North Coast Harbor, Public Square, Downtown, the Warehouse District, Gateway and the Playhouse Square Theater District. Then it’s off to the Cleveland Play House Festival of Trees to stroll indoors among the delightful decorator-designed “themed trees” and to gather ideas for your holiday house! The public tour is approximately 2 hours long.

Additional information may be found by going to http://www.lollytrolley.com/
Reservations are required for all tours.Call 216-771-4484 or 1-800-848-0173Press "0" for a friendly voice!

Holiday Christmas Ideas

I don’t know what it is about an early powder white snowfall that makes us northern Ohioians get all excited for the holidays. Maybe because there is just so much to do to keep us busy. I am not talking about shopping, however we have plenty of that. I am talking about taking tours of holiday lights, visiting the zoo on a cold winter day, tubing in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and going to see those old favorite holiday plays and concerts.

So as the Editor-in-Chief of the Northern Ohio Tourism site, I would like to take this time to start to offer some of our “Favorite Things” do in northern Ohio for the holidays. And remember when the day is finished you can always go home and make some wonderful hot chocolate with marshmallows and dream about sugar plums coming in the days ahead.

Holiday Idea # 1

Our first holiday idea starts with taking a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The railroad offers wonderful holiday trips - one is the Christmas Tree Adventure. Starting December 6th, you can take a train ride to Heritage Farms and pick out a beautiful Christmas Tree. You get to cut the tree your self or pick one out that is already cut. The staff then tags it, bags it, and it's on the train with you, no worries! There is also time to have lunch in one of the local restaurants in Peninusla. The train runs the last weekend in November and the first 2 weekends in December. Fee: $25 for adults, $20 for seniors (65+), $12 for children (3-12). Departure is from Rockside Station at 10:15 am on December 6, 7, 13 & 14, 2008.

Another favorite train ride of ours is the Jingeling's Holiday Express. Starting December 6, 2008 the rairoad offers a holiday trip with a holiday icon of our area. Mr. Jingeling" joins the for a train ride. “Mr. Jingeling”, who is the “Keeper of the Keys” to Santa’s toy shop will be passing out his magical keys on this holiday ride.

For additional information about the above events, visit http://www.cvsr.com/ for details and reservations.