Road Scholar : Home
Signature City Cleveland

Program Number: 17136RJ
Start and End Dates:
8/28/2013 - 9/2/2013; 10/7/2013 - 10/12/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Price starting at: $898.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Signature Cities; Music Appreciation
Meals: 13; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

One of America’s proudest cities is back! Experience the renaissance of Cleveland, Ohio as you visit its cultural treasures and eclectic neighborhoods and meet locals who show you the city’s hidden gems. Follow Cleveland’s story from its Erie Canal heyday to its steel-manufacturing roots and now to its status as a hub for medical research. At Lake View Cemetery, see why nearly half a million visitors come to see this historical, horticultural and architectural masterpiece. Explore West Side Market, visit the world-famous Cleveland Clinic to learn about fascinating new developments, dine in Little Italy, explore Severance Hall and Botanical Gardens, go backstage at Playhouse Square and much more.




Highlights

• Meet staff members from the revered Cleveland Orchestra who take you backstage at Severance Hall — one of the world’s most beautiful concert halls.
• Admire masterpieces at the Cleveland Museum of Art and marvel at the Botanical Gardens’ 20 exquisite specialty gardens.
• Climb aboard the Nautica Queen to float the Cuyahoga River to Lake Erie.



Activity Particulars

Substantial walking most days, over even terrain. Public and commercial transportation.



For a shorter, weekend version of this program with more independent time, please see City Highlights Weekend in Cleveland (#21254).




Date Specific Information

10-7-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by University of Texas at Austin.




Cleveland

Cleveland is a city of half a million settled on the south shore of Lake Erie. In its industrial heyday, wealthy residents invested in arts and cultural institutions that today keep the city rich in cultural events. The downtown offers some striking turn-of-the-century architecture, and Cleveland is also home to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotel near Public Square, the 4th Street entertainment district, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Meals and Lodgings
   Hampton Inn Cleveland - Downtown
  Cleveland, Ohio 6 nights
 Hampton Inn Cleveland - Downtown
Type: Hotel
  Description: Experience the ultimate in comfortable and convenient hotels in Cleveland, Ohio at the Hampton Inn Cleveland-Downtown, located 13 miles from Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport. This hotel in downtown Cleveland is perfectly situated near the greatest attractions that Cleveland has to offer. Visit the Playhouse Square Theater District, or catch a Cleveland Browns or Indians game during your visit. Enjoy a day of fun at The Greater Cleveland Aquarium, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Horseshoe Casino or visit Cleveland's financial district, all within walking distance from the hotel. Start your day right with our free hot breakfast and unwind in the evening at our lobby bar. Stay connected in our 24-hour business center and enjoy complimentary high-speed Internet access in every guest room. The fitness center features cardio and weight equipment to help you maintain your healthy lifestyle. The Suite Shop is available 24-hours for snacks and beverages. Among downtown Cleveland hotels, you’ll find the Hampton Inn Cleveland-Downtown is close to it all but far from the rest. Free hot breakfast Clean and fresh Hampton bed® Free high-speed Internet access in every room Business Center Fitness center and business center use
  Contact info: 1460 E. Ninth Street
Cleveland, OH 44114 USA
phone: 216-241-6600
web: http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/ohio/hampton-inn-cleveland-downtown-CLEDTHX/index.html
  Room amenities: flat-screen TV alarm clock/radio complimentary high-speed Internet access lap desk hair dryer coffee maker iron/ironing board
  Facility amenities: Fitness Room 24 hr Pavilion Pantry Market Automated Teller (ATM) Baggage Storage Bar Area Breakfast Area, Complimentary Elevators Laundry/Valet Service Lounge Luggage Hold Safety Deposit Box Business Center Complimentary Printing Service Fax ($2.00) Meeting Rooms Notary Public Photo Copying Service ($0.10) Printer
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Contact for details Please contact hotel to request additional nights before or after the program.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Contact for details Please contact hotel to request additional nights before or after the program.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
4:30 PM You will be staying at Hampton Inn Cleveland - Downtown that night.
  End of Program:
10:00 AM You will be staying at Hampton Inn Cleveland - Downtown the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Self-parking is available at the hotel at a rate of $18 per day.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Cleveland, Ohio
  Nearest city or town:  Cleveland, Ohio
  Nearest highway: 77, 71, Ohio Turnpike, 90
  Nearest airport:  Cleveland Hopkins Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Cleveland, Ohio
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Cleveland Hopkins Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
Rapid Transit

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$2.25
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

25-30 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

11 miles
   

Proceed to the RTA Subway station in the airport. Take the Red Line Subway to the Tower City stop. Exit Tower City and go up to street level. Exit through the main lobby and cross the terminal plaza. Head down Superior Avenue, through the Public Square, for 6 blocks. At the corner of Superior and 9th, the hotel will be on your left.
 

