Go West (to Cleveland) and Rock the Night Away

As the Rolling Stones sang, “I know, it’s only rock and roll, but I like it.” In fact, LOTS of people love it. 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which attracts over a half-million visitors annually who come to reminisce, learn and share their love of music with the next generation.

Several cities vied for the attraction, but Cleveland, with $65 million in public funding and a compelling argument, won the bid. Designed by architect I.M. Pei, the 155,000-square-foot structure on the shores of Lake Erie includes a large glass pyramid and building. A current project will add 50,000 square feet.

Visitors to the Rock Hall are in for a treat, starting on the lower level exploring the roots of rock — country, bluegrass, R & B, soul, gospel and folk music. Exhibits include Elvis, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, “Revolutionary Women in Music,” and a new one exploring the music of Saturday Night Live on its 50th anniversary.

Level 1 — the entrance floor — includes the café and gift shop with books on musicians and genres, T-shirts, memorabilia, vinyl records, DVDs, souvenirs, guitars and collectibles.

Level 2 gets interactive. In the Garage, visitors can pick up instruments and jam, mix music, hang out in a lounge and feel like a rock musician. There are stations where they can “brand” their band, make logos, and check out instruments and equipment used by iconic bands.

Level 3 contains the inductees in the Rock Hall, organized by year. Guests can debate their worthiness (or not). Musicians aren’t eligible until 25 years after their first album or record. Taylor Swift becomes eligible in 2031. A Jonathan Demme film showcases inductees.

The top levels include a theater and rotating exhibits filled with memorabilia — outfits from Michael Jackson’s sequined glove and military jacket to Tina Turner’s shimmery little dress, guitars, handwritten lyrics, concert posters, pianos, motorcycles and more. And everywhere, there is music, which is what the Rock Hall is all about. It’s a way to celebrate the music, people and events that have shaped our lives.

Once you’ve seen the rock stars, why not live like one? Not by driving around in a carpet-lined van, but by staying in a posh, secluded resort. Inn Walden in Aurora, Ohio, is that place. Begun over 50 years ago by the late visionary developer, Manny Barenholtz, Inn Walden is part of a larger concept inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s 1854 book extolling the virtues of simple living and the beauty of nature. The nearly 1,000-acre property includes private homes, an 18-hole, championship golf course, tennis courts, a swimming pool and stables (where you can board your horse, if you bring it). Inn Walden was rated the number two hotel in Ohio in 2025 by U.S. News & World Report, and its spa is ranked among Spas of America’s Top 100.

Glass walls allow sunshine to pour into rooms and hallways. Beautiful vistas of trees, flowers, farms and fields abound. Colors are muted and tasteful art, comfortable furniture and inviting fireplaces are plentiful. The inn boasts 23 large, custom suites available in six styles. Appointed with mini-bars, Nespresso coffee makers, curated toiletries and plush towels and robes, many also include jetted tubs, balconies/patios and fireplaces. In a post-COVID world in which most hotels won’t even service your room, Inn Walden makes sure that there is always ice in your bucket and provides evening turndown service complete with candles and chocolates. (They will also unpack and pack your bags, should you wish.) The well-trained staff foresee guest needs and strive to accommodate. Little niceties include evening hors d’oeuvres and, in the morning, a basket with tasty chocolate chip muffins hanging outside of the door to tide guests over until breakfast.

Dining options include the more formal “Barn,” a gorgeous, restored, 200-year-old barn that serves as the backdrop to chef Austin Radosta’s culinary delights. Having worked at Michelin-starred restaurants, including Momofuku Ko, Radosta has partnered with local purveyors as part of his farm-to-fork philosophy. From creative cocktails to delightful amuse-bouche to tempting appetizers, small plates and entrees to luscious desserts, the most difficult part is choosing. Whether you try the Crab Crepe (a savory crepe with brown butter crab, ancho chili foam and lemongrass) or Pastured Chicken Breast (pan-roasted chicken breast, almond mole, wilted kale and sweet potato), you won’t be disappointed. A 2,000-bottle Master Wine Cellar complements the meal. Breakfast, served in the Meadow Room or your suite, can be as decadent as Challah French Toast Soufflé with mascarpone cheese, bananas and Ohio maple syrup with a side of crisp bacon, or as healthy as Walden Granola served with yogurt, fresh berries and local honey.

The award-winning spa has huge treatment rooms, with Kohler Bubble Massage tubs, personal steam rooms with Swiss showers and lovely amenities like hot tea, a robe selection and an extra 30 minutes before and after your session so that you can soak, steam, shower and relax. Therapists provide a variety of massages, facials and other treatments, and manicures and pedicures are also available. There are rooms for couples and a Vichy Suite that incorporates a wet room into your spa experience.

The property is still family owned, and attention to detail is evident everywhere. The feelings of serenity and privacy prevail, and you will leave feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. Inn Walden hosts events such as weddings, parties and showers, as well as corporate retreats and meetings, with board rooms, auditoriums and equipment available.

Nearby, you can tour the house from the film A Christmas Story, shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, pastries and more at West Side Market (Cleveland’s oldest and largest continuously operating public market), or visit the Great Lakes Science Center, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cleveland Museum of Art or the Greater Cleveland Aquarium.

Dining options are numerous, but check out Slyman’s Restaurant & Deli, a Cleveland institution. When the family came to America from Lebanon, they started working at the restaurant and bought it in 1964. Today, the third generation runs it Mondays through Fridays. They serve breakfasts, pastrami and house-made tuna salad sandwiches, along with other popular items. But the star of the show is their Reubens. According to Sam Slyman, they go through roughly 200 pounds of corned beef a day, with each huge sandwich containing about a pound of the specially sourced, top-grade meat. By 11 a.m., the line of customers pours out the door and along the front of the building. The no-frills restaurant has been visited by President George W. Bush, then-Senator Joe Biden and LeBron James, among others. And hungry diners range from corrections officers to attorneys to visitors from the nearby Cleveland Clinic. One patron gave an unsolicited review: “The best corned beef sandwich anywhere in the whole country!”
So, if you are looking for a musical retrospective, some serene pampering and a fantastic sandwich, head west!

(rockhall.com, yourwalden.com, slymans.com)