For over three years I've been blogging about my life in Cleveland here on the plum, but what some of you newer readers may not know is that I'm not actually from Cleveland.
I'm from Canton, Ohio which is a little under an hour south of the CLE.
And while I've grown up watching WKYC, rooting for the Browns/Cavs/Indians and spent more nights than I can count in the seats of PlayhouseSquare I didn't actually grow up in Cleveland.
Which means there's a lot of things I haven't done in this awesome city that I've called home for 4 years and 50 weeks of my life.
Sometimes I think of myself as the Milli Vanilli of Cleveland "experts" because while I've done more in my time living in Cleveland than many lifers there's soooooooooo much that I haven't checked off my Cleveland bucket list - some of which I'm actually embarrassed of never doing.
But with the new year it's time for me to make a list, a list that i need to complete by 2012...
the-ten-things-i-still-need-to-do-to-consider-myself-a-true-clevelander-list
1. Eat a pierogi at Sokolowskis
2. Visit the Great Lakes Science Center
3. See a show at the Beachland Ballroom
4. Visit the Cleveland Museum of Art
5. Go to A Christmas Story House
6. Visit the Cleveland Natural History Museum
7. Eat a cone from East Coast Custard
8. Dine at a restaurant in Little Italy, any restaurant
9. Purchase a weeks worth of groceries from The West Side Market
10. Eat a slice of pizza from Mama Santa's
anyone want to join me in and or help me cross these ten things off my list? should be fun, kids.
sidenote: if you are reading this list and think i'm missing something don't worry, i've probably already done it.
I'm glad to say that although I feel you've done much more than this life-long Clevelander - I have managed to cross 6 of the above items off my list.
ReplyDeleteI still have four to go, however. I'll meet you in Little Italy...
Thanks for representing the CLE, Alexa.
What a fun post! Several of those I want/need to do as well. But, I too feel like I've already accomplished a lot in the three short years that I've called this city "home". There is so much to do in Cleveland!
ReplyDeleteI have lived in CLE my whole life (except for one year) and have never been to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or been to the Christmas Story house. If you need Little Italy recommendations, let me know :)
ReplyDeleteYou can knock out #'s 8 & 10 in one shot. Sokolowskis is AMAZING. You must go. I've never been to the Science Center either, but I hear it's fun. Only go to the Christmas Story house around the holidays. It just dosen't feel right any other time.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought there are the things that true Clevelanders do and then there are the things that true Clevelanders do when out-of-towners visit (e.g., Rock Hall, Science Center). You do true Clevelander stuff every day of the week!
ReplyDeleteStill, a great list and I look forward to reading about working your way through it.
I've always thought there are the things that true Clevelanders do and then there are the things that true Clevelanders do when out-of-towners visit (e.g., Rock Hall, Science Center). You do true Clevelander stuff every day of the week!
ReplyDeleteStill, a great list and I look forward to reading about working your way through it.
Sadly, I haven't been to Sokolowski's either!
ReplyDeleteThe Beachland reminds me of my high school years when I thought I was an awesome punk rocker. Shows are great there.
I don't care if you weren't born in bred in Cleveland, you are a true Clevelander, hands down. No one else captures the spirit of the city quite as well as you!
ReplyDeleteWe are going to Martin Sexton at Beachland! Check off #3!
ReplyDeleteOh and thank you for the PlayhouseSquare shoot out my friend!!!!
ReplyDeleteMOB, oh yeaaaaaaaaaaaah, i'll get to cross of #3 in february! also, did you note how i correctly typed out PlayhouseSquare? i did that for you, fyi.
ReplyDeleteI did notice that and thank you. You know it is my biggest pet peeve when people call PlayhouseSquare Playhouse. Ha Ha.
ReplyDeleteoh oh oh oh! I've been to sokolowskis, in representation of my own "ski-dom", and been to little italy!
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, im ashamed you havnt been to christmas story house. I hear randy is there for a few months writing a book go meet him!
You have NEVER been to the art museum!?! Or ANY restaurant in Little Italy!?!
ReplyDeleteFAIL.
I can confidently say I have done 2, 4-6, and 8-10. I would add something about going to the Flats or West 6th because those are truly unique experiences of Cleveland.
