The territory of Cleveland was first inhabited by Erie Indians, who the Iroquois drove out in the early 17th century. The arrival of the French in the mid-18th century spelled the end of the Iroquois in the city's territory. They established a trading post after their arrival. Named after General Moses Cleaveland who led the area’s first survey, the city was the first settlement founded by the Connecticut Land Company. The area's first survey was conducted in 1796, and it included 220 lots. The high fee charged by the Connecticut Land Company representatives meant the city suffered stunted growth; the city's population increased from three men to only fifty-seven within a ten-year timeframe. The city's population growth remained stagnant till the War of 1812. Investments in roads and harbor saw the city population increase to 606 people by 1820. The arrival of the Erie Canal, which connected the city with the Atlantic Ocean in 1820, spelled another period of growth for the city. Walk-In-The-Water, the first steamboat on Lake Erie, boosted trade between Cleveland and other cities along the lake. The railroad was next to arrive in Cleveland in the 1850s. By 1890, Cleveland's population had increased from under 1,000 to over 40,000.

Watch a Match
Sports lovers will feel right at home in Cleveland. While Cleveland is home to four major professional sports teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who play in the National Basketball League (NBA), are heads and shoulders above the rest when it comes to support received from locals. The Cavalier won their first NBA in 2016, and the celebration that followed saw 1.3 million people attend the championship victory parade in the city. You can see the Cavaliers play live at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Cleveland Guardians play at the Progressive Field while Cleveland Browns play their home games at the FirstEnergy Stadium.

⁠Food
Foodies will also feel right at home in Cleveland as the city is a foodie heaven. If you are looking to enjoy a home-cooked meal in Cleveland, head to West Side Market, where you can pick fresh produce, deli meat, and ingredients. Prefer to eat out? Have a taste of the city's best pizza or Manicotti at historic Mama Santa in Little Italy. Take a trip to Slavic Village to enjoy tasty polish food like sauteed pierogi and smoked Kielbasa at Sokolowski's University Inn. Have a fill of burgers like the Lola or Fat Guy at Micheal Symon's B-Spot. Step down your meals with Mitchell's Ice Cream, Cleveland's best ice cream spot.

⁠Parks and Green Spaces
Popularly known as "Forest City" by locals, Cleveland has over 1000 hiking trails, five nature centers, and 18 nature reservations. The city offers residents several recreational options such as birding, kayaking, hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, and cross country. The Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Experiences division has served over 49,000 over the last three years. Bedford Reservation offers visitors trails for biking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. It has expansive green space, useful for golf courses and picnics. It also has over 2,200 acres of contiguous forest of large trees.

Another popular park in Cleveland is Edgewater Beach. Located in Lower Edgewater Park, Edgewater Beach provides a panoramic view of downtown Cleveland. Keep yourself busy at the beach by engaging in a game of volleyball or kayaking. The beach features 1000 feet of swimming access, while the westernmost portion of the beach is dog friendly. Treat your stomach to a delicious scoop of Honey Hut ice cream from Eats and Treats while taking a walk along the beach shoreline. Other parks in the city include Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland Metroparks, Euclid Creek Reservation, Cleveland Botanical Garden, and Rocky River Reservation.