Kent (Ohio)

Kent, a city of 30,071 (2016) people on the Cuyahoga River in Northeastern Ohio, is part of the greater Akron area.
Established in 1805 as Franklin Mills, a settlement that exploited the river to operate water-powered mills. 1830s and 1840s development was based around the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal. Franklin Mills was a waypoint on the Underground Railroad before the American Civil War; abolitionist John Brown operated a tannery here from 1836-1837 (the site is now John Brown Tannery Park, a nature park on the Cuyahoga River) and Woodard’s Tavern was a station on the Underground Railroad (the tavern building is gone, although a private home once occupied by Joshua Woodard and his wife Rebecca Wordon still stands).
In 1864, the settlement was renamed for Marvin Kent, who brought the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad maintenance shops to town. Kent has been a college town since Kent State University was established in 1910 alongside its sister school in Bowling Green.
Kent is infamous as the site of the Kent State massacre, in which unarmed college students at Kent State University were shot by members of the Ohio National Guard (killing four and wounding nine others) on 4 May 1970 during a protest against the US military bombing of Cambodia. This created a counter cultural legacy that continues to this day.
The aftermath of the shootings inspired protest music, notably from Bruce Springsteen and Crosby Stills and Nash. The event also inspired locals who would later become founding members of DEVO and The Pretenders to change the style of their music.
Kent offers public bus service and hike-and-bike trails, Kent is "The Tree City". The town has nearly 20 parks and preserves with a number of annual festivals related to Earth Day, folk music and the U.S. Independence Day.

Watch

• The Vietnam WarA Ken Burns documentary series about the Vietnam War. The end of episode 8 covers the events of May 4th, 1970 in Kent, and how it affected the war.

• The Day the 60's DiedA documentary about the shootings, and their effect on American culture.

By car

State Route 59 is the main east–west highway, following East and West Main Streets and Haymaker Parkway. Summit Street is another major east-west road mainly on Kent's eastern side, passing through and linking much of the Kent State campus. Fairchild Avenue is an important east-west road on the city's west side connecting with Stow and Cuyahoga Falls. State Route 43 is the main north–south highway, mainly following North Mantua and South Water Streets. SR 43 connects Kent with Interstate 76, approximately to the south via exit 33 in Brimfield and to the Ohio Turnpike/Interstate 80 and the eastern terminus of Interstate 480, approximately to the north via Turnpike exit 187 in Streetsboro. Both SR 43 and SR 59 are four to five-lane roads within the city limits. State Route 261 passes through the southern and eastern edges of the city and is a four-lane divided highway for a short distance with the remainder a two-lane highway. It serves as a bypass between SR 43, SR 59, and Summit Street on Kent's south and eastern sides and to Tallmadge on the southwest.

By bus

• PARTAOffers bus service from Portage County cities, a route from Akron, and a route from Cleveland.

By plane

• Akron-Canton Regional AirportAt about 30 minutes away by car, this is the closest major airport to Kent.

• Cleveland Hopkins International AirportAbout 50 minutes away by car.

• Kent State University Airport

  phone: +1 330 672-2640
  address: 4020 Kent Rd, Stow
  Kent State University also operates its own small General aviation airport in nearby Stow, Ohio, which is for educational and public use. It is in Stow (not in Kent), a 10-minute drive or an hour-long walk to Kent.

By bus

• Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority

  phone: +1 330-678-1287
  Provides bus service in Kent and surrounding Portage County. The Kent Central Gateway is the main hub for PARTA buses and features a parking garage and covered bicycle parking.

By bike

Kent is a very bike friendly town! Covered bike parking is often available, and the PARTA Kent Central Gateway has bike lockers for completely enclosed storage. The Kent State Student Center has a free self-service bike repair station outside.

• The Portage Hike and Bike trailThis dedicated bike and foot path helps connect Kent with Ravenna and the rest of the Cleveland Metro.

• Flashfleet

  phone: +1-855-VEO-2256
  A dockless bicycle rental service offered by Kent State University. Bring your own helmet. Has an selection of pedal, electric, and ADA compliant cycles.

By foot

Kent is a very walkable city due to its compact size and dedicated walkways like the Lester Lefton Esplanade.