Cleveland Hopkins Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Ohio Connection
phone: 216-324-8999
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$52-$55, price subject to change
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30-40 minutes depending on time of day 
 

Distance:

 

35-40 miles
 

Cleveland Hopkins International

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Yellow Cab

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximately $35 - up to 4 riders for one fare
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

11 miles
   

Taxis available outside the airport terminal.
 

Cleveland Hopkins International

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
Rapid Transit

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$2.25
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

20-30 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

11 miles
   

At Tower City board the Red Line to the airport.
 

Cleveland Hopkins Airport

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Ohio Connection
phone: 216-324-8999
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$52-$55, cost subject to change
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30-40 minutes depending on time of day 
 

Distance:

 

35-40 miles
 

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Yellow Cab

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximately $35 - up to 4 riders for one fare
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

11 miles
   

Taxis available outside the airport terminal.
 
Driving Directions
  From Interstate Highways From I-71, I-77, and I-90 Eastbound - Exit at East 9th St., north to Superior Ave. The Hampton Inn Downtown Cleveland is on the left, at corner of E 9th and Superior. From I-90 Westbound - Follow Route 2 and exit at East 9th St., south on E 9th to Superior Ave. The hotel is on the right. GPS coordinates - Latitude: 41.5023592 Longitude: -81.6888917
  From the airport- CLE TAKE INTERSTATE 71 NORTH, EXIT AT E 9TH ST, NORTH TO SUPERIOR AVE. HAMPTON INN DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND IS ON LEFT AT CORNER OF E 9TH AND SUPERIOR. Distance from Hotel: 13 mi. Drive Time: 20 min.
Elevation Note: Cleveland is 600 feet above sea level.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1:
(Monday, October 7)
   
 Afternoon: Hotel check-in at 3:00PM. Road Scholar orientation session in the hotel conference room at 4:30PM. Start off your Cleveland experience with an informative overview of the week to come, and a chance to meet our staff and your fellow participants. Pick up your folder which contains the schedule of program activities, meals, and suggested sites to visit during your stay, the list of fellow attendees, your name badge, and a map of the Cleveland area. The group leader will provide contact names and phone numbers of program leaders, define responsibilities of the hotel, and mention safety guidelines and emergency procedures. The group leader will orient you to the hotel location on maps and discuss program details. Breakfast is at the hotel each day; lunch and dinner are at restaurants around town. The group leader will facilitate a meet-and-greet experience for the entire group. Late arriving attendees can pick up their packets at the hotel front desk. Please be aware that local circumstances may require adjusting program elements. In the event of changes, we will notify you as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding. This Road Scholar program provides an opportunity to explore the extensive collections at the Cleveland Museum of Art, visit behind the scenes at Severance Hall and the Playhouse Square theaters, and view one of the few interiors designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany at Wade Chapel. With guides walk historic downtown's Public Square and environs, investigate additional ethnic enclaves, and take stroll through the beautiful Cleveland Botanical Gardens.
 Dinner: Welcome dinner, near the 4th Street Entertainment District, offers multiple entrée choices, and allows time to become acquainted with your fellow attendees and program staff.
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn Cleveland - Downtown
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Overview of Cleveland history; Walking Tour of Public Square; Guided Tour of Playhouse Square Theaters
(Tuesday, October 8)

Note: Walking tour using listening devices in afternoon
   
 Breakfast: Help yourself to the full breakfast buffet served in the hotel daily, on the first floor.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Overview of Cleveland's history. A major industrial and commercial center on Lake Erie, Cleveland was one of the chief ports on the Great Lakes. Study the early days as a center for steel manufacturing through the current transformation to a service-based economy capitalizing on its museums, cultural attractions and hospital and medical research facilities to regain its stature as a major American city. Discover how the Erie Canal and late 19th century industrialists changed the face of the city. Consider how immigrant groups and political conflict shaped the city’s development.
 Lunch: Grab a box lunch from a restaurant in the nearby Cleveland Arcade. Sit anywhere you like in the atrium of the Arcade to enjoy your lunch and experience the beauty of the Romanesque Revival architecture at the Arcade, once known as Cleveland’s Crystal Palace. Cleveland’s Arcade was one of the first indoor shopping areas in the country, featuring specialized, multi-level passageways linking shops with buildings and providing an escape from the clamor of the streets and harsh weather.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Venture into the downtown area with an experienced historian on a walking field trip of the Public Square and Mall, the result of an ambitious city planning scheme that combined commercial development with urban beautification efforts. Observe how commercial buildings, public transportation and open parkland are joined in this vibrant central district. Learn about important buildings from the city’s past, and how different architectural styles come together to form the city’s unique skyline.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Conclude your afternoon of discovery with a docent-led tour of Playhouse Square, a collection of theaters that make up the largest performing arts center outside of New York. Get a behind the scenes look at the lobbies, theater auditoriums and backstage areas of several of the city’s beautifully constructed and preserved theaters. Learn how the theaters were saved from demolition and how non-profit arts entities advance arts and education efforts in the area.
 Dinner: Continue your exploration of Cleveland’s wide variety of ethnic food traditions. Your group leader will escort you to a nearby restaurant in which you can enjoy the diversity of tastes brought to the city by peoples from around the world.
 Evening: Sit back and relax as you enjoy stories about the colorful figures of Cleveland's past from a long-time local resident.
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn Cleveland - Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Cleveland Museum of Art, Free Time to Experience City
(Wednesday, October 9)

