In the Grandstands -- Cleveland is a die-hard sports town. All the city's pro teams play in fairly new venues within walking distance of one another in the heart of the city. When a game is on, downtown becomes electric with excitement (especially when the home team is winning).
Popularly known as "the Tribe," the Cleveland Indians play at state-of-the-art, 42,000-seat Progressive Field, at Ontario Street and Carnegie Avenue (tel. 216/420-4636; www.indians.com), a retro-modern ballpark that's won many fans. Take the kids, and be sure to order your hot dogs with the city's famous Bertman's Original Ballpark Mustard.
Next door is Quicken Loans Arena at Ontario Street and Huron Road (tel. 216/420-2200; www.theqarena.com), home to the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers (tel. 800/332-CAVS [332-2287] or 216/420-CAVS [420-2287]; www.nba.com/cavs). Tip: If you want to fit in with the locals, call the venue "the Q" or "King James" Court, in honor of the Cav's star player, Akron-born LeBron James. Also at the Q, the American Hockey League entry has a killer name, the Lake Erie Monsters (tel. 866/99-PUCKS [997-8257] or 216/420-2000; www.lakeeriemonsters.com).
The NFL's Cleveland Browns play at Cleveland Browns Stadium, lakefront on Erieside Avenue (tel. 440/891-5050; www.clevelandbrowns.com). The newest pro sports entry in town, the Cleveland Gladiators, formerly of Las Vegas, is the city's new arena football team. They, too, play at the Q.
