Cleveland is a major American city with over two million people in its metro area and its skyline is highly visible from the lake.
After rocking their way to Cleveland and entering the inner harbour – protected by an almost six-mile breakwall – boaters can cruise past the highly visible Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It’s designed by world-famous architect I.M. Pei and is located on a piece of redeveloped downtown waterfront called North Coast Harbor. Visitors will also find the Great Lakes Science Center, the retired lake freighter William Mather and the Second World War submarine USS Cod.
A pleasure boat harbour is in future plans for the area, but for now boaters have to check into a marina first. They can head up the Cuyahoga River to one of the marinas or yacht clubs there, while exploring the city’s commercial ship channels. Or, sticking to the main waterfront, visitors can pull into Whiskey Harbour Marina (closest to downtown) or the East 55th Street Marina (near the harbour’s eastern entrance).
A cruise up the Cuyahoga is still a must for visiting boaters. The river was famous for being so polluted that it actually caught fire in the late 1960s. It’s been cleaned up since then and is now an important part of the city’s waterfront. Boaters can pull up to Shooter’s Restaurant, head up the Old River to the Old River Yacht Club or – following the Cuyahoga’s main channel – compare the largely redeveloped western shore with the eastern shore.
Formerly home of The Flats entertainment district, the eastern shore is currently in transition, awaiting another wave of urban waterfront renewal. Waiting for the lift or bascule bridges to open is part of the fun.
When they go cruising, though, Cleveland boaters are more likely to head north to Canada or east to the islands of the western basin.