Tour Cleveland

From its historic Terminal Tower, to its sleek glass-encased showcase of hotels, shops, restaurants and office towers, Tower City Center epitomizes Cleveland, a city of stunning transformations and contrasts. Take in the view from the riverside of Tower City Center: seagulls in flight over expansion bridges and smokestacks remind visitors (often to their surprise) that Cleveland is indeed a coastal city. Northern. Industrial strength. Vibrant. Culturally diverse. Filled with wonderful surprises and delights.

At Tower City Center, you're in the heart of the city, minutes away from a Great Lake. A crooked river. A Rock Hall. A baseball field of dreams. A boardwalk along the Flats. An Old Stone Church. A Free Stamp. A Public Square. A Playhouse Square. An astonishing abundance of things to see and do and taste and explore await you. Just steps away from the Center of the City.

So, go ahead take that Walkway to Gateway: where Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena await. Or hop on the RTA Waterfront Line to the North Coast Harbor museums or down to the Flats.

Public Square The true center of the city where the landmark Terminal Tower (completed in1930) still dominates. After the camera clicks, take a moment to walk around the esplanade or visit the granite tablet room of the Soldiers and Sailors' Monument built in 1894.

Terminal Tower Before marching into the The Gap at Tower City Center, just past the Cleveland Visitors' Information Center in the Portico (216) 621-5555, you might give pause to the vision of the Van Sweringin brothers who originally built the place. (Notice that the lobby has a stunning gold-leaf ceiling.) Look around at the detailing and design. The idea of a city within a city, built over commuter lines, was not only brilliant, but far ahead of its time. The original Terminal Tower complex, or Union Station, was the first underground station in the country, and at the time, the largest integrated group of buildings under one management in the world. Please note, the Observation Deck is not open to the public at this time.

Old Stone Church The oldest building in downtown Cleveland (1855), located on Public Square on the north side of Ontario Street. Here you will find a magnificent Victorian Romanesque interior, Tiffany windows (two of which are signed by the famous glass artist) and a heavenly choir which often performs at lunch time.

Cleveland Browns Stadium Building Cleveland Browns Stadium on the hallowed ground of the old Municipal Stadium honored some of the greatest athletic endeavors of the 20th century. No other site could have been as appropriate as the field where 14 Cleveland Browns ? Jim Brown Paul Brown, Len Ford, Frank Gatski, Otto Graham, Lou Groza, Leroy Kelly, Dante Lavelli, Mike McCormack, Bobby Mitchell, Marion Motley, Ozzie Newsome, Paul Warfield and Bill Willis ? established their credentials for induction into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in nearby Canton. While the location of the Stadium honored the glorious history of athletic achievements in Cleveland, the Cleveland Browns Stadium is first and foremost a lakefront landmark. For tickets, please call (216) 241-5555.

Free Stamp Originally commissioned by B.P. Oil in 1991, the brilliant red office stamp sculpture, designed by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, proved to be too controversial for its owners. Fortunately for Cleveland, the piece was offered to the city (for free) and installed in Willard Park, at Lakeside Avenue near East 9th Street.

Progressive Field From Tower City Center, take the Walkway to Gateway and bask in the glory of the Cleveland Indians' field of dreams, fondly called "The Jake". The city's favorite pastime is packing this magnificent new 42,500-seat stadium to capacity for every game. For more information and tickets, call (216) 420-HITS.

Quicken Loans Arena Home of the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers (216) 420-2000, the Quicken Loans Arena at Gateway is always jumping. Opened in 1995, the 21,000-seat state-of-the-art arena plays host to some two hundred spectacular sporting events, big name concerts and family shows including "The Greatest Show on Earth" and Disney on Ice. From Tower City Center, take the indoor "Walkway to Gateway" directly to Quicken Loans Arena.

Great Lakes Science Center Where great ships once were built along Cleveland's industrial lakefront, now stands a gleaming new museum dedicated to the wonders of science, environment and technology. The $55 million state-of-the-art facility, which opened in 1996, is among the largest hands-on science museums in the U.S. The six-story high silver dome of the museum also houses the Cleveland Clinic OMNIMAX Theater. North Coast Harbor: (216) 694-2000. From Tower City Center take the RTA Waterfront Line.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame See the music that changed the world in the glass pyramid that changed Cleveland forever. Opened in 1995, designed by I.M. Pei, the $92 million monument to rock celebrates the music and artists we all know and love through five decades of memorabilia, costumes, videos and rockumentaries. 1 Key Plaza. North Coast Harbor. (216) 781-7625. From Tower City Center take the RTA Waterfront Line.

The Flats Forget everything you've ever heard about a river burning down here somewhere. The Cuyahoga runs through The Flats, alive and kicking. With its lit bridges, chic warehouse eateries, micro breweries and live entertainment, The Flats attract thousands each night to its glittering East and West Banks. Collision Bend, where the river meets Lake Erie, literally the turning point, is a summertime hotbed of activity, as water taxis, sailboats, powerboats and jet skiers breeze by. No shortage of food and drink down here: designate your driver. Better yet, hop on the RTA (Regional Transit Authority) Waterfont Line from Tower City Center.

Playhouse Square Built in the 20's as vaudeville houses, and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the four theaters of Playhouse Square have been magnificently restored. They include the State, Palace, Ohio and Allen Theaters. Together, the four theaters comprise the second largest entertainment complex in North America, consistently drawing first-rate performances. Ticket information: Advantix: (216) 241-6000 Box Office: (216) 771-4444.

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