• Lester A. Lefton EsplanadeA path that goes from Downtown through Kent State University, and to Dix Stadium. The biggest pedestrian path in Kent. Walkers should stay out of the bike lanes on either side of the esplanade, and bikers should stay out of the center walking lane.

• Kent State University

  phone: +1 330-672-2444
  address: 800 E Summit St
  Kent State, a public research university founded 1912 as a teachers' college, offers 300 degree programs on eight campuses. The main campus in Kent houses 28,800 of the system's 42,500 students. Programs include nursing, liquid crystals, business, history, library science, aeronautics, journalism and fashion design.

Museums

• May 4 Visitors Center

  phone: +1 330-672-4660
  address: 300 Midway Dr
  The May 4th Visitors Center surrounds the area where the May 4th Shootings occurred. The Visitors Center has an exhibit that helps provide context to the shootings including larger scale conflicts such as the Vietnam War. Informational packets are available near the site when the Visitors Center is closed. Often offers special programming around May 4th.

• Kent State University Museum

  phone: +1 330-672-3450
  address: 515 Hilltop Dr
  The Kent State University Fashion Museum is in Rockwell Hall, and features historical and cutting-edge articles of fashion.

• Kent Historical Society & Museum

  phone: +1 330 678-2712
  address: 237 E Main St
  Local history of the city and residents, the railroad and the university.

• Kenneth W. Berger Hearing Aid Museum and Archives

  phone: +1 330 672-2672
  address: 1325 Theatre Dr
  A museum of hearing aid technology that houses over 3000 hearing aids.

• The MuseLab

  phone: +1 330 672-3887
  address: 1125 Risman Dr
  A museum about museums. Has rotating exhibits that are usually interactive.

Fine Arts

• Center for the Performing Arts

  phone: +1 330 672-3884
  This building is the core of the Kent State Performing Arts programs. The basement houses the Performing Arts Library which features some special collections. The first floor houses the Ludwig Recital Hall for musical performances, as well as several dance rooms and theaters.

• Center for the Visual Arts

  phone: +1 330 672-1379
  address: 325 Terrace Dr
  Features many galleries of Student Artwork, as well as workshops. Partially built out of an old power plant.

• The Kent Stage

  phone: +1 330 677-5005
  address: 175 E Main St
  See a production at the primer theater of Downtown Kent. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a often shown here.

• Wick Poetry Center

  phone: +1 330 672-2067
  Housed in the historic May Prentice House, the Wick Poetry Center houses poetry readings and more. It's surrounded by a poetry park, which is small, but packed with art and an amphitheater.

Science

• Kent State PlanetariumOccasionally offers showings

• Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute

  phone: +1-330-672-2654
  address: 1425 Lefton Esplanade
  Birthplace of the Twisted Numeric LCD (when it was in Smith Hall). Has an art installation outside, and occasionally offers conferences. The building interior is normally off limits, but is sometimes opened up for seminars.

Activities

• Adventure CenterThe center offers a variety of "adventures".

• Crooked River AdventuresA Kent State University program open to the public that offers canoeing on the Cuyahoga River.

• Eastway Game Room

  address: 1375 Eastway Dr
  Bowling Alley and Video Game Arcade in the Eastway Center. Operated by Kent State University but rarely used by students so you can usually get it for yourself.

Festivals

• Kent 'Round TownA fall music festival that started in 1966 as the Kent State Folk Festival.

• Black Squirrel FestivalAnnual festival featuring university organisations, local companies, and student organizations.

• Kent Heritage Festival

  address: Downtown Kent
  A midsummer festival held in the beginning of July celebrating the heritage of Kent. The heritage festival has food, activities, entertainment, and fireworks.

• FlashFestHeld every spring, FlashFest brings activities and big name musicians to campus.

• FS²

  address: 515 Hilltop Dr
  Kent State's spring fashion show. This event showcases student work and alumni success in the field of fashion. Tickets for the event are available at the Performing Arts Box Office (PABO) in the center for the Performing arts, which is in a different building then Rockwell Hall.

• Kent/Blossom Music Festival

  phone: +1 330 672-2613
  A summer music festival that also acts as a collaboration between Kent State, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Blossom Music Center to train musicians.

