For me and many of my friends, our trek toward a four year college degree has finally reached the halfway point.
What destinations do you think of when summer pops into your head? Florida? Los Angeles? Perhaps New York City or Cape Cod? Maybe Cleveland?
Okay, Cleveland, Ohio probably does not come to your mind when you think of a summer vacation spot, but it should! This constantly changing city is full of summer activities and festivities for its residents!
Cedar Point, while a bucket list worthy location (even more so now that the Valravn, the park’s newest record breaking coaster is up and operating) can be a pricy option. Fortunately, there are other fun events we can enjoy, such as Cavs watch parties. Clevelanders have both pride and shame in our sports, so when one of our teams starts doing well, we become swept up in the frenzy. Downtown Cleveland hosts watch parties for the Cavs playoff games, where spectators decked in Cavs gear can cheer and watch the game on projection screens inside Quicken Loans Arena or outside depending on whether it is a home or away game. However, these events are for adults 18 years of age or older.
What will be family friendly is the 1,000 foot waterslide that plans to invade the streets of Cleveland one day this summer. Think I'm lying?
This giant inflatable slide belongs to the Salt Lake City Company and is part of their "Slide the City" event. While the picture above was taken in North Carolina, the slide will be travelling throughout Ohio, from Cleveland to Cincinnati. From what I have seen, registration prices seem to range from $30 to $40. A bit of a steep entertainment expense, but if you live for the waterpark life, this should be worth it!
If your wallet begs you to find cheaper options for summer fun, I suggest checking out Edgewater LIVE that occurs every Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. This free concert series, full of food trucks and live music from local bands is located on the sandy Edgewater beach and gives residents a fun idea for a Thursday night. Alcohol is served, but the setting still gives off a family friendly environment as well. I went with my family last year, and it was a blast playing cornhole with strangers and buying Honey Hut ice cream (God bless Honey Hut ice cream). If that all sounds a little too overwhelming for you, Inner Bliss Yoga will host a yoga session from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. Edgewater LIVE should kick off in June and goes through the month of August.
Maybe these events are too high energy for you, and that's okay! I feel that. There are a number of places to visit on a sunny Cleveland afternoon, such as grabbing dinner in Little Italy, watching the fireworks after a Cleveland Indians game (no need to buy a ticket to watch the light show!), or checking out the Cleveland Metropark Zoo's latest Tiger Passage exhibit opening in June, where visitors can get a closer look at the adorable predators.
So this summer, while you debate which vacation spot you should hit up this year, check out Cleveland.
