Legends of the Land with Destination Cleveland

The Legend of Cleveland’s National Park How close is a national park to Cleveland — and why don’t more people realize it? In this episode of Legends of the Land, we explore The Legend of Cleveland’s National Park and uncover the surprising story behind Cuyahoga Valley National Park — a 33,000-acre landscape just minutes from downtown Cleveland that ranks among the most visited national parks in th...

Did you know Ohio has islands in Lake Erie — and that they feel like a true summer escape just beyond Cleveland? In this episode of Legends of the Land, we explore The Legend of Lake Erie’s Islands and uncover the stories behind one of the region’s most surprising getaway destinations. From beaches and wineries to historic landmarks and vibrant summer energy, these islands offer a completely diffe...

What was the Ohio & Erie Canal — and how does it still shape the way we experience Northeast Ohio today? In this episode of Legends of the Land, we explore The Legend of Ohio’s Canal and uncover the history behind the Towpath Trail — one of the region’s most popular outdoor destinations that once served a very different purpose.  This episode answers three key questions that bring the canal’s stor...

Cleveland’s naval history runs deeper than many people realize. In this episode of Legends of the Land, we explore the story of Cleveland’s naval legacy, from Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and the Battle of Lake Erie to the USS Cod, the World War II submarine docked on Cleveland’s lakefront. We also look ahead to an exciting new chapter: the commissioning of the USS Cleveland in May. Joined by USS...

What is the story behind Cleveland's "Burning River," and what actually happened in 1969?In this episode of Legends of the Land, we explore the truth behind one of Cleveland's most well-known legends - the Cuyahoga River fire. While the image of a "burning river" has long defined national perceptions of the city, the real story is far more complex and ultimately, more inspiring. Hosts Lexi Robinso...

What are the Cleveland Script Signs and why have they become some of the city’s most popular photo spots? In this episode, we explore the story behind the Cleveland Script Signs — the iconic landmarks that have become must-visit destinations for locals and visitors alike. From wedding photos and proposals to family memories and everyday city pride, these signs have evolved into powerful symbols of...

When you think of classic locations to shoot a movie scene, you might imagine a huge film set in a warehouse in L.A., or a grisled New York City detective in the Big Apple, hot on the case. Maybe you’ve heard of huge productions like The Walking Dead taking over rural Atlanta for weeks at a time, or a Game of Thrones shoot increasing the population of a small European town 10 times over while they...

When you picture surfing, what images come to mind? For most people, it’s the huge waves, busy beaches and palm trees in places like Hawaii, Tahiti and SoCal. But what if I told you that Cleveland – yes Cleveland, Ohio – is a thrilling surfing destination? On this episode of Legends of the Land, we chat with local surfer phenoms Caleb & Sam Skelton about the surfing community on the shores of Lake...

Built on fires and fed on the nectar of a third-shift-shot-and-a-beer, Cleveland isn’t a city that pretends to be anything but itself. A manufacturing city steeped in spirit and fortitude, Cleveland has transformed itself through decades of perseverance and a special kind of grit. Through it all, though – the ups and downs; the highs and lows – we held it together with one thing: football. On toda...

Today we're talking about the Land's fascination with holiday brews, none more legendary than Great Lakes Brewing Company's Christmas Ale. Maybe it's our area’s shared cultural heritage with the Northern European originators of the brew, or perhaps it's something about long winter nights and holiday flurries — either way, the tradition of brewing ales and lagers with holiday flavors has found a ho...

Today, we’re exploring a unique chapter of Cleveland history - the Bridge Wars, which took place in the early 1800s. When the lines in the sand are the banks of the Cuyahoga, making friends with the next town over might be a bridge too far.

Cleveland is known around the world as the birthplace of rock and roll - heck, it's even home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! But what did it do to deserve such a reputation, and why do people make the trek to see the iconic museum? On today's episode, we speak to Dr. Jason Hanley about the origins of Rock 'n Roll, Rock music in the Land, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and its lasting legac...

We all know the story of Superman — the single survivor of a faraway planet, blessed with incredible powers and an equally incredible jawline. But do we all know the story of how we got Superman? If you live in Cleveland, the answer is closer than you might think.

It’s no secret that Cleveland gets a bad rap for being a snowy and cloudy destination. But the truth is, the weather in Cleveland, although fickle and – yes – cloudy and snowy at times, can be quite beautiful, sunny and with immaculately perfect temps. So, what’s the deal with this perception? And, what does the “Lake Effect” have to do with anything?

Often when people think about notable cities along the Underground Railroad, places like Boston and New York often come to mind. But few people are aware of the significance of Cleveland’s role within this movement and how the residents of the city helped to move likely thousands of people to safety in Canada. Join us in exploring The Legend of Station Hope.

Perhaps you’ve seen the headlines and read the news stories: on April 8, 2024, a Total Solar Eclipse will occur across portions of North America, including Mexico and the United States. It’s being called “The Great North American Eclipse.” In Cleveland, we’re expecting 10,000+ visitors from around the globe. But what is a total solar eclipse? And why is Cleveland considered “the center of the univ...

Everyone knows that rock ‘n’ roll is part of Cleveland’s DNA. So, you might not be surprised to learn that Cleveland has a rich and storied hip-hop history, as well. But how did hip-hop become a defining factor of the music in Cleveland? What’s The Land’s defining hip-hop sound? Who’s blowing up the scene? And what’s next for this genre? Given the 50th anniversary of hip-hop this year, we turned t...

The city of Cleveland was founded on July 22, 1796, by the very general who surveyed the land for the Connecticut Land Company – General Moses Cleaveland. His job was to survey land that sat on the southern coast of Lake Erie and the mouth of what would eventually be known as the Cuyahoga River. From that point forward, the city was known as “Cleveland.” But, Moses’ name is spelled “C-L-E-A-V-E-L-...

Did you know there was once a band that was banned from performing in Cleveland? And, because of this band, ALL rock concerts were banned in Cleveland? Yes, the very city that coined the term “rock ‘n’ roll” once had a ban on all rock concerts. So what’s the legend behind such infamy? We’re uncovering The Legend of the Banned Band. To learn more about visiting Cleveland, visit ThisisCleveland.com

“What’s a Polish Boy,” you ask? This finger-licking phenomenon starts with a grilled Polish kielbasa laid in a thick, white sausage roll. Next, the sandwich is topped with piping-hot french fries and crunchy coleslaw. The fact is, this quintessential Cleveland food is delicious. But the question remains: where in the world did such a concoction come from? Who was the origin of these sandwiches? Wh...