By Jason Pratt from Pittsburgh, PA (FishSpeaker) (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Cleveland is more than just the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is not the only great place to visit in Cleveland.

We hope that is not all that other in the country think of this great city because when others are on a trip to Cleveland they would miss out on some of the other great places to visit. The are some great unexpected places of interest.

Sweetie Candy Company Inc – Candy Warehouse

Link: Sweetie candy company inc – Candy Warehouse

Rating: ****

Quick Review: Candy, Candy, Candy!

One of these places is b.a. Sweetie candy company inc – Candy Warehouse. Not only is this the biggest candy store in the United States. This candy store is open to the public and in the store you will find isle after isle of some of your favorite candies. What is great about this store is that it has lesser known candies and some that you might have not seen since your childhood and if you are a kid, some candy you might not of ever seen. When you walk around the isles you might feel like a archeologist digging up forgotten treasure or a detective looking for a lost treat. You will be surprised at the amount of candy that is in this store. The store looks fun inside with bright packaging and some candy related advertising, but be warned it is a warehouse type of store, so it does have cardboard boxes on shelves. You can buy the candy in bulk or individual sizes. The size and warehouse approach means they have a huge selection of vendors and a good price on the candy. One surprise when going to the store was to find Amish cashew crunch in the store. Amish cashew crunch is like peanut brittle but made with cashews and butter, so not as hard as peanut brittle.

Warning: Do not go into this store saying you are just going looking around and will not be buying anything because you will.

2nd Warning: Kids if you take your parents to this store it might be hard to get them to leave and they will want to buy lots of the candy in the store.

By THD3 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Big Fun Toy Store

(two locations, Cleveland Heights, Coventry Village neighborhood location was visited and reviewed)

Location with a picture of the inside of the shop:  http://www.google.com/maps?ll=41.510017,-81.579999&spn=0.001342,0.002776&sll=41.510093,-81.580108&layer=c&cid=3781860213153334215&panoid=hOlPj75aEco4QKHe5hufHA&cbp=13,356.43,,0,0&t=m&z=19&vpsrc=0&cbll=41.509997,-81.580169  (make sure to check out the link because it gives you a real sense of the amount of items in the store)

Link: Big Fun Toy Store

Rating:****

Quick Review: A toy store and toy museum all in one.

If you think that a toy store is only for kids, think again. Big Fun Toy Store is a store that has something for adults and kids. The store is no Toys R Us. The store is more than just a toy store it is a pop culture museum of sorts. You will find many toys ranging from many different decades. The toys are everywhere when you enter the store. Every possible place has a toy on it. Before you go to the store check out the information they have on their site especially on this page http://bigfunbigfun.com/about/the-big-fun-story/ because this page will tell you where some of the flooring and furniture in the store comes from. The facts on that page alone make it worth a visit to the store. If you are a toy collector you are sure to find a favorite item in this store. One could spend hours in this store and never get bored with the items on the shelves. Expect to spend more time than you planned in this store.

Goody’s Family Restaurant

Link: http://goodysfamilyrestaurant.com/

Rating: ****

Quick Review: Great family restaurant with good food.

Goody’s Family Restaurant is conveniently located  in Brook Park near the Cleveland – Hopkins International Airport.  This restaurant is a family owned establishment and has been open for over 26 years. Being open that long they must be doing something right and they are. The restaurant has excellent food in a friendly atmosphere. The restaurant has your standard family restaurant fair of burgers, steak, pies and fries, each done very well. The restaurant also has a few other items on the menu of interest. One highlight is the Grecian platter with slice gyro meat, rice, Grecian salad, stuffed grape leaves, and pita bread and this is a great platter if you have never had Greek food before. One great thing about a family owned restaurant is that they tend to have something special on the menu that the chain places do not have. Some of those highlights are the chicken kehob, baklava, Greek salad, waffles, and many breakfast items. This restaurant has a wide selection so even the pickiest eater will be able to find something. Do not forget to ask your server what the soup of the day is.

By Room237 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Places to Visit

There are plenty of places to visit yet to be experienced in Cleveland. Probably one of the most known outside of Cleveland chefs and restaurant owner is Michael Symon.  Micheal Symon is best known for being and Iron Chef on the Food Network, so from seeing him so many times on television we feel we can call him Michael or do his friends call him Symon? Well he does own more than one restaurant in the Cleveland area. What is great about Michael is that he was born in the Cleveland area and after going to New York he chose to come back and set up in his hometown.  If you ever watch his shows on the food network you can see his love of Ohio and meat. Yes, he is a meat lover and he makes no excuses for it, as he shouldn’t. He owns Lola. Lola is located in Downtown Cleveland and gives diners a chance to see a modern take on some of their favorite dishes. Looking over the menu some of the dishes that look of interest are the Wild Steelhead Trout, Venison, and  Wild Boar Ragu (we said he likes meat). Lola would be a fun night out. If Lola is too fancy for one Micheal does have three burger places called B Spot. Some of the good-looking dishes on their menu are tomato blue cheese soup, Yo! burger with fried salami, coppa, hot peppers, provolone, shasha hot sauce, Mr. Porky brat with pulled pork, pickled jalapenos, shredded cheddar, and the New School fried bologna with Russian dressing, pickled onions, sweet hot pickles, fried egg. B Spot looks like a good place to hang out with a group of friends and reasonable prices. Micheal’s other restaurant is Lolita. What must be tried at Lolita is the fried brussels sprouts fried in lard and after seeing this dish at Lolita featured on a television show one dreams of the fried sprouts nightly.

