Ohio City is one of Cleveland’s most popular neighborhoods, and my guide will take you through 18+ things to do plus all the best photo ops and more. This is the perfect guide to share with friends from the suburbs who don’t get downtown often or visiting guests who want to know what’s good.
Just west of Downtown Cleveland, Ohio sits the historic neighborhood of Ohio City. Once a fierce competitor of the city of Cleveland, it’s now one of Cleveland’s most interesting and fun historic neighborhoods. Minutes away from Downtown Cleveland, Lake Erie, The Flats, Tremont, and the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, you won’t run out of things to do anytime soon.
Cleveland’s Ohio City Highlights
- Visit the historic West Side Market for delicious food and amazing people-watching.
- Enjoy one of the several outdoor festivals and events from City Stages, Station Hope, and the Ohio City Street Festival.
- Visit one of the many breweries in town, including a book-themed brewery called Bookhouse Brewing.
- Have fun at The Vibe Garden where a variety of fun events are held throughout the year from yoga to markets, and concerts.
- Find all of the amazing street art throughout the neighborhood, the perfect photo-op.
- Get your art on at Spaces Gallery or The Transformer Station.
A Mix Of Old & New in Ohio City
A stroll through Cleveland’s Ohio City Neighborhood will show you many beautiful old homes with a quaint and cozy feel to them. While venturing to the outskirts of the neighborhood and near the popular W.25th Street, you’ll see a lot more new construction mixed in. One of my favorite new rooftops (seen below) is part of the Church & State Apartments which recently opened, but I also love seeing the older homes and their beautiful styling.
Amazing Street Art
MURALS GALORE
Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood is full of murals and my guide will help you find them. In the past 5 to 6 years there was a huge influx of public art popping up around the neighborhood. These colorful and fun murals brought the brick-covered industrial parts of the neighborhood bursts of color and fun.
The neighborhood even hosted International artists to leave their mark around Ohio City. Check out my post on Ohio City Murals to learn more.
The Best Breakfast & Brunch Spots
Cleveland’s Ohio City Guide
These shops have some of my favorite breakfast and brunch offerings in Ohio City!
Hingetown
Neighborhood Enclave
An enclave of Ohio City that spans a few city blocks and includes a lot of the newness in the neighborhood. From new apartments with awesome community space to weird domes dubbed Creative Hangers (being built now), shops, restaurants, and unique outdoor spaces.
Hingetown is also known for its rich history for the Cleveland LGBTQ community, most particularly W. 29th Street (Read more), and having historical significance to the Underground Railroad with Saint Johns Church, one of the last stops before making it to Canada.
While it’s all technically part of Ohio City, Hingetown has its own unique vibe. With art galleries and museums, historical spaces, unique apartments, fun outdoor community spaces, restaurants, bars, and shopping there’s a little something for everyone.
Hingetown Photo-Ops
The Living Wall
succulent city
Located on the outside wall of The Cleveland Tea Revival, this green wall changes each year and is a beautiful touch of nature in the heart of the city. The plants are watered with stormwater from the roof, so cool.
Mirrored Corner
A moment to reflect
On the corner of W. 28th and Detroit is a unique building my photographer’s eye is always attracted to. The curved, mirrored corner makes for a fun photo-op.
Rainbow Crosswalk
Church + W29th Street
An homage to the history of the street in the LGBTQ+ community, these rainbow crosswalks have been painted in 4 crosswalks and add a vibrant burst of color in Hingetown.
Coffee & Breweries
I’m not a coffee or beer drinker, but I would be remiss to not mention the huge amount of breweries and coffee shops in town.
