Every year, Lakewood strives to make the summer season exciting and thrilling through various activities and festivals, such as Fourth of July fireworks, Summer Meltdown, the summer solstice, parades, and more. These events keep residents active and engaged outdoors. However, some summer activities in and just outside Lakewood may be overlooked or not given as much attention.
One of many activities is the fun-filled event for all ages, known as Friday Night Flicks, held every other Friday during the summer. Near the Lakewood Park stage, a large inflatable screen is set up, and residents and visitors lay down blankets, bring snacks, and gather with friends to enjoy the show.
The films are usually children’s movies, but the thrill and positive atmosphere of Lakewood Park on a warm summer evening cannot be replicated. Children’s laughter echoes across the lawn, the warm breeze rustles the trees, and as the sun sinks below the horizon, a sense of tranquility and excitement fills the air.
As the sky deepens into night, the soft chatter of lovers and friends blends with the rustle of popcorn bags and the hiss of soda cans. There’s something magical in the air that can only be experienced through time shared beneath an open sky.
Week after week, families settle into their spots, and familiar faces become part of the tradition. It’s not just a film; it’s a community event where neighbors become friends and summer memories are quietly made. Kids dash past picnic blankets, glow-in-the-dark armbands shining, their laughter echoing through the park as the opening scenes flicker on the screen.
For some, Friday Night Flicks is the highlight of the week—a way to unwind and enjoy the simple pleasures of Lakewood summer evenings.
“It’s one of our favorite summer traditions. The kids love spending time outdoors, and it’s a fun, free way for us to spend time together as a family,” said Mike Tao, who has two children.
Just outside Lakewood, there’s a truly remarkable place called Edgewater Beach, which offers what most places in Ohio cannot: the soothing sound of waves pounding the shore, the piercing caw of seagulls, and the feeling of the hot sun blazing on your skin.
Edgewater has been striving and prospering since 1895, creating memories and evoking nostalgia for Clevelanders. However, times have changed since Edgewater began accepting reservations. Edgewater Park, the traditional recreational jewel along Cleveland’s lakefront, has evolved significantly since its founding in 1894. Edgewater Park has experienced dramatic changes since it first opened in 1894 as a popular lakeshore retreat for Clevelanders.
Edgewater is cherished once more today, but Lake Erie spreads wide across the northern estuary of North America, bordering Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, offering countless beaches. So, what makes Edgewater uniquely special?
Edgewater Beach stands out for its blend of urban convenience, scenic views, and restored amenities. Unlike most Lake Erie beaches, it’s just minutes from downtown Cleveland, offering a unique combination of city skyline vistas and lakeside refuge. While easily accessible, it provides a true sense of escape.
Since Cleveland Metroparks purchased the beach in 2013, it has undergone significant investment and restoration, now featuring a new beach house, on-site local craft beer on tap, live music, and a popular dog beach. Its long stretch of sandy shoreline, regular cleanup efforts, and improved water quality make it one of Ohio’s swimmable beaches along Lake Erie.
Additionally, Edgewater’s location near the Greater Cleveland Lakefront Reservation and its walking and biking paths facilitate extended outdoor excursions, supporting the city’s growing outdoor lifestyle.
“I miss Florida all the time. At the beach in Florida, it’s my happy place, but then I remember, we’re lucky enough to have Edgewater, which really makes you feel like you’re on the ocean. I love it there so much—it’s like Florida in my backyard,” said Kara Laidley, a key employee at Edgewater.
Just a short drive from the lakefront stands the West Side Market, another Cleveland institution rich in history and civic pride. Some may dismiss the market as an anticlimactic destination, emphasizing its food offerings but failing to recognize its significance beyond that.
But there is more to it than that. The West Side Market covers a significant portion of Cleveland and has many notable qualities.
Within Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood, the West Side Market has been a local institution since opening its doors on Nov. 2, 1912. Architects W. Dominick Benes and Benjamin Hubbell designed and built the market to replace Pearl Street Market. The market features a grand Guastavino tile ceiling and a 137-foot clock tower. Initially, it housed 109 vendors selling meats, dairy, baked goods, and ethnic specialties, with produce stalls added later.
As Cleveland’s only remaining public market of this kind, the West Side Market continues to serve as a focal point for the city’s cultural and culinary diversity. In 2008, the American Planning Association named it one of the “10 Great Public Places in America.”
Its centennial in 2012 was marked by historic photograph exhibitions celebrating more than a century of neighborhood tradition. Today, it remains worth a visit for both tourists and residents.
Although the West Side Market is renowned for its diverse food options, it also makes it nearly impossible to get bored. With hundreds of vendors to explore and try new foods, it offers affordable food tours, providing visitors the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and sample unfamiliar cuisine.
“[The] West Side Market is a free but flavorful experience. You can choose how to spend your money, you can try new foods, and it’s overall a great time and fun to take a peek into Cleveland’s history and architecture,” said Landon Vincel, a dedicated fan of the market.
Whether it’s watching a film under the stars, soaking up the sun at Edgewater Beach, or exploring the lively stalls of the West Side Market, Cleveland offers summer experiences rich in history and vibrant in spirit.
They may not always be national news, but they are what make this city home. They remind us that adventure isn’t always a plane ride—sometimes the most wonderful moments are within arm’s reach. In the mundane joys of glowing screens, crashing waves, and the aroma of baked bread, we find not only entertainment but a sense of peace.
