Student Group at Progressive Field (credit: Jeff Greenberg)
A state program director writes:
“I have a group of about 20 French students who plan to attend an Indians game the evening of Friday, August 15, 2008. The requirement for the day trip is that it is to be 6-8 hours in duration, not including travel time. I would like for the students to see and experience some of the areas of Cleveland that make it unique. The plan is to take the rapid transit from the Brookpark station to Cleveland. The trip can start as early as 1pm and can include dinner before the Indians game. Can you help me plan an informative and enjoyable afternoon for the group?”
This sounds like a fun outing. Here are my recommendations of things to do for students to round out the day:
1pm Depart Brookpark Rapid Station
1:30pm Arrive Downtown Terminal Tower
Transfer to Waterfront Line and ride to the East 9th Street Stop: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
1:45pm There is a combo ticket for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the Great Lakes Science Center, one price/two attractions.
Contact: Group Sales at 216.515.1945. I would allow at least 2 – 2-1/2 hours at these two attractions. The Great Lakes Science Center also has an OMNIMAX theater. Both museums are open until 5pm.
5pm Take the Lakefront Line back to Tower City. Enjoy dinner at Hard Rock Café, Houlihans or any one of many food court options. Time for shopping?
6:15pm Take the ”Walkway to Gateway,” a covered walkway from Tower City to Quicken Loans Arena, right next to Progressive Field.
7:05pm Ball Game – Enjoy Fireworks after the game, a Friday home game staple.
Another option is to have dinner at the ballpark. They have an all-you-can-eat buffet option available for groups from 6 – 8pm (hotdogs, hamburgers, mac-n-cheese, chicken, potato salad, baked beans, soft drinks, cookies). It is approximately $15/per person with ticket price additional. Contact: Dominic Polito, 216.420.4518, for more group tour info.
This is just one option. It keeps the group in the general downtown area and easier to manage. Other things to consider are a trolley tour that gives an overview of downtown Cleveland or a sightseeing cruise on Lake Erie. Let me know what you think and if I can be of further assistance. If you like, I can send a travel planner and other brochures with info. –Kathy Toth, Group Tour Manager
