Cleveland Crossroads: Super Exploring Downtown
Cleveland Crossroads: Super Exploring Downtown
By Giles Kennedy
Family and Travel Columnist
So what did ill-fated planning due to Greater Cleveland RTA Rail Line maintenance do for a day adventure?
A lot.
Visiting a small, yet mighty Police History Museum, one of the oldest main branches of a city library, and filming locations for the rebirth of Superman in Downtown Cleveland.
Wait did you say, you explored Downtown Cleveland?
Yes, I did and I was surprised.
The Greater Cleveland RTA (celebrating 50 years this year, and having the oldest working light/heavy rail transit lines in the state) has been busy.
On top of accommodating guests the past few years for the filming of DC Studios’ new version of Superman; they literally have been upgrading the very rail transit service.
Fear not, intrepid travelers. The Westbound Red Line trains are to return on Sunday June, 20th.
For those lines not up and running yet; free shuttle service at each RTA Rail Park and Ride Station to key stations along each Rail Service line.
See website for details.
Which means, free safe and secure parking at each station and free transportation until service resumes regularly. Once it does, $5 RTA Cleveland Pass good for Rail, Bus and Trolley service for one day. Again, see the website for more details on service updates and fares.
So, I took advantage of the free shuttle into Tower City Station/Terminal Tower near Public Square.
If you go see the new “Superman” film, you will recognize a lot.
Terminal Tower, Key Tower, Public Square and other iconic landmarks are able to be explored.
Right in the center of Public Square is a decades old memorial to fallen soldiers and sailors.
It was built to remember both sides of the Civil War; with beautiful statues, plaques and steps away from the Terminal Tower.
https://www.soldiersandsailors.com/
A lesser known museum; small but mighty, resides right inside the Cuyahoga County Justice Center near Cleveland Police Headquarters.
https://www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/
Artifacts from the 1900’s to present day; including patrol motorcycles, model of the 1st electric traffic light and more reside here. Please visit the website for hours and visiting hours. Occasionally, they have a classic car show near Downtown and other events featuring classic police cruisers. Follow them on Facebook for details.
https://www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/category/vintage-fleet/
https://www.facebook.com/clevelandpolicemuseum
Down the street where the Leader Building stood in for the Daily Planet and scenes filmed in the The Arcade Hyatt Regency; a greater treasure awaits.
The Main Branch of the Cleveland Public LIbrary celebrates 100 years this year. With an exhibit surrounding the history of its biggest fictional character, Superman; the world’s largest chess set collection and much more inside its halls…it’s so worth a visit.
https://cpl.org/location/main-library/
As for the Arcade, it’s a premier destination itself. Refurbished shops as rooms and conference areas, a working Post Office, restaurant, bar and a coffee shop awaits you.
https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/clerc-hyatt-regency-cleveland-at-the-arcade
Many of the older Downtown buildings have been retrofitted to boutique and higher end hotels including the Drury Hotel and Suites Cleveland.
It was home to the offices of the Cleveland Board of Education and on the west side, features a statue of Abraham Lincoln.
https://www.druryhotels.com/locations/cleveland-oh/drury-plaza-hotel-cleveland-downtown
It is part of the “Burnham Mall”, a public space designed originally in the early 1900’s
Today, the Northwest corner features the Huntington Cleveland Convention Center. It has an anchor Hilton hotel, restaurant, food court and more.
https://www.clevelandconventions.com/
There are so many pockets of Downtown Cleveland outside of Browns, Cavs, Guardians and Monsters games to explore. Check out on a day trip or a weekend to soak in the super sized history of the reborn home of Superman.
https://www.downtowncleveland.com/
Again, get out there. Life’s an adventure; up up and away living it!
