Lyndhurst, OH

Originally part of the Western Reserve, Lyndhurst first developed into rich farmland and now stands as an affluent residential and shopping district. The South Euclid – Lyndhurst Historical Society maintain the area’s archives in the caretaker’s cottage of the Telling Estate, now a library and museum.

The art community thrives in this area, and the Contessa Gallery’s collector-oriented mission to assist clients develop collections of deep personal meaning speaks to that passion. The gallery also curates exhibitions and brings expertise to area art shows. Legacy Village shopping district hosts one such show, bringing artists and craftsmen from around the country and the world to share their work.

Choose from a wide variety of eateries in Lyndhurst, especially American and Asian cuisine. Most restaurants reside near the Legacy Village outdoor mall as well as along Mayfield Road to the north.

For exceptional home-cooked fare, check out the Lyndhurst Diner. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the lemon ricotta pancakes, or tap into your savory side with the corned beef omelette. Your hosts Mark and his mom Kathy promise to make you feel right at home. For authentic Italian pizza, go to Vicinato Pizzeria. Order anything from the full menu of old-world-style home-cooked food for complete culinary satisfaction. The attentive staff provides diners with a warm welcome and exceptional service. Take a taste of the fresh bread or the memorable wedding soup, and enjoy an atmosphere that reminds you of meals with your family.

Skip the entire meal itself and go straight for dessert at East Coast Original Frozen Custard. With local favorites such as the turtle custard sundae and birthday cake concrete, this creamery just might send your sweet tooth straight to nirvana. Give the old-fashioned phosphates here a try when you want a taste of nostalgia.

For evening entertainment during warmer months, Legacy Village features live acts and concerts in the center green. Enjoy a pleasant moment sitting back and watching children frolic to the tunes or laugh at a comedy skit. Friendly enough for the whole family, Legacy's events on the green provides needed respite from the hard work of shopping all day.

For kid-free fun into the early morning hours, stop by Scalper's Bar & Grille. This establishment welcomes you with great food, cheap prices and one of the few local spots to let your hair down in the area. Live bands, DJ's and karaoke fill the weekends, and the dance floor gives you a chance to impress your friends (or not). Friendly bartenders here quickly fill your glass with the cheapest beer in the area. The Halloween bash brings in all kinds of colorful guests, putting this annual event at the top of your must-do list.

Locals drive their own vehicles in Lyndhurst, but the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority also serves the community. Uber serves the area as well, providing another option for local transportation. Hailing a cab in this area doesn't prove impossible, but calling ahead ensures you get the ride you need when you need it. The grid system for roads makes it very easy to navigate the neighborhood, and although free parking exists in the area, it can be difficult to find, especially in the Legacy Village parking lot. Walking provides you with a relaxing way to enjoy the local architecture, but no bike lanes exist in the area. Extremely busy roads during rush hour makes biking for transportation dangerous.

Acacia Reservation, a part of the Cleveland Metroparks system, maintains over 155 acres of green space. Paved paths make the extensive walking trails accessible to everyone, and the benches scattered throughout make taking a break easy. The perfect place to stop at for lunch, the changing foliage in the fall will take your breath away. Numerous city parks dot nearby neighborhoods and consist of simple playgrounds and benches. These free-to-the-pubic parks welcome leashed dogs with owners who pick up after them.

The cost of living in Lyndhurst sits higher than in Cleveland. A ride on the public bus costs you $2.25 to get from one city to the other. Recoup some of your cost with gas prices that dip 8 percent less than the national average. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Lyndhurst runs an average of $1,091. A beer costs you anywhere from $2.50 to $8 a glass, with the average sitting at about $4.

Most area shopping options reside at Legacy Village’s outdoor mall, a beautifully manicured district. Although Legacy doesn't have an indoor area, heated sidewalks outside mean you never have to worry about snow or ice while shopping here. You can find a variety of brand-name stores such as Crate & Barrel or Dick’s, but many boutiques comfortably dot the spaces in between, giving patrons a unique shopping experience.

Lithium, a women’s clothing and accessories shop, yearns to bring the high-fashion New York boutique feel to the neighborhood. Although the store carries interesting name brands like Sourpuss and Ryu, it also showcases its own fashion line. The staff here proves quick to help with a dash of uncanny intuition, ensuring you won't go home disappointed in your purchase.

Motter’s Music House showcases just about every type of musical instrument. Servicing local school bands, it also provides private lessons for those who've always wanted to learn to play. It even provides repair for old instruments, and it also sells supplies and sheet music.

Spruce up your saltwater fish tank with a quick stop at Blue Fish Aquarium. Owner Ryan Kellog proudly displays his largest store tank for all to admire. At 400 gallons, this showstopper inspires you to create your own coral and fish collection. With access to beauties as moray eels and baby sharks, Ryan can get just about anything his customers desire.

Several large chains provide grocery solutions to Lyndhurst residents, including Giant Eagle, ALDI and Dave’s Market, a local family-owned chain. For even fresher selections, North Union Farmer’s Market has you covered. Pick up locally grown produce here along with meat, milk, eggs and cheese.