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Secret Cleveland: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure
“This book is amazing! Not only does it guide you through some of Cleveland's bigger attractions, but it takes you into the nooks and crannies you would have never discovered on your own.” - Reader review “I never had any plans to visit Cleveland before. It's now on my bucket list of places to visit.” - Reader review “Great way to explore Cleveland Ohio! Days worth of adventures for anyone in this book!” - Reader review
- GenresTravelNonfiction
208 pages, Paperback
Published August 15, 2017
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16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 5, 2018
I was super disappointed with this book!
The authors (according to the back of the book) are bloggers and travel writers. However, after reading through this, I wonder if either of them have ever actually been to Cleveland!
First, the book is organized alphabetically, i.e. A Christmas Story House, A City Farm, Bessie: Lake Erie's Sea Serpent, Cleveland's Franklin Castle, Cuyahoga Valley National Park Beaver Marsh, etc.
For each entry, the authors provide a little history / information about the place. In an informational box, we get a What, Where, Cost, and Pro Tip. Some of the information provided was okay, while other information ... For example, for "A River Runs Through It," the authors are talking about the various bridges that cross the Cuyahoga River, as it twists and turns through the city. The What is "Bridges," Where: Various Locations (but we don't know where), Cost is Free, and the Pro Tip is to "Park at the nearby Westside Market and walk to the Hope Memorial Bridge. A pedestrian lane is available." For this entry, there are no addresses, websites, or a map that might provide some guidance.
The caption for the Peter B. Lewis Building at Case Western Reserve says that it is on the campus of "Western Case Reserve." Seriously!
For the "Belly Up to the Bar" entry, there is nothing in the Information Box to tell you that this is Great Lakes Brewery. The What is "Brewery," the Where is 2516 Market Ave. the Cost is Free to see bullet holes, and the Pro Tip is Elliot Ness is buried in LAKESIDE (not Lakeview, the actual location) cemetery.
For the Eternal Ever After entry, we are talking about President Garfield's Memorial at Lakeview Cemetery. Again, we are not told this is at Lakeview Cemetery, but the black & white photo makes it obvious. The What is "President Garfield Memorial," and the Pro Tip? "Don't miss a visit to the Garfield Memorial crypt." Honestly, You cannot make this stuff up!
I have no idea where the authors were going with the article on "Invention of Potato Chip Manufacturing." This is not about Shearer's, but the location is Cleveland. Really? I had no idea that this would be in a book called "Secret CLEVELAND!"
In the essay about the various festivals in the area, we are not provided any information about where (specifically) these festivals are located. Also, at least one of the festivals is not actually in Cleveland (or Cuyahoga County for that matter). "Twin Day Festival" which is Twins Day is located in Twinsburg, Ohio, which is in Summit County.
"Little Free Libraries" are NOT unique to Cleveland!
And, these are just the tip of the iceberg. There are two entries for Holden Arboretum - one at the front of the book and one at the back. There are also two entries for Playhouse Square, one right after the other.
Each entry is accompanied by a black & white photo, but in the middle of the book are some color
photographs with page references.
This is Secret Cleveland, but the authors also went outside of the city / county, which is fine, but tell us where you're talking about. People outside of Ohio are not going to know that Cedar Point is located halfway across the state!
There are so many other unique places that these authors could have included, but didn't. Ladies, come visit the area and stay for a few days! There is a lot to see and do in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County that you did not mention here!
For a better read, "100 Things to do in Cleveland Before You Die" by Nikki Delamonte!
The authors (according to the back of the book) are bloggers and travel writers. However, after reading through this, I wonder if either of them have ever actually been to Cleveland!
First, the book is organized alphabetically, i.e. A Christmas Story House, A City Farm, Bessie: Lake Erie's Sea Serpent, Cleveland's Franklin Castle, Cuyahoga Valley National Park Beaver Marsh, etc.
For each entry, the authors provide a little history / information about the place. In an informational box, we get a What, Where, Cost, and Pro Tip. Some of the information provided was okay, while other information ... For example, for "A River Runs Through It," the authors are talking about the various bridges that cross the Cuyahoga River, as it twists and turns through the city. The What is "Bridges," Where: Various Locations (but we don't know where), Cost is Free, and the Pro Tip is to "Park at the nearby Westside Market and walk to the Hope Memorial Bridge. A pedestrian lane is available." For this entry, there are no addresses, websites, or a map that might provide some guidance.
