| CITY OVERVIEW
Stay in Cleveland
|
Cleveland is one of the many north-eastern cities of recent times that have had a turn around in economic fortunes and a reinvigoration of their downtown area largely led by the redevelopment of downtown sporting facilities. Cleveland is also now the home of the Pro-Football Hall of Fame so it is now very much a pit stop on many travelers sporting itineraries. Cleveland is often a forgotten City for tourism even though it is located approximately half way between New York and Chicago. Like Chicago, Cleveland is also located on one of the Great Lakes – Lake Erie. It therefore has one of the most visually splendid downtown settings in the country – it’s just that most people have not been going downtown until very recently. Downtown Cleveland went through the usual downtown post-war doldrums that many other older cities went through and not until recently has Cleveland been considered a spot worth visiting. Some of the attractions that now exist in Cleveland are the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland at Key Plaza; the aforementioned Pro-Football Hall of Fame; and Coventry Village, which is a smaller version of New York’s Greenwich Village and therefore has several trendy coffee shops, restaurants, music and art shops. |
| GETTING THERE
Fly to Cleveland Within USA
|
Hopkins International Airport is accessible to most other US cities and is accessible to downtown Cleveland by the RTA train system (on the Red line). Amtrak trains are located at 200 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, which links to the local transit system to get back downtown. Greyhound buses are located downtown at 1465 Chester Avenue. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) provides trains and buses that serves the downtown Cleveland area. |
| NFL
CLEVELAND BROWNS |
The NFL’s Cleveland Browns started life in 1950, where they had instant success through a magnificent 10-2 start, which led to a start-up Championship win. The Browns won further championships in 1954, 1955 and 1964. They then went on a Buffalo-style losing streak of Championship Finals in the late 60’s – losing in 66, 68 and 70. And then that’s it - no more success for the Browns – although they did make the playoffs quite regularly in the 1980’s and made the conference finals three times in that decade only to lose each time to Denver. By the mid 1990’s, the owner had had enough and they were no more in 1996 when the Browns franchise was moved to Baltimore. But back they came in 1999 with the revitalization of Cleveland as a place, when a new expansion team franchise was awarded to the Browns again. |
| NBA
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS |
The Cleveland Cavaliers joined the NBA for the 1970-71 season. A franchise that has known its share of ups and downs, the Cavaliers have scraped the bottom of the barrel at times, both on and off the court. Still, after struggling through much of its first two decades of existence, Cleveland turned itself around in the late 1980s to become a consistent Central Division contender. Between 1991 and 1998, the Cavs winning percentage was always above .500 and they finally have a potential champion in Le Bron James. |
| MLB
CLEVELAND INDIANS |
The MLB’s Cleveland Indians name goes back to 1915, although the franchise goes back to 1901. They were firstly called the Cleveland Blues, then the Bronchos, and then the Naps, before becoming the Indians. The Indians have won 2 World Series, 5 Pennants and made 9 playoffs. This record has improved markedly in the 90’s – if it hadn’t the Indians would still be considered a joke. Their World Series wins came in 1920 and 1948, but between 1955 and 1993, they failed to make the playoffs once. However, since 1994, the Indians have only missed the playoffs once (2000) and have played in 2 World Series without winning. |
| WNBA
CLEVELAND ROCKERS |
The WNBA’s Cleveland Rockers were named in honour of Cleveland’s newfound status as the location of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Things appear to be looking up for the Rockers – after having the worst record in the League in 1999 they have improved gradually to finish second behind New York in the East in 2001. |
| THE GUND ARENA |
The Gund Arena hosts the Cavaliers and Rockers and is located at One Center Court, Cleveland, which is located in the heart of downtown Cleveland. It is therefore within walking distance of most of Cleveland’s downtown accommodation. Opened in 1994, the Gund Arena has a capacity of 20,500. Although very similar in feel to many other sporting stadiums, the Gund Arena’s outer concourse has more than usual shops, restaurants and bars. The Cleveland RTA offers services to The Gund from all parts of the surrounding area by bus or rapid transit. Catch the RTA train to the Tower City Rapid Station and walk to the Gund Arena via the RTA Walkway. The enclosed walkway connects the Tower City Center food court to Gund Arena's front door. The Walkway opens two hours prior to an event and remains open for approximately 90 minutes after the events ends. |
| CLEVELAND BROWNS STADIUM |
Cleveland Browns Stadium hosts the Browns and is also located in Downtown Cleveland, north of Lakeside Avenue, between West 3rd Street and East 9th Street. The Stadium is on the grounds of the famous old Municipal Stadium, where the older Browns teams played. Opened in 1997, the new Stadium has a capacity of over 73,000. An RTA Station accesses the Stadium on the Southwest corner near the Cleveland Clinic Sports Health Gate. |
| JACOBS FIELD |
Jacobs Field hosts the Indians and is located at 2401 Ontario Street in the middle of downtown, Cleveland. Opened in 1994, it replaced the despised Cleveland Stadium, considered to be one of the coldest and wettest stadiums in existence in its time. Cleveland Stadium had approximately 74,000 seats, the largest at the time. Jacobs Field has a smaller 43,000 seats, but is close to full on many occasions. Jacobs Field has a similar feel to the famed Camden Yards, combining old and new design elements common to newer stadiums. The Field’s reputation was enhanced a year after it opened when it hosted the World Series of 1995 against the Atlanta Braves and was site of the All-Star Game in 1997. By public transit, take the Red Line train to Tower City-Public Square Station, which is located adjacent to Jacobs Field. |
| HORSE
RACING
Thistledown Race Track, 21501 Emery Rd, Cleveland (season: late March to late December) Tickets available at gate |
Thistledown is located across the road from Randall Park Mall, some 15km south-east of downtown Cleveland. From downtown, you can catch RTA Bus Route 15(Union-Walden) to Randall Park Mall. |
| MOTOR
RACING
Early
July – CART Cleveland Grand Prix, Burke Lakefront Airport, Cleveland. |
The
Burke Lakefront Airport is a somewhat bizarre choice for the location of a
major motor racing event. The Airport is located on the Lake only about
1.5 km to the east of downtown Cleveland – access of N Marginal Road.
Although it is not too difficult just to walk from downtown Cleveland
(just walk down E 9th towards
Cleveland Browns Stadium to N Marginal Road and head east), you can catch
the RTA Green or Blue Line to South Harbour Station, which is across the
way from the Airport through the parking lot. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY |
The Cleveland State Vikings are located in the eastern section of downtown Cleveland at 2121 Euclid Avenue. The Vikings have teams in several sports, including men’s and women’s basketball. The basketball teams play out of the Convocation Centre, which is just one block south at the intersection of Prospect and 18th Street. Some bigger games are played at nearby Gund Arena. The Cleveland State Campus is located a couple of blocks north of the E 34/Campus Station on all lines. Just walk north along 30th Street upon exit. |
