Chagrin Falls, Ohio is a quaint, storybook-like village about 40 minutes from Kent, Ohio. Yes, I said village and not town.
Originally Chagrin Falls was placed within two counties of Ohio, Cuyahoga and Geauga. Chagrin became a “unified village” due to Geauga County giving up their portion of land and not asking for another. From then on they have kept Chagrin as a village and not a town or city. But ultimately, the term village better suits the area than any other.
When you first enter Chagrin you are immediately transported into a place that seems to come from a book or a movie. It has such a vibrant and charming atmosphere that it almost doesn’t seem like a nonfictional place. The streets are lined with local shops and restaurants. It’s almost as if corporate chains have yet to discover the area.
One of my favorite shops that I have discovered is a little boutique entitled Gyspy Sole. It is everything my bohemian spirit could have hoped for. Walking through the red-painted front door, you immediately hear Stevie Nicks’ “Rhiannon” and are hit with the smell of essential oils being diffused. They have everything from clothes to home decor to even cookbooks. They also have an array of crystals and astrology related items, as is customary within any gypsy/boho establishment. Overall, the shop has an amazing selection, style and welcoming atmosphere.
After my venture into Gyspy Sole, I decided I was craving something a little sweet. That was when I came across Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. When I say this is the best ice cream I have ever had, I am not exaggerating. It isn’t necessarily just local to Chagrin, but it is the closest Jeni’s in Northeastern Ohio. But even though it isn’t a local ice cream shop, it definitely felt like one. I honestly thought it was until I did further investigating. Their ice cream is so good and they have such unique flavors. My favorites ended up being the Gooey Butter Cake and the Brambleberry Crisp.
After getting ice cream, I made my way down to the namesake of Chagrin Falls, the waterfall. You don’t even need directions to find it as the sound of rushing water can be heard throughout the entire village. It is right in the middle of Chagrin and was a perfect place to end my trip.
If you ever find yourself in Ohio, Chagrin Falls should definitely be on your list of places to stop. I only mentioned a few of my favorite places, but there were so many more I could have highlighted. This Ohio village is a great place to shop, dine and explore.