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.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
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 Visit…
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)
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, info@akronzoo.org. 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, schs@summithistory.org. Guided tours hours: W-F 12:30PM & 2:30PM.
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, info@summitartspace.org. (updated Dec 2019) 6 Akron RubberDucks, 300 S Main St, ☏ +1 330-253-5151, fax: +1 330 253-3300, info@akronrubberducks.com.
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.
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.
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.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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