Clevelanders are proud of the city, and happy to introduce our home to those attendees of the 2014 Gay Games who might not be familiar with the area. Located on the southern shores of Lake Erie – one of five Great Lakes, the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world – Cleveland enjoys the full benefits of all four seasons. We’re green in spring, almost tropical in summer, golden in the autumn and white with snow in winter. We’re Midwestern (United States), we’re genuine and we love to show visitors a good time. Here are just a few of the great things Cleveland has to offer. To learn even more about visiting Cleveland, go to Positively Cleveland, the city's tourism bureau.
We Sport the Finest Facilities
Cleveland’s world-class sports facilities have hosted five Major League Baseball All-Star Games, two NBA All-Star Games, four United States Figure Skating Championships, the Gravity Games, NCAA basketball tournaments and other NCAA events, U.S. Masters Swimming Championships, the International Children’s Games, U.S. Speed skating Championships, and USA Wrestling Championships. Cleveland is hosting the huge Summer National Senior Games in 2013 and the Gay Games in 2014. In addition, Cleveland has been designated an NCAA Championship City, is the headquarters of the Mid-American Conference and is home to many college and university sports programs.
We Rock!
The iconic all-glass I.M. Pei-designed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is devoted to performers, creators, and promoters associated with the growth and popularity of rock and roll music. It seven floors of exhibition space that feature permanent exhibits highlighting the history of rock and roll from its roots to the present. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is proud to present a major exhibition devoted to a truly unique American rock and roll band, Grateful Dead: The Long Strange Trip through March 24, 2013. Opening May 24, 2013, Rolling Stones: 50 Years of Satisfaction will be the Museum’s first ever major exhibition capturing the band’s legendary career spanning more than 50 years. It will include personal items and extraordinary collections that have never been seen before by the public. The exhibit will be open till March 2014.
We Love our Arts and Culture
If big-budget musicals without big-budget ticket prices are your thing, Playhouse Square – the second largest theater complex in the U.S. – offers its Broadway Series, with professional touring shows. Playhouse Square is also a great destination for one-off concerts, plays and comedy. And “culture” in Cleveland doesn’t mean snooty. In fact, arts organization in our region make an effort to open their doors to as much of the public as possible. Our Cleveland Museum of Art offers free admission to its permanent collection, considered one of the tops in the nation. And the Museum of Art has some cool neighbors in University Circle, including the Cleveland Orchestra, the Botanical Garden, the Museum of Natural History and the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum.
Surveys show that LGBT travelers seek destinations that are authentically diverse in culture, neighborhoods, businesses and experiences. Ethnic neighborhoods with locally owned restaurants and shops are a big draw to these savvy travelers.
Cleveland totally fits the bill.
Experience our own fun, eclectic neighborhoods, where you'll experience a little taste of Chelsea, Halsted and the Castro. You'll find LGBT-centric or - friendly businesses, restaurants and bars across the city - including Downtown, Ohio City, Tremont, Gordon Square, Clifton, Coventry and Cedar Lee - that provide a safe, secure urban experience. We are a place where cultures and peoples mix to a relaxed and unique Midwestern vibe. The city exudes a hip, cultural, warm and welcoming feeling for all who come to experience it. Our LGBT community is strong, proud and part of the city's fabric.
Gay or straight, Cleveland welcomes you with enthusiasm!
And there’s more: Cleveland’s LGBT Community Center is nearly 35 years old and we've been formally celebrating our Pride celebration for more than two decades. Case Western Reserve University, located in Cleveland’s thriving University Circle area, was one of the first universities in the U.S. to sponsor an LGBT student organization. The residents of the City of Cleveland Heights actually voted for a domestic partner registry as opposed to a city council legislating a registry - one of the very first! The city of Cleveland itself began offering domestic partner benefits to its employees in July 2011.
Put it all together, and Cleveland rocks to a truly OUT beat.