Great Lakes Breweryfor a locally brewed beer and German-inspired fare
Bookhouse Brewingis the cutest and only book-themed bar and brewery in town
Platform Beerlocal brewery and taproom
Nano Brew small brewery that serves yummy food
Market Garden Brewery local brewery with a huge production brewery nearby
Hansa Brewery authentic Eastern European restaurant and brewery
North High Brewery is a new addition to the brewery scene
Passport Cafelocated inside the Cleveland Hostel
Rising Star Coffeeis my husband’s favorite spot to get beans to grind
duck-rabbit coffeeethically sourced beans
Lekko Coffee serves living wage coffee
Koffie Cafe small local coffee shop
Edda Coffee Roasters huge coffee shop & cafe
Index Coffee & Books: Bookstore & Coffee Shop
Best Places To Get Lunch
Cleveland’s Ohio City Guide
There are many great restaurants in the Ohio City neighborhood and these are some of my favorites to grab a quick bite to eat at. These shops serve quick and delicious meals that are perfectly portioned for lunch.
Ohio City Photo-Ops
Interiors
unique & fun
Many restaurants in Ohio City were built in existing buildings, or are just funky and unique. One of my favorites is inside Heck’s Cafe (shown), it gives me New Orleans courtyard vibes to me.
Old Homes
classic views
While many complain about the new construction, there are still many old homes throughout the neighborhood that are enjoyable to view. You’ll find plenty of unique paint color combinations as well as renovated gems.
West Side Market
historic + food
The historic West Side Market makes for an incredible photo-op from the incredible brickwork in the ceiling to the unique food stands and crowds of people.
Shopping In Ohio City
There are a handful of great shops sprinkled throughout Ohio City. Here are some of my favorites.
The West Side Market: An over 100-year-old marketplace that you must see when in town.
Shore Society: Coastal apparel and accessories.
Him & His: Curated and stylish home goods.
Helm Collective: A small but beautifully curated vintage goods shop.
Avalon Exchange: A buy, sell, trade, and resale clothing boutique.
Cleveland Candle Co: A candle shop where you can buy a unique scent, or make your own.
Rising Boutique: Cute clothes and accessories.
Index Coffee & Books: Bookstore & Coffee Shop
All Things For You: Two floors of amazing vintage and antique goods.
Joy Machines Bike Shop: A small community bike shop.
Harper & Ivory: A bridal boutique shop
Urban Orchid: An upscale floral and gift boutique.
Lake Erie Pet Food Co.: Fresh, local small-batch dog, and cat food.
Cleveland Brew Shop: For all the homebrewers.
Ohio City Provisions: a small grocery/ butcher shop with all local goods and much more.
Fridrich Bicylcle, Inc: An institution in Cleveland that’s been around since the late 1800s!
Luca’s Barkery: Recently opened dog bakery & pet store with a huge selection + of handcrafted treats for your favorite doggo.
Are you loving my Ohio City Neighborhood Guide? Then you should follow me on Instagram to keep up with all things Cleveland (Travel & More). Follow along at @localloveandwanderlust. Got questions about Ohio City or Cleveland, Ohio? Send me a DM!
Best Places For Dinner
Cleveland’s Ohio City Guide
What I love the most about Ohio City is its incredibly diverse food scene. You can get food from around the world in just one neighborhood. Here is a curated list of some of our favorites and places we’re looking forward to. Note that several of the lunch spots listed above are also open for dinner. Enjoy!
Momocho
Modern Mexican and the best guac in Cleveland. Try sitting at the Chefs Table, so fun.
You should also check out these spots: Soho Chicken + Whiskey, Heck’s Café, Banana Blossom Thai Cuisine, The Harp, Ohio City Pizzeria, Hansa Brewery, North High Brewing, Heart Of Gold, and Great Lakes Brewery. A few on our to-visit list: Alea, Johnny Mango World Café. Amba, Bartleby, and Choolaah
More Ohio City Photo-Ops
Ohio City Flags
Iconic
You’ll find them all over the neighborhood including a don’t give up the ship flag. Flags in Ohio City are like the Leg Lamp to Tremont (A Christmas Story home location). I love seeing them around town.
Your Meal
deliciously photogenic
With so many delicious things to eat, you’ll want to remember it all. What better way than to take a picture of your meal? My tip is to do it quickly and move on, but it makes a nice memento.
Murals
POPS OF COLOR
There was once a time when there was hardly a mural to be found in all of Cleveland. Those days are gone, and Ohio City harbors a lot of the best murals in all of Cleveland. I’ve even posted about how to find many of them here!
Favorite sweets & treats in Ohio City
Mason’s creamery
Unique and tasty flavors can be found at Mason’s, plus they have hyper-color spoons. Love it.
Mitchell’s ice cream
This is their main hub, so you can watch them make ice cream-so fun! Popular, go-to flavors and seasonal delights.
Larder dELICATESSEN
They are a deli so there is more than just delicious baked goods. Their Black & White cookies are my fave.
The West Side Market
historic marketplace
At over 100 years old, this historic marketplace is an institution to the neighborhood and the city of Cleveland. This is the place you recommend to out-of-towners, people watchers, photographers, and those just looking to buy their daily or weekly groceries.
The market is overdue for a change which is something often talked about by locals. Looking forward to a bright future for the market. My favorite thing to do is to grab a light bite to eat or snack on and make my way up to a small viewing deck and people watch. (It’s also how you get a shot like this!)
Events & Entertainment
Cleveland’s Ohio City Guide
Ohio City is a vibrant neighborhood that hosts several annual events welcoming the community and its visitors to celebrate music, art, and history. The neighborhood also has a lot of fun places to visit, play, create, and experience. Scroll to see more.
Station Hope
May
An annual event that celebrates hope and tackles contemporary topics and historic events through art, spoken word, and performances. See the image directly below for more details on the church that hosts this event.
City Stages
August
Hosted by the Cleveland Museum of Art, this summertime concert series is a beloved event in Ohio City that brings the entire neighborhood together for an evening of music in the city.
Street Festival
September
An inclusive neighborhood celebration for residents and visitors full of food, music, art, and fun. Family-friendly performances, games, and activities. A great time for everyone.
Station Hope, the last stop on the Underground Railroad in Cleveland, Ohio
Saint John Episcopal Church on Church Street in Cleveland’s Ohio City Neighborhood has huge significance in our nation’s history when it comes to enslaved people seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad. Cleveland was nicknamed “Hope”, and the church was dubbed “Station Hope”. It was one of the last stops before freedom seekers were able to find their way to cross Lake Erie to Canada. It served as a lookout, a safe haven, and shelter before making that journey. You can visit and experience this historic landmark annually at the Station Hope event noted above.
16 Bit Bar & Pins Mechanical
Both are new to Ohio City and just opened in a huge, two-story building on the popular W. 25th Street. Looking forward to checking them out soon!
Forest City Shuffleboard
Shuffleboard is for everyone at this cool arena that also serves beer, wine, co*cktails, and food.
Glass Bubble Project
Learn how to blow glass, or watch the pros do it.
Cleveland Candle Company
Learn how to make your very own candle, or buy one of their many fun-themed scents.
Saucy Brew Works Vibe Garden
This outdoor space transforms to the occasion. It’s a beer garden, a makers market, a yoga studio, and beyond. Great use of what was once an empty lot.
Coming Soon: Irishtown Bend Park
Cleveland’s Ohio City Guide
Imagine a park with views of the city like this. In roughly four years, you won’t have to imagine as this is the site of the future Irishtown Bend Park project and I am so excited for what will be an incredible addition to the neighborhood and Cleveland alike.
The history of Irishtown Bend is deep, and I cannot tell it better than this Wiki article here (take a look for an interesting background). The L|A|N|D| Studio is working on this project and shares visuals of the plans and progress on their page here. I add this to the neighborhood guide because construction has already begun and visitors to Ohio City may notice as it’s right at the northern entrance to the neighborhood. We are so excited to see how this park develops!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my Ohio City 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!
Pin This Post For Later
No time to read through it all, or want to reference it for later? Pin one of these images so you can reference them when you visit Cleveland, Ohio neighborhood Ohio City!
Looking for more Cleveland Ohio neighborhoods to explore? Here are some posts we think you’ll like:
- Tremont Neighborhood Guide
- Detroit-Shoreway Neighborhood Guide
- Downtown Cleveland, Ohio Neighborhood Guides
