Been to Chagrin falls yet? This idyllic small town gives us the ‘Gilmore Girl’ vibes. To all Gilmore Girl fans, we are not kidding, it actually looks like Stars Hollow. They even have a gazebo. The vibrant and artsy ambience, cute little waterfall, friendly neighborhood, beautiful walkways and quiet Chagrin riverside make for a perfect break from the grind! We have been there on many nice sunny days and loved it even more than before, every time. Visiting the town gives a sense of joy, absurd as it sounds, but it just does. ❤

Here are top things to do at Chagrin Falls, Ohio :

1. Visit the Chagrin Falls Waterfall:

If you are here, you can not miss the beautiful center piece of this town – 20 feet waterfall gushing down, making a picturesque view. This fall was one of the biggest industrialization centers in 1800s powering 9 mills. Now, it’s a tranquil touristy spot with wooden steps that take you to the bottom of the falls. Visitors can swim in the fall but the waters can be really cold, even during summers.

2. Soak in the vibrant art scene:

All interesting activities happen right in the heart of the village – in the downtown besides the falls. You can spot local artists playing musical instruments and singing(country-side style). The village has a lot of Art festivals during the summers, one of it being the annual Art by the Falls festival which showcases work of local artists. There are studios and exhibitions of local painters and photographers along the Main Street. As you walk along the residential areas, the houses are preserved in their unique architecture adding to the artsy vibes.

3. Enjoy the quiet stroll along Chagrin River:

Across the roads from the falls, is the walkway along the river. There is a kids play area in case you want to keep your little ones engaged. Fancy sitting in a quiet spot on a bench along the river to read, chat, enjoy a picnic or just sit while doing nothing? Or take that walk through the trees and go up-close to the river.

4. Shop at the boutiques and pop up stalls:

Chagrin Falls has a classy charm to it because of its cute little boutiques on the Main Street. No super markets, just small businesses and mom and pop stores selling everything from coffee, tea , herbs to apparels. Pick up some caramel or spicy pop corn and ice cream from the Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop, established in 1875, to enjoy while you sit besides the falls. Visit the farmers market exclusively from June-October, held every Sunday, that host stalls with fresh produce from the nearby farms and cute little art from local artists!

5. Indulge in local restaurants:

Chagrin falls have some beautiful restaurants and cafes with perfectly delicious cuisine, some of which made from fresh ingredients right off the farm. The outdoorsy ambience only adds to the dining experience. Again, makes for a perfect country-side sort of experience. We tried the wood fired pizza from the restaurant Etalian pizza , right beside the falls and it was (zero doubts when we say it) absolutely “good-food”.

Not too far from the city or other suburbs in Cleveland, Chagrin falls offers a much needed break from the usual routine and makes for perfect day trips. Have you been here before? What do you love about this charming small town?