Travel Adventures: Intriguing Stuff to See the Next Time You're in Cleveland, Ohio

The First of Four Parts - Rockefeller Park Greenhouse

Photo by Steve DiMatteo on Unsplash

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On a recent trip to visit family in Cleveland, Ohio, we made plans to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That was our scheduled Sunday adventure. However, when our hostess (my sister-in-law) inquired what we'd like to do on Saturday, we said, "You pick!"

And I'm so glad we did! She planned a wonderful afternoon that included the following:

• Rockefeller Park Greenhouse 

• Cleveland Cultural Gardens 

• Heinen's Grocery Store  

• The Vault 

But first, some fun facts about the city! 

Founded in 1796, Cleveland is located in northeastern Ohio along the southern shore of Lake Erie near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River. Cuyahoga is the Native American word for 'crooked river.' 

As the largest city on Lake Erie and a port, Cleveland connects with the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence Seaway. It shares a maritime border with Canada, which happens to be the longest international border in the world.

Its position on the river and lakeshore helped Cleveland become a significant commercial and industrial center attracting many immigrants and migrant workers. Manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, biomedical, and higher education make up most of its economy.

The iconic ‘Cleveland' script signs (see above) were installed by Destination Cleveland in 2016 to promote tourism. They are a terrific backdrop for photos and are commonly seen on travelers’ social media accounts. The locations for the six signs throughout the city are:

1. Cleveland/Hopkins Airport (Indoors)

2. North Coast Harbor

3. Euclid Beach

4. Tremont

5. The Foundry

6. Edgewater Park

Cleveland is home to a Museum of Art, Museum of Natural History, Playhouse Square, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (among others.) Also known as Forest City, it's the center of the Cleveland Metroparks nature reserve system. Major league professional sports teams include the Cleveland Browns, Cavaliers, and Guardians (football, basketball, and baseball.)

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First Stop - Rockefeller Park Greenhouse

(All photos are my own.)

Created in 1902, the greenhouse was originally called the City Garden. Situated on 200 acres donated by John D. Rockefeller, it was initially used to grow plants for landscaping the city’s parks and gardens.

For those unfamiliar with Rockefeller, he was the founder of the Standard Oil Company. He became one of the wealthiest businessmen in the world and is cited as America’s first billionaire. He was also a major philanthropist, donating about $500 million to educational, scientific, and religious causes.

In addition to ongoing city beautification, the greenhouse has grown into a botanical garden with specialty collections, theme gardens, outdoor classrooms, and seasonal displays.

If you’re a garden enthusiast or enjoy pretty and unusual plants, stop in the Rockefeller Park Greenhouse; it won’t disappoint!

For more info: Rockefeller Park Greenhouse

NEXT WEEK - Cleveland Cultural Gardens

(One of the ‘life matters’ I talk about is growth. I believe we grow a little every time we meet someone new or visit a different place we’ve never gone to before. Therefore, travel helps us see the world differently.

I highly recommend taking trips, although they don’t have to be expensive, exotic endeavors. There are beautiful and fun things to discover everywhere, often reachable by car. Seek, and ye shall find; make time to grow and discover the uniqueness of your own neighborhood!)