Note: Docent-led tour of Cleveland Museum of Art Free time to explore city on your own
   
 Breakfast: Help yourself to the full breakfast buffet served in the hotel daily, on the first floor.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Travel by city bus to the Cleveland Museum of Art in University Circle. Museum staff members will tell you about the collections, new exhibition space, and the museum’s rich history. Docent-led exploration of the permanent collections will be followed by additional time on your own to peruse the museum's extensive galleries. As you walk through the University Circle area surrounding the Museum of Art, marvel at the idyllic setting that is home to a large concentration of cultural, medical and educational institutions.
 Lunch: Eat lunch in the newly-renovated museum café.
 Afternoon: Free time for independent exploration. You may want to explore the exhibit at the nearby Western Reserve Historical Society, which contains the Crawford Collection and current exhibitions at the Western Reserve Historical Society. It is one of the top ten car collections in the nation. Northeastern Ohio's contribution to aviation is also showcased in the Crawford Museum, which includes a circa 1912-14 Curtiss Hydro-aero plane flown by Cleveland's most prominent aviator, Al Enge. Or, you can stroll through the park-like setting of the University Circle area and visit the campus of Case Western Reserve University. Instead, you might choose to plunge into the extensive collection of music memorabilia at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which is open until 9:00 pm. on Wednesdays.
 Dinner: Participants are free to explore local restaurants on their own.
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn Cleveland - Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Botanical Gardens, Severance Hall Tour, Cleveland Clinic
(Thursday, October 10)

Note: Guided tours of Botanical Gardens and Severance Hall, visit to Cleveland Clinic
   
 Breakfast: Help yourself to the full breakfast buffet served in the hotel daily, on the first floor.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Travel by city bus to the University Circle area for a visit to the Botanical Gardens. A staff member will take you on a trip down memory lane with boathouses, books, and famous White Elephant sales. Archival photographs will highlight the illustrious past of Cleveland Botanical Garden, its history and growth. Appreciate the extensive collection of plants from all over the world as you enjoy the beauty of the gardens on a guided tour. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable experience in the garden’s Glasshouse, which features birds, insects, plants and animals from the deserts of Madagascar and the rainforests of Costa Rica.
 Lunch: Relax in a beautiful setting as you eat lunch inside the Garden Café or outdoors on the terrace overlooking the reflecting pool and aquatic plants.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Private docent-led tour of Severance Hall, considered one of the world’s most beautiful concert halls. Find out how private donations of money and land, along with the leadership of John Long Severance, resulted in the creation of the visually and acoustically stunning hall. See how recent renovation and restoration efforts have improved and enhanced the hall, while preserving its beauty and architectural integrity. Observe the hall’s combination of diverse architectural styles and learn how it benefits both the orchestra and city.
 Afternoon: PRESENTATION/FIELD TRIP: Travel by city bus to the world-famous Cleveland Clinic. Find out more about the facility, which is the city’s largest employer. Learn how a small group practice set up by 4 physicians after World War I has grown into one of the largest health care providers in the country. The clinic is ranked as one of the top providers of medical care in many areas of care, and is known for its innovative new developments in the health care field. You’ll get an overview of the clinic’s history, growth, and new developments in this interesting presentation.
 Dinner: Your group leader will escort you to a restaurant in the 4th Street entertainment district in which you can continue your exploration of various cuisines.
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn Cleveland - Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Lake View Cemetery, West Side Market, Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Tremont Neighborhood, Farewell Dinner
(Friday, October 11)

