Cleveland:

Zack’s Rating: ★★★★☆   Ease of Travel: ★★★☆☆   Wallet Friendly: ★★★★☆

So we wound up in Cleveland, and I want to take a moment to write about one of the patriarchs who has shaped our family.

This is a Rafter M origin story.  Origin stories are about those who define  and shape us.  This story is about my father.

It starts in the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  My son, Noah, and I have come to visit his grandfather as he fights his way through cancer treatment at the Cleveland Clinic. It’s no simple twist of fate that the biggest bond these three generations have in common is rock and roll.

While my dad was unable to join us—my son and I were able to bring a play-by-play back to him.  A journey through a place that should never be underestimated, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Only hours after we visited we would learn of the passing of one of the biggest musical influences of my life, Bob Weir. Even before the news, this walk through the halls of history with my son was timely, and would become an iconic moment between us.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a sanctuary, and the Wakefields could just as easily be standing in the pulpit.

My dad educated me on the grooves of Manfred Mann, Roy Orbison, Herman’s Hermits, The Dave Clark Five, and The Rolling Stones—lessons that stayed with me long after the needle lifted. Seeing those artists honored felt like walking through chapters he wrote into my life.

Somewhere along the way, I started passing it on. While my dad covered the 60’s and 70’s, I’ve tried to educate my son in the finer points of the ’80s and ’90s—Michael Jackson to Jay-Z, U2 (who my Dad hates) to Rage Against the Machine. Music is our shared language, and has been passed down to Noah the same way my dad passed it down to me. As we walked the hall, Noah told me nothing sits higher on his list than Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder.

For my Dad, the Mount Everest of them all is The Beatles. My dad can walk you step-by-step through how they wrote the manuscript of modern rock and roll history. He says the single biggest musical moment of his life was when he put Abbey Road into the 8-track player of his parents’ lime green Ford LTD and the opening riffs of “Come Together” blasted through the speakers. He bought that 8-track at Gibson’s Discount Center, a long-gone Fort Smith retailer. He can also tell you that two years earlier, when he was in Tulsa and his cousin, Johnny Hayes, spun an early release of Sgt. Pepper’s on a 45.  In that moment he was convinced this new psychedelic sound had ruined the band. Very soon after that first listen he would change his mind and ultimately define it as one of their best albums.

This passion for The Beatles came full circle as Noah played Blackbird on a Gibson SG in the guitar lab at the Hall of Fame.  An SG is the very same guitar my dad played in his junior high garage band (although they actually played in a laundry room), The Bruts.   The band’s hallmark was a mini sized bottle of Brut aftershave hanging from the drum set.  Tom, Easy, and Cousin Lee were the other members of this short lived power quartet. 

Noah playing that SG felt like the most intimate tribute we could give to my dad. Watching his hands move through the strings felt quietly sacred and deeply emotional.

Noah and I couldn’t have enjoyed the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame more. It’s a history lesson, a shrine, and something that continues to grow as construction was ongoing. I highly recommend it.

This day will be one I never forget with my son. And walking my dad through every step afterward, through videos and stories, will help power him through the tough days ahead.

Keep fighting Dad, can’t wait to have you home.  (Update: He’s now back in Fayetteville)

This is dedicated to you, who has given me and my son the soundtrack that guides us as we find our own way.

Hat's Worn:

In Cleveland, where cold winters and lakefront wind demand practical gear, the toboggan feels right at home. Named after the toboggan sled, it began as a simple, hand-knit wool cap built for warmth during long winter days outdoors. Over time, it became a staple across the Midwest and Appalachia—evolving from function into everyday winter wear while staying true to its roots as a reliable cold-weather essential.

Toboggans are a Zack Wakefield classic, and we’re excited to be expanding the category at Rafter M for the rest of this season and into next winter. Expect a growing lineup featuring Carhartt, The North Face, Goorin Bros, and our own in-house Rafter M styles.

If you see me in winter, if it’s not a Stetson, odds are there’s a toboggan involved.

CLEVELAND, OHIO

Where We Stayed:

InterContinental Cleveland — ★★★★☆ (4.25)

Located directly on the Cleveland Clinic campus, this was the most convenient and and most expensive option.  If you have the money, and it's in the winter, this is the place you want to stay.  It has an indoor skyway to the clinic for visits to the hospital. 

InterContinental Suites Hotel Cleveland — ★★★★☆ (4.00)

A great alternative for longer stays or families needing more space. The suite-style layout makes a real difference when you’re spending extended time at Cleveland clinic.  The outdoor walk isn't far, and for the price difference, I thought better value.

Holiday Inn Cleveland Clinic — ★★★☆☆ (3.75)

This actually wound up being my favorite.  It was the cheapest, although the rooms were nice and clean.  The bar was less fancy, but had more energy than the other two hotels, and the walk was about 100 yards further.  Clean, dependable, and more budget-friendly. Not luxury, but reliable—and sometimes reliability and energy is exactly what you need.

Where We Ate:

All Access Cafe - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — ★★★☆☆ (3.00)

By the time lunch hit, we were ready for something quick and simple. Noah had the cheesesteak, and I went with the nachos at the Hall’s café — it was decent, but more like museum fuel than a real meal. There really arent any restaurants right around the Hall, so this ended up being our easiest dining option before heading back into the galleries.  Eat Before you come.

Tommy's — ★★★★★(5.00)

If you’re on the hunt for a classic Cleveland Heights milkshake with real local cred, Tommy’s delivers. The shakes come in a wide range of flavors—from cookies & cream to root beer—and they’re thick, creamy, and flat-out good. It’s easy to see why this place has been a neighborhood staple for years. Add in the upbeat, no-frills vibe and quick service, and it’s my kind of diner stop.

Final Thoughts

While I do not recommend coming to Cleveland in the winter—the snow melt and the drabness of a big city can feel quite gray and depressing—the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is an absolute must. I could tell it gets busy in the summer, so being there during a quieter, uncrowded time felt like a huge bonus.

What I did get on this trip was quality time with my son and quality time with my dad. For that reason alone, Cleveland will always hold a place in my memory.

I also want to give a shout-out to the people of Cleveland. From the nurses at the Cleveland Clinic, to the Uber drivers, to the bartenders—everyone we encountered was warm and accommodating. I might even say flat-out nice, which stood in sharp contrast to the cold, gray skies overhead.