Overview
The West Side consists of the Cleveland neighborhoods west of the Cuyahoga River and Downtown. These traditionally working-class neighborhoods have been experiencing urban renewal, particularly in the Tremont, Ohio City, and Detroit-Shoreway neighborhoods.
9 sights · 2 things to do · 2 places to eat · 7 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about West Side
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Exhibits include Australian Adventure, African Savanna, Wilderness Trek, The Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building, The RainForest, and Waterfowl Lake. Some exhibits require additional admission fees.
A Christmas Story House
This is the actual house used in the 1983 modern-day classic film A Christmas Story. It has since been converted into a museum dedicated to the film - most visitors come during Christmas season. Access to the inside of t…
Franklin Castle
A Victorian-era stone house that is very castle-like. Many claim the house is haunted.
Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Features exhibits representing both local and exotic species of fish.
Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick
Contains artifacts from mystics such as Aleister Crowley.
St. Theodosius Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Orthodox cathedral that was in a scene of The Deer Hunter.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Sep and Apr. (climate data from nearby Cleveland)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CLE Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Cleveland — 7 mi away (major hub). Directions
- CAK Akron Canton Regional Airport, Akron — 42 mi away. Directions
For information on getting to Cleveland, see Cleveland#Get in
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning A Christmas Story House, Doubting Thomas Gallery, Glass Bubble Project
- Lunch Happy Dog
- Afternoon Greater Cleveland Aquarium, Franklin Castle
- Dinner The Parkview Nite Club
- Evening Forest City Brewery
Day 2
- Morning Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick
- Afternoon St. Theodosius Orthodox Christian Cathedral
- Evening The Sacred Vortex Teahouse and Kombuchery
Day 3
- Morning 78th Street Studios
- Afternoon Lakefront Reservation
- Evening Jukebox
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
For information on getting to Cleveland, see Cleveland#Get in
See
See A Christmas Story House
This is the actual house used in the 1983 modern-day classic film A Christmas Story. It has since been converted into a museum dedicated to the film - most visitors come during Christmas season. Access to the inside of the house and the museum are limited to tours. Tours run hourly at 15min past the hour and last for about 45min. Inside the house there are props to play with (like a Red Ryder bb gun, a blue bowling ball, several hats, Lifebuoy soap, etc.). Tours start at the gift shop which is also where tickets can be purchased.
See Franklin Castle (Tiedemann House)
A Victorian-era stone house that is very castle-like. Many claim the house is haunted.
Art
Do
Do Lakefront Reservation (Edgewater Park)
The West Side's lakefront park. There's a seasonal beach on Lake Erie with grills, picnic shelters, a playground, a snack bar & fishing pier.
Buy
Eat
Eat Happy Dog
A uniquely Cleveland restaurant in a repurposed Croatian tavern, featuring hot dogs with over 50 toppings ranging from the normal (ketchup, mustard, and relish) to the insane (Fruit Loops and peanut butter) that you can mix and match in any combination that you'd like. They also have a great beer selection. They often have live music, and there's a basement bar with pinball and shuffleboard. Check the website for events.
Eat The Parkview Nite Club
Somewhat hidden neighborhood bar known for their live blues shows.
Drink
The West Side is home to many coffee shops, craft breweries, and streets full of bars. One of the West Side's main drinking locations is West 25th St, which is anchored by the West Side Market and home to Northeast Ohio's largest craft brewery, Great Lakes Brewing Company. There are bars scattered throughout the Tremont neighborhood, particularly on Professor Street. The stretch of Detroit Avenue beginning at West 58th St. and ending at West 78th St. is quickly developing into a go-to location for drinking and dining. If you tend to like working-class dive bars that are off the beaten path, consider visiting Pearl Road or State Road in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood, which are guaranteed to have cheap drinks and local color. Below are just some of the many places to grab a drink.
Drink Jukebox
Small neighborhood bar based around the idea of having a great music selection and delicious perogies.
Drink Velvet Tango Room
Known for its mixed drinks and intimate setting.
Drink Great Lakes Brewing Co
Largest brewery in the area. Happy hour M-F 4PM-7PM. Offers beer samplers.
Drink Forest City Brewery
Indoor area and beer garden with a variety of food to go with the refreshments.
Drink Market Garden Brewery & Distillery
Drink Rocky River Brewing Company
Brewery and restaurant on the west side.
Drink The Sacred Vortex Teahouse and Kombuchery
LGBT-friendly tea house with coffee, teas, and kombucha with numerous botanics.
Sleep
Go next
- Lakewood - The first suburb to the west of Cleveland, Lakewood is full of bars, boutiques, and independent restaurants.
Nearby
Lakewood
City / town · 23 listings · 3 mi away
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Valley View
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Cleveland Heights
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Shaker Heights
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University Heights
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Beachwood
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My experience
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