Cleveland Skyline

Cleveland Rocks! Tell Us Why and Win $250 (and more) in Our “Underrated, Over-Traveled Giveaway”

Ever traveled somewhere that you never imagined yourself going? We’ve partnered with National Car Rental in their Underrated, Over-Traveled campaign to inform travelers who are headed to lesser-loved cities like Omaha, Lexington, Fresno or Greensboro.

Vagabondish is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Read our disclosure.

Sure, they aren’t the destinations at the top of every summer vacationers’ must-visit list, but they still have their unique charm and it’s important to get out and experience them if you ever find yourself [ahem] somewhere you didn’t anticipate.

Cleveland Skyline
Cleveland Skyline © Joshua Rothhaas

For our part, we’re looking to inspire and educate travelers visiting … Cleveland! And we need your help! Simply tell us why you think Cleveland rocks and you could win:

  • $250 AMEX Gift Card
  • Extreme Sport Duffel
  • National Ultimate Privacy Luggage Tag
  • National 14oz Striped Coffee Tumbler

We’re looking for travel tips that relate to the city of Cleveland in any of these categories, as long as they can be pinned on a map:

  • Dining
  • Sports/Activities
  • Bars/Nightlife
  • Outdoors/Park/Public Facilities
  • Arts/Films/Theater
  • Historical/Famous Landmarks

The top 5 curated tips will be imported into the Cleveland National Foursquare location National Pro Foursquare and given a shoutout for helping us create the tip list. One lucky grand prize winner will also be selected to win the above prize pack!

Ready? Here’s How to Enter

Just give us your single best tip either:

Via Twitter

  • Follow @vagabondish
  • Tweet us with your best tip and include the hashtag #NationalUOT! For example: “Hey @vagabondish, check out Nighttown in #Cleveland for killer jazz and eats! #NationalUOT”
  • Be sure to include a link to this giveaway post (http://bit.ly/1cIgXH6)

Or Via a Comment Below

Don’t forget to include your full name and e-mail address so we can contact you if you win!

That’s it! Best of luck!

The Fine Print

Giveaway / Drawing Date

A single Grand Prize winner will be chosen on or about 6pm (eastern) Friday, August 16, 2013 from all eligible entries received during the Giveaway Period. The Giveaway is conducted under the supervision of the Administrator.

Eligibility

All Tweets and blog comments posted within the Giveaway Period will be entered into the Giveaway. Individuals may win a maximum of one (1) prize.

To enter the Underrated, Over-Traveled Giveaway, you must be a US resident, 18 years of age or older at the time of entry, or legal age to enter giveaways as required by each state.

Notification of Winners

Potential winners will be contacted via Twitter DM or email and required to provide an e-mail address and phone number. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail or by phone within two (2) business days of the drawing.

If, despite reasonable efforts, any potential prizewinner does not respond within (24) hours of the first notification attempt, or if the prize notification is returned as unclaimed or undeliverable such prizewinner will forfeit his or her prize and an alternate winner may be selected.

If any potential prizewinner is found to be ineligible, or if he or she has not complied with these Official Rules or declines a prize for any reason prior to award, such potential prizewinner will be disqualified and an alternate winner may be selected.

Founding Editor
  1. If your idea of really rocking and not to rock-n-rollers of the past, check out Little Italy with its great eating spots, artists, shops, and proximity to music for the soul…where you can (if lucky) catch a free recital at the Institute of Music and/or “dress to the nines” for a performance at Severance Hall.

  2. Sorry that you forgot Canadians love to tavel to Cleveland as well and should be allowed in your contest.

    Cleveland does rock. As Canadians, we are only a short car drive from this great city, where we can stay right downtown with lots of convenient parking and then spend the weekend exploring the core from a central location. Personally, I love spending time sitting on the wall at Bicentennial Park and watching the planes and the people walking, stopping for a beer at The Winking Lizard, taking a game and a Hot Dog at Progressive field, checking out performances at the Great Lakes Theatre. Be it food and drink, welcoming visitors, sports or the arts, Cleveland rocks at all these things!

    Sure you won’t change your rules?

  3. Cleveland definitely rocks! We are about 45 min away so we visit often. We always try to get up to the following great places to eat in Cleveland:
    Brasa Grill
    Melt
    Lola/Lolita/B Spot
    BD’s Mongolian Grill ( I know it’s a chain but it’s so good, and the area it’s in is so quirky, be sure to go to Big Fun up the street for nostalgic toys, takes me back to my childhood in the 80’s.)