Hackathons & computer science

Kent State University has a large, active, computer science program, and this is reflected in many of its facilities and annual events. You don't have to be a Kent native or student to work in this scene, so don't be a stranger.

• Kent Hack EnoughAnnual collegiate hackathon at Kent State University. Visitors are encouraged, especially for the opening and closing ceremonies. Non-computer science majors and Non-Kent students are very welcomed to compete.

• Fashion Tech HackathonA collegiate hackathon centered on fashion and technology as an interdisciplinary field.

• Spark Innovation Studio

  address: 104 S Lincoln St
  A hackerspace at Kent State University. Facilities include 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters, fabric printers and a CNC router.

• Student Multimedia Center

  phone: +1 330-672-0221
  address: go into the Library and walk straight, staying on the first floor
  Despite the name, the SMS offers services to non-students too. They have video-conferencing rooms, 3D printers, and help with computer software.

• Tech Style Lab

  phone: +1-330 672-1635
  address: 515 Hilltop Dr
  A interdisciplinary Lab/Hackerspace in Rockwell Hall at Kent State University. Has resources for Fashion Students and Computer Science Students. Features one of the largest laser cutters in Northwest Ohio. Name is meant to sound like "Textile Lab".

Sports

Most of the Kent State sports facilities are far from the campus and downtown; some walks to some facilities from campus are not wheelchair friendly. Be sure to allow for ample time to walk, or take a PARTA bus to the game.

• Dix StadiumSee Kent State's football team at Dix Stadium.

• Kent State Ice Arena

  phone: +1-330-672-RINK
  address: 650 Loop Rd
  Dual rink ice arena. Features hockey games and public skating.

• Schoonover StadiumThe official baseball field of Kent State University.

• Allerton Sports Complex

  address: 1565 Campus Center Dr
  University operated sports complex.

Parks and nature

• Standing RockStanding Rock is a unique rock positioned above the Portage River. Rumored to have been a meeting place for Native Americans before Kent was established.

• Partially Buried WoodshedA woodshed that was created to fall apart after being partially buried in 1970.

• Ernest B. Miller TrailAn easy walking path along the Cuyahoga River. Near the site of "Brady's Leap" where Samuel Brady is said to have jumped across the Cuyahoga River in 1780 while fleeing Native Americans.

• Cooperrider-Kent Bog State Nature Preserve

  address: 1028 Meloy Rd
  Contains a number of tamarack trees and a small boardwalk.

• Fred Fuller ParkBallpark along the river

• University Prairie ReserveA reserve of natural prairie land on campus. The university conducts a controlled burn once a year, so don't be surprised if you notice it on fire.

• Kent State University Bookstore

  phone: +1 330 672-2762
  address: 1075 Risman Dr
  Travelers might find the bookstore's selection of charging cables, umbrellas, water bottles, bookbags, clothing, cosmetics, and memory cards useful, if somewhat overpriced. Besides books the bookstore sells Kent State brand apparel, stationary, and computers.

• Off the Wagon

  phone: +1 330-474-1330
  address: 152 E Main St
  Toy store, with many gag items geared at older people.

• Acorn AlleyA open air pedestrian mall downtown

Coffee shops

• Scribbles Coffee

  phone: +1 330-346-0337
  address: 237 N Water St
  Has books and coffee. Lets you scribble on paper topped tables with crayons.

• Bent Tree Coffee

  phone: +1 330-474-7255
  address: 313 N Water St
  A coffee shop that also offers classes and blends for sale.

• Tree City Coffee

  phone: +1 330-673-5522
  address: 135 E Erie St
  A modern coffee shop near Acorn Alley.

On campus

• Rosie's Rations

  address: 1475 Leebrick Dr
  Kent State's Late Night Diner and convenience store. Sells breakfast, lunch, dinner and desert 22 hours a day. The food is very greasy and often hastily cooked, but on the flip side it's relatively cheap and it's quick. In the morning and around lunch Rosie's is pretty quiet, but at night, especially on Thursdays and Fridays, it gets loud and rowdy with a bar like atmosphere. You have to operate the register yourself - paying with a card here is far easier then paying with cash. Hold onto your receipt until your number is called and don't be afraid to ask if it gets loud. Requires a Kent State student ID to enter after midnight. Offers late night delivery. The grocery part is open 24/7 during the school year and offers a good balance between junk food and healthy food, but it's a little pricey for a traveler.

