Just west of Downtown and above the shores of Lake Erie is Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway Neighborhood. From the arts district of Gordon Square to the vintage district of Lorain Avenue, you’ll find endless things to do. Art, theatre, vintage, local boutiques, delicious food, and beyond. I’m sharing my two favorite districts within Detroit-Shoreway to help you plan an epic visit to this vibrant neighborhood.
Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway
Neighborhood
Gordon Square Arts District
My guide on Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway Neighborhood wouldn’t be complete without talking about the Gordon Square Arts District. This popular destination is full of local boutiques, arts and theatre, beautiful murals, delicious food, and the occasional event and festival. Here are my favorite things to do in Gordon Square. Visit their official website for more information.
Grab a Donut & a Beer at Brewnuts
The biggest donuts in town can be found at Brewnuts, a quirky donut shop & bar in the Gordon Square Arts District area of The Detroit-Shoreway Neighborhood. Expect fun-themed donuts for unexpected holidays and other themed occasions in a super-Instagramable shop.
Catch A Movie At The Capitol Theatre
First-run indie movie theatre with vintage theatre vibes
Eat Delicious Pizza at Il Rione Pizzeria
Tasty pizzas, yummy salads, and an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere with a cute outdoor patio area. Dough balls are limited daily and you should expect a wait in the evening.
Check Out A Performing Arts Theater
Within Detroit-Shoreway is The Gordon Square Arts District with five performance theaters like The Near West Theatre and The Cleveland Public Theatre. Check out more on the Detroit Shoreway website.
Find Something Unique At Himiko’s Cool World
One of the more unique boutique shops in town where you get major nostalgic 80s & 90s vibes while shopping for unique & quirky finds.
Shop Beautiful Jewelry & Goods at Océanne
French native-now Cleveland local designer’s beautiful handcrafted jewelry and curated goods shop Océanne is a must-visit. The hottest trend right now is getting zapped with a forever bracelet which they host often.
Get the Best Rocks & Rainbow-Themed Gifts at The Druzy Dreamer
This lovely shop has some of the prettiest crystals and gemstones and the most fun rainbow-themed gifts! My favorite item is a geode crystal from Lake Erie!
More places to shop: 78th Street Studios, My Cuzin Vintage, Slow Union
Make Choose Your Own Adventure Hotdogs at Happy Dog
This bar slash hotdog joint gives you the choice of dozens of toppings. Some as normal as ketchup or cheese, others as odd as Froot Loops and neon green Alien Pickle Relish and many dips on the side.
Play Old-School Vintage Pinball at Super Electric Pinball Parlor
Indulge in Brunch at Luxe Kitchen & Lounge
This restaurant in a former bank (you can even see the old safe that now houses wine) is not only stylish but delicious. Don’t skip on the beignets and the cheesy home fries, so freaking good.
More Gordon Square Arts District spots to check out: Blue Habanaro, Lake Erie Scoops, Ready Set Coffee Roasters, Astoria Cafe, Terrestrial Brewing Company, and Stone Mad Irish Pub.
Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway
Neighborhood
Lorain Avenue Antique’s District
On the opposite side of Gordon Square is Lorain Avenue known for its 2-mile stretch of vintage and antique shops that span Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway Neighborhood into the neighboring Ohio City Neighborhood. You’ll also find several awesome restaurants and cafes, and other local boutique shops along the way. Here are some of my favorite places to visit when in the neighborhood. Check out the official website for more information.
Dig Through Piles of Vintage at Sweet Lorain
One of the first vintage stores I’ve been to is full to the brim of vintage goods from clothes to cameras to kitchen and knick-knacks. There are endless piles and shelves full of previously loved goods you can spend hours digging through.
Find more vintage along Lorain Avenue: Nook & Cranny Curiosity Shop, Bijou Antique Gallery, Century Antique, and Michael Rold Antiques. Down the street in Ohio City, you can find All Things for You and Helm Collective.
Buy a Plant at Recreational
Pots & Plants
An adorable little plant shop filled with houseplants and tropicals, a huge assortment of pots, and the cutest faux French shop facade on one of the walls.
Find Gifts Not
Found in CLE
at +Goods
Inside Cent’s Pizza, you’ll find +Goods, a small section in front of the shop full of unexpected goods you most likely won’t find anywhere else in Cleveland.
Peruse Beautifully Curated Vintage at Table for 2
An elevated vintage shop with a curated collection of vintage furniture, goods, and other gifty items helping you see old items in a new light.
Surround Yourself with Major French Vibes at The Judith Cafe
This thoughtful café will transport you to Paris and is the most lovely space for community, friendship, and tasty treats and eats. Brought to you by Jennie and Andrew, the creative minds behind one of my favorite local shops: Room Service.
While the visit portrayed in the attached Reel was hosted, all opinions are my own.
Eat The Best Bread At Cents Pizza + Goods
Awesome branding, photogenic interior, and yummy pizza, but what really has me coming back is the Wonder Bread with house cultured butter and a side of Fontina vs Fontinella. (Seriously, don’t sleep on the Wonder Bread). The pizza is good, too, those other items listed are my favorites. They also have + Goods, a spot in front of the pizza shop selling curated goods you don’t see in the Cleveland area.
Eat A Burger & Fries At Good Company
We love visiting Good Company for a simple burger and fries, but they also do a great Sunday Steak Supper and a delicious brunch.
Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway
Neighborhood
Edgewater Park & Beach Area
One of my favorite parts of Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway Neighborhood is Edgewater Beach and Lake Erie. The northern border of Detroit-Shoreway is 147 acres of lakefront park which includes 9000 feet of shoreline, a fishing pier, play spaces, lots of green spaces, a beach house, and more. One of the famous Cleveland Script Signs can be found in Upper Edgewater, and Cleveland’s favorite tree, a weepy willow on the edge of the lake can be found next to the beach. It’s one of Cleveland’s most popular beaches and green spaces.
Enjoy Lake Erie at Edgewater Park at the Cleveland Metroparks Lakefront Reservation
It may be the smallest Great Lake, but to us locals, it’s like a little ocean. It has a personality. One day she’s feisty with powerful waves and the deepest, prettiest blue shade ever, the next day it’s still as glass with a greenish-teal hue. Sunsets will sear into your memory and you can spend hours exploring the beach, the bluffs at Upper Edgewater, the pier, and more.
Hang Out At The Edgewater Beach House
Have a drink and watch the sunset, meet up with friends, lounge on a rocker, and watch the sunset. The beach house is a great spot to hang out while enjoying the lakefront at one of Cleveland’s most popular beaches.
Visit One Of The Cleveland Script Signs At Upper Edgewater
There are several of these script signs around town, this one has an epic view of downtown Cleveland from a bluff over Lake Erie.
Read my post on all of the Cleveland Script Signs.
You May Also Like…
- My other Cleveland, Ohio Neighborhood Guides
- 15 Must-Visit Cleveland Destinations
- 5 Amazing Cleveland Metroparks You Need to See (What To Do & See at Each)
Share With A Friend
Did you enjoy my guide on Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway Neighborhood? Know someone else who may like it, or just need to save it for later? Here’s an image you can use to share on social media!
This is an area I have not had the opportunity to visit…I have a friend who lives not too far away and we are always talking about me coming out for a visit. I’ll save this in hopes that it happens soon. I really would love to hit some of those vintage shops!