How To Plan a “Staycation”

This year sucks and I’m completely lamenting the fact that we are not currently packing our bags for the luxurious Mexican vacation we had planned for next week. Thankfully everyone in my life is healthy but that doesn’t make our lack of travel more than a little sad.

I’m not the type of person who usually focuses on the negatives. In fact, I’m very much a “glass half full” kind of girl, but this is a tough one. I want to go to Mexico and drink froo-froo drinks, lay on the beach and eat tacos. So, to try to curtail my whining, I decided to make a list of positive things that can come out of our NOT going to Mexico:

1. Mexico isn’t going anywhere. We can go another time when the only Corona we’ll ever have to worry about is the beer.
2. Since commission was way lower than expected during the shutdown, this is a good opportunity to not spend a lot of money and save for something even better later.
3. I can make the most of it and be a tourist in my own city.

Oh wait. The city that I live in most of the time is pretty much shutdown still because of the pandemic and the protests.

Lately I’ve been spending a lot more time in my hometown of Cleveland because my sister, BIL and nephew lives there and I’m realizing how far superior it is to DC. There’s a ton to do, people are normal and food scene is amazing and way more affordable. Let’s just say I really, really miss it.

So, today’s example of a “staycation” is going to be for Cleveland, which is only a short 5-6 hour’s drive from DC. If you’re a Washingtonian looking for a little getaway, look no further.

Research the best restaurants on Yelp and check out at least four that you’ve never been to.

Also, check out their Facebook pages, which tend to get updated more frequently than websites. A lot of restaurants have chosen to stay closed so make sure you don’t go to one that’s closed!

Butcher and Brewer: Jim and I happened upon this restaurant years ago and I COMPLETELY forgot about it. I remember loving the brews but I’m 99% sure we didn’t eat there. It has an insanely high rating on Yelp and methinks it’s time to check it out for dinner.

Il Rione: I do love me some Cleveland pizza, but I’ve been on the search for some pizza autentica like we have at Da Marco and Il Canale in DC. Perhaps this place will help me in my search, and I’ll be so happy if it does.

Barroco: I can’t believe I’ve never been here because my sister–quite literally–has been recommending it to me for years. It’s an arepa restaurant which sounds nothing short of delish.

Guarino’s: I adore Little Italy Cleveland but I always ALWAYS eat at the same places. During my staycation, I want to expand my horizons and try another Cleveland Italian institution.

Check out some museums you haven’t seen since a fourth grade field trip.

Why do we only ever explore out hometowns when we’re dragged with our classmates on a stinky school bus? Time to reclaim our hometowns! Here’s my list:

Cleveland Museum of Art: It wasn’t until I moved to DC and met an art curator that I realized that Cleveland’s art collection is INSANELY good. I mean, Caravaggio’s The Crucifixion of Saint Andrew is there and many, many other amazing, pieces.

Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame: This is a must and I haven’t been since 2016 when the GOP convention was in Cleveland.

Western Reserve Historical Society: I’ve never been and have been meaning to go for years. It’s all about local history, and we all know I love me some local history. They even house the Chief Wahoo that once was on top of Municipal Stadium.

Hale Farm: This places makes this history dork’s heart swell. It’s a village of historical homes and it’s fantastic.

Take advantage of the outdoors.

If you know me, you know I’m a major indoor cat but I will say that there are some good places in Cleveland to explore that even I can get behind.

Lakewood Park– not much of an exercise area because it’s not very big but it’s a great place to sit by Lake Erie and enjoy some beautiful scenery.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park: So, I drive over this to go back to DC and every time I do I think to myself, “I should explore this some time.” It looks very pretty from the overpass!

Rocky River Reservation: Super pretty and worth seeing and if memory serves me correctly, it’s near the part of the Cleveland Metroparks where my parents got engaged.

Edgewater Park: On Lake Erie. Pretty. Tons to do.

Explore cemeteries.

Hear me out. In any city, there are famous people buried. If it’s your hometown, odds are there are “famous-to-you” people buried there too. Ever wonder where your great-great-great-great grandfather who fought in the Civil War is buried? Well, swing by the grocery store for flowers and pay him a visit!

If it’s not your hometown, I promise a little internet search will tell you some cool gravesites in your town. Take the CLE for example..

Lakeview Cemetery: It’s the final resting place of… ahem… President Garfield, John D. Rockefeller, Eliot Ness, Ray Johnson Chapman (Cleveland Indian who is still the only MLB player to die during a game), among many, many others.

Gates Mills North Cemetery: Baseball legend, Bob Feller

Knollwood Cemetery: Marilyn and Sam Shepherd (if you’re in to crime history).

Erie Street Cemetery: Chief Thunderwater (a Niagara Indian who supposedly is cursing our baseball team.. hence the victory drought). Another native named Joc-O-Sot is buried here and is also rumored to have cursed The Tribe because he died while in Cleveland but wanted to be buried in Minnesota.

Woodland Cemetery: final resting place to a whopping 86 Black Civil War Veterans.

All Souls Cemetery (Chardon): Final resting place of Chef Ettore Boiardi. Name doesn’t ring a bell? Say his name faster. Hint- it has to do with canned ravioli. Chef Boyardee!

Let Google be your Guide.

Do places pay to be the top of your list when you search “Best things to do in _____” city? Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you should discredit them. A few cool things I found from my search?

Cleveland Culture Scavenger Hunt: Whaaaattttt. I’m so doing this.

Taste of Cleveland Food Tour: My mouth is watering from these photos. Ohmygosh.

BrewBoat Cleveland: How fun does this look?

Goodtime III: A great way to see Cleveland from the water.

Have you have a fantastic staycation in your hometown coming up? I hope this was helpful in planning yours!