Overview
Shaker Heights is an upscale suburb of Cleveland in Northeast Ohio. The town was one of America's first planned suburban communities. It used to be an enclave for the North Union Shaker Community.
3 sights · 3 things to do · 1 places to eat
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Shaker Heights
Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
Hiking trails, including one wheel-chair accessible boardwalk trail, nature programs, and exhibits inside the center.
Shaker Historical Society
A small museum about the Quaker sect that settled in the area in the 19th century.
Shaker Heights Community Rose Garden
Malcolm Brown Gallery
Shaker Heights Thornton Park
This park offers an ice skating rink, tennis courts, basketball courts, skateboard park, batting cages, and a large outdoor swimming pool.
Shaker Heights Country Club - Pool
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 — 16 mi away (major hub). Directions
- CAK Akron Canton Regional Airport, Akron — 39 mi away. Directions
The Blue Line and Green Line provide services to Shaker Heights from Cleveland.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Shaker Historical Society, Malcolm Brown Gallery
- Lunch SASAmatsu Japanese Izakaya Asian Bistro
- Afternoon Shaker Heights Thornton Park, Shaker Heights Community Rose Garden
Day 2
- Morning Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
- Afternoon Shaker Heights Country Club - Pool
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.
Understand
Shaker Heights was established in 1822 as the North Union Settlement of the Shaker community, a religious group that established several communities throughout the eastern and midwestern United States. This group was responsible for damming Doan Brook and creating the Shaker Lakes, but the group's strict practice of celibacy led to their demise in the late 1800s.
In 1912 the village of Shaker Heights was incorporated by the Van Sweringen brothers who envisioned a garden community for commuters to Cleveland. The brothers set aside land for churches and schools, laid out curving streets, planted trees, and established a streetcar system (today's RTA) that led directly from the city to downtown Cleveland. The town's strict building codes led to a distinctive architectural identity, and today many of the mansions and other buildings found in the city are featured in architectural texts.
Over the years the town's residents have included a variety of famous business and entertainment personalities including actor Paul Newman, comedian Molly Shannon, and football player Nate Clements. It has served as the home of many of the region's corporate, legal and health care leaders.
Books and guides
- Images of America - Shaker Heights (OH) by Bruce T. Marshall, Arcadia Publishing. Describes the history of Shaker Heights with photographs.
Municipal information
- City of Shaker Heights website
Get in
By train
The Blue Line and Green Line provide services to Shaker Heights from Cleveland.
By bus
Also, the bus lines 14, 40 and 41 drive through Shaker Heights.
Get around
By bicycle
In Shaker Heights bikes must be registered, and wearing a helmet is obligatory.
See
See Malcolm Brown Gallery
Do
Buy
Shop Shaker Town Center
This shopping center offers a range of fast food options, groceries, a book store, and other shopping options.
Eat
Eat SASAmatsu Japanese Izakaya Asian Bistro
This restaurant is located at the border between Shaker Heights and Cleveland.
Sleep
Shaker Heights doesn't have any hotels. For hotels near Shaker Heights, see Beachwood.
Go next
- - University Heights is named for John Carroll University, a private liberal arts college that was founded by the Jesuits in 1886 and relocated to its current location within the city in 1935. The small suburb is nicknamed the "City of Beautiful Homes", with many homes dating back to the early 1900s. While it offers few attractions that draw visitors aside from the university, it does have several parks, a public pool, and numerous dining and shopping options.
- - A neighboring suburb that is home to the Coventry District, a funky neighborhood with shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
- - A neighboring suburb that is home to Beachwood Place Mall and numerous other shopping and dining options.
- - The major city that dominates the region, Cleveland offers many food, lodging and entertainment options.
Nearby
University Heights
City / town · 3 listings · 2 mi away
Cleveland Heights
City / town · 9 listings · 2 mi away
Beachwood
City / town · 13 listings · 2 mi away
Valley View
City / town · 9 listings · 7 mi away
Cleveland
City / town · 40 listings · 7 mi away
Chagrin Falls
City / town · 11 listings · 9 mi away
Northfield
City / town · 5 listings · 9 mi away
Sagamore Hills
City / town · 9 listings · 11 mi away
My experience
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