Akron

Akron is a city of almost 200,000 people (2019) in the Northeast Ohio region in Summit County. Akron is proud of its heritage as a center of industry, and now offers visitors a wide range of recreational and cultural attractions, food experiences, and shopping.

Understand

Akron is called the City of Invention but used to be known as the Rubber Capital of the World, and before that, as the original home of Quaker Oats, and before that, as a pottery works. It was built right on the southern edge of the Connecticut Western Reserve. It is on the shortest possible line drawn between the Cuyahoga River (connecting to the Great Lakes - Lake Erie), and the Tuscarawas River (connecting to the Ohio River and ultimately to the Gulf of Mexico.) The Portage Path, the shortest path for carrying a canoe from one water shed to the next, has connected the two since time immemorial, and is the primary reason Akron grew just where it did.

Visitor information

Get in

By plane

There are non-stop flights to Akron Canton Regional Airport from the following cities (some cities may be seasonal or only offer service certain days of the week): Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Fort Myers, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia and Tampa.

There are buses to/from the airport: Metro RTA bus 110 goes a number of times a day between the airport and downtown Akron on a local route through southern Summit County - fare $1.25 and duration approximately 1 hour; SARTA Route 81 travels between downtown Canton, the Belden Village area, the airport and the downtown Akron Metro RTA Transit Center via I-77 Monday through Friday. Route 81L runs from the Airport to the Belden Village area and downtown Canton only (the 81L Saturday route does not travel to Akron) - fare $1.50. Catch the bus at the north end of the airport terminal (new location).

  • Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, (CLE IATA) - an approximately one hour drive to the northwest of Akron and a hub of United Airlines.

By train

Akron lost its Amtrak station in the last round of cuts, so you'll have to go into Cleveland or Alliance.

By car

Akron has wonderful interstate highway support. I-76 is an excellent way in from the East or West, and I-77 is an easy route to take between Cleveland and Akron. Further south on I-77 is Canton, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Once in the city, there are two other freeways Route 8 and Route 59 (Innerbelt), both of which serve the center of the city. There is very little in the city that is more than 10 minutes from an expressway. One nice by-product of this system is that rush hour is less than an hour.

By bus

By bike
  • 🌍 Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Connects with Metro Cleveland. (updated Dec 2019)

Get around

By bus
  • Akron METRO RTA, 416 Kenmore Blvd, ☏ +1-330-762-0341, toll-free: +1-800-227-9905. Somewhat limited but adequate service to most Akron locations. It also has connectivity with Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority to the north and Stark County Regional Transit Authority to the south. (updated Dec 2019)

Taxis

See
  • 🌍 Akron Art Museum, One S High, ☏ +1 330-376-9185. In 2007, the museum opened its new modern glass and steel facility. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 🌍 Akron Zoo, 500 Edgewood Ave, ☏ +1 330-375-2550, fax: +1 330 375-2575, . This family-friendly zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation. The more than 700 animals on display include the rare snow leopard as well as Humboldt penguins and Galapagos tortoises, and an Andean condor. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 🌍 Home of John Brown, 550 Copley Rd, ☏ +1 330-535-1120, fax: +1 330 535-0250, . Guided tours hours: W-F 12:30PM & 2:30PM. The famous abolitionist called Akron his home from where he launched his fight to free slaves including the Harper’s Ferry raid in 1859. Adult $5, senior or child $4. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 🌍 Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, 714 N Portage Path, ☏ +1 330-836-5533, fax: +1 330 836-5533, . April 1-December 30: daily 9AM-6PM (buildings close at 4:30PM). Closed: Easter, November 13 & 14 (for holiday decorating), Thanksgiving, December 24 at 1PM, Christmas Day, and December 31. The former home of Goodyear executive F.A. Sieberling and his family, this early 20th century 65-room mansion welcomes visitors to tour the house, the grounds, and the out-buildings. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 🌍 The University of Akron Hower House, 60 Fir Hill (the University of Akron), ☏ +1 330-972-6909. A quaint Victorian Mansion, originally owned by one of Akron's Rubber Barons. 
  • 🌍 Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Rd, ☏ +1 330-666-3711, . Jun-Aug: W-Su 10AM-5PM; Sep-Oct: Sa Su 10AM-5PM. Hale Farm & Village presents daily 19th century life in a rural community by demonstrating heritage farming and gardens, barns and buildings throughout the grounds. Glassblowing, blacksmithing, basket making, spinning, weaving, pottery, candle making, broom making, and brick making. See the event calendar for special events. $10 adults, $5 children. 

Do

Arts and culture

Sports
  • 🌍 Akron RubberDucks, 300 S Main St, ☏ +1 330-253-5151, fax: +1 330 253-3300, . The RubberDucks are a champion Eastern League (AA minor league baseball) team that is part of the Major League Baseball Cleveland Indians farm system. The park is 45 minutes south of Progressive Field. They often receive Major Leaguers (like a AAA team) right before they are sent up to Cleveland. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 🌍 University of Akron Zips, ☏ +1 330-972-6920. U of Akron is a member of the Mid-American Conference of NCAA College Sports. (updated Dec 2019)

