Walking Cleveland’s past, one story at a time

Take a Hike Tours originated in 2009 by now retired Tom Yablonksi, former executive director of the Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation and Historic Warehouse District Development Corporation and Tim Donovan, the late executive director of Canalway Partners.

At the time, Canal Basin Park, the Gateway District and Warehouse District were in the midst of revitalization, yet many people still shunned going downtown. Yablonski and Donovan created the tours to highlight Cleveland’s rich cultural history.

More Than a Walk: Cleveland’s Stories Come Alive

Two types of complimentary tours comprise Take a Hike events. Signature tours are 90-minute, guided experiences that explore distinct geographical neighborhoods. Actors and actresses portray historical Cleveland figures and make surprise  appearances during tours.

Strolls are 60 minutes and rooted more in cultural heritage. For example, the Slovenian Heritage Tour occurs in the St. Clair and Superior Avenue area and the Italian Heritage Tour happens in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood.

Ninety-percent of hikers are Cleveland-based and 10-percent are tourists. Take a Hike offers private tours for groups, including corporate events and family reunions.

From Architecture to Heritage, Every Neighborhood Has a Story

The American Institute of Building Design held its annual conference in Cleveland in late July and the entire group consisted of out-of-town visitors. Fourteen attendees participated in the Take a Hike: Early Architecture Tour, recommended by Destination Cleveland.

“Our members simply had no idea that Cleveland was such an architectural treasure,” said Brandon Closkey, the newly appointed, first African American president of the American Institute of Building Design. ”The Arcade was the core inspiration for me as a child to want to become a designer and it was a true joy to share the space with my design colleagues.”

Discovering the City You Thought You Knew

Area natives and implants often think they know Cleveland, until they experience a Take a Hike tour. Last year, the organization introduced a passport program where participants earn prize entries after experiencing eight hikes. Contenders often comment on how enlightened they felt about Cleveland history by tour’s end. 

The Ohio & Erie Canalway Association and Cuyahoga Arts & Culture provide grant funding to support the tours. Particular destinations might include a small food treat which Take a Hike pays for through grants. Businesses featured on a tour appreciate the exposure and patronage. 

All donations made to Take a Hike in 2026 will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000, in Tim Donovan’s name. Gifts can be made online or following a tour. 

History Meets the Streets

During a recent mid-August evening, hikers on the Historic Euclid Avenue tour traveled amongst dog walkers, Door Dashers and Destination Clevelanders. There, they met Cleveland business legend, Herb Strawbridge (portrayed by Brian Pedaci), in front of The Halle Building at 1228 Euclid Avenue. Strawbridge exemplified Higbee’s leadership, significantly supported Cleveland arts and culture and spearheaded revitalization interest and development in the Flats.

A Cleveland Connection From Westpark to Ireland

West Park resident Mary Masterson purposefully experienced the tour (her third that week), which included Woodland Cemetery and Tremont. The tours complemented the hikes she leads for Cleveland Hiking Club. “I like going where no one else goes and I try to give the hikers a bit of history,” she said. Masterson’s mother also worked at The May Company downtown when she arrived in Cleveland from Ireland in 1950.

Masterson’s first cousin, Martina McKeown and her 27-year-old son Patrick Roddy were visiting from Boyle, Ireland and accompanied her on the tour.

“This is my third time visiting Cleveland and I’ve never done one of these tours before,” McKeown said. “It’s amazing looking at all the famous buildings.”

“It was great to see some of the history of Cleveland,” said Roddy. “This is my second time here, so I got to learn a little more about it.”

Bringing Cleveland’s Legends Back to Life

The tour guides, while not necessarily historians, have a passion for storytelling and extolling Cleveland’s rich cultural history. 

Professional actor Brian Pedaci, touts more than 35 years on local stages, including productions at Beck Center and Dobama Theater. He portrays several different Cleveland luminaries for Take a Hike, including Herb Strawbridge.

“The tour group members are usually so appreciative,” said Pedaci. “It’s especially fun when people have some familiarity or personal memory with the character’s experiences — folks can get very chatty back to the characters!”

Bob Kenderes became a Take a Hike Tour Guide in 2011 and embodies several different characters. He’s Levi Johnson, who built Cleveland’s first lighthouse (detailed on the Warehouse District tour) and a streetcar conductor (Veteran’s Memorial Bridge tour). 

In 2014, Kenderes made his annual Arizona visit to see his sister and watch baseball’s spring training. Initially he thought he would retire out there but soon realized he’s a Clevelander and  returned to the city, where he’s been promoting its virtues ever since. 

Kenderes enjoys his roles within Take a Hike. “As an actor, I have an audience,” he said. He animated The Statler Hotel’s 1912 opening rhyming ad: “A room and a bath for a dollar and a half.” Kenderes also defined Historic Euclid Avenue, with interesting facts, including that downtown Cleveland had six residential buildings in the 1980s and today there are 90.

45 Tours, Hundreds of Ways to Explore Cleveland

Take a Hike offers 45 unique tours and more than 200 tour dates from May through December. The Winter Series promotes the accessibility of self-guided tours available via the website and guests can pick up a passport sticker after taking a tour at Destination Cleveland. 

A bonus Holiday Series begins after Thanksgiving and includes the Holiday Grand Department Store Tours, Holiday Historic Hotels Tour and Timeless Traditions, Modern Celebrations Exhibit.

 A Mission to Get Clevelanders Walking-and Wondering

Eileen Cassidy, executive director of Take a Hike, envisions participants leaving a tour with the following thoughts: “How much of Cleveland do I pass by without knowing the story – now I want to take a tour!” “Now I’m curious, is there a tour that explores a neighborhood that’s related to my family’s cultural heritage? Actually, I’m curious about more than just mine.” “This could be a great way to get my steps in-it won’t feel like “exercise.” “ It would be great to get outside amongst fresh air, walk a neighborhood and as a bonus-I’ll discover something new.”

A Growing Tradition

Last year, 6,500 people experienced a Take a Hike tour. In 2026, the program projects more than 7,000 attendees.