Cleveland is known for its Polish heritage, Rock and Roll music scene, dynamic sports teams, and vibrant arts.
The second-most populous city in Ohio, Cleveland is known for its cultural scene, Polish heritage, and musical history. Nicknamed ‘The Forest City’, Cleveland is a fantastic tourist destination with plenty of attractions.
Despite being a metropolitan city, it can often get overlooked as a travel spot. Here are some of the things that make Cleveland unique and why it deserves your attention!
What Is Cleveland Known For?
Cleveland is famous for its sports teams and passionate fans, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a variety of tasty local cuisines, lively neighborhoods, and parks. This charming city has a lot to offer those who take the time to explore it.
Cleveland is also known for being the hometown of some of the biggest celebrities in the entertainment industry. The city is packed with historic and trendy to see and discover.
Culture, Traditions, And History Cleveland Is Famous For
Polish Culture
Cleveland is known for being the home to one of the largest Polish communities in the US. The history of the Polish community in Cleveland dates back to the mid-1800s, and through the years, the community has incorporated Polish culture into the city.
There is a Polish Village neighborhood in the city, where you will find Polish restaurants, delis, and shops. Polka music is part of the heritage the Poles celebrate here and is one of the highlights of the annual Polish Constitution Day Parade, one of the largest celebrations of Polish Culture in the nation.
Polish Constitution Day
One of the biggest celebrations Cleveland is famous for is the Polish Constitution Day Parade. Polish-Americans in Cleveland, alongside their counterparts in other parts of the US, join the people of Poland to celebrate the declaration of the Constitution of 3 May 1791.
The parade is held in Slavic Village, a neighborhood dominated by Czechs and Poles. The celebration is highlighted by the live performance of polka music, traditional folk dances, and the varying colorful folk costumes adorned by the locals.
It’s also an opportunity to taste the multiple local and international cuisines that are served in eateries scattered around the village.
Rock And Roll Roots
When it comes to the music scene, Ohio is known for its deep-rooted history of rock and roll. And this is in no small part due to Cleveland. It is one of the urban centers where Rock and Roll originated and gained relevance.
The city’s large black community produced some of the earliest rock and roll acts in the Southern United States.
Credit to these origin stories, one of the main attractions that Cleveland is famous for is the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This museum preserves and tells the history of rock and roll music. It is undoubtedly one of the most famous landmarks in Ohio.
Here, music lovers will discover exhibits on some of the most influential rock and roll musicians, such as Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, and The Beatles.
Rock and roll music is a significant part of Cleveland’s cultural heritage, making it a favorite destination for fans of the genre.
Strong Art Culture
Cleveland is known for its rich cultural heritage that includes an impressive art culture. The city is home to the Cleveland Orchestra, which is widely considered one of the best in the world. The Severance Hall serves as its concert venue and it has hosted plenty of celebrities and influential figures in the music scene.
You are in for an interesting exploration at the Cleveland Museum of Art, home to over 45,000 works of art that span 6,000 years of art history. Some of the best works of Monet, Vans Gogh, and Picasso are exhibited here.
Sports Culture
Cleveland enjoys a great sports atmosphere, as the residents are some of the most passionate sports fans in the region. The city has multiple prominent sports teams across the major leagues in the United States.
Some of the top sports franchises in Cleveland include the Cavaliers(basketball), the Browns(football), and the Guardians(baseball).
The 372,000-populace of the city is affiliated with these sports teams, so the easiest way to start a conversation with the locals is to bring up a topic about any sports of similar interest.
Districts And Areas Cleveland Is Known For
Little Italy
Little Italy is one of the prominent ethnic neighborhoods Cleveland is known for. It was established in the late 19th century by Italian immigrants.
The area was named ‘Little Italy’ because it was the second and smaller community of Italians in Cleveland after ‘Bigger Italy’, which eventually became nonexistent. Now, it is a prime destination for art and food enthusiasts.
Places of interest include the Little Italy Historical Museum, the ALTA House and Library, and the historical Holy Rosary church building. Little Italy thrives with its various attractions that have continued to attract visitors to the area.
Collinwood
Formerly a village in Euclid Township, Collinwood is a historical area, known for its infamous history before and after it was annexed by Cleveland.
Two years before its annexation in 1910, Collinwood was the site of a tragic school fire incident in Lakeview, which cost the lives of 172 children, two teachers, and a rescuer.
Following its annexation, the area was divided into two neighborhoods, Collinwood-Nottingham and North-Shore Collinwood — both of which have their unique attractions.
There are fancy boutiques, art galleries, music and so many other places and things to enjoy here. However, if you want to have a sober reflection or pay respect to some of the victims of the fire incident, visit Lakeview Cemetery.
Ohio City
One of the oldest neighborhoods Cleveland is known for is Ohio City. Originally an independent district, Ohio City was annexed by Cleveland in 1854.
The neighborhood is home to historic and trendy sites ready for visitors to explore and enjoy. The popular West Side Market is packed with eateries and shops where you can discover a variety of local food and craft beer, as well as buy gifts from local vendors.
This is definitely one of the main districts to visit for some simple fun when traveling in Cleveland.
Asiatown
Cleveland is famous for its cultural diversity and one of the communities that has broadened the city’s culture is Asiatown.
Located east of downtown, Asiatown is a small neighborhood with a predominantly Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean population. The blend of Asian culture makes it a unique attraction to experience everything Asian.
