1. Speak your mind near Cleveland’s best mayor and free speech champion Tom Johnson. Just don’t expect a two-way conversation. The statue of the beloved politician on Public Square was dedicated four years after his death in 1911. Public Square, Cleveland, clevelandpublicsquare.com
2. Ralph Perk sparked our love of hot stuff when he lit his own hair on fire. These days we channel that desire into enjoying warm munchies from food trucks during Walnut Wednesday at downtown’s Perk Plaza, named in the mayor’s honor. East 12th Street and Walnut Avenue, Cleveland, downtowncleveland.com
3. You can blame Cleveland’s comeback on pioneering Republican Mayor George Voinovich. Visit the park on the East Ninth Street Pier named for him to see the reasons why: new development dotting the downtown skyline and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. East Ninth Street, Cleveland
