• Home
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • View The Blog
  • Work With Me
  • About
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Social

    Search

Local Love & Wanderlust | Cleveland-Based Travel & Lifestyle Blog

Local Love & Wanderlust | Cleveland-Based Travel & Lifestyle Blog

All Things Cleveland Ohio & Travel

  • US Travel
    • Arizona
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Illinois
    • New York
    • Louisiana
    • Nevada
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Washington
  • Guides
    • Travel Guides
    • Cleveland Ohio Guides
    • Hotel Guides
    • Itineraries
  • Ohio Travel
    • Cleveland Neighborhood Guides
    • Where To Get The Best Ice Cream In Cleveland, Ohio
    • Must-Visit Cleveland Destinations: 15 Iconic Places Everyone Should See
    • Visiting Toledo’s Metroparks – A Cleveland Day Trip
    • 5 Amazing Cleveland Metroparks You Need To Visit (Plus, What To Do & See At Each)
    • The Most Amazing Ohio Hike At Nelson Ledges: Photos + Tips
    • All Ohio Blog Posts
  • Shop
    • Shop My Faves
    • Shop Photo Prints

Lakewood Ohio Neighborhood Guide

Welcome to my Lakewood Ohio Neighborhood Guide.

Just west of Downtown Cleveland is Lakewood Ohio, a suburb that has major downtown neighborhood vibes. There’s a little something for everyone with a huge restaurant scene, local shops and boutiques, entertainment, parks, and killer Lake Erie views. As a hugely residential area, you’ll find a majority of the restaurants, shops, and entertainment along two roads spanning across Lakewood from east to west called Madison Avenue and Detroit Avenue.

With Lake Erie spanning the entire northern border and the Rocky River Reservation and river spanning the entire west side, there is plenty of nature to get out and enjoy. Minutes away from other popular neighborhoods and Downtown, Cleveland, Lakewood is a great place to be if you want to feel like you’re still in a downtown neighborhood but with a more peaceful suburban residential home feel. My Lakewood, Ohio Neighborhood guide will share all the things I love about Lakewood to help you plan and enjoy your visit.

Lakewood Highlights

  1. The Solstice Steps along the shore of Lake Erie are perfect for a picnic while watching the sunset.
  2. Go bowling, grab a drink, meal, and a show at Mahall’s.
  3. Enjoy the Rocky River Reservation that cuts into the west edge of town.
  4. Get a massage and cocktail at Sacred Hour Wellness Spa & Tribú Bar & Lounge.

Things To Do | Lakewood Ohio Neighborhood Guide

Get Pampered at Sacred Hour Wellness Spa

Ever since this spa was recommended to me almost a decade ago, it’s been my absolute favorite place to go and unwind. Their design aesthetic is constantly evolving and adds to the total sense of relaxation you feel when visiting. There are two locations, but my favorite is in Lakewood. This location also has a new(ish) addition called Tribú, a beautiful bar that serves cocktails and light bites just outside of the spa. I can’t recommend this place enough.

Visit | 17917 Detroit Avenue

Watch The Sunset At The Solstice Steps in Lakewood Park

Along the shore of Lake Erie within Lakewood Park is the popular Solstice Steps. This is an incredible place to watch the sunset, especially seeing it reach its northernmost point on the horizon each year during the summer solstice. I love to grab a bite at a local restaurant (keep scrolling for my faves) and enjoy a picnic on the stairs while the sunsets.

Visit | 14532 Lake Avenue

Catch A Show & Bowl at Mahall’s 20 Lanes

A Lakewood institution, Mahall’s 20 Lanes has been a lot of things since it was founded in 1924. Today, it’s a bowling alley, a concert venue, a bar and restaurant, and a place for locals to have fun and let loose.

