Cedar-Fairmount - Cleveland, OH

Originally inhabited by Native Americans then settled by hunters and farmers, the Cedar-Fairmount neighborhood owns a rich history. In the 1900s developers began construction in the community as a hub for trading and shopping. The settlers' original vision can still be seen in the Tudor style buildings. The Tudor Heights Center Building has Cleveland Landmark status. The Alcazar Hotel as well as Euclid Golf District are on the National Registry of Historical Places. These buildings along with others make the area a unique architectural destination.

Culture keeps Cedar-Fairmount thriving. Heights Arts combines local resources to ‘express the creative spirit of the community’ through concerts, programs and gallery exhibitions. Events throughout the year bring Clevelanders to the neighborhood.

Cedar-Fairmount fare includes American, Greek, Indian, and Italian. Restaurants won’t be hard to find, especially along Cedar Road.

Vero Pizza Napoletana serves specialty pizzas made with hand-tossed dough. Favorites include the egg and panchetta pizza, the salami with honey pizza and the verde, which features kale, ricotta and chili oil. Named one of the Top 101 Pizzas in America, Vero Pizza only accepts reservations for parties over six. They also have a dine-in only policy.

Evenings in the district can be spent listening to jazz at Nighttown or enjoying some fine wine at The Fairmount. For over 50 years guests have come to Nighttown for consistent spirits and meals in a unique atmosphere. Decorated with an early New York theme, Nighttown features three bars along with six dining rooms. Live music events are available numerous weekends. Indulge in cocktails over a cheese board at The Fairmount. For something more substantial order a burger or flatbread after some Dublin mules.

Music lovers may also enjoy the outdoor concerts held at nearby Cain Park. With entertainment centrally located, walking to bars or restaurants stays safe even at night.

Shopping in the district shapes the movement of traffic as well as pedestrians. People primarily navigate the neighborhood by foot or automobile. Local traffic and commerce are centered on Fairmount Boulevard, Cedar Road and Euclid Heights Boulevard. Parking is plentiful in the area. Free or metered street parking is permitted outside of rush hour. A two-story garage lies on Cedar Road.

If parking seems like a hassle, take public transportation into town. The Cleveland RTA has bus lines running all over the city. Take the 32 Cedar route for attractions along Cedar Road through Beachwood or the M Red line to get to the airport.

More private transportation may be hired through Uber or from several of the taxi cab companies in the Cleveland area. At times cabs may frequent shopping areas for pick-ups, but it’s best to call in advance. For special events Lolly the Trolley provides trips along Cedar Road to shopping destinations. Interstate 271 guides travelers north, south or east out of the neighborhood from Cedar Road.

Redevelopment of the Cedar-Fairmount neighborhood has placed much emphasis on the flow of human traffic. Wide sidewalks with park benches create an inviting space for an afternoon walk or shopping. Area attractions sit within a five- to 10 -minute walk radius. Landscaping as well as buffer zones protect pedestrians from traffic. Although there aren’t designated bike lanes on roadways, traffic patterns have been planned to be safe for cyclists. Wider streets allow more space for both bikes and cars. Bike racks can also be found in front of many stores.

Cedar-Fairmount is an urban community with green spaces intermingled with commercial ones. Trees line streets to block pedestrian view of traffic. Additional landscaping and open areas soften the urban environment. Public art created by residents transforms street lights, signage and other everyday objects into masterpieces. Murals decorating buildings increase the personality of streets.

As a neighborhood smaller than a square mile Cedar-Fairmount itself doesn’t house any major parks, yet Cain Park lies nearby. Cain Park prides itself in being more than an average park, featuring an outdoor covered amphitheater, indoor theater, art gallery, performance center, playground, picnic areas, jogging trails, a skate park, tennis courts and basketball courts. The Art Fest and concerts bring hundreds to Cleveland Heights for outstanding live entertainment. Cain Park activities are typically free, though some special events may have an entry fee.

The free Cleveland Metroparks system in the area also has many family-friendly options for exercise. Edgewater Park located on the Lake Erie waterfront includes a beach, exercise stations and large fields for activities with pets or the kids. Another short drive away, Cultural Gardens along Martin Luther King Boulevard has themed plots dedicated to countries all over the world.

The popularity of the neighborhood makes living in the area slightly more expensive than other localities. The cost of living is higher than the Cleveland average. A one- bedroom residence in the Cedar-Fairmount neighborhood averages around $840 a month. An evening out usually ranges from $30 up and count on beers being around $5 a pint. Gas remains affordable with prices sitting 7 percent lower than the national average. For an even more inexpensive transportation option try the Cleveland RTA, with a ride to downtown Cleveland only $2.25. All-day passes for local destinations may be purchased for $5.

The Cedar-Fairmount area has always been a center for commerce. There may not be any high-end or chain retailers in the area, but independent retailers located mainly along Cedar Road draw customers from all over Cleveland.

Unique gifts or interesting pieces for the home may be purchased at Appletree Books or Four and Twenty. The epitome of a friendly local book store, Appletree Books is the perfect place to find your next read. Four and Twenty has custom furniture or rural art for both residential and commercial customers. Ten Thousand Villages carries jewelry, art, furniture, accessories, and home décor items. Not only does Ten Thousand Villages have appealing products, but they have remained a fair trade retailer since 1946.

Dave’s Supermarket fills the grocery needs of local residents. While special farmers’ market events sometimes take place in the summer; the best option for fresh produce remains Cleveland’s Westside Market. Located in nearby Ohio City, the Westside Market houses a superior selection of vendors.