Everything that makes Medina the most charming place in Ohio

Located just north-west of Akron and south-west of Cleveland, Medina can be considered a classic suburbia. However, I did not always enjoy living here.

For teenagers, Medina can seem like the lamest place to be. In high school, we would browse around Walmart and go through the Taco Bell drive thru for fun on the weekends. My dislike for my hometown grew more and more the closer I came to graduation. I couldn’t wait to get out of this town and be on a college campus in a whole new city.

It wasn’t until after I left for college and came back, that I realized how truly charming my hometown was. Each time I left the stressful, busy and loud setting of my college campus to come home to the much quieter and some-what quaint city of Medina, my appreciation grew. With a little bit of adventuring on my weekends home from school, I was able to capture the true essence of Medina.

Medina town square

The most well known place in Medina is the historical town square. Smack dab in the middle of the city the square is full of small business shops, eateries, and more. Some other Ohioans even travel to Medina to check out some of these places or simply to take a picture in front of our ginormous Christmas tree inside the Gazebo. From my personal adventuring, here are some of my favorite places around the square:

Cool Beans Cafe

Starbucks? Forget that. I’m willing to admit that I am your typical coffee addict of a college student, so I like to think I know what a good cup of coffee tastes like. Whether you’re looking for a place to get a caffeine fix and do some work, hold a casual meet up with friends, or  grab a quick lunch or pastry treat, Cool Beans is the perfect place. This is easily one of the most notable places on the square.

A.I. Root Candles

If you live in Medina and you’ve questioned why the mascot is a bee,  you need to head over to A.I. Root Candles immediately. Established in 1869, this family owned business has been making “the best candle in America” for quite some time now. I was amazed at how huge and interesting this place is.

A Cupcake a Day

This tiny shop on the square sells the most delicious cupcakes you’ll ever eat. With a variety of flavors, including some unusual ones, A Cupcake a Day could easily take the throne on Cupcake Wars. I never leave Medina without stopping in for a cupcake… or a box of them.

Miss Molly’s Tea Room

Full of vintage decor and tea party set- up, Miss Molly’s may be the cutest restaurant around. Hot tea, delicious food, pastry delicacies, and a gift shop- it’s the perfect place to have lunch with some friends.

All Fired Up!

This studio is the perfect place to relieve some stress while getting crafty. After you choose your piece of pottery and paint it however you’d like, the studio will have it finished and ready to be picked up within a week. Not going to lie, the past two times I’ve been home I have painted some pottery here to relieve some stress and add some decoration to my campus room.

Marie’s Cafe

Who doesn’t love a place that serves breakfast from open to close? Marie’s serves the most delicious breakfast, and lunch, and they’re constantly creating specialty dishes- so check out their Facebook page for daily specials. Also, you can buy some things there to take home and eat too. @Waldorf chicken salad, you’re coming back to school with me.

Aside from the places around the square, some events that take place here include the Farmer’s Market, Rally in the Alley, and annual events such as the Ice Festival and candlelight walk. There are so many interesting places to visit, and fun things constantly happening in Medina. I surely did not enjoy living in Medina while I was growing up, but now that I am older, I am taking advantage of all that Medina has to offer.

I never would have thought that I would want to skip a weekend of boozing and being with my college friends to go back to Medina. Coming home has turned from a hassle into a treat, and not only for the free laundry and moms cooking. Between the occasional weekend and holiday break exploring, my appreciation for Medina continues to grow. I am so appreciative to have grown up in this wonderful town, for it is definitely the place to BEE!