Visit | 13200 Madison Avenue

Hike Rocky River Reservation

Cleveland, Ohio in general is home to an incredible Metropark parks system, and bordering Lakewood is one of my favorite parks the Rocky River Reservation. A long and narrow park spanning multiple cities and almost covering Lakewoods entire western border is the perfect place to go explore nature and enjoy the seasons. If you want to increase your heart rate, take on the Fort Hill stairs, 155 stairs that go up 90 feet to the top of Fort Hill. Not only a great workout but you’ll be rewarded with killer views of the park, too.

Visit | Stairs are located near the Rocky River Nature Center

Edgewater Neighborhood

Edgewater is a small neighborhood that borders Lakewood on its east side. I’ve often considered a lot of shops in this neighborhood part of Lakewood even though they aren’t. I’m not making a guide for Edgewater but wanted to include a few of the shops I love here.

Urban Planting Cleveland, Chelsea’s Costumes & Vintage Clothing, Flower Child, El Jalepeño’s, Green Opal Salon

Lower level of Flower Child

Shopping | Lakewood Ohio Neighborhood Guide

Lakewood has a lot of shopping, especially from smaller local businesses. Below are some of my favorite shops to find a gift or to treat myself.

Cuyahoga Collective

A curated collection of local-themed and locally made goods for the home and to wear.

Visit | 15701 Madison Avenue

Revival Body Care

Locally made on-site skin, lip, and hair care that is all-natural using organic, fair trade, and 100% vegan ingredients. The shop also has plants, stones, and some other home goods, too.

Visit | 13337 Madison Avenue

Lakewood Plant Company

All things plants from unique to common favorites. They also sell plant accessories and host workshops and events.

Visit | 15612 Detroit Avenue

Apple Jax Toys

Vintage toys and collectables in this shop will give you all the nostalgic feels.
Visit | 13002 Madison Avenue

More Shopping in Lakewood Ohio

Salty Not Sweet

The weird, the unexpected, the unique. Shirts, jewelry, home goods, stationery, and more.

Visit | 13339 Madison Avenue

Mishi
Lifestyle

Beautifully curated, moody, eclectic home goods, jewelry, and more.

Visit | 15602 Detroit Avenue

The New
Moon

Find what you need for your metaphysical practices. They also provide services like tarot reading and more.

Visit | 15729 Madison Avenue

Fears Confections

Unique and geeky-themed chocolates and favorites like Buckeyes and truffles.

Visit | 15208 Madison avenue

While I try to share places I have firsthand experience with, here are a few shops I am looking forward to visiting in the near future: Bear Soul Studio & Rock Shop, STEM Handmade Soaps, Bookshop, Lakewood Art Supply, The Salvaged Boutique, Cleveland Curiosities, My Minds Eye Records, Little Lakewood Pasta Company,

Places To Eat | Lakewood Ohio Neighborhood Guide

Even though we live in a huge foodie neighborhood, we find ourselves making our way to Lakewood to eat at one of the many restaurants quite often. Below is a collection of some of our favorites for their delicious food (priority) and being majorly photogenic (a bonus). Enjoy!

Barroco Arepa Bar

If I had to choose one item off their menu as the only thing I could eat for the rest of my life, it would be the Cheesy Corn Dip with Chicken. Crisp arepa strips and chips are served aside from this heavenly cheesy dip that is an absolute must in my opinion. The arepas and tacos are also quite tasty, too.

Visit | 12906 Madison Avenue

Bar Italia

Feel like you’re dining in an NYC Italian restaurant while tasting delicious, house-made sauce and fresh pasta. Their Grilled Country Bread (baked by the local bakery On The Rise) might be some of the best bread you ever ate with your pasta.

Visit | 5625 Detroit Avenue

Thai Thai

A Thai food destination serving up Bangkok street food and is popular for its fun and unique bubble teas. My favorite dish is the Pad See Eiw, or if I’m feeling a little spicy I go for the Pad Kee Mao, yum!

Visit | 13415 Madison Ave

Harlow’s

A tasty wood-fired pizza shop in a very unique-looking building with a limited menu that is not limited to flavor.

