Lakewood is a city outside of Cleveland that offers dining, plentiful entertainment, and outdoor activities. Given its high level of walkability, Lakewood is a unique destination for the community and visitors, full of hidden gems and local spots. Whatever piques your interest, whether that’s enjoying an afternoon by the lake at Lakewood Park, getting a hot cup of coffee from the Blue Cafe, or strolling in the shops like Doki Doki. There is something for everyone. Let’s dive into the hot spots of Lakewood that make this city such a fantastic community and why these places are the best places to hang out.
Our first hidden gem in Lakewood is a lovely coffee shop called Roasted. Roasted is a great place to enjoy a nice cup of coffee with a sweet treat. Even better is the incredible prices this coffee shop offers. The environment is a great place to study, and customers are guaranteed an enjoyable visit.
“I like how welcoming [Roasted is], it is bright and everyone has so much energy,” sophomore Bre Bufford said.
This beautiful coffee shop is unique because of its welcoming look and eye-catching colors. Combine that with the number of positive reviews from coffee lovers like Bufford, who enjoyed the positive experience and the workers, and visiting Roasted is a must.
“The outside is bright, their logo is cool and it’s pretty inside,” Bufford said. “There’s a lot of seating, people are always talking about Roasted, and there’s videos of Roasted on the internet.”
This delightful coffee shop is recommended for a younger audience because Roasted is more teen-friendly. Teens won’t feel it’s a quiet environment, making this a good place to hang out and enjoy a nice cup of coffee with friends.
“Probably younger people, our age [teens], if you like to communicate and like to have good conversations,” Bufford said.
Lakewood Park is the second hotspot. This beautiful park provides a place to wind down, play, and, most importantly, have fun. People of different ages enjoy the atmosphere of this unique park and sit on the solstice steps to watch the sunset. Lakewood Park is also a great place to catch a great view of the sunset, and multiple activities are hosted throughout the summer, such as movies in the park.
“I like being outdoors, I love the solstice stairs and I would probably say my favorite thing they have is the swings,” teacher Shannon Dunn said. “You can look out over the water and it’s very peaceful.”
Visitors might not know that Lakewood Park overlooks Lake Erie, and the view is beautiful. The lake gleaming in the sun during the summer is quite an extraordinary view. What makes Lakewood Park special is the phenomenal view of Cleveland you can catch at Lookout Point.
“It overlooks the water and I’m a water person,” Dunn said. “I like overlooking the water there, and you can also get a good view of the city.”
This park is recommended for anyone, but especially for families with children who are looking for a place for their kids to burn off some of their little kid energy. Lakewood Park has a great security system, a safe playground, and open restrooms, thus making this park a great place to hang out and enjoy a day outdoors.
“I would say families with young kids because you’ve got the park there with lots of really nice play equipment,” Dunn said.
Our third special place in Lakewood is none other than The Blue Cafe because of the comforting vibes this place gives off and, for some customers, the memories made there.
“I love the Blue Cafe because it’s been a memory for my friends and me in middle school because we used to go there a lot,” freshman Josie Willis said.
Not only does The Blue Cafe give a fantastic experience, but The Blue Cafe never disappoints with the delicious food served. From bagels to yummy chocolate chip cookies and coffees to lemonade, there is always something that will pique your interest. This cozy environment serves as a great place to enjoy a drink and treat on any occasion.
“I just love their atmosphere, it’s small, it’s really cute inside, they have games and have a good vibe,” Willis said. “They have the best hot chocolate, caramel macchiatos, and croissants.”
The Blue Cafe is recommended to anyone looking for a place to wind down, especially during the winter. What’s even better about this cute cafe is you will be coming back for more delicious drinks and treats as well as making memories with your friends.
“I would recommend The Blue Cafe to people who like to feel cozy, like to relax, and like to have a good time with friends,” Willis said. “I think that The Blue Cafe is a great place to start going to and to make memories with your friends.”
These are the places that make the city of Lakewood amazing and what makes Lakewood stand apart from other cities. Every time you walk into a shop, coffee spot, restaurant, or park, there is always something for everyone, and the people of Lakewood are why these places are welcoming. You never know what you’ll find or who you’ll meet.
