Cleveland is Cooler Than You Think!
All over the media, in tv and movies, Cleveland gets made fun of. In this year's A-Z Challenge, I'm here to show you everything Cleveland has to offer!
C is for Chagrin Falls
About 40 min southeast of Cleveland, lies a charming little town called Chagrin Falls. The first organized settlement of Chagrin Falls began in 1833 when craftsmen from New England came to build saw mills, flour mills, and foundries powered by the Chagrin River. The Chagrin River runs directly through the center of the town and one of the main attractions is the two sets of waterfalls.
We were lucky enough to make this little town our home and we love it! It is lovely all year round and there are still a number of buildings from the 1800s giving the town the feel of an era long gone. My son's school was built in 1885!
Every season brings something special to Chagrin Falls.
In the spring, there is a huge festival with carnival rides, hot air balloon races, live music, food trucks, and parades.
The summer brings art festivals, sidewalk sales, yoga in the park, farmer's markets, home and garden tours, concerts in the park, and a lecture series on hot topics. In the fall, filmmakers come to town for the International Documentary Film Festival, which I will talk more about in a later post. Winter brings a gorgeous holiday light display.
Chagrin Falls is filled with great local restaurants and shops to suit just about any taste. You can find a large selection of menus like: Asian fusion, hometown diner, sub shop, gourmet burgers and fries, or fancy Italian restaurants or just stop in for a coffee and bagel.
The famous Popcorn Shop, built in 1875, offers popcorn, candy, ice cream, and coffee and has been visited by President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.
In 2000, the Popcorn Shop almost fell into the Chagrin River when a car crashed into the shop.
We also have a Jeni's ice cream shop (there are only 8 in the U.S.!) which serves delicious gourmet ice creams made from grass-fed cows. Bourbon Salted Pecan, Wildberry Lavender and Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso are only a few of their unique ice cream flavors.
On summer weekends, they block off the street at Triangle park for the farmer's market. Yoga in the Park is also held in Triangle Park and the tree lighting ceremony for the holidays is performed here as well.
During the International Documentary Film Festival last year, the upper falls were lit up in a changing array of colors making for a festive display!
Chagrin Falls really gives visitors and residents the best of all worlds being just close enough to the big city yet having the charm of a 19th century village.
If you find yourself in Cleveland don't miss out on our little gem of a town. I'd be happy to show you around!! :)
Resources:
https://yourhometownchagrinfalls.com/history-of-the-village/
http://www.chagrinschools.org/History.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chagrin_Falls_Popcorn_Shop
https://jenis.com/flavors/ice-creams/
Doggy Style (It's really not what you think!)
My three kids have taken up the habit of naming all the different positions our beagle Rory gets himself into. Most of the time even I can't quite figure out why they chose the names they did but I thought it might put a smile on everyone's face to share in this silliness!
C is for Chicken Rider
For some reason the kids think his back legs look like chicken legs and when he straddles the couch looks like he's on a motorcycle.
Hope you had a wonderful weekend. How's the A-Z going for you so far? Do you have any favorite themes you've come across?
Have a great day!
Kathy :)
All over the media, in tv and movies, Cleveland gets made fun of. In this year's A-Z Challenge, I'm here to show you everything Cleveland has to offer!
C is for Chagrin Falls
 |
| The lower falls after a heavy spring storm |
About 40 min southeast of Cleveland, lies a charming little town called Chagrin Falls. The first organized settlement of Chagrin Falls began in 1833 when craftsmen from New England came to build saw mills, flour mills, and foundries powered by the Chagrin River. The Chagrin River runs directly through the center of the town and one of the main attractions is the two sets of waterfalls.
We were lucky enough to make this little town our home and we love it! It is lovely all year round and there are still a number of buildings from the 1800s giving the town the feel of an era long gone. My son's school was built in 1885!
 |
| Enjoying the view from just below the lower falls in mid-summer |
In the spring, there is a huge festival with carnival rides, hot air balloon races, live music, food trucks, and parades.
The summer brings art festivals, sidewalk sales, yoga in the park, farmer's markets, home and garden tours, concerts in the park, and a lecture series on hot topics. In the fall, filmmakers come to town for the International Documentary Film Festival, which I will talk more about in a later post. Winter brings a gorgeous holiday light display.
Chagrin Falls is filled with great local restaurants and shops to suit just about any taste. You can find a large selection of menus like: Asian fusion, hometown diner, sub shop, gourmet burgers and fries, or fancy Italian restaurants or just stop in for a coffee and bagel.
 |
| Our famous Popcorn Shop (photo: Wikipedia) |
In 2000, the Popcorn Shop almost fell into the Chagrin River when a car crashed into the shop.
We also have a Jeni's ice cream shop (there are only 8 in the U.S.!) which serves delicious gourmet ice creams made from grass-fed cows. Bourbon Salted Pecan, Wildberry Lavender and Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso are only a few of their unique ice cream flavors.
 |
| Aerial View of Chagrin Falls Triangle Park (photo: Google Maps) |
 |
| Jess enjoying a hot chocolate at the illuminated upper falls |
During the International Documentary Film Festival last year, the upper falls were lit up in a changing array of colors making for a festive display!
Chagrin Falls really gives visitors and residents the best of all worlds being just close enough to the big city yet having the charm of a 19th century village.
If you find yourself in Cleveland don't miss out on our little gem of a town. I'd be happy to show you around!! :)
Resources:
https://yourhometownchagrinfalls.com/history-of-the-village/
http://www.chagrinschools.org/History.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chagrin_Falls_Popcorn_Shop
https://jenis.com/flavors/ice-creams/
Doggy Style (It's really not what you think!)
My three kids have taken up the habit of naming all the different positions our beagle Rory gets himself into. Most of the time even I can't quite figure out why they chose the names they did but I thought it might put a smile on everyone's face to share in this silliness!
C is for Chicken Rider
For some reason the kids think his back legs look like chicken legs and when he straddles the couch looks like he's on a motorcycle.
 |
| Here he's listening to Alyssa play the piano. |
Hope you had a wonderful weekend. How's the A-Z going for you so far? Do you have any favorite themes you've come across?
Have a great day!
Kathy :)
Chicken legs - poor pup!
ReplyDeleteNow that sounds like a cool place to live. Can't believe a car crashed that hard into the ice cream shop.
wow super place for food---love the popcorn shop!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a cool place!
ReplyDeleteAlex- Well, the shop is precariously placed right beside the waterfall so it might still fall in one day!
ReplyDeleteLynn- It's pretty cool!
Patrick- It is!
Sounds like a charming town!
ReplyDeleteI love Rory. He looks like a beagle that knows how to relax.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of Cleveland also.
Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange