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Lakewood, Ohio: The Fun-tastic Guide to the Best Things to Do and Places to Visit!

Lakewood sits on Lake Erie, a short drive west of downtown Cleveland, and it is walkable end to end. The Solstice Steps face the water and line up with the sunset on June 21st. Lakewood Park is on the lakefront. Pier W has the view. The Oldest Stone House Museum was built in 1834 and is the oldest stone house in Cuyahoga County. Mahall’s has been there almost a century. Rocky River Reservation runs over 13 miles of trails just outside town, which is where the hiking and the bald eagles are.

Planning a trip to Lakewood, Ohio raises the question of where to start. Lakewood is a city on the shores of Lake Erie, a short drive from downtown Cleveland. Outdoor time, shopping or the local arts scene, it covers all three.

Anyone who takes food seriously will do well in Lakewood. The restaurants run from classic diners to trendy gastropubs and the choice is wider than the city’s size suggests. After dinner, work through the bars and breweries. Finding a decent spot for a drink is not difficult here.

For a slower day, Lakewood has the parks and outdoor spaces. Take a stroll along the lakefront at Lakewood Park, or hike through the woods on the Buckeye Trail. History readers should find the landmarks, the Oldest Stone House Museum and the Variety Theatre among them.

Key Takeaways

• Lakewood has a diverse restaurant scene and plenty of bars and breweries to choose from.
• Outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring Lakewood’s many parks and hiking trails.
• History buffs can check out Lakewood’s notable landmarks and museums.

A Taste of Lakewood: Best Restaurants and Bars

Anyone who takes food seriously is in for a treat in Lakewood, Ohio. The food scene here is a real one and it covers most cravings. Classic American cooking through to international kitchens, it is all here. These are the spots we would pick:

Barroco Arepa Bar

For Latin American cooking, head to Barroco Arepa Bar. The restaurant specializes in arepas, a type of corn cake popular in Venezuela and Colombia. The fillings run from shredded beef to black beans and plantains. Cheese, avocado and other ingredients go on top.

The room at Barroco is lively and colorful, with Latin music playing behind everything. The service is friendly and attentive and the prices are reasonable. It works for a casual night out with friends.

Pier W

For a more upscale dinner, Pier W. The restaurant sits right on the shores of Lake Erie, with the water and the Cleveland skyline in view. The menu covers fresh seafood and steak, and the wine list is a serious one.

The service at Pier W is impeccable and the waitstaff know the menu properly. The room is elegant, with white tablecloths and candlelight. It works for a special occasion or a romantic night out.

Whatever kind of cooking you are after, Lakewood has it. Casual dining through to upscale restaurants, the city covers the range. Grab an appetite and head out for a taste of Lakewood.

Lakewood’s Artistic Side: Museums and Performing Arts

For culture and creativity, Lakewood carries a real artistic scene. Museums through to performing arts, the range is here. These are the places to explore Lakewood’s artistic side:

Lakewood Historical Society

Step back in time at the Lakewood Historical Society. The museum holds a broad range of artifacts and exhibits covering the city’s past. You come away with a picture of what life was like in Lakewood in the early days and how the city grew from there. Old photographs through to antique furniture, there is plenty in the rooms.

Beck Center for the Arts

Theater and performing arts people should find the Beck Center for the Arts. The center runs a broad range of performances, plays through to musicals and everything between. The cast and crew are talented and the productions are high quality. Classes and workshops run there for aspiring actors and performers.

Sanctuary Museum

For something quieter, visit the Sanctuary Museum. The museum holds sacred statues and church artifacts, which makes it the stop for anyone interested in religious art and history. It is housed in an old church, and the building does as much work as the collection. Religious or not, the Sanctuary Museum is worth the time.

Lakewood’s artistic side rewards the visitor who looks for it. Museums through to performing arts, the range is here. Take a break from the ordinary and work through the city’s creative and cultural side.

Retail Therapy in Lakewood: Shopping and Unique Stores

For retail therapy in Lakewood, the city has the stores. Incredible stores through to cigar shops, the range is here. Put on the shopping shoes and go.