The West Side Market also looks like an interesting place to visit. With its origins dating back to 1840 the West Side Market is Cleveland’s oldest publicly owned market. The market has over 100 vendors selling things from meat to candy. The market is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Cleveland is worth the trip or the night out.

Columbus Zoo

Cedar Point

Columbus Museum of Art

COSI

Great Lakes Science Center

Five Rivers Metro Parks

Cleveland Metro Park Zoo

Akron Zoo

Hocking Hills State Park

Cincinnati Museum Center

Link: http://www.sumburger.com/

Ratting: ****

Quick Review: A traditional drive-in with a local feel.

Review:  From the outside the place looks like a bank, but around back hides a surprise. Sumburger is not a traditional sit down burger joint. It’s a drive in and a sit down restaurant.  The drive in looks like and functions similarly to Sonic Restaurant. The feel some how is still traditional and local.

Inside the dining experience gets a little different. Sumburger  prides itself on not harassing the customer. With this in mind the wait staff will not come to your table unless you call them. And call them you do. Each table is equipped with a phone that is connected directly to the kitchen. When it is time to order simply pick up the phone and order. No waiting for someone to come back. Need more mustard, pick up the phone.

The menu is standard diner lunch fare, with sandwiches,  baskets, and salads. It is heavy on sandwiches and the sandwiches are heavy on flavor. The “Sumburger” over flows and drips with sum sauce, a basic secret sauce of relish and mayo. The sauce is well balanced and added a nice texture to the burger. The fries are not to thick or to skinny. Overall a well done choice.  The unique part of the place is in how it adds to the standard. With deep fried mushrooms, perch and cod, and daily selection of kool – aid.

The interior is decorated not in a kitsch 50′s diner, but a seems to be collected over the years. From a collection of zippo lighters to the phones at the table, each compliments the decor with out becoming over bearing.  Whether a local or outsiders the  atmosphere is welcoming and inviting.  So next time your in Chillcothe stop by and have sumburger.

The website etsy.com is a great place to buy art straight from the artist. You can find many great artists that range from the art students, crafters, stay at home parents, professional artists, and even groups of people. What is great about the website is that you are buying the work straight from the person who makes it. This gives you a chance to establish a relationship with the person and know that you are supporting their work. The middle man seems to be taken out of the picture. Another awesome thing is that you can request custom artwork from these artists. Many of these artist make some really great work.

On etsy.com there are many great artists from Ohio that should be checked out. We want to protect the rights of the artists we are mentioning so we will not be showing any of their artwork here (sorry) so you will have to follow their Esty link to see what beautiful work there are doing. Many of the artist only go by the name of their shop, so we will do our best to find their names out.

Renie Britenbuche

www.reniebritenbucher.com

Here is a link to her Etsy shop – http://www.etsy.com/shop/reniebritenbucher.  Renie lives in Northeast Ohio and makes very cool folk art style paintings. Her paintings seem to have a feel of whimsy in them that touches the heart and soul. She does many paintings of people and senery. Here paintings are very colorful and will remind you of happy times in each season. Here paintings would liven up any room you decided to hang them in. Do not confuse her artwork with being primitive folk art, but very modern in the style of folk art. She seems to bridge the two styles together. In each of her works you can see a sense of joy and happiness. Her paintings will bring a joy to your heart with each look.

Threesistersplates – Sandie

http://www.etsy.com/shop/threesistersplates

Not sure the real names of this artist(s), but they do also live in the Northeast part of Ohio. They make unique plates that have a collage like feel with pictures cut out and fixed to the back of glass plates. The plates will bring a sense of place and memories to each person who looks at them. The artist has done a great job to bring a mixture of pictures to each plate and other items to make sure the theme of each piece is established very well. The plates have a sense of whimsy to them, but their also are very heartfelt in their design.

CountryDreaming

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryDreaming

Yet another Northeast Ohio artist, this one in the realm of photography. The photography is of the country and landscape. Some of the paintings have been enhanced using fine art effects in Photoshop with an abstract or surreal flair. The photographs tend to lean towards vivid colors and the look of a painting. This makes the photographs very unique. The artist has some great shots of nature that bring the eye into the picture. The picture remind one of a walk in the fall with the leaves changing or a snowy day out at the lake. Some of the pictures have the quality to make one think of a great work of art hanging in a museum. The photographs make on want to explore the area of the artist and the beauty of nature. The artist really has an eye suited well for photography.

Craig Galentine a.k.a. Muluc

http://www.etsy.com/shop/temple7e

This Dayton artist makes Kokeshi dolls. These dolls are hand painted and very well done. The figures range from monks, ninjas, wedding figures, to sci-fi characters. These dolls seem to be made of wood and  stand between 4″ – 4 1/2″ tall.