Visit | 14319 Madison Ave

Hola Tacos

From the owners of another favorite spot, Barroco comes a small but mighty taco joint known for its Birria tacos and unique dishes like Mexican Ramen and Birria Pizza. You already know how I feel about the cheesy dip, it’s a must.

Visit | 12102 Madison Ave

Eugene Kitchen

A small, in-bar kitchen from the former Tinman Burger chef serving up delicious burgers and more inside Bottlehouse Brewery.

Visit | 13368 Madison Ave inside BottleHouse Brewery

La Plaza Taqueria

Authentic and flavorful Mexican food is served in a small, sit-down taqueria inside a popular neighborhood Mexican Grocery store.

Visit | 13609 Lakewood Heights Blvd.

Dinerbar On Clifton

Tasty comfort food is served up in a stylish and modern take on a retro diner.

Visit | 11801 Clifton Blvd.

More Places To Eat In Lakewood Ohio

I could fill this entire guide up with enticing food photos, but for space-saving purposes here are some other spots you should definitely not miss out on.

Angelo’s Pizza, Dewey’s Pizza, El Carnicero, Molto Bene, Barrio, Ohio City Burrito, Immigrant Son Brewery, Blackbird Baking Company, Breadsmith, Salt, Rood Food + Pie, Brewella’s, Summer House.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my Lakewood Ohio Neighborhood Guide! Are you a business in the neighborhood and want to collaborate, or did you have an update on something I shared here? Contact me. Be sure to check out my other Cleveland Ohio Neighborhood Guides below!

Follow Along

@localloveandwanderlust

✨September Was Full of New-To-Us Adventures✨ ✨September Was Full of New-To-Us Adventures✨

New hikes, new state visited, new restaurants, new experiences, new haircut, lots of newness.

Here are some of the highlights. 

1:  Hiked the @clevemetroparks Chippewa Creek Gorge 

2: and hiked the Tree Farm Trail at @cuyahogavalleynps adding 2 new-to-us trails for our #hike24in23 goal.

3: Dinner at @literary_tavern in #tremontohio for the first time and had the best grilled cheese.

4: We also finally visited @cloakanddaggercle and had delightful cocktails and loved the decor.
 
5: haircut time at my favorite @greenopalsalon and finally went back to bangs 🙌

6: We visited @newmexicotrue for the first time. Explored Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Roswell, White Sands NP, Carlsbad Caverns NP, Guadeloupe Mtns. NP and pictured Bandelier National Monument… one of our favorite hikes to date.

7: Finally got to witness the monarch migration at @clevemetroparks Wendy Park 😍

8: Husbands birthday dinner at @tuttocarnecle and it was so good!

9: Finally had a chance to visit @thewickedplantco and it’s awesome inside! Of course I left with a new plant friend.

10: Went to see @playhousesquare @psqdistrict #marqueemoments and it was incredible! The new marquees look amazing. 

What’s one of your September highlights?

#september #photodump #thisiscle #travelblogger #clevelandblogger #hikemore #clevelandmetroparks #cuyahogavalleynationalpark #newmexicotrue #nationalparks
✨PLAYHOUSE SQUARE • DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND✨ The ✨PLAYHOUSE SQUARE • DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND✨

The second largest theatre district in the country just got a makeover and it’s dazzling. We had fun at the Marquee Moment’s celebration to see the lights turn on!

What do you think of the new signs? I like that they have changing color lights on them and they all have a unique look. Fun!

#thisiscle #playhousesquaredistrict #playhousesquare #theatre #downtowncleveland #clevelandohio @psqdistrict @playhousesquare
🍁 2023 FALL GUIDE TO CLEVELAND🍁 Save to ref 🍁 2023 FALL GUIDE TO CLEVELAND🍁

Save to reference later & tag someone who should know about this post 

NEW ON THE BLOG • Link in BiO 🫶

Hi everyone - welcome to my 2023 guide to fall fun in Cleveland. This is a curated guide, not a comprehensive guide. A collection of events and things to do that caught my eye or are my faves. I think I found some gems for you! Happy Fall! 🍁🎃💀🧡

Tell me what’s on your fall bucket list this year in the comments ⤵️

#fallincle #fallincleveland #thingstodoincleveland #fallguide #thisiscle #clevelandohio #traveldestination #travelblogger #fallfoliage #ohiotheheartofitall #ohio #autumnvibes @thisiscle @ohiotheheartofitall
🔶One Day in Albuquerque Inspirations We squeez 🔶One Day in Albuquerque Inspirations

We squeezed a lot into one day, here are some highlights you’ll want to add to your future itinerary!