Cleveland Curiosities

For a store that carries a bit of everything, Cleveland Curiosities. The place runs from antique and novelty items through to taxidermy and oddities. What is in there changes, and that is the point of going.

Downtown Cleveland

For more traditional shopping, head to Downtown Cleveland. The stores there sell everything from clothing to jewelry. You can spend a whole day wandering between them.

Cigar aficionados should stop by the Cigar Cigars shop. The selection covers cigars from all over the world and the staff know it well enough to point you at the right one.

Whatever you are looking for, Lakewood has a store for it. Go and indulge in some retail therapy.

Revel in Nature: Parks and Outdoor Adventures

Lakewood carries a lot of natural ground for its size. There are plenty of parks and outdoor options, so finding something to do is never the problem. These are the parks and outdoor adventures worth the time:

Lakewood Park

Lakewood Park sits right on the shores of Lake Erie and it carries everything a park should. A playground, a picnic area, tennis courts, softball fields and an outdoor pool are all in there. The view of the lake is the real reason to go. Take a stroll along the lakefront, watch the sunset, or sit on one of the many benches. For anyone feeling adventurous, the lake takes a swim.

Rocky River Reservation

For hiking or biking, Rocky River Reservation. The park runs over 13 miles of trails through some of the better scenery in the area. Hike through the woods, along the river, or up to the top of the ridge for the long view. With luck you will spot local wildlife, deer, foxes or a bald eagle.

41 North Coastal Kayak Adventures

For an unusual outdoor day, 41 North Coastal Kayak Adventures. The company runs guided kayak tours of the Rocky River and Lake Erie. Paddle along the river, explore the nearby marina, or head out into the open water of the lake. For anyone feeling brave, they also run stand-up paddleboarding.

Nature lover or someone just filling a day, Lakewood has the outdoor ground for both. Grab the hiking boots, the kayak paddle or the swimsuit and go.

Lakewood runs along the Lake Erie shore between downtown Cleveland and the Rocky River. Lakewood Park and the Solstice Steps are both on the lakefront, and both come into their own in the long evenings of summer. The main street carries the eating and the shops, with Mahall’s, the Beck Center for the Arts and the Lakewood Historical Society along it. Pier W is at the eastern end. It is small. Rocky River Reservation is west, and the seasons show there in a way they do not elsewhere in town. Winter closes the pool and empties the steps.

Lakewood’s Nightlife: Shows and Entertainment

For a night out in Lakewood, the city’s nightlife covers a range of shows and venues. These are our two picks:

Mahall’s

Mahall’s is a Lakewood institution and it has been running for almost a century. The historic bowling alley doubles as a music venue, with a packed schedule of local and national acts. Indie rock or soulful blues, Mahall’s books both.

Mahall’s does more than that. The venue runs a full bar and restaurant, so you can eat and drink while the show is on. For a competitive edge, hit the lanes for a game of bowling between sets.

Lakewood Civic Auditorium

For something on a larger scale, the Lakewood Civic Auditorium. The venue hosts a broad range of events, concerts and comedy shows through to theatrical productions and dance performances.

The versatility is what makes the Lakewood Civic Auditorium work. The space can be configured several different ways to suit each event, a cozy cabaret-style setting or a grand theater experience.

Live music or a theatrical extravaganza, Lakewood’s nightlife covers both. Mahall’s or the Lakewood Civic Auditorium, either one makes the night.

Historical Lakewood: Noteworthy Landmarks

History readers do well in Lakewood. The suburb has a long history dating back to the early 1800s. With research, books and maps, the unique experiences of the city open up. This section covers the historical sites worth finding in Lakewood.

Solstice Steps

First on the list is the Solstice Steps. The steps are designed to align with the summer solstice, which occurs on June 21st. On that day the sun sets in line with them, throwing light across the whole area. It works as a sunset spot on any evening in Lakewood.

Oldest Stone House Museum

The other historical site to see in Lakewood is the Oldest Stone House Museum. The house was built in 1834 and is the oldest stone house in Cuyahoga County. It is a museum now, showing what life was like in the early 1800s: how people lived, what they ate and how they dressed. It is a straightforward way to learn the history of Lakewood.