ReplyDeletemiss alexa, i am disappointed in you! lol, this list makes it appear like you have an aversion to the east side. tisk, tisk.
ReplyDeletei can say the same for 1, 3, 5, 6, 7...been here 2 months shy of 6 years.
ReplyDeletei better get on it!
You just named some of my favorite things to do in Cleveland! I don't think it makes you a Cleveland Milli Vanilli, but I do think you're missing out!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you either need to play tourist in your own city for a week (that would be a fun blog to read) or you need to cross one of these things off your list each month this year. Maybe your readers could suggest 2 more activities, and have the goal last a full year. (My suggestion would be LakeView Cemetery. That might sound weird, but it's like an outdoor Cleveland Museum!)
I'm kind of surprised, but not really. You've created a whole blog with an extremely loyal following based on what you DO in Cleveland. So 10 things is pretty much child's play. Perhaps we can use a couple of these items as excuses to hang out? It's been too long. xo
ReplyDeleteI'm in! i have only and RECENTLY done Little Italy and LOVED it! Been twice now. I have been to the market but haven't bought a week's worth of groceries. We plan to go back once a month though. I look forward to the journey...
ReplyDeleteI've lived in Cleveland for about 6 years now, and I'm proud to say I've done all these except for #5! However, you had dinner at the new Washington Place Bistro right? That's technically Little Italy. Just not an italian restaurant! (not that I stalk your blog, seriously!)
ReplyDeleterosemarie, omg you're right! i have eaten at a restaurant in little italy then, but i'm not going to count it cause i need to rock a traditional italian place at least once :)
ReplyDeleteFun!!! I've only lived here 10 years and have done a bunch of those! But don't feel bad, I grew up on LI and I was in my 30's before I went to the statue of liberty!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing on you list I haven't done is have a pierogi at Sokolowski's, and I grew up in Maryland! (I've been in the CLE for 25+ years though.) I did have Michael Symon's beef cheek pierogi's at Lola last night though. So. Good.
ReplyDeleteAt least "go to the beach" isn't on that list! We knocked that one off last summer for you :)
ReplyDeleteUmmm, I've eaten at Mama Santa's but I'm always game for their pizza! Hit me up when you go. :)
ReplyDeleteSkip Mama Santas and go to Angelo's instead.
ReplyDeleteThen eat your East Coast Custard at the one right by Rocky River on Lorain. After you bike up the horrible hill.
Also, the Christmas Story house is lame. Go get some coffee in Tremont, and drive down the Flats aimlessly instead.
I am shocked you have not eaten in Little Italy!!! The Verdova's are always game for Mama Santa's. Mark will have a pizza eating contest with ya! He loves that place. Haha! Oh the Sangria isn't too shabby either!
ReplyDeleteI'll go with you to Mama Santa's and any other restaurant in little italy. love it there.
ReplyDeleteP.s. there's an east coast custard by my house. it's dangerous
The beauty of Cleveland is that you can combine some of these! Like, say, an afternoon in the Ohio City/Tremont area: lunch at Sokolowskis, trip to the Christmas Story House, then stopping by WSM on your way home!
ReplyDeleteI haven't done the Science Center or Christmas Story House, although I keep saying I will. One of these days.
ReplyDeleteWhen you go to Sokolowski's, try to sit in the room with the piano player for extra ambiance. And once you go to the West Side Market and see how much good food you can get for so little, you'll be a regular. The Beachland is one of my favorite venues to see/play shows at, highly recommended. The art museum is worth hitting at least once every year or so, and you can't beat the price (free).
Great Lakes Science Center, Beachland Ballroom, West Side Market - yes, yes, yes! But... I haven't done any of the others. The Christmas Story House is supposed to be pretty cool. I wonder if they sell leg lamps in their gift shop?
ReplyDeleteI really can't believe at some point in time, years back, I didn't take you to the art museum or the science center....hmmm
ReplyDeleteMy husbands band "If These Tree Could Talk" is playing at the Beachland Ballroom (in the tavern) on March 8th yea its a Tues. but your young:)! Come check them out and check it off your list!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah totes need to see a show at the Beachland! Love that place. Hit up when Hotchacha is playing especially--awesome cle band!
ReplyDeleteAlso brunch there on Sunday is a must.
both museums and little Italy are right around me so anytime you want company there I'm on board. !