Akron

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's downtown skyline

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.

Get in

By plane

• 🌍 Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK  ^IATA), 5400 Lauby Rd NW, ☎ [phone]. 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

• Greyhound, 631 S Broadway, ☎ [phone]. Station and ticketing hours: Daily 7:30AM-10PM. 

Get around

The Canal Path trail

By bus

• Akron METRO RTA. 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 Jan 2019)

By car

Taxis

• Barberton-Summit Taxi, Inc., ☎ [phone]. 
• City Yellow Cab, 650 Home Avenue, ☎ [phone]. 

See

The Akron Art Museum

The petting zoo at the Akron Zoo

The University of Akron campus

Inventors Hall of Fame

• 🌍 Akron Art Museum, One South High, ☎ [phone]. In 2007, the museum opened its new modern glass and steel facility.  
• 🌍 Akron Zoo, 500 Edgewood Avenue, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 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.  
• 🌍 The University of Akron E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• 🌍 Home of John Brown, 550 Copley Road, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 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, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 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, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 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. 
• 🌍 National Inventors Hall of Fame, 221 South Broadway Street, ☎ [phone].  

Do

Arts and Culture

E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, sculpture by Dale Chihuly

A concert in Akron

• E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, 198 Hill Street (University of Akron), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Porthouse Theatre Company (Adjacent to Blossom), ☎ [phone]. A summer professional theater provided by Kent State University. 
• 🌍 Akron Civic Theater, 182 South Main Street, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone].  
• The Bang and The Clatter Theatre Company, 157 University Ave., ☎ [phone]. 

Sports

• Akron RubberDucks, 300 South Main Street, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 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.  
• University of Akron Zips, ☎ [phone]. U of Akron is a member of the Mid-American Conference of NCAA College Sports.  

Annual events

All-American Soap Box Derby Track

• All-American Soap Box Derby, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 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. (updated Jan 2017)
• 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. 
• PorchRokr. An annual convergence of art, rock 'n' roll music, and community in Highland Square. 
• Made in Ohio Festival. An annual event on Labor Day weekend at Hale Farm & Village featuring Ohio artisans. 
• ZipCon, 303 Carroll S (University of Akron Student Union). 8AM-10PM. A local anime convention. Late February $5 General, $10 Lanyard. (updated Nov 2018)

Neighborhoods

Highland Square

Highland Square is an eclectic area centered on W. Market street.

• Highland Theater, 826 W. Market St. Historic theater building, showing newly released movies. 

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.

• Musica, 51 E Market St. Live music 

Learn

UA Polymer Science Building

• 🌍 University of Akron, 302 Buchtel Common, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. The University of Akron is an engineering school famous for polymer science.  
• 🌍 Kent State University. Home of the Liquid Crystal Institute is about 15 miles northeast of downtown Akron in the delightful small college town of Kent. They are the rival university of Akron. (updated Dec 2018)

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

Quaker Square

• 🌍 The University of Akron Quaker Square, 135 South Broadway, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Silos and factory utilized by the Quaker Oats Company have been converted into dormitory space by its owner, The University of Akron.  
• Orangerie Mall, 76 South Main Street, ☎ [phone]. 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, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 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, ☎ [phone]. MON - SAT 10AM - 9PM, SUN Noon - 6PM. Chapel Hill Mall is home to big box stores like JCPenney, Sears and Macy’s, and almost 100 more. There is also a full-sized indoor carousel with wood-carved animals and painted scenes of Summit County landmarks, located in the Food Court.  
• Revival. Eclectic vintage store. 
• Square Records. New and used vinyl. 
• Good Life Tattoo and Piercing. The only tattoo and piercing shop in Highland Square. 
• University of Akron Bookstore, 303 E Carroll. Sells Zips branded clothing and accessories (updated Nov 2018)

Eat

Budget

• Menches Brothers Restaurant, 300 South Main Street, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Frank and Charles Menches of Akron invented two of America's favorite foods - the hamburger in 1885 and the cornucopia ice cream cone in 1904. 
• 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. 
• Mary Coyle Ice Cream Parlor (Michael Trecaso's), 780 West Market Street, Highland Square, ☎ [phone]. Voted Akron's Best Homemade Ice Cream. Award Winning Michael Trecaso's Pastas. Outdoor Patio. Takeout available. 

