Akron, OH Road Trips

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. Akron / Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau, 77 E Mill St, ☏ +1 330-374-7560, toll-free: +1-800-245-4254. (updated Dec 2019)

1 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) 2 Akron Zoo, 500 Edgewood Ave, ☏ +1 330-375-2550, fax: +1 330 375-2575, [email protected]. 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) 3 Home of John Brown, 550 Copley Rd, ☏ +1 330-535-1120, fax: +1 330 535-0250, [email protected]. 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) 4 Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, 714 N Portage Path, ☏ +1 330-836-5533, fax: +1 330 836-5533, [email protected]. 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) 5 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. 6 Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Rd, ☏ +1 330-666-3711, [email protected].

1 E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, 198 Hill St, ☏ +1 330-972-7570, fax: +1 330 762-6313. (updated Dec 2019) 2 Akron Civic Theater, 182 S Main St, ☏ +1 330-253-2488, fax: +1 330 535-9828. (updated Dec 2019) 3 Highland Square Theater, 826 W Market St, ☏ +1 330-253-0100. Historic theater building, showing newly released movies. $5. (updated Dec 2019) 4 Musica, 51 E Market St (Northside). Live music (updated Dec 2019) 5 Summit Artspace, 140 E Market St, ☏ +1 330-376-8480, [email protected]. (updated Dec 2019) 6 Akron RubberDucks, 300 S Main St, ☏ +1 330-253-5151, fax: +1 330 253-3300, [email protected]. The RubberDucks are a champion Eastern League (AA minor league baseball) team that is part of the Major League Baseball Cleveland Guardians 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) 7 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) 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. 8 Sand Run Metro Park. (updated Dec 2019) 9 Cascade Valley Metro Park. (updated Dec 2019) 10 Firestone Metro Park. (updated Dec 2019) 11 Goodyear Heights Metro Park.

Aladdin's, West Market Street, Highland Square. Cheap Middle Eastern restaurant with lots of healthy, fresh menu options. Popular for takeout as well. 1 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) 2 Beau's Grille, 3180 W Market St, ☏ +1 330-865-5577. Banquet rooms, live music, bar, seafood, steakhouse, American. (updated Dec 2019) 3 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) 4 Spaghetti Warehouse, 510 S Main St (Bldg 33), ☏ +1 330-374-0025, fax: +1 330 374-0804. (updated Dec 2019) 5 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) 6 Platinum Dragon, 814 W Market St, ☏ +1 330-434-8108. Chinese with cheap lunch specials. (updated Dec 2019) 7 Ken Stewart's Grill, 1970 W Market St, ☏ +1 330-867-2555. Contemporary, seafood, steakhouse cuisine. (updated Dec 2019) 8 House Three Thirty, 532 W Market St, ☏ +1 330-572-2885.

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. 1 The Lockview, 207 S Main St (right across from Lock 3 park.), ☏ +1 330-252-5128. Specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches and an impressive and constantly changing selection of beers. (updated Dec 2019) 2 69 Taps, 370 Paul Williams St, ☏ +1 330-253-4554. Located just south of Canal Park. Has a decent selection of beers on tap. Angel Falls Coffee Co. A hip area coffeehouse. 3 The Matinée. A well lit bar, with decent beer prices. (updated Dec 2019) 4 Square Nightclub, 820 W Market St. A classy bar. (updated Dec 2019) 5 Lock 15 Brewing, 21 W North St, ☏ +1 234-900-8277. Tu-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-9PM. (updated Dec 2019) 6 Thirsty Dog Brewing Company Taphouse, 587 Grant St, ☏ +1 234-571-1456. Tu-Th noon-9PM, F Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-5PM. (updated Dec 2019) Hoppin Frog Tasting Room, 1680 E Waterloo Rd. M 5-10PM, Tu W 11AM-10PM, Th-Sa 11AM-11PM. (updated Dec 2019) 7 Missing Falls Brewery. M-Th 4PM-1AM, F 4PM-midnight, Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-7PM. (updated Dec 2019) Buzzbin, 952 Kenmore Blvd, ☏ +1 330 754-6770. M-Th 4PM-1AM, F Sa 4PM-2:30AM, Su 6PM-1AM. A bar and arcade that regularly acts as a music venue. (updated May 2017)

1 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites-Akron South (Airport Area), 898 Arlington Ridge E, ☏ +1 330 644-5600. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Includes WiFi and breakfast. $75. (updated Dec 2019) 2 Courtyard by Marriott Akron Downtown, 41 Furnace St, ☏ +1 330-252-9228. Includes Wi-Fi, pool, and fitness center. $150. (updated Dec 2019) Hilton Garden Inn, 1307 E Market St, ☏ +1 330-733-2900. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Includes Wi-Fi, parking, fitness center, business center, and an indoor pool $150. (updated Dec 2019)

1 Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK IATA), 5400 Lauby Rd NW, ☏ +1 330-499-4221. The most convenient airport, small, easy to navigate, quick in-and-out. 2 Akron Executive Airport (AKC IATA). A large General aviation airport. Has an office for immigration and customs, and can accept international flights. (updated Dec 2019) 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. Akron lost its Amtrak station in the last round of cuts, so you'll have to go into Cleveland or Alliance. Akron has wonderful interstate highway support.

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) City Yellow Cab, 650 Home Ave, ☏ +1 330-253-3141. (updated Dec 2019)

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. Fire Department (Non-emergency), ☏ +1 330-375-2101. (updated Dec 2019) Police Department (Non-emergency), ☏ +1 330-375-2181. (updated Dec 2019) Poison Center, ☏ +1 330-379-8562. 4 Akron Children's Hospital, One Perkins Square, ☏ +1 330-543-1000. 5 Cleveland Clinic Akron General (Akron General Medical Center), 400 Wabash Ave, ☏ +1 330-344-6000. (updated Dec 2019) 6 Akron City Hospital, 141 N Forge St, ☏ +1 330-375-3000. (updated Dec 2019)