CLEVELAND — You only have one chance to make a good first impression, and if you know anything about Cleveland, it's that first impressions are everything to the city and its people.
"Cleveland is just such a fun place," Cleveland native Brooklyn Jones told 3News.
NBA ALL-STAR GAME: Everything you need to know from special guests, moments, events and more
The city is buzzing with fans from near and far as NBA All-Star Weekend puts the area at center stage.
"You've got to come out here, you've got to see it," basketball superfan Jacob Roemer said. "Some people just don't get it. I mean, being out here first-hand, you witness everything. It's great!"
"I was born and raised here," Harold Johnson added. "It's wonderful. You've got to be here to go out and enjoy. Ain't no city like Cleveland."
Whether you're a longtime resident or a first-time visitor to the city, it seems it's easy for fans to see The CLE for exactly who she is.
"It's awesome," visitor Ryan Shooshan said. "It's a great place to come and see. There's a lot of action down here with the NBA All-Stars, all sorts of restaurants, fun things to do. It's just awesome."
"I'm excited to be here," Josh Freidman told us. "It's a great city. I've never been here before and I got the chance to travel this All-Star weekend and I'm really enjoying it. East 4th has been great. Last night, we hit up the Flats."
To some, the city is a hidden gem; to others, it's often overlooked. But with all there is to see, do, and even taste, Cleveland is making one heck of a first impression for fans.
"It's a little cold," Johnson admitted, "but guess what? We've got a lot of bars, a lot of spots to go to, a lot of warm people. Hey, we're friendly. Just ask where you're going. Cleveland is where it's at, baby."
"It's been a really cool experience," Friedman said.