Cleveland may not seem like the ideal city to spend your summer. After all, Cleveland isn't sexy or cool like Miami. Additionally, Cleveland, unlike Miami, isn't known for its glitz, glamour, nightlife, and beautiful beaches. However, that doesn't mean that Cleveland has nothing exciting to offer. As a matter of fact, Cleveland has so many fun and exciting things to offer, like beaches(I know it's hard to believe, but there are beaches in Cleveland!), ice cream shops, can’t miss events, fairs, and much much more(even during the pandemic!). Here are five of my favorite quintessentially summer places:

5. Mitchell’s Ice Cream

Mitchell's Ice Cream shop opened Photo by DJ Johnson on Unsplash

I scream. You scream. We all scream for Mitchell's! Because a summer without homemade, sustainable, creamy, delicious ice cream made from the finest ingredients wouldn't be much of a summer--would it?

4. Tower City Center

File:Downtown Cleveland - Terminal Tower Observation Deck ...commons.wikimedia.org

Lookin' for a bird's eye view of this fantastic city? Then, come on down to Terminal Tower's Observation Deck in the Tower City Center and enjoy breathtaking views of this gorgeous city. And if you come on clear summer days, you can see Lake Erie, all the sports stadiums in the city, the Cuyahoga River and its bridges, The Flats, the notable downtown buildings, and the Public square.

3. Lakewood Park

Cleveland, Ohio Skyline at Sunrise at Lakewood Park | Flickrwww.flickr.com

Lakewood Park has many fun, quintessentially summer activities for everyone this summer. Wanna party like a rockstar? Then, come to the Summer Solstice Celebration and celebrate the official start of summer with delicious food, live entertainment, yoga, stargazing, kid-friendly activities, and much more. Come to the Lakewood Summer Meltdown and celebrate Lakewood's vibrancy with a street festival, outdoor activities, games, delicious food, a beer garden, live music, and much more. Not a party person? No problem. You can enjoy free movies in the park every Friday night and enjoy free concerts in the park every Sunday night. But that's not all...

You can also play tennis, play beach volleyball, play in their massive playground, run through the sprinkler, ride your bike, fly a kite, hike an unexplored trail, go picnicking, kayaking, skateboarding, swimming, or simply stroll along the gorgeous brick walkway and enjoy a lovely view of Lake Erie and the beautiful skyline of downtown Cleveland.

2. Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds

File:County Fair Gate PB030320.jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org

’Tis the season to go to fairs. However, the Cuyahoga County Fair is THE one fair that you don’t want to miss out on. Not only is it THE hottest fair in Cleveland but it’s also a fun-filled a-fair that’s jam-packed with carnival rides, delicious food; sweet, refreshing lemonade, sweet treats, and plenty of fun activities and entertainment for everyone. After all, nothing says summer like some good ol’ summer fun at the fair right?

1. Edgewater Beach

Edgewater Park Beach | Perfect weather at Cleveland's beach ...www.flickr.com

Nothing else screams summer quite like the beach! That's why Edgewater Beach is THE place to be this summer. But that's not all it has going for it...

Did you know that Edgewater Beach also has plenty of fun, quintessentially summer activities for you to enjoy? You know things like renting a cabana, playing beach volleyball, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, picnicking, swimming, or simply taking a stroll while enjoying some delicious, homemade, honey-sweetened ice cream. Mmm.