17 Things to Do in Cleveland in 2017 - Cleveland Article

2. Hear the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center: Pack a picnic basket, lawn chairs and a blanket for an evening of beautiful music from the Cleveland Orchestra during their summertime concerts at Blossom Music Center amphitheater in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

3. Rock Out to MELLENCAMP at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Now through Sept. 4, MELLENCAMP explores the life and music of John Cougar Mellencamp with handwritten lyrics, performance outfits and even his 1966 Silver Honda Scrambler 305 motorcycle at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

4. Scope an Art Exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art: Few cities can claim the awesomeness that is the Cleveland Museum of Art, an internationally recognized and distinguished art museum that still offers free admission to its permanent collection. As if you actually needed another reason to check out the museum, the University Circle institution presents The Jazz Age: American Style in the 1920s Sept. 30 through the end of January 2018.

5. Nosh at Melt Bar & Grilled: You really haven’t lived until you’ve been served a mile-high gourmet grilled cheese from one of seven Ohio locations of Melt Bar & Grilled. Enjoy everything from a grilled cheese piled high with potato and onion pierogi, or a sandwich stuffed with jalapenos and then deep fried.

6. Explore the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage: This museum goes beyond studying Jewish history in Northeast Ohio. It’s explores all facets of diversity and its contemporary. Get there before May 14 for This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement, featuring the work of nine photographers who lived and worked in the South between 1963 and 1967.

7. Catch a Cavs Game: Sure, you can catch a basketball game on TV. But, there’s nothing truly like experiencing a game by the 2016 NBA champions right here in Cleveland with the fans.

8. Drink Up Cleveland’s Beer Scene: In 2015, 1,385,100 barrels of craft beer were produced right here in Ohio. Much of that was churned out of the breweries dotting the map throughout Northeast Ohio.

9. Watch a Flick at the Great Lakes Science Center’s DOME Theater: Thanks to some serious technology and more than $1.8 million in renovations, the Great Lakes Science Center offers guests an amazing cinematic experience at the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater. Because of its new technology, the theater can show classic films—which led to the creation of a classic film night every week.

10. Splash into Cedar Point Shores: In 2017, Cedar Point Amusement Park will unveil its newly redesigned and expanded waterpark called Cedar Point Shores. On the list of incredible attractions is a six-story-tall, four-person aqua-drop body slide. If that’s not thrilling enough, spend the day at the amusement park, which boasts more roller coasters than anywhere in the world.

11. Enjoy Adult Swim at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium: Each month, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium offers a unique adult beverage tasting party—ranging from tequila and rum to beer and wine.  Be one with the 5,000 underwater sea creatures—and a few drinks—at this fun monthly event.

12. Island-Hop at Lake Erie Shores & Islands: Many folks are surprised that Lake Erie boasts a series of incredible resort-like islands just miles from the coast. These islands, only reachable by ferries, offer summertime fun, historic attractions, great food, cool Lake Erie breezes, music and plenty of drinks.

13. Discover the West Side Market: It’s one of the last few remaining public markets in the country and an experience in and of itself. With more than 80 family-owned booths, the West Side Market vends everything from freshly butchered steaks and gourmet sausages to tantalizing pastries and homemade breads. 

14. Celebrate the Western Reserve Historical Society: Few institutions make it to their 150^th birthday, but the Western Reserve Historical Society is one time-honored Cleveland tradition that’s earned its longevity. As part of its anniversary, the Cleveland History Center will present premier a new permanent Cleveland-history based exhibit called “Cleveland Starts Here” that includes a multimedia collection highlighting the history of Northeast Ohio.

15. Travel the Flats: If ever there were a comeback kid, his name would be The Flats. This unique riverfront section of the city is experiencing a rebirth for the books that includes everything from a new hotel and residences to a boardwalk a dozens of new restaurants. That revitalization continues in 2017 with the opening of Margaritaville, a Rascal Flatts entertainment complex and a new restaurant/brewery.

16. Be One with Lake Erie: It’s the shallowest and warmest of all the great lakes, which means it’s phenomenal for fishing, boating, swimming and even shipwreck diving expeditions. Hire an afternoon fishing charter boat with friends; jet ski and kayak; or even take a beer-laden paddle boat along the city’s stunning Great Lake.

17. Take in a Broadway Blockbuster: PlayhouseSquare is the largest theater district in the nation—second only to that in New York City. The downtown district, which encompasses several city blocks, residences and real estate, boasts 10 performances spaces including five opulent vaudeville-style theatres. In 2017, be sure to catch five broadway hits including Into the Woods, Rogers & Hammerstein’s The King and I, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Something Rotten and An American in Paris.