For decades, a rivalry has the city of Cleveland has been divided into sides: east side vs. the west side. My whole life I’ve heard why many think the west side is the best side. But actually, true Clevelanders know that the east side is where it’s happening. As a fellow resident of Cleveland’s east side, I can go on and on as to why the east side is better.
To west-siders, the east side is some boring waste of land but to me, the east side is home. I’m going to share with you a few reasons why the east side is the better side of Cleveland.
1. Sports and entertainment
Cleveland’s east side is home to Quicken Loans Arena (the Q), Progressive Field (the Jake), and First Energy Field (Browns Stadium). Other than sports, the east side is home popular venues such as the House of Blues, Agora Theater, Beachland Ballroom, and the Playhouse District, the second largest theatre district outside of Broadway.
2. Museums and galleries
University Circle is home to multiple major and world-renowned museums such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, MOCA - Museum of Contemporary Art, and many more. The Cleveland Botanical Gardens and the Cleveland Cultural Gardens is also located in University Circle and downtown, there’s the Great Lakes Science Center. Also, we’re home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
3. Shopping
Clothes, food, souvenirs, gifts, antiques, you name it! The east side has got you covered. There are a variety of malls and districts to choose from such as Coventry, Larchmere, Shaker Square, and many more including the small shops and boutiques along Euclid Avenue.
4. Eat and drink
Whether you want a quick snack or a large night out with friends, Cleveland’s east side has all kinds of foods and cuisines that you are looking for. The famous east 4th district is home to many restaurants such as Lola, Flannery’s Pub, the Greenhouse Tavern, etcetera. Many of the other districts on the east side also house world-renowned restaurants and eateries like Yours Truly, Hot Sauce Williams, Melt, and so on. Also, there is a dozen of Michael Symon restaurant to splurge on.
5. Education
Cleveland’s east side is home to numerous institutions of higher learning. Most prominent among these is Case Western Reserve University, a world-renowned research and teaching institution located in University Circle. University Circle also contains Cleveland Institute of Art and the Cleveland Institute of Music. Cleveland State University (CSU), based in Downtown Cleveland, is the city's public four-year university. In addition to CSU, downtown hosts the metropolitan campus of Cuyahoga Community College, the county's two-year higher education institution.
Whenever I hear "west side is the best side," I roll my eyes and say "yeah, whatever." Sorry west side, but the east side of Cleveland wins hands down. Growing up on the east side of Cleveland is a fulfilling experience and is something that I wouldn't trade for the world.
