Shaker Heights

Shaker Heights was established in 1822 as the North Union Settlement of the Shaker community, a religious group that established several communities throughout the eastern and midwestern United States. This group was responsible for damming Doan Brook and creating the Shaker Lakes, but the group's strict practice of celibacy eventually led to their demise in the late 1800s.

In 1912 the village of Shaker Heights was incorporated by the Van Sweringen brothers who envisioned a garden community for commuters to Cleveland. The brothers set aside land for churches and schools, laid out curving streets, planted trees, and established a streetcar system (today's RTA) that led directly from the city to downtown Cleveland. The town's strict building codes led to a distinctive architectural identity, and today many of the mansions and other buildings found in the city are featured in architectural texts.

Over the years the town's residents have included a variety of famous business and entertainment personalities including actor Paul Newman, comedian Molly Shannon, and football player Nate Clements.

• 🌍 Shaker Historical Society, 16740 South Park Blvd, ☏ +1 216 921-1201. Tu-F Su 2-5PM. A small museum about the Quaker sect that settled in the area in the 19th century. $2. 
• Shaker Heights Community Rose Garden, on Woodbury Road, between Woodbury and Onaway elementary schools. 
• 🌍 Malcolm Brown Gallery, 20100 Chagrin Blvd, ☏ +1 216 751-2955. Tu-F 11AM-6PM, Sa 11AM-4PM. 

• 🌍 Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd, ☏ +1 216 321-5935. Center M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM; trails dawn to dusk. Hiking trails, including one wheel-chair accessible boardwalk trail, as well nature programs and exhibits inside the center. 
• 🌍 Shaker Heights Thornton Park, 3301 Warrensville Center, ☏ +1 216 491-1295. This park offers an ice skating rink, tennis courts, basketball courts, skateboard park, batting cages, and a large outdoor swimming pool. 
• Shaker Heights Country Club - Pool, 3300 Courtland Blvd. M 11AM to 6PM, Tu-Su 11AM to 7PM. 

• 🌍 Shaker Square (on Shaker Blvd just west of Coventry). Shaker Square is a historic shopping district with independent stores and unique restaurants just north of the city border in the city of Cleveland. 
• Van Aken District, 3401 Tuttle Road. Home to several restaurants and a number of boutique shops. 
• 🌍 Shaker Town Center, 16722 Chagrin Blvd (Chagrin Blvd and Lee Rd). This shopping center offers a range of fast food options, groceries, a book store, and other shopping options. 

• 🌍 Pearl of the Orient Restaurant, 20121 Van Aken Blvd, ☏ +1 216 751-8181. 
• 🌍 SASAmatsu Japanese Izakaya Asian Bistro, 13120 Shaker Square, ☏ +1 216 767-1111. Open until midnight (Su until 10PM). This restaurant is located at the border between Shaker Heights and Cleveland. 
• 🌍 China Star Restaurant, 20166 Van Aken Blvd, ☏ +1 216 991-4828. 
• 🌍 The Metropolitan Brownie, 3682 Traynham Rd, ☏ +1 216 295-1498. 

Shaker Heights doesn't have any hotels. For hotels near Shaker Heights, see Beachwood.

• 🌍 Shaker Heights Public Library, 16500 Van Aken Blvd, ☏ +1 216-991-2030. Housed in a large former school building, the main Shaker library offers books, multimedia, and computers. There is second branch at 20600 Fayette Road near the Middle School. (updated Apr 2020)

• 🌍 University Heights - University Heights is named for John Carroll University, a private liberal arts college which was originally founded by the Jesuits in 1886 and relocated to its current location within the city in 1935. The small suburb is nicknamed the "City of Beautiful Homes", with many homes dating back to the early 1900s. While it offers few attractions that draw visitors aside from the university, it does have several parks, a public pool, and numerous dining and shopping options.
• 🌍 Cleveland Heights - A neighboring suburb that is home to the Coventry District, a funky neighborhood with shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
• 🌍 Beachwood - A neighboring suburb that is home to Beachwood Place Mall and numerous other shopping and dining options.
• 🌍 Cleveland/East Side - The major city that dominates the region, Cleveland offers many food, lodging and entertainment options.