🥞 Breakfast: Central Grill @centralgrillabq 
This breakfast hot spot has some of the best pancakes I’ve had. Fluffy and delicious.

🌮 Lunch: Pueblo Indian Kitchen @pueblokitchen 
Try out an Indian taco to get a taste of fry bread and chiles (something you may be eating a lot of on your trip. Get it ‘Christmas’ style, a mix of red and green Chile.

🍜 Dinner: Ten3 @ten3tram 
Eat your final meal of the day 10,300 feet above Albuquerque. There is a casual dining spot and a formal dining spot (requires fancier clothing). Food was good and the views? Epic. 

🚡Do: Sandia Peak Tramway @sandia_peak_tramway 
Get breathtaking views of Albuquerque from above as you enjoy a 15-minute ride up 10,000+ feet up the Sandia Mountains. The sunset was incredible.

🗺️ Explore: Old Town @abqoldtown 
Enjoy the southwestern aesthetic as you browse many local and awesome shops. Find your perfect souvenir and enjoy the views. 

🔵 Shop: Breaking Bad Store @breakingbadstoreabq 
If you’re a fan of the show this is such a cool spot to visit! Don’t forget to head to the back where there’s a whole museum dedicated to Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul memorabilia.

✏️ Learn: Pueblo Indian Cultural Center @indianpueblo 
Learn all about the people of the land and how they lived, created, and beyond.

🛏️ Stay: Zazz Hotel @hotelzazz 
This adorable renovated motel has the quirkiest style. We loved getting popsicles from the hydration room, our adorable room, and the hotels style. The soaps in the bathroom smelled SO good and were locally sourced. Love that.

🍹Drinks: Lounge, a speakeasy inside Hotel Zazz
We checked out this fun space after a long day out and about. I had a mocktail that I’m still thinking about today called a Pink Flamingo. So. Good.

Hope that list helps inspire your future trip to Albuquerque! I hope we can get back to explore more soon. New Mexico is a gem.

#newmexicotrue #thingstodoabq #trueabq #albuquerque #newmexico #travelblogger
🥾🍁 Fall Hike in Cleveland with Epic Views W 🥾🍁 Fall Hike in Cleveland with Epic Views

With the official start of fall this weekend and pops of fall color already popping up, it’s time to talk fall hikes 🍁🥾

Last Fall I checked out the newly opened Eatern Ledge Trail within the Euclid Creek Reservation, part of the @clevemetroparks 

This trail winds you through a fall forest along a flowing creek and takes you to a ledge overview 130 feet above Euclid Creek. 

I found it to be a easy to moderate trail due to the incline. The views were epic, especially when the sun is out creating intense shadows.

Tag a friend or send this to someone you’d love to hike this trail with! 

🥾1-mile out & back

🍁 Mixed terrain, paved parts of trail are accessible 

↗️ easy to moderate

🚘 Nearby parking, picnic area, and play area

📍Euclid Creek Reservation 44143

#findyourpark #euclidcreekreservation #easternledgetrail #clevelandmetroparks #thisiscle #clevelandohio #euclidcreek #clevelandhikers #hikemore #ohiotheheartofitall #optoutside #fallhikes #clevelandblogger

Footer

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

On The Blog

  • Cleveland
  • Destinations
  • Lifestyle
  • Outdoors
  • Guides
  • Photography

Info

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure

Search The Blog

Copyright © 2023

 

Loading Comments...