{"id":1846,"date":"2013-09-26T06:57:26","date_gmt":"2013-09-26T10:57:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~travelwriting\/?page_id=1846"},"modified":"2013-12-01T15:34:24","modified_gmt":"2013-12-01T19:34:24","slug":"discover-hidden-treasures-of-midwest-with-visit-to-ohios-chagrin-falls","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=1846","title":{"rendered":"Discover hidden treasures of Midwest with visit to Ohio’s Chagrin Falls"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted September 26, 2013<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By SAMANTHA LUCCI<\/p>\n

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio \u2013 In the U.S., there are places for which we plan vacations\u2014the Miamis and LAs of the country with their coastal appeal\u2014and those places we think of only as we pass through on our way to bigger and, seemingly, better destinations.<\/p>\n

\"Coursing<\/a>

Coursing through the center of town, the Chagrin River overflows two sets of waterfalls that give the village its name (Photo by Samantha Lucci).<\/p><\/div>\n

Some of these latter places can\u2019t even be found on a map.<\/p>\n

Chagrin Falls, Ohio, is one of those unnoticed, unheard of, small towns in the Northeast region of a state that few people seem to even know where it is, let alone show any interest in visiting.<\/p>\n

In fact, that category includes many communities of the Midwest.<\/p>\n

Aside from major cities like Chicago or Indianapolis, many of the places that make the region most worth visiting are overlooked. They are used as brief pit stops for drivers before they get back on the road\u2014always leaving, never staying. The Midwestern cities that do draw more attention often do so because they act as air traffic hubs or weekend venues for business conferences. These types of visitors seldom have the opportunity to leave the airport or hotel to explore what a city has to offer.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

A local favorite, the Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop can\u2019t be missed as an iconic image with its bold coloring and central location in town (Photo by Samantha Lucci).<\/p><\/div>\n

Just a 40-minute drive southeast from the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and the rest of downtown Cleveland, entering Chagrin Falls feels like stepping into a time machine.<\/p>\n

North Main Street, East Washington Street and South Franklin Street are divided by a manicured lawn in the shape of a triangle that marks the center of town.<\/p>\n

Thoughts of colonial New England come to mind, only of a modernized version.<\/p>\n

Despite what its name would suggest, Chagrin Falls is far from a disappointment. Every season brings new activity. During the summer months, the streets bustle with people window-shopping in the abundant boutiques, enjoying ice cream cones from the iconic Popcorn Shoppe (a vibrant red, white and blue striped building that sits on the edge of one of the two waterfalls in the center of town that act as its namesake), or viewing a performance on the lawn of the triangle.<\/p>\n

Every Sunday morning, a farmer\u2019s market shuts down traffic and takes over South Franklin Street. Restaurants overflow with families going out for brunch after the morning church service.<\/p>\n

A park that borders the other waterfall hosts crowds of couples picnicking, children swinging from the playground\u2019s monkey bars or feeding the ducks with loaves of bread. Parents push strollers along a winding brick path and throw the Frisbee with their dogs.<\/p>\n

\"Old<\/a>

Old colonial style buildings running along North Main Street are home to an array of locally owned boutiques and shops (Photo by Samantha Lucci).<\/p><\/div>\n

In the winter, that same park transforms into a snowball battleground and the open grass formerly occupied by picnickers turns into a homemade ice rink filled with skaters.<\/p>\n

About a week before Christmas, the town\u2019s Board of Trustees holds an annual tree-lighting ceremony. Christmas music blares from wreath-lined speakers as crowds of people watch the illumination of a massive 50-foot tall Christmas tree in the middle of the town triangle.<\/p>\n

Chagrin Falls is at its best during the fall, when the leaves change colors and the weather calls for layers of warmer clothing. Autumn in Chagrin means steaming mugs of homemade, spiced apple cider, brisk walks along the forest-lined paths of the Cleveland Metroparks, apple picking at the nearby Patterson Fruit Farm, and football and soccer seasons.<\/p>\n

The town is home to avid supporters of athletics at the high school, college and professional level. Its location makes it a natural fan-base for notoriously under-performing Cleveland teams. Heat or Lakers\u2019 jerseys aren\u2019t welcome here. Only Browns\u2019, Cavaliers\u2019 and Indians\u2019 gear allowed.<\/p>\n

General warning: Fair weather fans need not apply.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Gazebo, located in the middle of the town triangle, features garlands and wreaths on display for the holidays (Photo by Samantha Lucci).<\/p><\/div>\n

Giant Eagle, the town\u2019s lone grocery store, located in its main shopping plaza, sells tickets to all home games, providing an excuse to gather a group of friends to go into the city for a night out. After games, fans often flock to Cleveland\u2019s bar scene and the new Horseshoe Casino.<\/p>\n