Nature

Annual events
  • 🌍 All-American Soap Box Derby, 789 Derby Downs Dr, ☏ +1 330-733-8723, fax: +1 330 733-1370, . Begun in 1934, this annual event allows boys and girls ages 8-17 to compete in non-motorized racecars for scholarships and other prizes. Contestants qualify in regional events throughout the year before competing in the final in Akron each summer. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 🌍 WGC Invitational (WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational) (at Firestone Country Club). An annual Professional Golf Association (PGA) event, hosting a competition of the winners of major international golf events. It is held on the famed 7,283-yard South Course that was designed by Bert Way in 1929, and updated by Robert Trent Jones in 1960. Firestone is one of Tiger Woods' favorite courses, winning here a PGA Tour record 7 times. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 🌍 Founders Day Celebrations, 373 Carroll St (James A Rhodes Arena). Akron is the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous. Once a year, recovering alcoholics from around the world go to Akron to celebrate their sobriety. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 🌍 PorchRokr (Highland Square Porches). An annual convergence of art, rock 'n' roll music, and community in Highland Square. 
  • Made in Ohio Festival, 2686 Oak Hill Rd, Bath. An annual event on Labor Day weekend at Hale Farm & Village featuring Ohio artisans. $7 adult, $5 child. 
  • 🌍 ZipCon, 303 Carroll S (University of Akron Student Union). 8AM-10PM. A local anime convention. Late February. $5 General, $10 Lanyard. (updated Nov 2018)

Learn

Work

Akron boasts the headquarters location for the following Fortune 1000 Corporations:

Buy

Eat

Budget
  • Aladdin's, West Market Street, Highland Square. Cheap Middle Eastern restaurant with lots of healthy, fresh menu options. Popular for takeout as well. 
  • 🌍 Mary Coyle Ice Cream Parlor (Michael Trecaso's), 780 W Market St (Highland Square), ☏ +1 330-253-1511. Voted Akron's best homemade ice cream. Michael Trecaso's oastas. Outdoor patio. Takeout available. (updated Dec 2019)

Mid-range
  • 🌍 Beau's Grille, 3180 W Market St, ☏ +1 330-865-5577. Banquet rooms, live music, bar, seafood, steakhouse, American. (updated Dec 2019)
  • NoHi Restaurant and Cafe, 778 N Main St, ☏ +1 234-231-1645. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F 11AM-2:30AM, Sa 4PM-2:30AM. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 🌍 Crave, 57 E Market St, ☏ +1 330 253-1234. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa 5-11PM. Crave serves an eclectic range of food from gourmet sandwiches to rum and vanilla glazed halibut. Prices are also fairly reasonable, with entrees no more than $26 and averaging in the high teens. The decor is funky and contemporary. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 🌍 Spaghetti Warehouse, 510 S Main St (Bldg 33), ☏ +1 330-374-0025, fax: +1 330 374-0804. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 🌍 Mr. Zubs Deli and Bar (Capri Pizza), 795 W Market St, ☏ +1 330-252-0272. M-Sa 11AM-3AM, Su 11AM-2AM. Good pizza and wings. Awesome sandwiches named after movie characters. Connected to The Matinée and open all night. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 🌍 Platinum Dragon, 814 W Market St, ☏ +1 330-434-8108. Chinese with cheap lunch specials. (updated Dec 2019)

Splurge

Drink

Highland Square the "cultural" district, has a number of bars on West Market Street. Guidance about what location would suit your needs is best dispensed by (younger) locals. Downtown between Exchange and Cedar Streets, has a couple dozen different college oriented establishments, including bars, clubs, and lounges. Kenmore Boulevard is accessible from I-76 and has a number of unique establishments.

Sleep
This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
BudgetUnder $75
Mid-range$75 - $120
SplurgeOver $120

Mid-range

Splurge

Stay safe

Given the size of the city, and diversity and activity there, it's really pretty safe. There's almost nowhere in Akron anyone shouldn't go in the daytime, and very few places at night.

Generally, the west side of the city near Copley road is regarded as the worst section of town. With a higher rate of violent crimes and theft, it is best avoided by outsiders. Some housing projects - most notably Joy Park project in the vicinity of the Zoo and Elizabeth Park under the All-American Bridge - are also somewhat unsafe and should be bypassed altogether by foot and car.

If visiting the University of Akron, it's best to stay west of the Market / Buchtel intersection. The near-East neighborhood of which this is the "border" (Middlebury) is not necessarily unsafe, but does have a lot of medium-scale drug activity and the occasional assault and non-violent robbery.

Hospitals

Connect

Cope

Newspapers
  • 🌍 Akron Beacon Journal, 388 S Main St. The only daily newspaper published for the Akron market. (updated Dec 2019)
  • The West Side Leader. A free weekly publication reporting on local news. (updated Dec 2019)
  • The Devil Strip. A free monthly publication reporting local arts and culture in Akron and surrounding cities. (updated Dec 2019)

Religious services

Go next
  • Go north to Cleveland. There's a lot going on up there.
  • To the west lies Medina and other quaint rural hamlets, many of which have preserved town squares.
  • Get a blended taste of the outdoors and American industrial history by touring the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Canal Byway extends from Lake Erie in Downtown Cleveland through Akron and south through Canton, New Philadelphia and into rural Bolivar and Historic Zoar.
  • Portage Lakes State Park, 5031 Manchester Rd. 74 non-electric campsites, 400-horsepower limit on lake, 8 boat launch ramps, boat rentals, fishing, hunting, beach, five miles of hiking trails, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, basketball court, hunting waterfowl in designated areas.
  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park - Short distance from Akron and Cleveland. Fifth most frequently visited National Park.
Routes through Akron
Jct N S ← Barberton ←  W  E  → Tallmadge → Youngstown
Cleveland ← Fairlawn ←  N  S  → North Canton → Canton
Findlay ← Barberton ←  W  E  → Jct N S → Atwater → Youngstown
Cleveland ← Cuyahoga Falls ←  N  S  → END
Medina ← Fairlawn ←  W  E  → END
END ←  W  E  → Cuyahoga Falls → Ravenna


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