Cleveland is a unique city. From its relatively isolated location on America’s North Coast to the unusually lush greenery of the Emerald Necklace, there is a lot that makes Cleveland different from other cities in the country. But, as these 13 things show, those differences go much deeper than appearance. And, the truth is… some things about Cleveland are just downright weird.
- We make giant stamps.
Flickr/Perry Quan “The Big Rubber Stamp” sits in Willard Park, and it’s definitely one-of-a-kind. If you haven’t taken your photo next to this iconic Cleveland landmark, what are you waiting for??
- We know how to combat any type of weather.
Flickr/Tim Come rain, sleet or snow, there aren’t conditions harsh enough to keep Cleveland down. Plus, it’s not unusual for Clevelanders to experience all four seasons in the same week!
- We play a game you’ve never heard of.
Flickr/Michael Baldwin Bocce is a strange thing to explain to someone unfamiliar with it, but the centuries-old Italian game has found new life in Cleveland. Whether you’re interested in catching a Major League Bocce ball game or up for a few rounds at your favorite local bar, Cleveland has you covered.
- Our beach days are on fresh water.
Flickr/Doug Kerr Cleveland’s location right on the shores of the massive and beautiful Lake Erie means many summer days spent lounging on the beach. We’re huge fans of Edgewater, Huntington, and Headlands in particular.
- We embrace the lake effect.
Flickr/mikequozl As lovely as Erie is when it’s warm outside, the mighty winters we get from it provide their own brand of fun. Every Clevelander you talk to will have their own story about driving downtown during a snowpocalypse, dealing with parking bans, and slip sliding through town.
- We’re all a little Irish (or we’re willing to fake it if we aren’t.)
Flickr/William Murphy St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal here in Cleveland. The city all but shuts down every year in order to properly celebrate. And if you aren’t technically Irish, no worries! Nobody really cares after the first couple of Guinnesses anyway.
- And if you’re not Irish, you’re Italian.
Flickr/Erik Drost Cleveland’s Italian side comes out just as heavily as our Irish side. Little Italy is a gorgeous neighborhood, and our Italian cuisine is the best this side of the Atlantic. Whether you’re in the mood for some primo pizza or pasta to die for, Cleveland’s Little Italy is the place to dine.
- We still root for the Browns.
Flickr/Erik Drost It’s been a rough few years for Browns fans, but that won’t stop us from filling the Dawg Pound every game or tailgating in the Muni Lot. Losing has actually become part of the tradition and we’ve learned not to mind it so much.
- We take off work for Dyngus Day.
stu_spivack/Flickr Each April, hundreds of Clevelanders take to the streets on the city’s west side to celebrate the local Polish heritage and be part of the fastest growing polka party in the world. The Monday after Easter, Clevelanders look forward to traditional Polish eats, plenty of beer, and getting a glimpse of Miss Dyngus herself!
- We take our beer very seriously.
Blake Lewis/ Flickr It’s almost an insult when someone offers us a Bud Light but that’s just because we’ve been drinking liquid gold from the likes of breweries such a Great Lakes, Market Garden, Nano, Bottlehouse, and Platform for years. There’s nothing like Cleveland beer. Period.
- Opening Day is basically Christmas Day for us.
Erik Drost/ Flickr You won’t find us at home, work, or school on Opening Day for the Cleveland Indians. That’s because we’re either already at the stadium or have been staking out a seat at our favorite downtown bar since 6 a.m. There’s no better day of the year.
- We’re obsessed with eating local.
Edsel Little/ Flickr Zach Bruell, Michael Symon, and Jonathon Sawyer are pretty much household names here in Cleveland. On Friday and Saturday nights, we’d rather starve than be found at a Cheesecake Factory when there’s so much delicious local fare to be eaten.
- We’re Clevelanders above everything else.
Flickr/Erik Drost The most defining characteristic about people from Cleveland is that we are proud of our city and each other. In a world where friendliness and compassion are increasingly rare, it might be “weird” to see a city so united.
Have you noticed any other weird things that are unique to Cleveland and its people? Tell us about them in the comments!
Flickr/Perry Quan
“The Big Rubber Stamp” sits in Willard Park, and it’s definitely one-of-a-kind. If you haven’t taken your photo next to this iconic Cleveland landmark, what are you waiting for??
Flickr/Tim
Come rain, sleet or snow, there aren’t conditions harsh enough to keep Cleveland down. Plus, it’s not unusual for Clevelanders to experience all four seasons in the same week!
Flickr/Michael Baldwin
Bocce is a strange thing to explain to someone unfamiliar with it, but the centuries-old Italian game has found new life in Cleveland. Whether you’re interested in catching a Major League Bocce ball game or up for a few rounds at your favorite local bar, Cleveland has you covered.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
Cleveland’s location right on the shores of the massive and beautiful Lake Erie means many summer days spent lounging on the beach. We’re huge fans of Edgewater, Huntington, and Headlands in particular.
Flickr/mikequozl
As lovely as Erie is when it’s warm outside, the mighty winters we get from it provide their own brand of fun. Every Clevelander you talk to will have their own story about driving downtown during a snowpocalypse, dealing with parking bans, and slip sliding through town.
Flickr/William Murphy
St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal here in Cleveland. The city all but shuts down every year in order to properly celebrate. And if you aren’t technically Irish, no worries! Nobody really cares after the first couple of Guinnesses anyway.
Flickr/Erik Drost
Cleveland’s Italian side comes out just as heavily as our Irish side. Little Italy is a gorgeous neighborhood, and our Italian cuisine is the best this side of the Atlantic. Whether you’re in the mood for some primo pizza or pasta to die for, Cleveland’s Little Italy is the place to dine.
It’s been a rough few years for Browns fans, but that won’t stop us from filling the Dawg Pound every game or tailgating in the Muni Lot. Losing has actually become part of the tradition and we’ve learned not to mind it so much.
stu_spivack/Flickr
Each April, hundreds of Clevelanders take to the streets on the city’s west side to celebrate the local Polish heritage and be part of the fastest growing polka party in the world. The Monday after Easter, Clevelanders look forward to traditional Polish eats, plenty of beer, and getting a glimpse of Miss Dyngus herself!
Blake Lewis/ Flickr
It’s almost an insult when someone offers us a Bud Light but that’s just because we’ve been drinking liquid gold from the likes of breweries such a Great Lakes, Market Garden, Nano, Bottlehouse, and Platform for years. There’s nothing like Cleveland beer. Period.
Erik Drost/ Flickr
You won’t find us at home, work, or school on Opening Day for the Cleveland Indians. That’s because we’re either already at the stadium or have been staking out a seat at our favorite downtown bar since 6 a.m. There’s no better day of the year.
Edsel Little/ Flickr
Zach Bruell, Michael Symon, and Jonathon Sawyer are pretty much household names here in Cleveland. On Friday and Saturday nights, we’d rather starve than be found at a Cheesecake Factory when there’s so much delicious local fare to be eaten.
The most defining characteristic about people from Cleveland is that we are proud of our city and each other. In a world where friendliness and compassion are increasingly rare, it might be “weird” to see a city so united.
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