The biggest attraction here is the tasty authentic cuisines that are served in different restaurants in the district. It is a truly delightful destination for food lovers, so ready your chopsticks and cleanse your taste buds for an enormous dim sum.
Architecture And Landmarks Cleveland Is Known For
Old Stone Church
The oldest building in Public Square, Old Stone Church was built in 1855, becoming only the second church built within the city limits.
Due to the type of material(sandstone) used in building the church, it was named the ‘Stone Church’ but was later renamed ‘Old Stone Church’.
The building’s Romanesque-style architecture makes it one of the most fascinating landmarks Cleveland is famous for.
While you can explore the interior alone, the church offers guided tours to learn more about the building and the history of the church. You will find the construction history to be very interesting.
Terminal Tower
Another imposing landmark in Public Square is the 52-story skyscraper, Terminal Tower. The structure was built during the skyscraper boom in the early 1900s — at the time, it was the tallest building in Cleveland and the second-tallest in the world.
It boasts fantastic deco-style architecture with detailed etchings and gold trim on the railings. During special events, the tower lights up with various color-schemed lights that reflect the festivity or season.
Today, Terminal Tower serves as a mixed-used building and has housed some notable companies as its tenants.
James A Garfield Memorial
Located in Lake View Cemetery, James A. Garfield Memorial is a memorial for James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States. The memorial is also his resting place.
Standing at 180 feet, the monument, constructed with Berea sandstone, features terra-cotta panels with 110 figures etched in depicting the life of Garfield. It is one of the most famous monuments in the city and a top destination Cleveland is known for.
Visitors can walk up to the outdoor balcony to catch views of the Lake Erie shoreline. Along this iconic lake, you can find some of the best Ohio beaches as well.
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Famous People From Cleveland
Halle Berry
Without a doubt, Halle Berry is one of the most famous people from Cleveland. The Catwoman star was born in Cleveland and was named after Halle’s, a landmark store in the city.
Halle attended Bedford High School, Cleveland, where she was a cheerleader, school newspaper editor, and prom queen. Halle earned a little popularity as a model and beauty queen in the 1980s.
Her acting ambitions led her to New York City in 1989 and the rest is history. Halle’s fantastic acting has earned her a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Tracy Chapman
Musician Tracy Chapman was born in Cleveland in 1964. Her first musical instrument was the ukulele, which her mother bought for her. Chapman’s interest in music grew, as she started to play the guitar and write songs at age eight.
Tracy attended Wooster School, where she graduated and started studying at Tufts University. After she graduated from Tufts, Tracy signed a record deal that resulted in the release of her maiden album ‘Tracy Chapman’, featuring her biggest hit song ‘Fast Cars’.
Tracy has received multiple Grammy nominations, three of which she won. She stands tall one of the most famous people from Cleveland.
Drew Carey
Comedian and actor, Drew Carey was born in 1958 in Cleveland and was raised with his two brothers in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood.
Drew served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Drew had started his comedy career two years before leaving the corps, but his breakthrough was “The Drew Carey Show”, which began airing eight years after he left the corps.
Drew has hosted several acclaimed talk shows and is arguably one of the most celebrated talk show personalities in the US.
Sports Cleveland Is Famous For
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are a basketball team that competes in the National Basketball Association(NBA). The franchise was established in 1970 and they play their home games at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland.
Cavaliers is one of the top teams Cleveland is known for producing. The team boasts one championship, five conference titles, and seven division titles. (…and counting for sure!)
The franchise has been associated with some of the best players in the NBA, including LeBron James, who is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns compete in the National Football League(NFL) under the American Football League(AFC). Browns is one of the oldest franchises in Cleveland.
Browns play their home games at the FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, and they sport orange, brown, and white colors on their jerseys.
The team has an impressive trophy haul, which includes eight league championships, eleven conference championships, and twelve division championships.
Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland is known for being the home of the baseball team, Cleveland Guardians, who compete in Major League Baseball(MLB).
The franchise was established in 1901 and has played in the American League Central Division ever since. They have managed to win two World Series titles, six Pennants, and eleven division titles.
The Guardians play their home game at Progressive Field.
Food Cleveland Is Known For
Polish Boy
Perhaps the biggest food Cleveland is known for, Polish Boy is a local favorite dish you shouldn’t miss out on tasting during your visit. The dish is a tasty combination of kielbasa sausage, barbecue sauce, coleslaw, and French fries.
The dish’s origin can be traced to the east side of Cleveland. Now, it’s the most well-known meal across the city and is ready to serve in restaurants and food trucks throughout the city. You shouldn’t visit Cleveland without blessing your taste but with this food.
Cleveland-style Pizza
Everything about Cleveland is in chunks or large, and the city’s pizza is no different. Unlike other regional pizzas that are known for their thin crust, Cleveland-style pizza has a thick, chewy crust that is complemented with surplus cheese and toppings.
The pizza originated from a local pizza shop in the 1950s. Today, this style of pizza is specially served by pizzerias scattered around the city. Many visitors to Cleveland look forward to checking it out, and so should you.
Discovering More Things Cleveland Is Known For
Excited to visit yet? And these are just some of the many things that Cleveland is famous for. There are plenty more attractions, history, and culture that are so worth looking into such as the nearby.
With the plethora of entertainment options, culinary delights, and cultural arts on offer, the city of Cleveland charms anyone who visits. Whatever your reasons may be for visiting Cleveland – make sure you take the opportunity to discover the experiences that make it one of America’s most prominent cities!
WHAT IS CLEVELAND KNOWN FOR? PIN IT FOR LATER!
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