Note: Charter bus tour of city neighborhoods
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy a full, hot breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Head out by charter bus to the west side of the city to visit the West Side Market, which began operations in 1840. A historian will share information about the market’s operations and how the character of the original building was preserved during recent renovations. Continue on to St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral, modeled after churches in Moscow, which ministered to other ethnic groups who had not yet established their own ethnic churches in the early 20th century. Get special access to the inside of the Cathedral to admire its elaborate interior. See other points of interest in the Tremont neighborhood.
 Lunch: Climb aboard the Nautica Queen to float from the Flats on the Cuyahoga River to Lake Erie and along the Cleveland shoreline. Get a new perspective on the city as you view it from the water, while hearing more about the city’s development and enjoying a delicious lunch.
 Afternoon: Continue your day of discovery at Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland's Outdoor Museum. Lake View is more than a working cemetery. It is Cleveland's historical, horticultural, architectural and geological gem that 400,000 people visit each year. You’ll begin at the James A. Garfield Monument, the final resting place of the 20th President of the United States. The Jeptha Wade Memorial Chapel, built in honor of the founder of the Western Union Telegraph Company, is one of the few interiors designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. In addition to a President of the United States, Lake View is the final resting place of John D. Rockefeller, Eliot Ness, Carl B. Stokes, members of President Lincoln's cabinet, Civil War generals and Revolutionary War soldiers, not to mention 22 Cleveland mayors. Drive down Millionaire’s Row as you learn more about the lifestyles of wealthy industrialists who influenced many aspects of the city’s culture. (Guided by Western Reserve Society historian).
 Dinner: Savor a delightful dinner in Little Italy, at a family restaurant, to celebrate your week of fun in Cleveland.
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn Cleveland - Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Program wrap-up and departure
(Saturday, October 12)

Note: Hotel check-out by 11 am
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy a full, hot breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Farewell meeting with other participants and group leader to review your adventure in Cleveland.
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn Cleveland - Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Cleveland's Downtown Architecture


Author: Shawn Patrick Hoefler


Description: Downtown Cleveland has many architectural landmarks that define this big, proud city on the lake. Most famous is Terminal Tower, the "grand dame" of Cleveland skyscrapers, which was the tallest office building outside of New York City from 1930 until 1967. Other notable high-rises such as the BP building, Key Tower, and the new Federal Court House with its distinctive lighted cornice also dominate the city's beautiful Lake Erie skyline. And then there are the details-the terra-cotta "starburst" motif on the exterior of the Standard Building, the extensive metal decorative work inside the gargoyle-encircled atrium of The Arcade, and the immense stained-glass dome of the Cleveland Trust Rotunda.



Cleveland: A Concise History


Author: Carol Miller and Robert Wheeler


Description: Excellent overview of Cleveland's history.



Cleveland: Then and Now


Author: John Grabowski and Diane Ewart Grabowski


Description: Cleveland Then and Now features fascinating archival photographs contrasted with specially commissioned, full-color images of the same scene today. This is a visual lesson in Cleveland history.



Conducting Business: Unveiling the Mystery Behind the Maestro


Author: Leonard Slatkin


Description: Conducting an orchestra is something that is seen as well as heard, but it is quite misunderstood when it comes to knowing what this person actually does for a living. This most mysterious of jobs is brought to life for the music lover as well as for the aspiring maestro in a new book by Leonard Slatkin. Drawing on his own experiences on and off the podium, Slatkin brings us into the world of the baton. He tells tales of some of the most fascinating people in the musical world, including Frank Sinatra, Leonard Bernstein, and John Williams. He takes the reader to the great concert halls and orchestras, sound stages in Hollywood, and opera pits around the globe. Mr. Slatkin recounts his controversial appearance at the Metropolitan Opera, his creation and direction of summer music festivals, and a shattering concert experience that took place four days following 9/11. Life in the recording studio and on the road as well as health issues confronting the conductor provide an insider's glimpse into the private world of public figures. Covering everything from learning how to read music to standing in front of an orchestra for the first time, what to wear, and how to deal with the press, Conducting Business is a unique look at a unique profession.



George Szell: A Life of Music


Author: Michael Charry


Description: This book is the first full biography of George Szell, one of the greatest orchestra and opera conductors of the twentieth century. From child prodigy pianist and composer to world-renowned conductor, Szell's career spanned seven decades. Michael Charry, a conductor who worked with Szell and interviewed him, his family, and his associates over several decades, constructs a lively and balanced portrait of Szell's life and work from his birth in 1897 in Budapest to his death in 1970 in Cleveland.



The Ohio Frontier: Crucible of the Old Northwest


Author: R. Douglas Hurt




You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.


As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.



Specifically, this program includes:

Plus these special experiences...

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:


© Road Scholar 2013 | Call toll-free: 1-800-454-5768