Near Cleveland Is A Charming Midwest City Blending Scenic Waterfalls, Shops, And Tasty Restaurants

The Midwest often gets lumped together as "flyover country" when compared with the coasts or other regions of the United States. However, basing the entire region on a moniker means missing out on charming cities, beautiful forests, and plenty of fun attractions. One spot in northeastern Ohio that offers travelers a look at the region's food and commercial scenes, along with a taste of its beautiful natural scenery, is Elyria.

Located about 30 miles southwest of downtown Cleveland, Elyria has often been associated with heavy industry. However, the city has plenty of natural beauty that the region's early trappers and settlers encountered two centuries ago, with its waterfalls offering a scenic landscape and potential for industrial water power all at once. The city is nestled between the confluence of the East and West branches of the Black River and has two easy-to-reach waterfalls and miles of walking trails through the nearby forests. Elyria also has several major shopping areas, a handful of eclectic stores downtown, and several diners throughout the city, showcasing its hard-working roots.

Elyria is accessible from several major highways. Namely, Interstates 90 and 80, and U.S. 20. If you plan to drive across northern Ohio, be aware that the Ohio Turnpike follows I-80 and I-90 west of the city, while I-80 continues as the turnpike. Drivers who don't want to pay a toll can use alternative roads to reach Elyria, and the detours take only a few more minutes. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), the closest major airport to Elyria, is about 30 minutes away, depending on traffic. Taking Amtrak is also an option, as the city is served by the Floridian and the Lake Shore Limited trains (though both trains arrive and depart in the wee hours of the morning, when on time).

When Elyria was founded by Heman Ely in 1817, he saw the city as a future commercial center for the region. Over time, Ely's vision came to fruition, as several major retail stores and shopping centers sprouted up around the city. While Elyria's main shopping mall, Midway Mall (which was just purchased by Industrial Realty Group for $15.8 million, per WKYC, with plans for a mixed-use development), has only a handful of stores, you will find a large mix of retail and big-box stores across town.

Downtown Elyria is compact, but you can easily find yourself lost in the pages of a handful of local bookstores. In the Shoppes on Broad, Roxy's Emporium has a unique collection of books, novels, and other literature, along with other locally made goods. If you're a fan of comics, manga, or games, you'll likely find something at Keith's Comics, which is considered one of the best stores for collectibles in the region, according to the Morning Journal. Neither is as large as the world's largest independent bookstore, but you'll likely find an adventure to go with your morning coffee or a lazy afternoon by the pool. For music, movies, old-school collectibles, and video games, check out The Exchange near the mall.

Elyria's heavy industrial past is particularly evident in its culinary scene and restaurants, from their design to the hearty meals they serve. Foundry Kitchen & Bar serves meals and bar food made from scratch on the edge of Ely Square downtown, while travelers looking for a casual meal (including all-day breakfast on weekends) can grab a bite at the Blue Sky Restaurant or Hazel's Family Restaurant. If traveling back to the '50s and '60s is more your style, grab a classic burger and chocolate malt at the Midway Oh Boy Restaurant.

Peel back Elyria's industrial image, and you'll find scenic beauty in the city's crown jewel, Cascade Park. The Black River meanders through the park toward Lake Erie, passing groves of hemlocks, sycamores, buckeyes, and other deciduous trees and forming two beautiful waterfalls, the 35-foot West Falls and the 30-foot East Falls. Both waterfalls are reachable via the park's trail network, and you'll likely want to bring along your walking shoes. Along the park's short paved and unpaved trail network, you may spot songbirds, woodpeckers, and hawks. Unfortunately, the Black River has a reputation for being polluted, but the Black River AOC has been working hard to clean it up over the last few years.

Once you've seen the two falls, you'll still find plenty to do at the park in all seasons. There are several picnic areas, and in winter, the park is a popular spot for sledding. Travelers eager to see more of the area's beautiful scenery can cross over the 440-foot bridge to Elywood Park, which spans the river, or take a walk or bike ride along the spectacular North Coast Inland Trail, a nearly 100-mile rail trail linking communities across the state. For more water, green space, and a dose of wildlife on your trip to or through the region, don't miss visiting Kendall Lake, the largest artificial lake in nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park.