Top Things To Do In Akron

Akron is a sports-lover’s dream. While baseball fans root for the RubberDucks at Canal Park, football fans can watch the University of Akron Zips.

A few other popular things to do in Akron include:

• Barberton Speedway, a motorsports arena near Norton
• Northfield Park, a combination horse racetrack and casino near Northfield
• The Bridgestone Invitational, one of the annual World Golf Championships
• Indoor rock climbing at Kendall Cliffs or Rock Mill
• All-American Soap Box Derby Championships, a high-energy, youth racing competition

Akron has a long history in the manufacturing industry. Once home to the founder of Goodyear Tires, this city was shaped by rubber and other 20th-century commodities.

Learn more about this history at some of these popular attractions near Akron:

• The Goodyear Airdock, an airship factory with its own indoor weather
• The National Museum of Roller Skating, the biggest museum of its kind in the world
• The Hyde Memorial Observatory, one of the best observatories in the state
• The Goodyear House of Rubber, a museum dedicated to Ohio’s rubber production
• The Blossom Center, the summer home of the Cleveland orchestra

As a college town on the outskirts of Cleveland, Akron offers plenty of things to do every day of the week.

Some exciting daily activities include:

• Swenson’s Drive-In, a locally owned burger joint that opened in 1934
• The Harry London Chocolate factory, offering free tours four days a week
• The University of Akron, home to football, basketball, baseball, and much more
• The John S. Knight Center, a large convention center that hosts a variety of shows throughout the year
• Mustard Seed Market & Café, the largest locally owned health food store in the state

Whether you feel like bar hopping or sampling new cuisines, Akron’s nightlife can oblige. Some of the best nighttime activities include:

• Crave, a swanky eatery, full of locally sourced artwork
• BLU Jazz, a cozy jazz club with a relaxed yet classy vibe
• Baxter, a local watering hole with craft beers, signature cocktails, and live music
• Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, a combination horse racetrack and casino
• The Northside Speakeasy, a prohibition-era lounge, complete with hidden entrances

Akron offers activities for children of all ages. With everything from museums to a zoo, it’s easy to find fun for the whole family.

Some of the best family-friendly activities near Akron include:

• The Akron Zoo, featuring more than 30 different animal exhibits
• Waterworks Family Aquatic Center, a quick drive from nearby Cuyahoga Falls
• The Rinky Dink Family Fun Center, offering mini golf, go-karts, and bumper boats
• The Akron Fossils and Science Center, featuring touchable fossils, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, and more
• The Akron Children’s Museum, which houses exhibits on agriculture, physics, and other important topics

Did someone say retail therapy? Akron’s numerous shops and boutiques are sure to have something for everyone on your shopping list.

Some of Akron’s best indoor activities include:

• Summit Mall, a massive indoor shopping center anchored by Dillard’s and Macy’s
• Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, a local art gallery featuring jewelry, sculptures, and ceramics from all over north America
• The Akron Art Museum, featuring eclectic art exhibits, performances, and educational programs for kids
• The Summit Artspace, a local art collective that houses more than 40 different arts organizations
• Akron Glass Works, a public glass studio with workshops on glass blowing, bending, and fusing

Akron offers easy access to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio’s only national park. This massive outdoor space is made up of more than 33,000 acres for hiking, biking, skiing, and sledding.

Other popular outdoor activities in Akron include:

• All 16 of the city’s unique metroparks, featuring 125 miles of trails
• The Ohio & Erie Canal towpath, offering a two-mile trail along the water
• The Akron Zoo, a local favorite with more than 600 animals
• Boston Mills and Brandywine Ski Resort, a pair of sister ski resorts nearby
• Hale Farm & Village, an open-air museum near the Cuyahoga Valley National Park