By Robert J. Nebel
Editor, Mens Traveler

It was my stomping grounds throughout childhood and adolescence. Some of the landscape has changed; some hasn’t. I’ve been away from here for over two decades. Every few years I return to see family and friends. If time permits, I check out some things I missed during my formative years. This is my hometown: Cleveland, Ohio.

I grew up on the town’s East Side. One of these years, I’ll sneak away to the other side of the Cuyahoga River which separates the city and re-visit the West Side. The West Side boasts an array of ethnic communities including the Polish neighborhoods of Parma. I’m still craving a pierogi and promise to get one on the next visit.

To this day, my trips are limited to the East Side of Cleveland. I like to visit the city’s neighborhoods including Little Italy and the suburbs of Cleveland Heights, Solon, Orange Village, Shaker Heights and Beachwood.

I stayed at the Embassy Suites Cleveland-Beachwood on my recent visit. Located off of I-271, Embassy Suites provides easy access off of the well-marked Harvard Road exit. The area itself has been revitalized with a strip of restaurants, a sprawling community college campus and a state-of-the-art hospital.

Embassy Suites Cleveland-Beachwood is perfect for the traveling business professional as well as the road-weary visiting family. Many of the hotel’s rooms overlook a spacious and quiet atrium. Each room is equipped with comfortable mattresses, complimentary wi-fi, modern flat-screen TVs, a mini frig and microwave.

At night, my 12-year-old daughter had to hit the hotel’s indoor pool. For some reason, a hotel’s pool has always been an instant respite from life’s hassles. This family-friendly area also features a video arcade and a fitness center.

In the morning, guests may relax to a full complimentary breakfast. My suggestion is to arrive early if you’re going to line up for the omelets and hash browns. The crowds are quite large. The breakfast area also offers a large selection of cereals, bagels, fruits, yogurts, coffees and juices.

If you’re thinking of a weekend “mancation,” Cleveland is the place to be. In the milder months of May-October, the Cleveland-Akron area is a great place to do some hiking in the metroparks and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In the colder months, look no further than the Boston Mills Brandywine Ski Resort for some winter sports action.

The golfing opportunities are plentiful. From the “player –friendly” Briardale Greens Gold Course in Euclid to Fowler’s Mill in Chesterland, guys can find a variety of challenging courses.

While in Chesterland, stop by the Patterson Fruit Farm. My family has visited this place for years where we would pick our own apples and strawberries. Patterson’s farm market offers a variety of apples, ciders and a bakery.

The Patterson Fruit Farm provides a view of the nearby Orchard Hills Park where visitors may bike, hike and fish.

Speaking of fishing, there are some excellent catches available on Lake Erie. Fishing boat charters like Wildwood Marina and Holiday Charters offer the tools guys need to get out on the lake to get the best catches possible.

No matter what time of year it is, it’s easy to catch a baseball, basketball or football game in the downtown area. Whether it’s watching the Indians hitting baseballs around Progressive Field or the Cavs tossing around the basketball in Quicken Loans Arena, it’s always exciting to catch a game with the lively Cleveland crowds.

If it’s a rainy day, visit the Western Reserve Historical Society Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum. The Crawford Museum has over 200 well-preserved automobiles and motorcycles on display.

You cannot go hungry in this city that loves its variety of cuisine. From the Eastern European flair of Sokolowski’s University Inn to Red, The Steakhouse, there is something for everyone.

One of my favorite restaurants in the Cleveland area is The Imperial Wok in Solon. The owners recently moved into new digs and the results are stunning. The expanded menu puts the Wok on par with some of America’s top-notch Chinese restaurants. I’ve been coming here since I was a teenager and I never would have thought that they would one day serve up sushi. In recent years, I was always wishing they would have dishes like Tofu with Mushrooms or Szechwan Eggplant. My wish came true on the last visit.

For lunch, I have to get my deli fix at Jack’s Deli in University Heights. One cannot go wrong with their hearty Mushroom Barley Soup, lean Corned Beef Sandwich, Roasted Beef Brisket, Stuffed Cabbage, Meatloaf or Fish Sandwich. Similar to The Imperial Wok, Jack’s has moved into an expanded space and added to its menu.

I never thought of my hometown as a vacation destination, but in recent years, Cleveland has stepped up its game through revitalization and good promotional work. If Cleveland is on your travel agenda, look up Positively Cleveland’s Web site. It’s the Cleveland Convention and Visitor’s Bureau’s site which has ideas and links to so many activities, restaurants, shopping and lodging. Who knew that Cleveland could be such a great escape?

Positively Cleveland

Embassy Suites Cleveland-Beachwood

Patterson Fruit Farm

Imperial Wok

Jack’s Deli, University Heights

Mens Traveler