Historic Walking Tour Of Cleveland

Everyone knows that Cleveland rocks, but it also rolls with some fascinating historic structures, many of them free for visitors. Within just a few minutes of each other, this short list will keep you entertained for a full day or more. Start at Terminal Tower – Tower City as just about all public transportation can deliver you here. All of the remaining stops are just a few minutes away.

Terminal Tower – Tower City Center Complex
230 W. Huron Road
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 623-4750
www.towercitycenter.com

Locals refer to this by both names, but technically Terminal Tower is the landmark 52-story office tower and Tower City is the three-level shopping and entertainment mall below. This was originally Cleveland Union Terminal, where all trains would pass through on their run from New York to Chicago. When it was dedicated in 1930, it was the tallest building in the world outside of New York City. Today, the complex includes the Horseshoe Casino, Ritz Hotel, Renaissance Hotel, a cineplex and dozens of stores and restaurants in all price ranges.

Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument
3 Public Square
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 621-3710
www.soldiersandsailors.com

Most people don't think of Ohio when they think about the Civil War, but Ohio played a big part, sending the third most men to the Union Army. Cuyahoga County sent more than 9,000, and this memorial was built in 1894 in their honor. Three thousand of those died in the war and their names are all engraved on the inside walls. Beautiful exterior statuary and interior reliefs depict memories from the Civil War days.

The Arcade
401 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 696-1408
www.theclevelandarcade.com

Since 2001, this has been the site of the Hyatt Regency Cleveland Hotel which occupies portions of the first floor and many upper floors. The balance of the space is open to the public and occupied by retail and food tenants. This Victorian-inspired structure was originally built in 1890 and is famous for its five-story-high, 300-foot-long atrium. This is reputed to be either the first, or certainly one of the first, enclosed shopping malls in the country.

Related: Historic Churches in Cleveland

Cleveland Public Library
325 Superior Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 623-2800
www.cpl.org

Cleveland's main library consists of two dissimilar but distinct buildings, connected by a reading garden and an underground connector tunnel for inclement weather. The original building was a stately Renaissance design founded in 1869 and the second building (the Louis Stokes Wing) is a decidedly modern curved aluminum and glass building, which opened in 1997. In the lower level of the Louis Stokes Wing, you'll find a huge Tech Central area with over 100 Internet-connected computers available for visitors. Cleveland's library is famous for being the first to allow patrons to browse the shelves and pull their own books.

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
1455 E. 6th St.
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 579-3188
www.clevelandfed.org/learningcenter

"Security" and "Integrity" are the two statues by Henry Hering that adorn the East 6th entrance. Opened in 1923, secret gun turrets were built into the base for protection during the 20s and 30s, the heyday of the gangsters. Inside, families will enjoy the Learning Center and the Money Museum, both located off the fabulous marble lobby. See the two-story money tree and print your own one-million-dollar bill with your own portrait. Get a bag of shredded dollar bills for a souvenir before you leave.

Related: Best Permanent Exhibits In Cleveland