Spring Getaways for Clevelanders

Bermuda, located in the Atlantic Ocean about 600 miles east of North Carolina, offers some of the world's best golf courses as well as a unique British culture, pink sand beaches, and an array of small cottage resorts and charming, cozy inns.

Bermuda is easy to get to from Cleveland, via connecting flights in New York, Boston, or Philadelphia. For more information about Bermuda, see

• Bermuda Golf
• Top Bermuda Beaches
• Bermuda Bed and Breakfast Inns

Las Vegas is fun anytime of year, but in spring the heat of the summer is still a few months away and the desert air is crisp and clear -- a great time for golf and exploring the Nevada countryside.

Non-stop flights on Continental Airlines from Cleveland make getting to Las Vegas easy and affordable. Funjet Vacations has spring packages beginning in the low $300s per person including flights, two nights hotel, taxes, and a sightseeing tour.

Toledo, our neighbor in Northwest Ohio, makes an easy day-trip or weekend getaway from Cleveland. Just a two-hour drive down the Ohio Turnpike from downtown, the city is home to a wealth of historic, cultural, and just plain fun sights and attractions.

Among the highlights are the Toledo Museum of Art (and its relatively new Glass Pavilion), Ft. Meigs -- a restored 19th century outpost (pictured at right), and Tony Packo's Cafe, a fun and tasty 1932 circa eatery in Toledo's Hungarian neighborhood. Read more about Top Toledo Attractions.

For more information on Toledo, see:

• Toledo Hotels
• Maumee Bay State Park

The Hocking Hills area of Ohio, in the southeastern part of the state, offers a sharp contrast to the flat farmland of central and northwest Ohio. These foothills of the Appalachians as well as the dramatic scenery, and lush forests are a great place to relax and get away from the city. Among the many attractions in the area are Old Man's Cave, a park with caves and ledges, and dramatic vistas; Logan, home to dozens of crafts and art galleries; and Lake Logan, a large recreational lake with a 527-foot sand beach.

The area offers a variety of accommodations. Among these are small bed and breakfast inns, the Burr Oak State Park Lodge, and cabins at Hocking Hills State Park.

Spring is the "Big Apple" is just right. The air is crisp and cool; the flower are starting to bloom in Central Park; and the crowds and heat of the summer have yet to arrive. Take in a Broadway show, go sightseeing, or explore one of the city's unique and varied neighborhoods.

Continental Airlines flies nonstop into Newark and LaGuardia with airfares currently under $200.

For more information on travel to New York, see:

• New York Sightseeing
• Discount New York Theater Tickets
• Best Hotels in New York City
• Broadway Show Schedule

Located just a little over an hour's drive south of Cleveland, Northeast Ohio's Amish country is like a world in itself. The rural area is dotted with small towns, farms, roadside markets, and hand-made furniture stores. It's also home to some of the best homemade cooking in Ohio.

Spend the day or spend the weekend. Some of the best accommodations include the Inn at Honey Run in Millersburg, the Guggisberg Swiss Inn in Charm, and the Hilltop Manor B&B in Millersburg.

Myrtle Beach can be overrun with families during the heat of the summer, but in the spring--April through early June, the area is a favorite of golfers. The area surrounding this coastal resort town features dozens of golf courses, most of which are surprisingly affordable. Accommodations range from traditional resort hotels to one, two, and three-bedroom condos.

For more information on Myrtle Beach, see:

• Myrtle Beach Golf Packages
• Outlet Shopping in Myrtle Beach
• Myrtle Beach Official Visitors Site