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User:Sapphire/Sandbox/Places/Akron Travel Guide

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Akron Skyline from Innerbelt Freeway
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Akron Skyline from Innerbelt Freeway

Akron [2] is a medium sized city located in the Northeast Ohio region in Summit County in the State of Ohio in the United States.

Contents

Understand

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 Ohio & Erie Canal (which can be seen downtown and throughout the Cuyahoga Valley National Park) connecting the two was inevitable, and is the primary reason Akron grew just where it did.

Climate

Average monthly temperatures
Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
24.8ºF 27.4ºF 38.0ºF 48.5ºF 59.0ºF 67.8ºF 71.9ºF 70.3ºF 63.7ºF 52.4ºF 42.0ºF 30.7ºF

Newspapers

  • Akron Beacon Journal [3] is the only daily newspaper published for the Akron market.

Get in

By plane

  • Fly into Akron-Canton Regional Airport, AKC if you can - small, easy to navigate, quick in-and-out.
  • Alternatively, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, CLE - an approximately one hour drive to the northwest of Akron and a hub of Continental Airlines.

By train

Akron lost its AMTRAK station in the last round of cuts, so you'll have to go into Cleveland.

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 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 Bus

Get around

By bus

  • Akron METRO [4] - 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.

By car

Taxis

  • Barberton-Summit Taxi, Inc., ☎ +1-(330)-825-6595.
  • City Yellow Cab, 650 Home Avenue, ☎ +1-(330)-330-253-3141.


See

  • Akron Zoo, 500 Edgewood Avenue, ☎ +1-(330)-375-2550 (, fax: +1-(330)-375-2575), http://www.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.
  • National Inventors Hall of Fame, 221 South Broadway, ☎ +1-(330)-762-4463 (, fax: +1-(330)-762-6313), http://www.invent.org/. Hours: Sunday - Monday: Closed; Wednesday - Saturday: 10 - 16:30. Closed: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, 4th of July, and Thanksgiving Day. Admission: Adult: $8.75; Youth (under 18): $6.75; Senior (55 and over): $7.75; Family Ticket: $29.00.
  • Goodyear World of Rubber Museum, 1144 East Market Street, ☎ +1-(330)-796-6546. Learn the history of tire production and one of its pioneers, Charles Goodyear.
  • Home of John Brown, 550 Copley Road, ☎ +1-(330)-535-1120 (, fax: +1-(330)-535-0250), http://www.summithistory.org/. Guided tours hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 12:30 & 14:30. 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: $5.00, Seniors & Children: $4.00.
  • Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, 714 North Portage Path, ☎ +1-(330)-836-5533 (, fax: +1-(330)-836-5533), http://www.stanhywet.org/. Hours: April 1 through December 30: Daily: 9 - 18:00 (Buildings close at 16:30). Closed: Easter, November 13 & 14 (for holiday decorating), Thanksgiving, December 24 at 1 p.m., 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.


Do

Arts and Culture

  • E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, 198 Hill Street (University of Akron), ☎ +1-(330)-972-7570 (fax: +1-(330)-972-2700), http://www.ejthomashall.com/.
  • Porthouse Theatre Company, Address (Adjacent to Blossom), ☎ +1-(330)-929-4416, http://www.porthousetheatre.com/. A summer professional theater provided by Kent State University.

Sports

  • Akron Aeros, 300 South Main Street, ☎ +1-(330)-253-5151 (, fax: +1-(330)-253-3300), http://www.akronaeros.com/. Named for Northeast Ohio's prominent role in the aerospace and aviation industry. The Aeros 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 Jacobs Field, the Akron Aeros often receive Major Leaguers (like a AAA team) right before they are sent up to Cleveland.
  • University of Akron Zips, ☎ +1-(330)-972-6920, http://www.gozips.com/. U of Akron is a member of the Mid-American Conference of NCAA College Sports.

Annual events

  • All-American Soap Box Derby, Address, ☎ +1-(330)-733-8723 (, fax: +1-(330)-733-1370), http://www.aasbd.com/. 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 NEC Invitational at Firestone Country Club is an annual Professional Golf Association (PGA) event, hosting a competition of the winners of major international golf events.

Learn

  • University of Akron, 302 Buchtel Common, ☎ +1-(330)-972-7077 (fax: +1-(330)-972-7022), http://www.uakron.edu/. The University of Akron is one of the best schools in the country for engineering and polymer science.
  • Kent State University, home of the Liquid Crystal Institute (where liquid crystal displays were invented) is about 10 miles northeast of downtown Akron in Kent.