• Schwebel Room

  phone: +1 330 672-2583
  address: 1075 Risman Dr
  The most classy dining option at Kent State University. Most students don't realize it exists and since Meal Plan isn't usable here students that do know rarely eat here. As a result most of the diners here are professors, administrators, and other visitors. Specializes in cheeses, seafood, and meats, but there are a few vegetarian options. Has a balcony with a great view of Risman Plaza.

• Eastway CenterThe second floor of Eastway houses the Eastway Fresh Food Company, a dining hall frequented by freshmen and vegans. Downstairs there is a deli and market. Eastway Deli is popular with upperclassemen and can prepare custom sandwiches. Eastway Market carries a small selection of international brands outside the usual fare.

• Prentice HallPrentice Cafe is the main dining hall on this side of campus, Prentice Cafe is fully gluten free. Munchies Market is small, but they have a wide variety of snacks and candy as well as a small deli that can make custom wraps. The closest dining facility to the May 4th Memorial site.

• Kent State Student CenterThe first and second floors of the Kent State Student Center serve as the primary dining hall of the area. The Hub is on the first floor and serves branded fast food alongside branches of local restaurants. The Hub has bagel, sub, pretzel, Asian, and Mexican specialty resaurants. Because the Hub is a favorite with students, between 11AM and 2PM they don't accept meal plan to accommodate commuter students and visitors - conversely the times immediately before 11AM and immediately after 2PM are extremely busy. Also on the first floor is the Kent Market, which is a small convince store in a nook that also sells soup and bent tree coffee. On the Second floor is the Kent Market 2, which handles the influx of students between 11AM and 2PM. Besides American food, the Kent Market 2 also has Italian and Indian options, as well as a deli.

• Food 4 Thought Cyber CaféA cafe that serves coffee, tea, smoothies and vegetarian or vegan food.

Budget

• Baked in the Village Cafe

  phone: +1 330-256-0790
  address: 123 N Water St
  A bakery and cafe offering breakfast and lunch. The menu at this establishment features pastries and coffee, sandwiches and soups, as well as sides such as macaroni salad, potato salad and coleslaw.

• Euro Gyro

  phone: +1 330-678-4976
  address: 107 S Depeyster St
  Pizza, wings, gyros, and sandwiches. They also have bar and drink specials. A large 1-topping pizza is $5 on Wednesday. Open late.

• Wild Goats Café

  phone: +1 330 677-2326
  address: 319 W Main St
  Really good place for breakfast or lunch. They have great coffee, and food that is fresh. Try the corned beef hash.

Mid-range

• Guy's Pizza

  phone: +1 330-678-5368
  address: 146 S Water St
  Fresh ingredients from local vendors. In addition to the regular and specialty pizza pies, nine different fresh salads are on the menu, as are subs, calzones, and traditional and boneless wings.

• Franklin Square Deli

  phone: +1 330-673-2942
  address: 108 S Water St
  In addition to its wide array of sandwich selections, they offer a full breakfast menu, soups and dessert items. The restaurant provides quick, courteous service and maintains a large local customer base.

• Mike's Place

  phone: +1 330-673-6501
  address: 1700 S Water St
  Mike's place has a huge menu, and all items have an unusual name (Ms. McNaster's Disaster, the Nunsiatta Devita, etc.). The atmosphere is similar to Dick's Last Resort's.

• Ray's Place

  phone: +1 330 673-2233
  address: 135 Franklin Ave
  Bar and restaurant, popular with college students and locals. Burgers, sandwiches, food and drink specials, great variety of beers. Serves a relaxed public.

• Taco Tantos

  phone: +1 330-677-0223
  address: 123 Franklin Ave
  Made from scratch delicious Mexican style foods. Cheap huge tacos, burritos, tostados, taco salads, pizzaritos , chips and salsa. Can call ahead for pick up or place order in the store. One can place an outdoor by phone and can pick up their order from the outside carryout window at the nextdoor Zephyr Bar. If you want a beer with your food then you have to go to Zephyrs. The website is a little outdated and food is a little more expensive but totally worth it.

