u2vertigo

Im planning a trip to Cleveland in mid-July with two friends. I was just looking for some advice on how to get around town. Im driving to the city but would like to keep my car at the hotel so was thinking about public transportation to get to the zoo and University Circle. Im also looking for ideas on resturants near the Renaissance Hotel. Any ideas or tips would be greatly appreciated.

cd

Not so sure I can help but at least this will top your post and maybe someone else will. We drive into Cleveland often as we live only 30 min away. We have never taken public transport anywhere in Cleveland so really know anything about it. How about calling the hotel where you will be staying and asking this question of them?

syd

There is a transit system, although it's pretty limited. I'd count on driving to the zoo.

Are you looking for anything particular restaurant-wise? There are a number of options near the Renaissance. Sans Souci, in the hotel, is pretty good. Johnny's Dowtown, is good, although pricey. Other restaurants in the area I'd suggest: Vivo, Blue Point Grille (good seafood). All are in walking distance.

If you don't mind venturing beyond the area you'll be staying, there are some great places to eat in the Tremont area, just west of downtown. I'd suggest Fat Cats, and although I haven't been here yet, I've heard good things about Parallax.

In the University Circle area, you're near Little Italy with some good Italian places: I'd suggest Battuto for upscale (quite small and you'll probably need reservations), and Mama Santa's for very casual dining. Also, on Euclid near University Circle is Mi Pueblo mexican restaurant.

Although you didn't ask for these ideas, while in University Circle, the Museum of Art and the outdoor gardens at the Botanical Gardens are nice. At the Museum of Art, they have courtyard outdoor concerts on Wednesday and Friday evenings that are fun.

Have a wonderful time!

SuzieTrue

Getting to University Circle from downtown is easy on public transportation. The Rapid Transit[combo under/above ground train] has a stop at Terminal Tower and University Circle.

The zoo is best gotten to by car. You could take a bus but would then have to walk down a rather steep hill to enter the zoo. The really bad part would be having to walk UP the hill at the end of the day.

The Rapid Transit can also get you to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, different line than University Circle.

u2vertigo

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. When I get to the hotel I probably will ask about transportation for getting around. I was just wondering if there is alot of parking available if I do decide to drive to the zoo? As far as restaurant-wise I was just looking for a nice place for a good meal the last night we are in town. All of the suggestions sound great and will look into them further. We will definitly head to Little Italy too. We are planning to go to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, an Indians game, the Science Center, zoo, and the Museums in the University Circle District. Any other ideas I would love to hear. Thanks again

KMK

Zoo parking in Cleveland is easy, they have a huge lot...no worries there!

MerryTravel

Something else that would be fun and accessible by public transportation is the West Side Market. It's an old municiple market packed with stalls of butchers, bakers, fishmongers, produce stands, homemade perogies, cheese, fresh pasta, coffee and just about anything else edible. It's just one stop from the Renaissance at W. 25th in the Ohio City neighborhood (my neck of the woods). There's also an excellent microbrewery across the street from the market called Great Lakes, and there are a ton of great restaurants there as well.

I have to second that the restaurants in Treemont are very good (Lolita, Theory, Parallax, Fahrenheit), but I'm pretty sure you'll have to drive there.

bluestructure

u2vertigo, did you go to Cleveland yet? Please do a trip report as I'm thinking of taking a trip there soon.

u2vertigo

I have not gone yet. We leave next Thursday and return on Sunday. I will right a report when I get back and hopefully it will help you.

Cher

We just visited Cleveland a couple weekends ago (staying at the Renaissance) and had a great (last night) dinner at the Metropolitan Cafe. It's in the Warehouse District within easy walking distance (a couple blocks) from the hotel. Great food, with fun, trendy atmosphere (lots of windows), and outdoor seating.

Fat Cat Blue (also right near the Renaissance) has some good food too and has live music at night, although for a last night dinner I would go the Metropolitan Cafe. Fat Cat also an awesome Sunday jazz brunch that I would highly recommend -- order off the menu, not a buffet.

u2vertigo

Cher - thanks for the tip I will check those places out. Just wondering how was your stay at the Renaissance Hotel? Was it nice place to stay? Also did you do any typical tourists things? Thanks for the info

Cher

We liked the Renaissance and would recommend it. Good location for walking to lots. We did the typical tourist stuff: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Lolley Trolley Tour, Botanical Gardens in University Circle. A big disappointment was that almost all exhibits are now closed at the Art Museum due to a huge renovation project that is getting underway ... that's why we ended up going to the Botanical Gardens instead, which we also enjoyed. There's another Cleveland thread going now that I also provided info on, so check that out too. We thought Cleveland was fun to visit for a weekend get-a-way. We wished we could have caught a baseball game, but there was not a home game when we were there.

u2vertigo

In case anyone is interested in Cleveland information i posted a trip report in the post CLEVELAND need trip advices. Hope it helps

Cher

Oh, and the restaurant we went to that we really liked (right around corner from Renaissance) was Fat Fish Blue, not Fat Cat Blue. (There is a restaurant called Fat Cats in the Tremont area, but we didn't eat there.)