I wholeheartedly believe that Cleveland is the best city in the world. I have grown even closer to the C-L-E since I’ve been going to school out of state. I’ve realized that there is so much hatred toward the city that I love, and for no reason. Cleveland is an amazing city with so much constantly happening. It’s a city on the rise and has been getting more and more positive recognition (yes, our river did catch on fire but that was over 40 years ago, let it go) and the proper praise that it deserves. There’s no place better than the 216, so here are a few reasons why Cleveland is the greatest city in the world:
1. The Cleveland Cavaliers
The 2016 NBA Champions. The only team to ever come back from a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors, who had a record breaking 73 wins. The Cavaliers were THAT good. They broke Cleveland's 52-year drought of no national championships and made every Clevelander cry. Watching them win (and beat Steph Curry, nonetheless) was like waking up on Christmas morning and finding out that your parents bought you not one, but two puppies. It was that magical.
Hopefully the Indians will bring us our next championship when they beat the Cubs in the World Series
And maybe the Browns will win a game or two...1. A) Lebron James
I think it's important to give recognition to THE King himself. He may have left, but he came back and he brought us a championship. He's the best current basketball player, and may be the best basketball player ever. He's Lebron freaking James.2. Cleveland is the birthplace of Rock and Roll
Alan Freed, a Cleveland DJ, coined the term "Rock and Roll" on his radio show in the early 50's. Cleveland is also home to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. They are constantly opening new exhibits and attractions. "For example, our current exhibit, "Louder Than Words: Rock, Power & Politics," explores the power of rock to change attitudes about patriotism, peace, equality and freedom, while our 2016 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee exhibit showcases newly minted honorees Steve Miller Band, Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, N.W.A. and Chicago" (rockhall.com).
3. Cleveland's Theater District
Cleveland is home to the second largest theater district in the United States, next to New York. Whether it's a play, concert, or festival, there's always something exciting going on.
4. Cleveland Museum of Art
The Cleveland Museum of Art is "one of the wealthiest [museums] in the nation" with an extremely high attendance rate. Internationally renowned for its Asian and Egyptian art, our art museum is one of the best in the nation. Pictured above is a part of the museum that holds live plants and a lot of sunshine so it feels like you're outside. It's actually really cool.
5. Cleveland Orchestra
Our orchestra is one of America's "Big Five" orchestras and was also ranked seventh out of 20 of the world's greatest orchestras in 2012 by Gramophone Magazine. An amazing city deserves an equally amazing orchestra, right?
6. All the movies
Cleveland is a hot spot filming location for loads of Hollywood movies. The most famous is "A Christmas Story." Ralphie's family home is in Cleveland and tours are available all year round. Other big movies that used scenes shot in Cleveland are "Happy Gilmore," "Air Force One," "Spider-Man 3," "The Avengers," "Fun Size," and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." There's also been movies about Cleveland: "Major League," "Welcome To Collinwood," and "Draft Day."
7. So many restaurant options
If you Google "Cleveland restaurants," you will be overwhelmed by the amount of options that come up. From East Fourth to the Flats, you'll never run out of options. You could probably eat at a new place every single day for a year and still haven't tried it all.
8. Cedar Point is only an hour away
Okay, so technically it's not a part of Cleveland. But if you ever do find yourself bored in Cleveland (highly unlikely) then CP is only an hour away. Cedar Point has 71 rides and the park currently holds 10 world records including most rides at one park and most roller coaster track at one amusement park.
9. We're diverse
Cleveland is home to roughly 117 different nationalities. From Little Italy to Slavic Village, from the Irish Cultural Festival to Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, we are a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds. And then there's Cleveland's Cultural Gardens, which has 31 distinct gardens, each commemorating a different ethnic group.
10. Cleveland is still growing
Cleveland is a family. People move here for the big city vibe but stay for the tight-knit community. Everyone in Cleveland knows that this city is the best in the world and there's no better place.
So what're you waiting for? Come visit Cleveland. Maybe you'll fall just as much in love with it as I am.