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, 135 South Broadway, ☎ +1-(330)-253-5970 (, fax: +1-(330)-253-2574), http://www.quakersquare.com/. Silos and factory utilized by the Quaker Oats Company have been converted into a mixed-use complex, including arts and craft mall, Depot Diner, featuring old passenger train cars inside the restaurant, Crowne Plaza Hotel and office space.
  • Orangerie Mall, 76 South Main Street, ☎ +1-(330)-535-6400. 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, ☎ +1-(330)-253-6268 (, fax: +1-(330)-253-4014), http://www.dondrummstudios.com/. 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.
  • Summit Mall, 3265 West Market (Located in the northern Akron suburb of Fairlawn), ☎ +1-(330)-867-1556. Summit Mall features over 120 retail stores as well as a food court and a Ruby Tuesdays Restaurant.


Eat

Budget

  • Menches Brothers Restaurant, 300 South Main Street, ☎ +1-(330)-375-1717 (), http://www.menchesbros.com. 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.

Mid-range

  • Bricco, Address, ☎ +1-(330)-475-1600 (fax: +1-(330)-475-1604), http://www.briccoakron.com/. 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, ☎ +1-(330)-253-1234, http://www.eatdrinkcrave.com/. 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, ☎ +1-(330)-374-0025 (fax: +1-(330)-374-0804), http://www.meatballs.com/.


Splurge

  • Ken Stewart's Grill, 1970 West Market Street, ☎ +1-(330)-867-2555.
  • Inn at Turner's Mill, 36 East Streetsboro Street, ☎ +1-(330)-656-2949 (fax: +1-(330)-656-0062), http://www.turnersmill.com/. Reservations recommended. Enjoy this quaint town, one of the best examples of town planning in the Connecticut Western Reserve. Collard shirts are required for men.


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.
  • Jillians' Billiards, 363 South Main Street (Across from Canal Park.), ☎ +1-(330)-252-0085 (fax: +1-(330)-252-0089), http://www.jilliansbilliards.com/. Daily: 11:30 - 02:00.


Sleep

Budget

  • Comfort Inn Akron Hotel - 2873 S. Arlington Road; tel. (330) 645-1100 fax. (330) 645-1101 [5]
  • Comfort Inn West Akron Hotel - 130 Montrose West Avenue; tel. (330) 666-5050 fax. (330) 668-2550 [6] - close to I-77 interstate and 25 miles from Cleveland International Airport, and surrounded by several area attractions including Geauga Lake, the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pinnacle Sports, Akron University, etc.
  • Motel 6 Akron North, 99 Rothrock Road, +1 330 666-0566, Fax: +1 330 666-6874, [7].
  • Best Western Executive Inn of Akron, 2677 Gilchrist Road, +1 330 794-1050, Fax: +1 330 794-8495, [8].
  • Best Western Inn & Suites, 160 Montrose West Avenue, +1 330 670-0888, Fax: +1 330 668-2926, [9].

Mid-range

  • Hawthorn Suites Akron - 5025 Park Avenue West; tel. (330) 769-5025 fax. (330) 769-5026 [10]. Hotel features spacious suites, full or efficiency kitchens, in-room DVD players, voice mail, functional work desks, complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access, coffee makers, micro-fridges and iron & ironing boards. Other amenities featured include an exercise facility, indoor pool and on-site guest laundry and valet services.
  • Fairfield Inn & Suites Akron South, 1025 Interstate Parkway, +1 330 245-0041, Fax: +1 330 564-0630, [11].
  • Holiday Inn, 4073 Medina Rd, +1 330 666-4131, [12].

Splurge

  • Crowne Plaza Hotel, 135 South Broadway, +1 330 253-5970, [13]. Connected to Quaker Square, this unique hotel is constructed from cylindrical grain bins from the former Quaker Oats plant.
  • Residence Inn Akron, 120 Montrose West Avenue, +1 330 666-4811, Fax: +1 330 666-8029, [14].
  • Courtyard Akron Montrose, 100 Springside Drive, +1 330 668-9090, Fax: +1 330 668-9090, [15].

Contact

  • United States Post Office, 209 South Main Street, ☎ +1-(330)-376-7098. Hours: Mon. 08:30 - 17:00, Tue. 08:30 - 17:00, Wed. 08:30 - 17:00, Thurs. 08:30 - 17:00, Fri. 08:30 - 17:00.


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 South side of the city (known locally as Kenmore) 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 - notably Elizabeth Park (under the "All-America" 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): +1-330-375-2101
  • Police Department (Non-emergency): +1-330-375-2181
  • Poison Center: +1-330-379-8562

Hospitals


Cope

Religious services

  • Rosh Pinah Messianic Congregation, 3891 Ira Road (Located in the town of Bath), ☎ +1-(330)-668-6840, http://www.rosh-pinah.org/.
  • Islamic Society of Akron & Kent, 152 East Steels Corners Road (Located in the town of Cuyahoga Falls), ☎ +1-(330)-922-9991 (), http://www.isak.org/. Muslim services.


Get out

  • Go north to Cleveland. There's a lot going on up there.
  • 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.


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