This virtual highlights several vital landmarks on the Cleveland Downtown Waterfront along Lake Eerie.
THE BASICS
Your virtual adventure can take as little as 10 minutes. But, if you start on foot and stay on foot, I would give yourself 15-20 minutes. Maybe a bit more depending on your pace and if you, like me, enjoy really soaking in great architecture and viewscapes. And, if you enter any of the sites to enjoy the wonders inside, you could easily spend the whole day.
I set up the entire cache from a powered wheelchair and while I would not call the route wheelchair friendly, it is wheelchair reasonable. Just remember you are in an urban area and to watch out for the larger bumps in the sidewalk and intersections. There is one hill that would be challenging in a manual chair.
At each of the listed locations you will need to capture and post a photo of yourself at the location with the landmark or a specified point of interest at the landmark. Alternatively, if you prefer to not post your face in the picture, you may take a photo of a personal geocaching item (e.g. a favorite geocoin, your GPS, or a piece of paper with your geocaching name).
You may route through the locations in whatever order you like but please do be sure to post a photo of each location when you log this virtual cache as a find.
The listed coordinates will take you near stop 1. In this area you will find a variety of parking options to start your adventure. Though, you may prefer to park elsewhere and route yourself however you like. Please only park where you feel comfortable. [Please note, on game days and concert nights when the stadium is in use, both traffic and parking will be significantly more challenging.]
THE CACHE
Stop 1: The William G. Mather Steamship - N 41 30.500 W 081 41.899
The first stop is the William G. Mather Steamship. The William J. Mather is a 618-foot lake freighter that first lanched in 1925 and was in operation through the end of the of the 1980 navigation season. In 1964 it became the first American ship to have an automated boiler system installed. The ship is now docked and operates as a museum that allows patrons to enjoy a glimpse at what life was like on a Great Lakes freighter.
Please navigate to N 41 30.500 W 081 41.899 and take a photo of yourself, or your personal item, with the ship in the background (alternative spots for this photo, for example from N 41 30.580 W 081 41.842 – a great spot, will also be acceptable). Additionally, if you decide to tour the boat (via the Great Lakes Science Center), it would be wonderful to see some photos from the tour.
Stop 2: Cleveland Browns Stadium - N 41 30.367 W 081 41.868
The next stop on the tour is the Cleveland Browns Stadium. In this stadium, the NFL franchise Cleveland Browns play their home games. The Browns are an integral part of Cleveland culture and the stadium is a grand fixture on the waterfront. The stadium hosts many activities unrelated to the NFL, including concerts, weddings, corporate events, and... wait for it... upper deck golf.
Please navigate to N 41 30.367 W 081 41.868 and take a photo of yourself, or your personal item, with the Jim Brown statue. Additional photos of the stadium, or photos from the stadium tour if you happen to go on the tour, would be fantastic to see as well.
Stop 3: Great Lakes Science Center - N 41 30.425 W 081 41.803
The Great Lakes Science Center is a museum and educational facility that graces the lakefront with beautiful architecture. It houses the NASA Glenn Visitor Center and a 6-story super-sized domed IMAX theater. In front of the Center you will notice a 150-foot tall wind turbine. The turbine started its life operating on a windfarm in Denmark in 1993. In the summer of 2006, the turbine traversed the ocean to its current home at the Great Lakes Science Center.
Please navigate to N 41 30.425 W 081 41.803 and take a photo of yourself, or your personal item, with the GLSC Wind Turbine. Additional photos of the Great Lakes Science Center, or photos from inside the science center if you happen to explore the inside of the museum, would be invigorating to see as well.
Stop 4: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - N 41 30.495 W 081 41.668
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame matches stunning architecture with 143,000 feet of exhibition and performance space. The I.M. PEI design features a pyramidal glass atrium that is anchored by a 162-foot tall, six-story framed tower. Additionally, the cantilevered extensions from the building and the circular drum make this a true marvel. Be assured that those who love music will find much to marvel at inside.
Please navigate to N 41 30.495 W 081 41.668 and take a photo of yourself, or your personal item, with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the background (alternative spots for this photo, including different sides of the building, will be acceptable). Additionally, if you decide to enter the museum, it would be spectacular to see these photos as well.
Please submit the required photos from the fours stops at the same time you submit your find log.
And please have a great time while you do this virtual cache and soak in the beauty that is on the Lake Erie Waterfront in Cleveland.
There is much more to explore along the waterfront including:
Cleveland Firefighter's Memorial – N 41 30.379 W 081 41.834
USS COD Submarine – N 41 30.605 W 081 41.480
International Women's Air and Space Museum - N 41 30.695 W 081 41.395
Rosenbaum Plaza & Blue Angels Jet Exhibit – N 41 30.680 W 081 41.272
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.