Akron

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.

By plane

• Akron-Canton Regional Airport

  phone: +1 330 499-4221
  address: 5400 Lauby Rd NW
  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) - 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

  phone: +1 330 434-9185
  address: 631 S Broadway

By bus

• Akron METRO RTASomewhat 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

• Barberton-Summit Taxi, Inc.

• City Yellow Cab

  address: 650 Home Avenue

• Akron Art Museum

  phone: +1 330 376-9185
  address: One South High
  In 2007, the museum opened its new modern glass and steel facility.

• Akron Zoo

  phone: +1 330 375-2550
  address: 500 Edgewood Avenue
  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: +1 330 972-7570

• Home of John Brown

  phone: +1 330 535-1120
  address: 550 Copley Road
  The famous abolitionist called Akron his home from where he launched his fight to free slaves including the Harper’s Ferry raid in 1859.

• Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

  phone: +1 330 836-5533
  address: 714 North Portage Path
  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

  address: 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

  phone: +1 330 666-3711
  address: 2686 Oak Hill Rd
  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.

• National Inventors Hall of Fame

  phone: +1 330 762-4463
  address: 221 South Broadway Street

Arts and Culture

• E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall

  phone: +1 330 972-7570
  address: 198 Hill Street

• Porthouse Theatre Company

  phone: +1 330 929-4416
  A summer professional theater provided by Kent State University.

• Akron Civic Theater

  phone: +1 330 253-2488
  address: 182 South Main Street

• The Bang and The Clatter Theatre Company

  phone: +1 330 606-5317
  address: 157 University Ave.

Sports

• Akron RubberDucks

  phone: +1 330 253-5151
  address: 300 South Main Street
  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: +1 330 972-6920
  U of Akron is a member of the Mid-American Conference of NCAA College Sports.

Annual events

• All-American Soap Box Derby

  phone: +1 330 733-8723
  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 Invitationalat 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 CelebrationsAkron is the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous. Once a year, recovering alcoholics from around the world go to Akron to celebrate their sobriety.

• PorchRokrAn annual convergence of art, rock 'n' roll music, and community in Highland Square.

• Made in Ohio FestivalAn annual event on Labor Day weekend at Hale Farm & Village featuring Ohio artisans.

• ZipCon

  address: 303 Carroll S
  A local anime convention. Late February

Neighborhoods

Highland Square

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

• Highland Theater

  address: 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

  address: 51 E Market St
  Live music

• University of Akron

  phone: +1 330 972-7077
  address: 302 Buchtel Common
  The University of Akron is an engineering school famous for polymer science.

• Kent State UniversityHome 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.

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

• The University of Akron Quaker Square

  phone: +1 330 253-5970
  address: 135 South Broadway
  Silos and factory utilized by the Quaker Oats Company have been converted into dormitory space by its owner, The University of Akron.

• Orangerie Mall

  address: 76 South Main Street
  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

  phone: +1 330 253-6268
  address: 437 Crouse Street
  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

  phone: +1 330 633-1131
  address: 2000 Brittain Road
  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.

• RevivalEclectic vintage store.

• Square RecordsNew and used vinyl.

• Good Life Tattoo and PiercingThe only tattoo and piercing shop in Highland Square.

• University of Akron Bookstore

  address: 303 E Carroll
  Sells Zips branded clothing and accessories

Budget

• Menches Brothers Restaurant

  address: 300 South Main Street
  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

  address: West Market Street, Highland Square
  Cheap middle eastern restaurant with lots of healthy, fresh menu options. Popular for takeout as well.

• The LockView

  address: 207 S. Main St.
  Specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches and an impressive and constantly changing selection of beers.

• Mary Coyle Ice Cream Parlor

  phone: +1 330 253-1511
  address: 780 West Market Street, Highland Square
  Voted Akron's Best Homemade Ice Cream. Award Winning Michael Trecaso's Pastas. Outdoor Patio. Takeout available.

