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Akron Skyline from Innerbelt Freeway

Akron is a medium sized city located in the Northeast Ohio region in Summit County in the State of Ohio in the United States.

Understand

Akron is called the City of Invention but was formerly 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. Built right on the southern edge of the Connecticut Western Reserve, Akron really grew by selling gravity. It happens to be right 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.

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Get in

By plane

Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK  IATA), 5400 Lauby Rd NW, ☎ +1 330 499-4221, is the most convenient airport, small, easy to navigate, quick in-and-out.

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 - rush hour is less than an hour.

By bus

Get around

By bus

  • Akron METRO - 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.

By car

Taxis

See

  • Akron Zoo, 500 Edgewood Avenue, ☏ +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. 
  • Home of John Brown, 550 Copley Road, ☏ +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. Price: Adults: $5, Seniors & Children: $4. 
  • Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, 714 North 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 this family, this early 20th century 65-room mansion welcomes visitors to tour the house, the grounds, and the out-buildings. 
  • The University of Akron Hower House, The University of Akron campus. A quaint Victorian Mansion, originally owned by one of Akron's Rubber Barons. Now owned and operated by The University of Akron in the heart of the campus... a must see. 
  • 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, brick making...see event calendar for special events. $10 adults, $5 children. 

Do

Arts and Culture

E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, sculpture by Dale Chihuly
  • The Bang and The Clatter Theatre Company, 157 University Ave., ☏ +1 330 606-5317. 

Sports

  • Akron RubberDucks, 300 South Main Street, ☏ +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. Located just 45 minutes south of Progressive Field, they often receive Major Leaguers (like a AAA team) right before they are sent up to Cleveland. 

Annual events

All-American Soap Box Derby Track
  • All-American Soap Box Derby, Address, ☏ +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. 
  • World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club is 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 originally designed by Bert Way in 1929 and later updated by Robert Trent Jones in 1960. Firestone is one of Tiger Woods' favorite courses, winning here a PGA Tour record 7 times.
  • Founders Day Celebrations. Akron is the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous. Once a year, recovering alcoholics from around the world go to Akron to celebrate their sobriety. 
  • Art in the Square. An annual convergence of art, music, and community in Highland Square. 
  • Made in Ohio Festival. An annual event on Labor Day weekend at Hale Farm & Village featuring Ohio artisans. 

Neighborhoods

Highland Square, [1]

Eclectic area centered on W. Market street.

Northside

Area north of downtown containing loft apartments and many artist studios and glassware shops, as well as jazz and blues clubs, as well as local favorite Luigi's Restaurant.

  • Northside. Blues club in a historic building on N. Main street. 
  • Mocha Maiden, Coffee shop with artist galleries and a live music venue attached.
  • Musica. Live music 
  • The Office Bistro and Lounge. American cuisine. 

Learn

UA Polymer Science Building
  • University of Akron, 302 Buchtel Common, ☏ +1 330 972-7077, fax: +1 330 972-7022. The University of Akron is an engineering school famous for polymer science. 
  • Kent State University, home of the Liquid Crystal Institute (where liquid crystal displays were invented) is about 15 miles northeast of downtown Akron in the delightful small college town of Kent. They are the rival university of Akron.

Work

Akron and Summit County boast the headquarters location for the following Fortune 1000 Corporations:

  • 112 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Rubber Manufacturing
  • 184 FirstEnergy, Utilities Company covering northern Ohio, various parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey
  • 839 Jo Ann Stores, Hudson - Specialty Retailer
  • 995 A. Shulman - Chemicals

Buy

  • Orangerie Mall, 76 South Main Street, ☏ +1 330 535-6400. Smaller enclosed mall on the first floor of Akron Center, a complex that houses the headquarters of Chase Bank Akron Branch and FirstEnergy Corporation. 
  • Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, 437 Crouse Street, ☏ +1 330 253-6268, fax: +1 330 253-4014, . best known for Don's cast aluminum crafts. Awesome collection of art work by various artists. Walk through it as if its an overcrowded museum - you don't need to be looking to buy to enjoy this gallery. The small gift shop contains many reasonably priced items you won't find anywhere else in town from handmade jewelry and clothing to fancy soaps and creative greeting cards. 
  • Chapel Hill Mall, 2000 Brittain Road, ☏ +1 330 633-1131. MON - SAT 10AM - 9PM, SUN Noon - 6PM. Chapel Hill Mall is home to all your favorite stores like JCPenney, Sears and Macy’s, and almost 100 more! There is also a full-sized indoor carousel with authentic wood-carved animals and painted scenes of Summit County landmarks, located in the Food Court. 

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. 
  • The LockView, 207 S. Main St.. Specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches and an impressive and constantly changing selection of beers. 
  • Rubber City Grill Zip-themed bar, adjacent to Lux nightclub

Mid-range

  • Bricco, 1 West Exchange, ☏ +1 330 475-1600, fax: +1 330 475-1604. Hours: Mon-Thu: 11 - Midnight, Fri: 11 - 01:00, Sat: 16 - 01:00, Closed most Sundays. Serves a reasonably priced Italian-based menu and specialized in pizzas and pastas ranging from $9-18. On Monday and Tuesday nights they sell wine at state minimum retail prices. There is also a relatively lively bar scene for weeknights. 
  • Crave, 57 East Market Street, ☏ +1 330 253-1234. Hours: Monday - Thursday 11 - 22:00, Friday 11 - 23:00, Saturday 17 - 23:00. 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. 

Splurge

  • Ken Stewart's Grill, 1970 West Market Street, ☏ +1 330 867-2555. Contemporary, Seafood, Steakhouse Cuisine 

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, there are a couple dozen different college oriented establishments, including bars, clubs, and lounges.
  • Kenmore Boulevard, is accessible from I-76. Has a number of unique establishments.
  • The Lockview. Located in the heart of downtown right across from Lock 3 Live! park. 
  • 69 Taps. Located just south of Aero's Stadium. Has a decent selection of beers on tap. 

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

  • Hawthorn Suites Akron, 5025 Park Avenue, ☏ +1 330 769-5025, fax: +1 330 769-5026. West; Suites, full or efficiency kitchens, in-room DVD players, voice mail, work desks, free internet, coffee makers, micro-fridges and iron & ironing boards. Other amenities featured include an exercise facility, indoor pool and on-site guest laundry and valet services. 
  • Crowne Plaza Hotel-Quaker Square. Made out of the round grain bins from the Quaker Oats plant. Sleep in a circular room. Located near the University of Akron, McKnight Convention Center, Canal Park (AA Professional Baseball - Akron Aeros) and Inventure Place (the National Inventor's Hall of Fame). 

Splurge

Quaker Square - Converted Grain Bins

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, but not all, 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 large amount of medium-scale drug activity and the occasional assault and non-violent robbery.

  • Fire Department (Non-emergency): +1 330 375-2101
  • Police Department (Non-emergency): +1 330 375-2181
  • Poison Center: +1 330 379-8562

Hospitals

Connect

  • United States Post Office, 209 South Main Street, ☏ +1 330 376-7098. M-F 8:30AM-5PM. 

Cope

Religious services

St. Vincent church

Go next

  • Go north to Cleveland. There's a lot going on up there.
  • To the west lies Medina and other quaint rural hamelets, many of which have preserved town squares.
  • 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.
Routes through Akron
Ends at (N/S) ← Barberton ←  W  E  → Tallmadge → Youngstown
Cleveland ← Fairlawn ←  N  S  → North Canton → Canton
Findlay ← Barberton ←  W  E  → Atwater → Youngstown
Cleveland ← Cuyahoga Falls ←  N  S  → END



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