AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
City: Baltimore, MarylandPopulation: 2.7 million (metro)
Distance: 780 miles
I've never technically been to Baltimore, but I did watch all 5 seasons of The Wire over the course of about a month last summer and that counts for something. So what did I learn about Baltimore? Well, there is a reason they chose B-More for the backdrop for a series about the drug trade, and unless I've got Omar or Weebay escorting me downtown, it's not a city I need to spend too much time in. Granted, I'm sure it's like most major cities where you have your safe and unsafe areas, but I honestly couldn't tell you much else about the city. It's close to D.C., so that's a plus. Outside of that? I'll have to refer to The Wire.
5/15
City: Cincinnati, OH
Population: 2.1 million (metro)
Distance: 469 miles
I made my first and only visit to Cincy over the summer and actually had a good time. Granted, most of my time was spent at the Great American Ballpark, but the city itself was clean, easy to get around, and set up nicely along the Ohio River.
It's not a short drive, but it's do-able by car. But while the city was nice, I didn't leave thinking I had to get back there soon. For all of the good things about it, we couldn't find anywhere to kill four hours before a baseball game. Oh, and Skyline Chili? Completely overrated.
8/15
City: Cleveland, OH
Population: 2.2 million (metro)
Distance: 713 miles
And had we continued on from Cincy for about another 5 hours, we could have checked out Cleveland...but we didn't, so it's another city I'm yet to visit. I mean no disrespect to the city or its residents, as I'm sure it's a wonderful place, it's just that the extent of my knowledge on the city includes 3 things, low temperatures, Drew Carey, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I'm sure if I were to ever visit, the people would be great and the city would be enjoyable, but I honestly don't have the city on the top of my priorities to visit.
6/15
City: Pittsburgh, PA
Population: 2.5 million (metro)
Distance: 753 miles
Another city that I'm yet to step foot in, so forgive me for judging on reputation and Wikipedia alone. In an interesting tidbit, they do call Birmingham the Pittsburgh of the South, so maybe the city would feel like home. I've heard nothing but positives on the city, including its cleanliness, livability, and safety, not to mention that nice backdrop of the three rivers. Still, it's not a city I've ever had the notion to put at the top of my weekend getaways. It's a good distance away, and if I'm going during the season, I'm going to need to buy a coat.
8/15
Spires, I'm hurt. A 6/15 for Cleveland? Cleveland is one of my favorite cities in the country. Yeah, there's the Rock and Roll HoF, and if you are a big music fan, you can easily kill 4 hours before a game there. Plus, that's right next to the football stadium, and only a short walk to Progressive Field/ Quicken Loans Arena (or The Jake/ Gund Arena, as I previously knew them), which are back to back. Also, there is a huge park system called the Metro Parks, and there are bike trails, picnic spots, huge open fields, waterfalls, and horseback riding, among other stuff in the parks. They used to have like 2 small ski mountains that had like 4-5 runs a piece in the Metro Parks as well. And Lake Erie is pretty cool as well. Also, the food is great there. I feel like you could go to Cleveland for a week and not get bored once. Obviously, I'm hoping you pick the Steelers, but the city of Cleveland itself should get some love I think.
ReplyDeleteJake
Out of the 4 cities in the AFC North I think the most fun is the one you rated the lowest. Anything in Ohio is average by definition so I suppose that was fair, maybe a little too fair even. As for Baltimore, C'mon the Inner Harbor is an amazing atmosphere to be in and it actually should be on your top ten sites to see in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteNot that I'm in love with the city or anything. Just seems like it should have beaten the others.
I can understand your reservations, but I love Baltimore!! The Harbor is my favorite spot of any city I've ever been to. And the Crabcakes. Oh my god. Unbelievable. Camden Yards is an outstanding ball park, even if you are not a fan of either of the teams playing there, it is so worth it to go. It's really not that hard to kill a weekend there and have a great time if you go to the right places. And because I know all of the right places (my mother grew up there), it's my favorite city.
ReplyDelete