Here is what the artists says about the dolls.

“Please note that these dolls are not intended for small children.
My kokeshi dolls are works of art to be used for display only, and not intended for play.

As with all products using natural materials such as wood, there will be slight variations in wood grain and color from doll to doll. Also with each doll being hand painted, there may be slight variations in color or pattern, not affecting the overall theme.”

The dolls would be great displayed in the home of a lover of a star wars or ninjas, but also in the home of person who wants something that looks truly unique, but also very well made. The painting of the dolls is simply outstanding.

Binky’s Fudge.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BinkysFudgeShop

Nope not paintings of fudge, but the real thing. Handmade fudge that makes one want to take a bite out of their computer just looking at it. The fudge is made in small batches using only the finest ingredients. The fudge ships U.S. Priority 6 Days A Week. The fudge comes in many different flavors to suit everyone’s tastes.

Graham Erwin

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GrahamErwin

Graham makes some great illustrations, screen prints, and designs and is located in Columbus. His work is  hand done so each work has a little difference in texture and color, which makes each piece special. What is nice is when you purchase a piece of artwork who can really see the time it takes to make each piece come to life. The artwork has a graphic design style to it with flair for the surreal. The prints are of the highest quality.

This is only a list of a few of the great artists on etsy.com. There are also many really good people making jewelry, clothes, furniture, and more, all of them from Ohio. If you go to etsy.com and then go to the left side to the ways to shop section. Then click on shop local and then search by the area of Ohio you live in or like to visit or just type in Ohio you will find many great artist. You will be surprised how many artists live and work in your local area. Esty is great since you can support a local person and you also know that you are buying local.

Check it out!

http://www.sceneinohio.com/

The beautiful Cincinnati Art Museum presents Picasso Master Prints. The exhibit show Picasso’s work in printmaking. This exhibit is interesting for anyone who likes to see something by an artist they might have not seem him or her do before (http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/explore/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/1-the-exhibitions/67-picasso-prints-) The exhibit runs December 17, 2011 – May 13, 2012.  Charles “Skip” Fleischmann was one of the most generous donors of works of art and funds for art purchase in the history of the Cincinnati Art Museum, so everyone should see the exhibit, A Tribute to Skip Fleischmann (http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/explore/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/1-the-exhibitions/353-a-tribute-to-skip-fleischmann-). The exhibit runs through March 18, 2012.

The wonderful and creative Columbus Museum of Art has many exhibits in 2012 to explore. One of these exhibits is Caravaggio: Behold the Man! The Impact of A Revolutionary Realist (http://columbusmuseum.org/exhibitions/in-depth-views/caravaggio.php). The exhibit shows the paintings of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio which is rare since he only painted about 80 works. The great thing about this museum is it has many exhibits to explore (http://www.columbusmuseum.org/exhibitions/).

Head on up to the northwest to the Toledo Museum of Art. The museum has many exhibits in the first part of 2012 that would be worth the trip (http://www.toledomuseum.org/exhibitions).  One of these exhibits is European Expressionist and Cubist Works on Paper. There is also an interesting exhibit about storytelling in miniature with approximately 140 miniature engravings and prints from the Renaissance through modern and contemporary era. To complement this exhibit there is another exhibit on small worlds where five contemporary artists present more than 40 “small worlds” rendered via relief paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photos.

Dayton is not to be outdone when it comes to exhibits either. The Dayton Art Institute has lots of fine exhibits. For some truely American painting check out the American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell exhibit (http://www.daytonartinstitute.org/art/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/american-chronicles-art-norman-rockwell). This exhibit travels through the lifes work of Norman Rockwell while also giving a tour of American history through paintings.

The Cleveland Museum of Art also has some great exhibits. The museum has a very interesting exhibit of photography. Here is what their websites says about the exhibit, “On view at the Cleveland Museum of Art from August 27, 2011 to February 26, 2012, Brian Ulrich features 50 color photographs from the artist’s Copia series (2001–10), a three-part project that confronts viewers with an in-depth examination of consumerism in American culture.” This exhibit is something not seen at many museums, so do not miss Brian Ulrich: Copia—Retail, Thrift, and Dark Stores, 2001–11  at the Cleveland Museum of Art (http://goo.gl/VvDA9).

There is tons of great art exhibits to see in the first few months of 2012.

but check out http://www.cliftonmill.com/ for information about the annual nightly light show. This show is worth the drive. There are also other activities and things to look at the mill.

http://clevelandheights.patch.com/articles/patch-holiday-guide-2011

Amish Country

http://www.visitamishcountry.com/events.php

Ohio Traveler.com

http://www.ohiotraveler.com/december_events.htm

Cleveland Holiday Events

http://cleveland.about.com/od/events/tp/clevchristmas.htm

Columbus Events

http://events.nbc4i.com/

Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek

http://ohiodnr.com/05alumlights/tabid/73/Default.aspx

from: hmbascom

What are some more events?