Mid-range

• Beau's Grille, 3180 West Market Street, ☎ [phone]. Banquet Rooms, Live Music, Bar, Seafood, Steakhouse, American 
• The Office Bistro & Lounge, 778 N. Main St, ☎ [phone]. Hours: Monday - Thursday 11 - 23:00, Friday 11 - 02:30, Saturday 16 - 02:30. 
• Bricco, 1 West Exchange, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 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, ☎ [phone]. 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. 
• Spaghetti Warehouse, 510 South Main Street, Bldg 33, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Capri Pizza. Good pizza and wings. 
• Platinum Dragon, Chinese with cheap lunch specials.
• Mr Zub's Deli. Awesome sandwiches named after movie characters. Connected to The Matinée and open all night. 
• The Office Bistro and Lounge. American cuisine. 

Splurge

• Hyde Park Grille, 4073 Medina Road (Market Street and I-77, 15 minutes northwest of downtown Akron), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Ken Stewart's Grill, 1970 West Market Street, ☎ [phone]. Contemporary, Seafood, Steakhouse Cuisine 
• Tangier Restaurant & Cabaret, 532 West Market Street, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Bar, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, American 

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, 370 Paul Williams St, ☎ [phone]. Located just south of Aero's Stadium. Has a decent selection of beers on tap. 
• Liberty Street Brewing Co., 1238 Cromwell Drive, ☎ [phone]. 
• Angel Falls Coffee Co.. A hip area coffeehouse. 
• Annabelle's, Great for cheap beer and live music.
• The Matinée. A well lit bar, with decent beer prices. 
• Square Nightclub, 820 W Market St. A classy bar. 
• Rubber City Grill Zip-themed bar, adjacent to Lux nightclub
• Mocha Maiden, Coffee shop with artist galleries and a live music venue attached.

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites-Akron South (Airport Area), 898 Arlington Ridge East, ☎ [phone]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 

Splurge

Quaker Square - Converted Grain Bins

• 🌍 Courtyard by Marriott Akron Downtown, 41 Furnace St, ☎ [phone]. (updated Jan 2018)

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): [phone]
• Police Department (Non-emergency): [phone]
• Poison Center: [phone]

Hospitals

Akron Children's Hospital

• 🌍 Akron Children's Hospital, One Perkins Square, ☎ [phone].  
• Akron General Medical Center, 400 Wabash Avenue, ☎ [phone]. 
• Akron City Hospital, 525 E. Market Street, ☎ [phone]. 

Connect

Akron Post Office

• 🌍 United States Post Office, 209 South Main Street, ☎ [phone]. M-F 8:30AM-5PM.  
• 🌍 Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 South High Street, ☎ [phone]. All Akron Library branches have public computers and WiFi (updated Nov 2018)

Cope

Newspapers

• Akron Beacon Journal. The only daily newspaper published for the Akron market. (updated Oct 2018)
• The West Side Leader. A free weekly publication reporting on local news. (updated Oct 2018)
• The Devil Strip. A free monthly publication reporting local arts and culture in Akron and surrounding cities. (updated Oct 2018)

Religious services

St. Vincent church

• First United Methodist Church of Akron, 263 East Mill Street, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Methodist services. 
• Woodland United Methodist Church of Akron, 444 North Hawkins Avenue (Located in West Akron), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Methodist services. 
• Rosh Pinah Messianic Congregation, 3891 Ira Road (Located in the town of Bath), ☎ [phone]. 
• St. Anthony of Padua Church, 83 Mosser Place, ☎ [phone]. Catholic services. 
• St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 164 West Market Street, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Catholic services. 
• Community of Christ Church, 834 Grant St., ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• Goodyear Heights Presbyterian Church, 1430 Goodyear Blvd., ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Presbyterian Church (USA) 
• Fairlawn-West United Church of Christ, 2095 W. Market St., ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. UCC, Contemporary worship on Sunday, Taize service on Friday 
• Crosspoint Alliance Church, Corner of Rothrock and S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Service at 10:30am Sunday Morning 

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.
• 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