Mid-range

• Beau's Grille

  address: 3180 West Market Street
  Banquet Rooms, Live Music, Bar, Seafood, Steakhouse, American

• The Office Bistro & Lounge

  address: 778 N. Main St

• Bricco

  address: 1 West Exchange
  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

  address: 57 East Market Street
  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

  address: 510 South Main Street, Bldg 33

• Capri PizzaGood pizza and wings.

• Platinum Dragon, Chinese with cheap lunch specials.

• Mr Zub's DeliAwesome sandwiches named after movie characters. Connected to The Matinée and open all night.

• The Office Bistro and LoungeAmerican cuisine.

Splurge

• Hyde Park Grille

  phone: +1 330 670-6303
  address: 4073 Medina Road

• Ken Stewart's Grill

  address: 1970 West Market Street
  Contemporary, Seafood, Steakhouse Cuisine

• Tangier Restaurant & Cabaret

  address: 532 West Market Street
  Bar, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, American

• 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 LockviewLocated in the heart of downtown right across from Lock 3 Live! park.

• 69 Taps

  phone: +1 330-253-4554
  address: 370 Paul Williams St
  Located just south of Aero's Stadium. Has a decent selection of beers on tap.

• Liberty Street Brewing Co.

  phone: +1 330 865-0116
  address: 1238 Cromwell Drive

• Angel Falls Coffee Co.A hip area coffeehouse.

• Annabelle's, Great for cheap beer and live music.

• The MatinéeA well lit bar, with decent beer prices.

• Square Nightclub

  address: 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.

Budget

Mid-range

• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites-Akron South (Airport Area)

  phone: +1 330 644-5600
  address: 898 Arlington Ridge East

Splurge

• Courtyard by Marriott Akron Downtown

  phone: +1 330-252-9228
  address: 41 Furnace St

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

  phone: +1 330 375-2101

• Police Department

  phone: +1 330 375-2181

• Poison Center

  phone: +1 330 379-8562

Hospitals

• Akron Children's Hospital

  phone: +1 330 543-1000
  address: One Perkins Square

• Akron General Medical Center

  phone: +1 330 344-6000
  address: 400 Wabash Avenue

• Akron City Hospital

  phone: +1 330 375-3000
  address: 525 E. Market Street

• United States Post Office

  phone: +1 330 376-7098
  address: 209 South Main Street

• Akron-Summit County Public Library

  phone: +1 330 643-9000
  address: 60 South High Street
  All Akron Library branches have public computers and WiFi

Newspapers

• Akron Beacon JournalThe only daily newspaper published for the Akron market.

• The West Side LeaderA free weekly publication reporting on local news.

• The Devil StripA free monthly publication reporting local arts and culture in Akron and surrounding cities.

Religious services

• First United Methodist Church of Akron

  phone: +1 330 376-8143
  address: 263 East Mill Street
  Methodist services.

• Woodland United Methodist Church of Akron

  phone: +1 330 836-9777
  address: 444 North Hawkins Avenue
  Methodist services.

• Rosh Pinah Messianic Congregation

  phone: +1 330 668-6840
  address: 3891 Ira Road

• St. Anthony of Padua Church

  phone: +1 330 762-7277
  address: 83 Mosser Place
  Catholic services.

• St. Vincent de Paul Parish

  phone: +1 330 535-3135
  address: 164 West Market Street
  Catholic services.

• Community of Christ Church

  phone: +1 330 253-8803
  address: 834 Grant St.

• Goodyear Heights Presbyterian Church

  phone: +1 330 784-7633
  address: 1430 Goodyear Blvd.
  Presbyterian Church (USA)

• Fairlawn-West United Church of Christ

  phone: +1 330 864-2179
  address: 2095 W. Market St.
  UCC, Contemporary worship on Sunday, Taize service on Friday

• Crosspoint Alliance Church

  phone: +1 330 666-1693
  address: Corner of Rothrock and S. Cleveland-Massillon Road
  Service at 10:30am Sunday Morning

• 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.