DowntownYour first Cleveland day starts here.
Public Square, the river, and a few good reasons to take the long way. A closer look at the heart of Cleveland.
2 min read / Downtown
Eat & drinkPlace guide
Good taste. Great bones. West Side Market.
A neighborhood anchor, a remarkable ceiling, and a reason to slow down on West 25th Street.
Ohio CitySome places reward a second look before you have even finished the first. At West Side Market, the food stalls draw your eye at street level. Then you look up. The hall itself is a defining part of the experience, and a good starting point for getting to know Ohio City.
Begin with the building
West Side Market opened to shoppers in November 1912. Local architects W. Dominick Benes and Benjamin Hubbell designed the hall. Its vaulted Guastavino tile ceiling rises 44 feet above the floor, giving an everyday market the scale of a civic room. Take a moment to see the full span before turning your attention back to the stalls.
Find your bearings outside
At West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue, the market’s 137-foot clock tower makes it easy to recognize. Look at the building from outside as well as inside. Its presence on the corner is part of what makes the market such a useful introduction to the neighborhood.
Leave room to browse
Build your visit around curiosity rather than a fixed shopping list. Browse what is available, ask vendors about their offerings, and give yourself time to double back. The official market website is the place to check the current vendor directory, opening hours, and visit information before you head over.
Before you go
Use these official sources for current visit details and further reading.