The Lakewood Historical Society maintains the Oldest Stone House Museum along with other historical landmarks in the city. They run tours and events through the year, so check their website before you go.

The Sanctuary Museum is the other historical site in Lakewood. The former church is now a museum covering the history of the city. The artifacts and exhibits in there run through the whole story of Lakewood, and it puts the present-day city in context.

For an unusual afternoon in Lakewood, work through these historical landmarks. The Solstice Steps, the Oldest Stone House Museum or the Sanctuary Museum, each one teaches something about this city.

Unwind in Lakewood: Sports and Recreation

Lakewood is a straightforward place to relax. Sports, walking the dog or an hour of fresh air, all three are available. These are our picks for sports and recreation in Lakewood:

Madison Park

Madison Park is where to go for outdoor sports. The park has a volleyball court, a tennis court and plenty of space for everything else. It costs nothing to use. Grab the friends and a ball and head over to Madison Park.

Lakewood Dog Park

Dog owners know their animal needs to stretch its legs as much as they do. Lakewood has a strong dog park for it. The Lakewood Dog Park is a friendly environment where dogs of all sizes play together. Grab a leash and some poop bags and head over.

Lakewood is a good place to relax and take some sport and recreation. Volleyball or tennis at Madison Park, or letting the dog run at the Lakewood Dog Park, both work. Get out there and enjoy the fresh air.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some affordable activities in Lakewood that won’t break the bank?

Lakewood carries plenty that costs little. Take a stroll through Lakewood Park or visit the Lakewood Solstice Steps for the sunset. The Lakewood Farmers Market has the fresh produce, and the Lakewood Public Library runs concerts that cost nothing to attend.

What are some hidden gems in Lakewood that tourists often miss?

Several places in Lakewood get walked past. The Beck Center for the Arts is the first, running theater productions, art exhibits and classes. The Lakewood Historical Society Museum is the second, covering the city’s history. The third is the Lakewood Art Walk, where local artists’ work is displayed in storefronts and businesses throughout the city.

Where can I find the best local cuisine in Lakewood?

Lakewood has a broad selection of local cooking. For Mexican food, El Carnicero. For Mediterranean, Aladdin’s Eatery. For pizza, Angelo’s Pizza. And for vegan options, Cleveland Vegan or Root Cafe.

What are some unique outdoor activities to do in Lakewood?

Lakewood covers the outdoors properly for nature people. Go birdwatching at the Lakewood Park Birding Station or take a hike through the nearby Rocky River Reservation. Kayaking and paddleboarding both happen at the nearby Edgewater Park.

What makes Lakewood stand out from other suburbs in Cleveland?

Lakewood stands out from the other suburbs in Cleveland on its arts scene, its diverse community and its parks and green spaces. The city also carries a set of unusual shops and restaurants, which makes it a destination for anyone who takes food or shopping seriously.

What are some must-see attractions for first-time visitors to Lakewood?

First-time visitors to Lakewood should not miss a few things. Lakewood Park takes a picnic or a walk. The Lakewood Solstice Steps are where the sunset is. The Lakewood Public Library runs events and activities through the year and is worth checking before you go.

Frequently asked questions about Lakewood, Ohio

What is there to do outdoors in Lakewood, Ohio?

Lakewood Park sits on the lakefront and takes no effort at all, with a playground, tennis courts, softball fields and an outdoor pool on flat ground. Rocky River Reservation is the harder option, with over 13 miles of trails through the woods, along the river and up to the ridge. Wear real shoes for that one.

When should you visit the Solstice Steps?

At sunset. The steps are built to line up with the summer solstice on June 21st, when the sun sets directly along them. The view over Lake Erie holds up on any clear evening.

Where should you eat in Lakewood?

Barroco Arepa Bar for arepas stuffed with shredded beef, black beans and plantains, and it is the casual end of the list. Pier W is the upscale one, sitting right on the Lake Erie shore with the Cleveland skyline in view and a menu of seafood and steak. Book that one.

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