Cleveland, like many destinations, offers shopping, dining and sporting events, and its 21,000+ acres of Metroparks constitute one of the nation’s largest concentrations of parkland. But the crown jewel of any weekend in this Rust Belt city is a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
As soon as you arrive, you’ll know you’re at the right place when you see the enormous glass pyramid. Its unique architecture tells you that you’re about to have a really unique experience, before you even walk through the front door.
Give yourself at least 3 hours to explore the giant, 150,000-square-foot space that’s dedicated to the living legacy of music. But don’t let the name fool you – you’ll also see Delta blues, hip-hop, soul, and alternative music well represented here, too.
Listen to the songs that shaped rock and roll, and sample the most popular recordings in the history of the genre. Permanent, not-to-be-missed displays cover The Beatles, Genesis, The Doors and many more. And, back by popular demand, check out U2 3D, a groundbreaking 3D concert film showing in the Foster Theater for an additional $3.
Learn more about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Getting there
An easy 3-hour drive southwest of Buffalo on the I-90, Cleveland makes a perfect destination for weekend travel. For door-to-door directions, you can create and print your own TripTik here. And don’t forget to request your TourBook online or pick it up at your local AAA.
Other places to visit while you’re there
- Great Lakes Science Center: 601 Erieside Ave., between the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Cleveland Browns stadium. Featuring hundreds of interactive exhibits, daily demonstrations and educational programs, and the NASA Glenn Visitor Center. A AAA “GEM” attraction. Learn more
- A Christmas Story House & Museum: 3159 W. 11th St. Where exterior shots of the Parker family home in the classic holiday movie “A Christmas Story” were filmed. A museum across the street features film memorabilia. Learn more
- Garfield Monument: 12316 Euclid Ave., in Lake View Cemetery. Look for the 1881 tomb of President James A. Garfield and his wife, Lucretia Rudolph Garfield. Also buried at this 256-acre cemetery is industrialist John D. Rockefeller, who was the world’s richest man at the time of his death in 1937. Learn more
- Cleveland Museum of Art: 11150 East Blvd. in University Circle. This museum covers 6,000 years of history with more than 40,000 works of art. Note that this museum is currently undergoing a massive $350 renovation, expected to be complete in 2013. Galleries are re-opening as they are completed. Learn more
Have you ever visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Share your story and suggestions in the comments below.