    And be sure to swing by BA Sweetie’s candy store, it’s a gigantic candy warehouse, the biggest I’ve ever seen! I swear they have every type of candy including ones from my childhood..so cool!
    And even as an adult I enjoyed going to the Great Lakes Science Center and watching some Imax educational films, you learn something and get your mind blown from the awesome visuals at the same time :)

    I love Cleveland!

  4. I visited Cleveland in June a year ago for a weekend. Great place. City is clean and not crowded. I went there from cuyahoga national park, which is a short drive south of Cleveland . The park is a must see. Stayed at the Hilton downtown . Nice hotel and within walking distance of the rock and roll hall of fame and science center. A short walk in the other direction lands you at progressive field . Plenty of places to eat and drink in downtown area. A trip worth taking

  5. I’m not from Cleveland, but go often. Cleveland Rocks because it has stellar restaurants. For a foodie and beer lover like myself, I’m always finding new places to try. The GreenHouse Tavern is exceptional! You won’t be disappointed with the general lineup on East 4th.
    Not to mention Cleveland produced one of my best friends. Can’t get much better than good friends and good food.

  6. Visit the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame! also grab a pint and a burger at one of the local bars and try to catch a rerun of The Drew Carrey Show lolz

  7. Cleveland Rocks not only because of the Hall of Fame but because of it diehard sports fans. Only Cleveland fans have waited sooo long in EVERY professional sport for a championship.
    It also has a beautiful lakefront location with endless water sports.
    Oh and let’s not forget its world class health care in the famous Cleveland Clinic.
    Cleveland is conveniently located near the Lake Erie Islands, famous amusement park, Cedar Point and the nearby Pro Football Hall of Fame.
    Cleveland can rock the interests of all ages!

  8. Birthplace of Superman / Jerry Siegel House
    10622 Kimberly Ave (between E 105th St & Parkwood Dr)
    Cleveland, OH 44108

    While Superman immigrated from the planet Krypton, grew up in the town of Smallville, and settled in the city of Metropolis, he was conceived in Cleveland by teenagers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The Siegel House’s importance to Superman history is commemorated by a fence featuring an iconic, retro “S” and a plaque honoring Jerry’s contribution to the pantheon of comic superheroes. The home’s interior is not officially open to the public as the residence is privately owned by Jefferson and Hattie Gray; however, visitors are occasionally invited in.

  9. Check out the Spazmatics! Fun, energized, nerdy 80’s band from Cleveland. We saw them performing outdoors in front of the casino in downtown Cleveland, great entertainment!

  10. Big Fun Toy Store
    1814 Coventry Rd (between Hampshire Rd & Lancashire Rd)
    Cleveland Heights, OH 44106
    (216) 371-4386
    http://bigfunbigfun.com

    For those who don’t read it for the articles, Playboy Magazine named Cleveland’s Big Fun Toy Store one of the 20 “coolest stores” in America in 2009. Big Fun has an almost overwhelming inventory of new-in-the-box, vintage playthings as well as a smaller procurement of actual antique toys sprinkled throughout the store. While the items are primarily targeted toward children of all ages, the store has both adult and LGBT themed sections. Big Fun also has a second, smaller Cleveland location at 11512 Clifton Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44102, (216) 631-4386.

  11. A Christmas Story House & Museum
    3159 W 11 St (@ Rowley Ave)
    Cleveland, OH 44109
    (216) 298-4919
    http://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com

    A Christmas Story is the cinematic depiction of Jean Shepperd’s memoir In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, recalling his childhood spent in Indiana…but the exterior and some interior shots of Ralphie’s house were filmed in Cleveland. In 2004, the Christmas Story House was thoroughly renovated to reflect the sets portrayed in the movie, and visitors are free to pretty much touch everything in it. A bar of well-used Lifebuoy soap is available to suck on in the Parker family bathroom…how this missed making CNN’s list of “germiest” tourist attractions is an absolute crime.

  12. Cleveland, Ohio not only rocks…but is the greatest city in the world. I was born and raised on the westside of the city and attended high school @ the Cleveland School Of The Arts at it’s original university circle location and recently at it’s churchill ave location. Traveling from the westside of the city to the eastside everyday really expanded my mind and opened my eyes to the true beauty in all aspects of Cleveland. Whether it be performing/attending shows at the Cleveland playhouse, going to thought provoking, introspective exhibits at Clevelands Museum Of Contemporary Art (MOCA) or enjoying a burrito with my best friend Kalim Hill at Ohio City Burrito in Ohio City.

    What I just named are only 3 of my favorite spots to go in the city but there are so many other awesome things to do and places to go such as the Gordon Square Arts District located on Detroit Avenue with places to go such as Cleveland Public Theatre, ILTHY, and many other cool shops/restaurants. If you are in the Cleveland Heights area, I recommend going to Coventry rd. where there are really cool sneaker botiques/clothing stores such as Heart & Sole, American Apparel and more. Also on Coventry is one of my favorite places to go for concerts which is the Grog Shop.

    And of course there are the awesome spots in obvious places such as downtown, the flats, etc…I feel personally that Cleveland is such a great city that due to just exploring different places and going wherever the days or nights take me, I have discovered hidden gems that not a lot of exposure has hit upon.

    Cleveland, Ohio is the greatest city in the world and I wholeheartedly believe it when I say that because I have experienced it.

    -Isaiah C

  13. Johnny Mango’s located downtown is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Cleveland. The menu is extremely reasonable, while the atmosphere is extremely laid back, not to mention their awesome patio for sitting back and relaxing on the summer/spring days. There are many healthy food options on the menu, and the meats/vegetables are of extremely high quality. Not to mention they have tons of meatless, gluten free, and vegan options for those with dietary restrictions. If you are traveling, it’s a nice place for a healthy meal and get some work done. Not to mention, it’s right by all the sports stadiums, so a great place to grab a bite before the big game!

  14. Cleveland will surprise and delight you. Not only that, the tagline ”
    Full City, Half Price” rings true. Where else can you stay downtown at a reasonable price, be within walking distance of three major sports complexes, the theater district, and first class dining? A few years ago, my husband and I drove through Cleveland to meet friends for lunch on our way to Michigan. I remember rounding the bend in the road seeing the lake, the Browns stadium, etc. and having a good vibe about the place. Fast forward to this summer and my good friend and I decided to head to Cleveland for a weekend vacation. We arrived on the Friday after the 4th and we’re pleasantly surprised to see the place was hopping and it wasn’t just baseball fans. The Indians were in town but even after the game started, folks were dining out on Fourth Street and walking around downtown. We took a walk after dinner and followed the beat to the Horseshoe Casino where they were having a summer concert featuring the Spazmatics. Great music for free! Once there we had to tour the casino, which also was packed with people. We took in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the next day and if we had had time, the Tall Ships were in port. We only scratched the surface of things to do. Also loved the CLE Clothing store on East Fourth Street–merchandise that made Cleveland feel cool. I came home and told folks to head to Cleveland!

  15. I live in Cleveland and am looking forward to seeing it through new eyes as we have a child on the way. I can’t wait to experience all sorts of new kid-friendly things soon. It’s a very family friendly city. That being said, it’s great for those that want to wine and dine and leave the kids at home too. ;)

    There’s something for everyone here and it’s all quite affordable as well! Whether you are a foodie, into the arts, an intellectual, a sports fan, family-oriented, or into the great outdoors we have it all.

    We have amazing restaurants and entertainment on E. 4th Street (Lola, Greenhouse Tavern, LaStrada) ,Ohio City (Great Lakes Brewing, Flying Fig), as well as in Tremont, Little Italy, Conventry and so many other neighborhoods. Plus the prices are pretty amazing for what you can get.

    We have wonderful museums. My favorite is the Cleveland Art Museum, and you can’t beat it’s price tag for admission—free! The new expansion and atrium of the museum is stunning.

    Our park system is stunning with miles of easily accessible hiking and biking trails, a train tour, and lots of great views and programs.

    There are plenty of events too. Odds are good that most weekends you can catch a great band at someplace like the Beachland Ballroom, A Dj at Touch Supper Club, an art fair or a festival or some sort.

  16. I love Cleveland!!! My tip: Make a day of it in Tremont and Ohio City. Start breakfast at Le Petit Triangle for amazing French food. Visit the West Side Market and some of the little surrounding stores. Hit up the farmer’s market (on Tuesdays) and grab ice cream from Scoops! Oh, and if it’s an Art Walk night, definitely attend that!

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