Experience Akron Canton

Reason #7 About 25 years after the punk thing, Akron’s Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney formed the blues-y rock band The Black Keys. They’ve gone on to be Grammy-winning rock stars. Their latest is Dropout Boogie, nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Album in 2023.

Reason #98 Greater Akron-Canton treats include Stricklands Frozen Custard.

Reason #22 A Canal Runs Through Us. The Ohio & Erie Canal ran through our counties in the early 19th century, sparking business development along its route. Today, the Ohio & Erie Canalway is a National Heritage Area. The 90-mile Towpath Trail, which follows the original canal, is a favorite hiking and biking spot that winds through downtown Akron, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) and south to Stark County’s Bolivar. Parts of our original canal locks are visible along the Towpath Trail, and several have been repurposed. The Mustill Store Visitors Center in Akron is a restored general store. In Canal Fulton, visitors can take a ride on the St. Helena III, a real canal boat pulled by horses.

Reason #6 The LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) partnered with the Akron Public Schools in 2019 to open the I PROMISE School for students in the district. It offers wraparound social services such as a food pantry and laundry area for its families.

Reason #37 The Inn at Brandywine Falls, overlooking the 67-foot Brandywine waterfall, was built in 1848 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s been lauded by the likes of the AARP and CNN. Or check out the Bridal Veil and Blue Hen waterfalls.

Reason #98 Norka Soda (Akron backwards. Five flavors)

Reason #101 Renee Powell, the second African-American woman to compete on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, is head professional at Clearview Golf Club in East Canton. In 2011, she launched Clearview HOPE, dedicated to helping female veterans through golf.

Reason #96 The unmistakable scent of roasting nuts wafts down Main Street from the Peanut Shoppe, a downtown Akron stalwart since the 1930s. If you’ve never had fresh warm cashews on a cold day, you haven’t lived.

Reason #87 Akron’s Northside District is a hip residential, arts and entertainment area in what once was the city’s red light quarter. Luigi’s, an Akron landmark, anchors the district and Jilly’s brings in music fans. The Northside Marketplace mixes established retailers such as Rubber City Clothing® with startups. Cyclists hop on the Towpath Trail only 100 yards away. Northside Lofts provide elegant, urban living.

Reason #73 The Akron Art Library lets you borrow artwork by local and international artists. As a partnership between the Akron Art Museum and the Akron-Summit County Public Library, the art library engages the community with real art and artists.

Reason #7 Greater Akron is a major site on the map of punk music. DEVO of “Whip It” fame and The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde are probably the most well-known of the punk/new wave musicians to come out of 1970s Akron, but they weren’t alone. The Village Voice put it this way in 1978: “Something is obviously going on out there.”

Reason #100 The MAPS Air Museum in North Canton features artifacts, interactive exhibits and historical archives. It is a working museum that repairs and restores historical aircraft on site.