While Chagrin offers an abundance of things to do within its legal limits, its greatest asset may be its location with regard to other major attractions in the Northeastern Ohio area.<\/p>\n

Lake Erie lies only a short distance to the north and Cedar Point, the nation\u2019s leading amusement park and home to some of the largest and fastest roller coasters in the world, is less than a couple of hours away by car.<\/p>\n

The quirks of small towns are what make visiting them so worthwhile. Chagrin Falls boasts that small town atmosphere, without the remoteness of location. Whether flying or driving, next time rather than just pass through, stop by for a while. Discover what that small Midwestern town has to offer. You may be in for a surprise.<\/p>\n

If You Go<\/strong><\/p>\n

Where to Stay:<\/em><\/p>\n

The Inn of Chagrin Falls
\n87 West St. #2
\nChagrin Falls, OH 44022
\n440-247-1200
\n$130 – $225 nightly rate
\nhttp:\/\/innofchagrinfalls.gamekeepers.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Wooden<\/a>

Wooden stairs decorated for the holidays twist their way down to the central waterfall\u2019s best viewing area. In the summer, visitors come to this area to enjoy their ice cream cones from the nearby Popcorn Shop (Photo by Samantha Lucci).<\/p><\/div>\n

Restaurants:<\/em><\/p>\n

The Original Dave\u2019s Cosmic Subs
\n9 River St.
\nChagrin Falls, OH 44022
\n440-247-9117
\n$7 – $10
\nSubs and salads
\nhttp:\/\/www.davescosmicsubs.com\/Daves_Cosmic_Subs\/Home.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Parkside Grille
\n8 Shopping Plaza<\/p>\n

Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
\n440-247-3401
\n$7 – $10
\nMondays \u2013 Sundays: 11 a.m. \u2013 8 p.m.
\nAmerican cuisine
\nhttp:\/\/yourhometownchagrinfalls.com\/dining-nightlife\/parkside-grille\/<\/a><\/p>\n

The Popcorn Shop Factory
\n53 Main St.
\nChagrin Falls, OH 44022
\n440-247-6577
\n$5 – $15
\nMondays \u2013 Thursdays: 9 a.m. \u2013 9 p.m., Fridays \u2013 Saturdays: 9 a.m. \u2013 10 p.m., Sundays: 9 a.m. \u2013 8:30 p.m.
\nDesserts and snack foods
\nhttp:\/\/www.chagrinfallspopcorn.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Chagrin<\/a>

Chagrin Falls boosters place a mailbox specially labeled \u201cFor Santa\u2019s Mail Only\u201d by the town\u2019s park to build holiday cheer (Photo by Samantha Lucci).<\/p><\/div>\n

Yours Truly Restaurant
\n30 N. Main St.
\nChagrin Falls, OH 44022
\n440-247-3232
\n$7 – $15
\nMondays \u2013 Saturdays: 6:30 a.m. \u2013 11 p.m., Sundays: 7:30 a.m. \u2013 10 p.m.
\nAll-American breakfast, lunch and dinner
\nhttp:\/\/ytr.com\/locations\/chagrin-falls\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Gamekeeper\u2019s Tavern
\n87 West St.
\nChagrin Falls, OH 44022
\n440-247-7744
\n$15 – $30
\nLunch, Mondays – Fridays: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Mid-Day Menu 2:30 – 5 p.m.,
\nSaturdays: 11:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.
\nDinner, Mondays – Thursdays: 5 – 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays: 5 – 10 p.m., Sundays: 4 – 8 p.m.
\nhttp:\/\/www.gamekeepers.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Special Events:
\nAnnual Blossom Time Festival \u2013 Memorial Day weekend
\nThe Pumpkin Roll \u2013 TBA each fall; usually end of October\/early November<\/p>\n

**Notes: Credit cards accepted everywhere and ATM\u2019s are common; free parking is available but limited depending on the time of year; pay at the meters, there are always meter-maids on patrol; most stores open around 9-10 a.m. and close between 9-10 p.m.; bars stay open until 2 a.m. on weekends<\/p>\n

Chagrin Falls, OH Photo Gallery: http:\/\/chagrin-falls.org\/about-the-community\/photo-gallery\/.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Posted September 26, 2013 By SAMANTHA LUCCI CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio \u2013 In the U.S., there are places for which we plan vacations\u2014the Miamis and LAs of the country with their coastal appeal\u2014and those places we think of only as we … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":1777,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"sidebar-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1846","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1846"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1846\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2464,"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1846\/revisions\/2464"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}