Posted in Cleveland June 07, 2023 by Nikki Rhoades
Some cities in Ohio, like Vermilion, flaunt their nautical roots. Others, like Cleveland, are almost easy to overlook as a coastal city. Sure, we don’t have an ocean brushing up against our shore, but we do have the southernmost of the Great Lakes defining our state’s northern border. All along Lake Erie, coastal towns enchant visitors. One of the best coastal towns near Cleveland, believe it or not, is just beyond the city’s border. That’s right — we’re talking about Lakewood, Ohio! This beautiful Cleveland suburb is full of charm, and it’s a perfect place to spend a day. Check it out:
According to Niche, Lakewood is among the best places to live in Ohio.
Incorporated as a village in 1889, even the name of this community nods to its coastal proximity. Of course, it started its life as Township 7 back when the first settlers arrived around 1805.
Today, Lakewood has an overall Niche grade of A+, ranking good for families, good for outdoor activities, and great in night life. The area it ranks lowest in, as an Clevelander may guess, is weather.
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Lakewood’s proximity to Cleveland, vibrant culture, and multitude of unique attractions makes it a great place to call home.
Whether you put down roots for a lifetime or swing through town for a day, its charms are undeniable. There’s so much to love in this community of circa 51,000!
One of the biggest coastal draws is the Solstice Steps.
Wrapping along 480 feet of Lake Erie’s shoreline, the Solstice Steps are truly breathtaking. The steps face the point where the setting sun reaches its northernmost point on the Summer Solstice, so this is one of the best places in Greater Cleveland to catch a dreamy summertime sunset.
Solstice Steps, 14532 Lake Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
And beyond the great outdoors, there are a bunch of hidden gems in town.
Mahall’s is one of the best nighttime activities in Greater Cleveland, and it’s no secret why. With food, live music shows, nostalgic bowling, and the new Pins & Needles 1970s-themed bar in the basement, this long-standing local landmark is a huge draw.
Mahall’s, 13200 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
One of the more unexpected outdoor gems is the Lakewood Food Truck Park, which encompasses 12,000 square feet of space.
A true urban gem, this foodie paradise opened in 2020 and has attracted crowds ever since. Here, an ever-rotating array of food trucks stop by to introduce diners to their one-of-a-kind brand of mobile dining.
Lakewood Truck Park, 16900 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
Visitors will also find some unexpected historic features in Lakewood… if they know where to look!
The Oldest Stone House Museum in Lakewood Park is, at first glance, a home like any other. However, it’s a museum nowadays, and its construction actually predates the founding of Lakewood. Built in 1834 when Lakewood was known as Rockport Township, this museum takes visitors back in time, offering a glimpse at what lakefront life used to look like.
Oldest Stone House Museum of the Lakewood Historical Society, 14710 Lake Ave, Cleveland, OH 44107, USA
But like any coastal town, an indulgent seafood dinner ties together any experience.
Whether you’re coming from a fun bowling session or a trip to the local museum, Pier W always adds some oomph to every adventure. This cool lakeside restaurant is actually perched on the cliffs overlooking the lake, and its construction even juts out over the open water. With an impressive menu of surf and turf, there’s something here for everyone.
Pier W, 12700 Lake Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
And if seafood isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of other places to fill up.
My boyfriend and I have been making it our personal mission to enjoy a different Greater Cleveland pizza every month, as our goal is to discover what is (in our opinion) the best pizza in Cleveland. Quite candidly, Angelo’s Pizza is one of the best so far! Locals rave about it, and you can feel confident that you’re getting a quality, indulgent pizza pie regardless of which topping you choose to pile it high with.
Angelo’s Pizza, 13715 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
Just up the street near Angelo’s is The Sanctuary Museum, a unique artistic preservation effort like no other.
The Sanctuary Museum is another hidden gem in Lakewood that I personally adore. It’s rather small, but there’s no other museum quite like it in the area. Here, religious art has been saved from closed churches and lovingly restored. The coolest part? Even the building in which the collection is housed was a former church, so the legacy of preservation extends beyond the artwork.
THE SANCTUARY MUSEUM, 12905 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
Of course, Lake Erie isn’t the only waterfront draw in town.
Rocky River Reservation is also a draw of Lakewood, though only a small portion of this massive Cleveland Metropark stretches into the community. The stunning Emerald Necklace Marina is one of its Lakewood parks, and it perfectly captures the nautical nature of this lakefront community.
Emerald Necklace Marina, 1500 Cleveland Metro Park Dr, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
Without a blatantly nautical vibe, it’s easy to forget that Lakewood is a coastal city. But there’s no shortage of fun to be had here!
From the very edges of the community to the heart of town, Lakewood is an incredible place to spend a day or a lifetime. This beautiful community on Lake Erie’s southern shore is one of the best in Cleveland, and locals aren’t shy about that fact.
Rocky River Reservation, Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH 44070, USA
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From sunrise to the starlit dark of night, there’s no shortage of things to do in Lakewood, Ohio.
Lakewood is among the best coastal towns near Cleveland, and there’s no shortage of things to do here. Do you have a favorite attraction in town? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Looking for more coastal communities near Cleveland? Check out our list of the best towns on Lake Erie’s southern shore.
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