The caption for the Peter B. Lewis Building at Case Western Reserve says that it is on the campus of "Western Case Reserve." Seriously!
For the "Belly Up to the Bar" entry, there is nothing in the Information Box to tell you that this is Great Lakes Brewery. The What is "Brewery," the Where is 2516 Market Ave. the Cost is Free to see bullet holes, and the Pro Tip is Elliot Ness is buried in LAKESIDE (not Lakeview, the actual location) cemetery.
For the Eternal Ever After entry, we are talking about President Garfield's Memorial at Lakeview Cemetery. Again, we are not told this is at Lakeview Cemetery, but the black & white photo makes it obvious. The What is "President Garfield Memorial," and the Pro Tip? "Don't miss a visit to the Garfield Memorial crypt." Honestly, You cannot make this stuff up!
I have no idea where the authors were going with the article on "Invention of Potato Chip Manufacturing." This is not about Shearer's, but the location is Cleveland. Really? I had no idea that this would be in a book called "Secret CLEVELAND!"
In the essay about the various festivals in the area, we are not provided any information about where (specifically) these festivals are located. Also, at least one of the festivals is not actually in Cleveland (or Cuyahoga County for that matter). "Twin Day Festival" which is Twins Day is located in Twinsburg, Ohio, which is in Summit County.
"Little Free Libraries" are NOT unique to Cleveland!
And, these are just the tip of the iceberg. There are two entries for Holden Arboretum - one at the front of the book and one at the back. There are also two entries for Playhouse Square, one right after the other.
Each entry is accompanied by a black & white photo, but in the middle of the book are some color
photographs with page references.
This is Secret Cleveland, but the authors also went outside of the city / county, which is fine, but tell us where you're talking about. People outside of Ohio are not going to know that Cedar Point is located halfway across the state!
There are so many other unique places that these authors could have included, but didn't. Ladies, come visit the area and stay for a few days! There is a lot to see and do in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County that you did not mention here!
For a better read, "100 Things to do in Cleveland Before You Die" by Nikki Delamonte!
December 13, 2024
I met the authors of this book earlier this year and made my purchase on a whim! As a lifelong Clevelander, I was curious if they'd highlight any sights that were unfamiliar. Was surprised to find quite a few that I now look forward to exploring.
June 7, 2019
I found this book at the library randomly and it caught my eye. I live in Cleveland and am always looking for interesting things to do. This book has a bunch of ideas and places that I had no idea existed. I've made a list and decided to try to go to as many places as I can and take pictures. Some of the places aren't actually in Cleveland, though. It will take awhile to go to them all! Easy book to read and most of the places featured include details on the history of the place as well as how to find each spot. Definitely recommend reading this book if you live in Cleveland or want to know more.
January 30, 2025
A lot of these "Secrets" didn't feel all that secret... and the ones that felt like secrets felt like the type of secret that "who cares?"
Some of these were certainly weird but for the most part, it was pretty meh.
Some of these were certainly weird but for the most part, it was pretty meh.
January 2, 2023
Born in Cleveland, I got this book because I love haunted (The House of Wills & Franklin Castle) and abandoned (Star Light, Star Bright & Bridge to Nowhere) buildings.
May 25, 2018
This is essentially a picture book with short descriptions of unusual and historic sites in and around Cleveland. It was interesting to read about the history of some familiar locations. I would have liked a bit more information on some of the places included. I would guess that many Clevelanders have never heard of some of the secrets that are presented. It provides the curious reader inspiration for enough day trips to last several years. If that is the case then the authors accomplished their goal.
March 9, 2023
I am new to the Cleveland area, and I enjoyed this book. I learned about quite a few things we will enjoy doing over the next few years. There is something for everyone in this book. For the book lover, libraries and free libraries, for the outdoorsman, lakes, bridges and so much more to explore. Out of all the things featured in this book, there was only one where I was like "hard no." I would recommend this to anyone wanting to explore the Cleveland area, as a jumping-off point for exploring the area.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews