Cleveland is a city that is grand, historic, and diverse; it’s many neighborhoods effortlessly reflect that. Many of its businesses and residences have been standing for close to a century, and the city’s cultural scene has thus blossomed under the ornate Victorian façades of Cleveland’s oldest streets. Cleveland’s historic neighborhoods further diversify the city, enhancing it with unique personalities and atmospheres that blend old and new to create a vibe that is unique to Northeast Ohio. Every Clevelander must walk these historic neighborhoods at least once, so we’ve prepared an interactive map to get you started.
- Detroit-Shoreway
Cricchetti/Wikimedia Commons From West 85th to West 45th, Detroit-Shoreway reigns over the West Side. At the heart of this historic community is the Gordon Square Arts District, an adorable shopping district that proves that an artistic flair can define a region. Complete with Cleveland icons like Sweet Moses and the Capitol Theatre, this neighborhood has the personality of a small Midwestern downtown district with a flair for the dramatic.
- Ohio City
Erik Drost/Flickr Ohio City is a tasteful blend of historic and artistic, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a neighborhood as energetic as this one. Located West of Downtown Cleveland, this hip neighborhood is home to monuments like the West Side Market and Franklin Castle.
- Tremont
Bruce Kratofil/Flickr Tremont is perhaps Cleveland’s funkiest neighborhood, and it is certainly one of the oldest. It was once home to an impressive population of German and Slavic immigrants, and as such it is home to some European-influenced points of interest, like Sokolowski’s University Inn and St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral. The artistic atmosphere of this neighborhood was captured in scenes of The Deer Hunter, a movie that premiered in 1978.
- South Broadway
Tim Evanson/Flickr South Broadway is bordered by the Cuyahoga River to the Northwest, and was settled fairly quickly after Moses Cleaveland and his team of surveyors visited the region. The area now known as Slavic Village was settled in 1814, and it maintains the culture of its community through organizations like the Bohemian National Hall, the Polish-American Cultural Center, and the Broadway School of Music. Here you will encounter an array of public art and stunning gardens.
- Shaker Square
Wyliepoon/Flickr Shaker Square is a neighborhood built around celebrating community. With a reputation as the oldest shopping district in the state, Shaker Square’s friendly streets are sure to keep you entertained. For a truly magical experience, visit the historic rose garden on Woodbury Road.
- University Circle
Mmm…Bacon! /Flickr University Circle is the cultural heart of the city. Located on the east side of Cleveland just four miles from Downtown, this chic neighborhood is home to world-renowned institutions like the Cleveland Museum of Art and Case Western Reserve University. One of University Circle’s shining gems is Wade Oval Park, a surprising stretch of greenery complete with a glimmering lagoon that is tucked away in the center of a seemingly endless urban jungle.
- Little Italy
Markpatrickgockowski/Instagram Nestled on Cleveland’s east side is a little neighborhood that is overflowing with the finest Italian cuisine in the state. The area’s walkable streets are home to boutique shopping and art studios, promising visitors an unforgettable time. Plus, throughout the year, thousands will congregate in the city for incredible celebrations, like the Feast of the Assumption.
- St. Clair-Superior
Tom Hart/Flickr This little neighborhood is one of Cleveland’s oldest and most culturally diverse. The AsiaTown district is one of the most colorful and decorated regions of Cleveland, and every visit is an incredible experience. Shopping for something new to try? The markets in this neighborhood are stellar, and you truly never know what you’ll find.
- Collinwood
stu_spivack/Flickr Collinwood was voted as one of America’s Best Secret Neighborhoods by Travel + Leisure, and the title is well deserved. Over the past decade, though, the neighborhood has developed a much more colorful reputation as one of the country’s leading art community. Stroll through the Waterloo Arts and Entertainment District or hunt down gourmet food before a music show. The possibilities are truly endless in this chic, laid-back community.
There is much to see and do in Cleveland, and its tasteful blend of antique and modern is perfectly captured in these historic neighborhoods. Which neighborhood is your favorite? Tell us in the comments, and share your favorite photos of these beautiful districts.
Cricchetti/Wikimedia Commons
From West 85th to West 45th, Detroit-Shoreway reigns over the West Side. At the heart of this historic community is the Gordon Square Arts District, an adorable shopping district that proves that an artistic flair can define a region. Complete with Cleveland icons like Sweet Moses and the Capitol Theatre, this neighborhood has the personality of a small Midwestern downtown district with a flair for the dramatic.
Erik Drost/Flickr
Ohio City is a tasteful blend of historic and artistic, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a neighborhood as energetic as this one. Located West of Downtown Cleveland, this hip neighborhood is home to monuments like the West Side Market and Franklin Castle.
Bruce Kratofil/Flickr
Tremont is perhaps Cleveland’s funkiest neighborhood, and it is certainly one of the oldest. It was once home to an impressive population of German and Slavic immigrants, and as such it is home to some European-influenced points of interest, like Sokolowski’s University Inn and St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral. The artistic atmosphere of this neighborhood was captured in scenes of The Deer Hunter, a movie that premiered in 1978.
Tim Evanson/Flickr
South Broadway is bordered by the Cuyahoga River to the Northwest, and was settled fairly quickly after Moses Cleaveland and his team of surveyors visited the region. The area now known as Slavic Village was settled in 1814, and it maintains the culture of its community through organizations like the Bohemian National Hall, the Polish-American Cultural Center, and the Broadway School of Music. Here you will encounter an array of public art and stunning gardens.
Wyliepoon/Flickr
Shaker Square is a neighborhood built around celebrating community. With a reputation as the oldest shopping district in the state, Shaker Square’s friendly streets are sure to keep you entertained. For a truly magical experience, visit the historic rose garden on Woodbury Road.
Mmm…Bacon! /Flickr
University Circle is the cultural heart of the city. Located on the east side of Cleveland just four miles from Downtown, this chic neighborhood is home to world-renowned institutions like the Cleveland Museum of Art and Case Western Reserve University. One of University Circle’s shining gems is Wade Oval Park, a surprising stretch of greenery complete with a glimmering lagoon that is tucked away in the center of a seemingly endless urban jungle.
Markpatrickgockowski/Instagram
Nestled on Cleveland’s east side is a little neighborhood that is overflowing with the finest Italian cuisine in the state. The area’s walkable streets are home to boutique shopping and art studios, promising visitors an unforgettable time. Plus, throughout the year, thousands will congregate in the city for incredible celebrations, like the Feast of the Assumption.
Tom Hart/Flickr
This little neighborhood is one of Cleveland’s oldest and most culturally diverse. The AsiaTown district is one of the most colorful and decorated regions of Cleveland, and every visit is an incredible experience. Shopping for something new to try? The markets in this neighborhood are stellar, and you truly never know what you’ll find.
stu_spivack/Flickr
Collinwood was voted as one of America’s Best Secret Neighborhoods by Travel + Leisure, and the title is well deserved. Over the past decade, though, the neighborhood has developed a much more colorful reputation as one of the country’s leading art community. Stroll through the Waterloo Arts and Entertainment District or hunt down gourmet food before a music show. The possibilities are truly endless in this chic, laid-back community.
For more local historic points of interest, check out Cleveland’s stunning landmarks.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
