CLEVELAND — Everyone is looking for safe, socially distant activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the weather has turned colder, it’s not stopping people from getting out and exploring all things Cleveland: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Playhouse Square and Cleveland Arcade to name a few.
But how much do you really know about these local landmarks?
“We knew there was history here, but we didn’t actually know it," Chris Dobbs said.
For the last 12 years, Cleveland’s Historic Gateway Neighborhood has been holding Take A Hike walking tours. Because of the pandemic, they’re a little different this year.
Take A Hike has gone virtual, leading Clevelanders across the city finding fun facts about the town that many have known their entire lives.
“It’s fun to actually get out and walk around,” December Gearinger said. “Cleveland is actually very beautiful.”
There are 12 self-guided tours with four different themes, exploring areas like the North Coast Harbor, Cleveland’s grand department store history and historic hotels.
“It seems much more like a private tour because you can hear everything and see everything up close and personal," Gearinger said.
Tour goers explore Cleveland with an interactive map, listen to audio clips and watch videos of notable figures from Cleveland’s past.
They’ve even added two holiday themed tours, following a dedicated walking path to view 14 vintage Santas (circa 1940s) on display in decorated windows as you traverse the Gateway and Warehouse neighborhoods.
“If we want to back track, we can back track,” Dobs, said. "Like when we went to the Hilliard building, we wanted to see the back of the building. So, we walked around it. We didn’t have to wait for other people.”
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