Splurge

• Bistro on Main

  phone: +1 330-673-9900
  address: 1313 W Main St
  Bistro is dark and quiet, with an extensive wine list and innovative menu selections.

• Laziza

  phone: +1 330-677-7000
  address: 195 E Erie St
  Laziza is a Mediterranean-style restaurant in the downtown Kent area that offers lunch and dinner dining. The menu here offers steaks, seafood and Mediterranean specialties. The space here features two levels available for dining, a bar and an area for private parties. The restaurant also provides catering services for private events and functions.

• Popped!

  phone: +1 330 678-1893
  address: 175 E Erie St
  Popped offers a variety of hot popcorns, from butter or caramel to more unusual flavors such as Baja or Cayenne. Also offers gift tins of cold popcorn.

• Bario Tacos

  phone: +1-330-968-6118
  address: 295 S Water St

• Zephyr Pub

  phone: +1 330 678-4848
  address: 106 W Main St
  Zephyr has a reputation as a friendly drinking establishment that's not really frequented by any one social group. Plenty of groups get together here, whether they're current KSU students or grads from long-ago gathering for a casual night. Customers use the large outdoor patio as long as the weather permits and service on the patio is every bit as good as inside.

• The Loft

  phone: +1-330 678-0391
  address: 112 W Main St

• The Patio

  address: 1075 Risman Drive
  Sells pulled pork sandwichs, mac and cheese, and has a build your own burger bar. Has many TVs. Despite the name, it's underground and lacks a patio.

• Dominick's

• 157 Lounge

  phone: +1 330 678-1577
  address: 157 S Water St
  Serves spirits alongside sushi.

• The Dome

  phone: +1 330 6775479
  address: 166 Currie Hall Pkwy
  Entertainment venue offering DJs, stand up comedians and live bands

• Kent State University Hotel

  phone: +1 330-346-0100
  address: 215 S Depeyster St
  A hotel and conference center owned and operated by Kent State University. The hotel is close to downtown Kent, and on the edge of Kent State University Campus. The hotel features a restaurant, Wi-Fi, and a salt water pool.

• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

  phone: +1 330 673-9200
  address: 1215 Sanctuary View Dr
  Has Internet access and a pool. This hotel is on the edge of Kent proper and walking to anywhere meaningful from here is difficult, but it's one of the few hotels in the area.

• Kent State University Library

  phone: +1 330 672-3456
  address: 1125 Risman Dr
  The main library at Kent State University. Offers special collections, and is open to the public. The fourth floor, also known as the fab fourth, is a lounge and group study floor which offers a variety of amenities like beanbag chairs and graphic novels making this a good place to relax. The twelfth floor is the library's special collections, which is sort of like a museum of various artifacts the university has acquired.

• Kent Free Library

  phone: +1 330 673-4414
  address: 312 W Main St
  Kent Ohio's public library. The current library building started as a historic Carnegie library which still stands as a wing of the current building. The library has public Wi-Fi, and hosts a variety of events as well.

• Kent Post Office

  phone: +1-330-673-3511
  address: 626 Franklin Ave

• Kent Parks & Recreation Fitness Center

  address: 1205 W Main St
  Public gym that offers a variety of classes, as well as aerobics and strength machines.

• Student Recreation and Wellness Center

  phone: +1 330-672-4732
  address: 1550 Ted Boyd Dr
  Has a swimming pool, spa, basketball courts, among other facilities.

Smoking

Kent State is a non-smoking campus. All forms of smoking, vaping, and hookah are prohibited.

May 4th

On May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard killed 4 students and shot 9 others. Although there was an ongoing anti-war protest, not all the victims were protesters, and some were just walking to class. One of the victims was even enrolled in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. The site of the May 4th Shootings is a solemn location. Please respect the location and victims of the shootings.

Local

• RavennaThe county seat of Portage County. Ravenna has nice architecture and a tall flagpole.

• AkronThe nearest large metro to Kent.

• ClevelandA culturally diverse city on the shores of Lake Erie.

• YoungstownA city with a resurgent arts scene to the east of Kent. Home of Youngstown State University.

• ColumbusThe capital city of Ohio. A few hours southwest of Kent.