The Terminal Tower
I didn't go to the Cleveland International Film Festival on Monday, so I saw Muppets Most Wanted instead. I'm sure that you know whether or not you're in the target audience for that film already, so let's talk about a Cleveland tourist attraction I hit on Saturday that I didn't even know was an option.
The CIFF takes place in Tower City, which spreads out underground through a fair number of buildings, most notably the Terminal Tower, which was the fourth tallest building in the world when it opened in 1930; the other three were all in New York City so until 1953 Cleveland had a taller building than anywhere else in the world. There is an observation deck on the 42nd floor, but it has been closed since 9/11 except for on a few limited occasions. I had never been up there.
Fortunately, on Saturday, I ran into Kevin K, who told me that the observation deck was open for the film festival. As it happened I had a long break between films so I spent $5 at guest services and entered the elevator bank off the main lobby by Public Square. I went up 32 stories in the first elevator, then switched to the second elevator to rise the final ten stories to the 42nd floor. It was a sunny day, so I could see quite far from the windows all around the building. The view from above Cleveland was very interesting. I enjoyed looking down into The Jake, and for the first time I saw the interesting skylights on the post office building. The Cleveland harbor breakwaters are much easier to see and to chart from above. Off to the west Avon Lake's peninsula is clearly visible. Closer to hand the West Side Market is very clear. For those not familiar with Cleveland's landmarks, every windows has a full color photo next to it showing that view with labels on the major buildings.
The deck is going to be open this weekend. Times are uncertain, price is $5. If you're at the film festival, or even if you aren't, I highly recommend it. Who knows when it will be open again? Afterwards you can, as I did, walk over to the Civil War monument and have a quick meal at Flaming Ice Cube.
The CIFF takes place in Tower City, which spreads out underground through a fair number of buildings, most notably the Terminal Tower, which was the fourth tallest building in the world when it opened in 1930; the other three were all in New York City so until 1953 Cleveland had a taller building than anywhere else in the world. There is an observation deck on the 42nd floor, but it has been closed since 9/11 except for on a few limited occasions. I had never been up there.
Fortunately, on Saturday, I ran into Kevin K, who told me that the observation deck was open for the film festival. As it happened I had a long break between films so I spent $5 at guest services and entered the elevator bank off the main lobby by Public Square. I went up 32 stories in the first elevator, then switched to the second elevator to rise the final ten stories to the 42nd floor. It was a sunny day, so I could see quite far from the windows all around the building. The view from above Cleveland was very interesting. I enjoyed looking down into The Jake, and for the first time I saw the interesting skylights on the post office building. The Cleveland harbor breakwaters are much easier to see and to chart from above. Off to the west Avon Lake's peninsula is clearly visible. Closer to hand the West Side Market is very clear. For those not familiar with Cleveland's landmarks, every windows has a full color photo next to it showing that view with labels on the major buildings.
The deck is going to be open this weekend. Times are uncertain, price is $5. If you're at the film festival, or even if you aren't, I highly recommend it. Who knows when it will be open again? Afterwards you can, as I did, walk over to the Civil War monument and have a quick meal at Flaming Ice Cube.