#IGoRTA: Gettin' Around Town the Easy Way (+ a Huge Cleveland Giveaway!)

Back when I lived in D.C. (man, doesn't that seem like a long time ago?), I didn't have a car. I relied solely on public transportation, taking the Metro & bus everywhere. I'm not a fan of driving, & if I'd had to so in D.C., I would've died of anxiety first.

Now that I live in Cleveland, I have a car, but I still don't love driving. Luckily, this city has a great public transportation system, & as I've gotten a feel for it, I've become much more comfortable using it to get around town. It saves me the hassle of driving & finding parking, especially in neighborhoods known for winding roads & lack of parking. Looking at you, East Side & Little Italy!

Speaking of Little Italy, I most recently took the Rapid home from the Feast of the Assumption, one of Cleveland's most delicious festivals. After shelling out for a stromboli, a cannoli, & a neon yellow rum drink, ain't nobody wanted to spend more money on a Lyft. We hopped on the Rapid for just a few bucks & headed out to Ohio City to continue the party. So easy - like my D.C. days!

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority - more commonly known as the RTA - launched an app that makes it easy to plan your route & purchase your trip on the go. You can use your phone as your farecard. It launched to great fanfare this summer, given that RTA is a transportation option for so many major summer events: Think Edgewater Live, Wade Oval Wednesdays, & Tribe games.

Right now, RTA's partners are also offering discounts when you show your pass at purchase. Here are a few of the highlights:

• $2 off admission at the Cleveland Zoo, Great Lakes Science Center, & Botanical Gardens
• 10% off at Melt Bar & Grilled
• 25% off a pastry or coffee at Blackbird Baking Company 
• 15% off at Tremont Scoops
• 10% off a purchase at the CLE Clothing Co.
• 10% off your purchase at Fear's Confections
• $1 off any hot dog at Happy Dog

You can also use the RTA site/app also plan your trip to get there. Their #IGoRTA page includes more info about discounts & trip-planning features, from bus to train to trolley.

I'm excited to partner with RTA & their many partners to offer a prize pack of Cleveland goodies to one lucky 216-loving reader. The winner will score...

• A one-month RTA pass
• A $25 gift card to Fear's Confections in Lakewood
• A $50 gift card to Melt Bar & Grilled (good at any location)

As every Northeast Ohioan knows, Melt is one of the area's most delicious chains, serving grilled cheese creations that are also massive monstrosities (in the tastiest way possible). Thankfully, they sell their sandwiches by the half, which is plenty for me. My favorite is the Korean War Pig: BBQ glazed pulled pork, seared pork belly, kimchi slaw, pear/onion/cilantro relish, & muenster cheese. YES.

They also offer some Cleveland-centric sandwiches, including the Cleveland Cheese Steak, the Parmageddon, & the Lake Erie Monster. And the fries? Get the fries. With a side of BBQ sauce. And a beer.

As for Fear's, this Lakewood-based chocolatier made the transition from a home-based business to a Lakewood storefront in 2013, specializing in caramels, toffees, truffles, & turtles. They also offer "nerd candy," including the solid chocolates Millennium Falcons you see below. When I was last there, I got one of those for Mike, obviously - & chocolate-covered papaya for me.

OK, so you wanna enter? Duh, you wanna enter. For your chance to win:

1. Follow me on Instagram at @heyescapist.
2. Comment on this Instagram pic to tell me where you take RTA, or where it'll take you next.
3. In separate comments, feel free to tag friends. Each one will count as an extra entry.

I'll select a random winner on Wednesday, August 30th, & I'll announce it by tagging them on Instagram & sending a DM. Soon, you could be eating your body weight in grilled cheese & chocolate - & taking a month's worth of free RTA rides to get to them! 

Thanks so much to RTA for sponsoring this post. I received a one-month RTA pass & gift cards to Melt & Fear's, as well as a prize pack to give away to one reader. All opinions are my own - now & always!