Akron, OH

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Courtesy of the Office of TourismOhio, www.DiscoverOhio.com
Photo provided by Courtesy of the Office of TourismOhio, www.DiscoverOhio.com
Photo provided by Courtesy of the Office of TourismOhio, www.DiscoverOhio.com
Photo provided by Courtesy of the Office of TourismOhio, www.DiscoverOhio.com
Photo provided by Courtesy of the Office of TourismOhio, www.DiscoverOhio.com

Between seeing rare animals in the zoo and touring the museums and parks, visiting this small city in Ohio will provide days of entertainment.

The city of Akron has flourished because of its location between the Cuyahoga River, which connects to the Great Lakes, and the Tuscarawas River, which connects to the Ohio River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. With various gardens and parks, a zoo and museums, Akron is a small city with lots to see and do.

Akron was once known as the Rubber Capital of the World. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company was founded here in 1898 and its headquarters remain to this day. Visit the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, the home of Goodyear executive F.A. Seiberling. Tour the 65 opulent rooms of the mansion or stroll through its manicured gardens.

If you are an animal lover, make sure to visit the Akron Zoo. Observe more than 700 animals and nearly 100 different species at this wildlife park. The zoo is dedicated to breeding programs intended to preserve endangered species. The park is split into six themed areas meant to mimic different regions of the globe. See snow leopards in the Legends of the Wild section or watch grizzly bears in the Grizzly Ridge area.

Akron has several museums. Experience history firsthand at Hale Farm and Village with its meticulously recreated 19th-century life on a rambling farm. Take part in a cooking demonstration or walk through the heritage garden and farmyard. Visit the Akron Art Museum, home to an extensive permanent collection as well as a constant rotation of traveling exhibits. The museum’s structure itself is notable for its 2004 redesign that incorporated the original building into a new, thoroughly modernistic structure with a glass exterior.

Fly into Akron-Canton Airport, 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of Akron. Rent a car or take the METRO bus into the city. Whether you visit to investigate the area’s history, explore Ohio’s only national park, at the nearby Cuyahoga Valley, or just enjoy the downtown restaurants and shopping, Akron is full of attractions and activities to catch your interest.

Where to stay in Akron

Akron showing landscape views, a lake or waterhole and a river or creek

Downtown Akron

4/5(9 area reviews)

Downtown Akron is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Canal Park and EJ Thomas Hall.

Downtown Akron
Eclectic little vegan and GF cafe. Good food.

Firestone Park

While there might not be top attractions in Firestone Park, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Firestone Stadium and Firestone Country Club.

Firestone Park
View from the Oxbow Overlook deck.

Merriman Valley

While visiting Merriman Valley, you might make a stop by sights like Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Cuyahoga River.

Merriman Valley
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Elizabeth Park Valley

4/5(31 area reviews)

Elizabeth Park Valley might not have many top sights, but Akron Art Museum and Akron-Summit County Public Library are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Elizabeth Park Valley
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Summit Lake

Though Summit Lake might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Firestone Stadium and Akron Zoo.

Summit Lake
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Fairlawn Heights

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Fairlawn Heights and surrounding area, you can visit Summit Mall and Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens.

Fairlawn Heights
Radisson Hotel Akron/Fairlawn
Radisson Hotel Akron/Fairlawn
3 out of 5
200 Montrose West Ave, Akron, OH
$74 nightly
The price is $85 total per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
$85 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Akron. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Rosemont Country Club and ...
5.8/10 (1,002 reviews)
"Good for an overnight stay"

Reviewed on Jun 25, 2025

Radisson Hotel Akron/Fairlawn
Quality Inn
Quality Inn
2.5 out of 5
2873 S Arlington Rd, Akron, OH
$60 nightly
The price is $69 total per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
$69 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Akron. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Firestone ...
5.8/10 (858 reviews)
"Too far off the main road. Drove past twice Many fixtures need remodeling"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Quality Inn
Comfort Inn & Suites Copley Akron
Comfort Inn & Suites Copley Akron
2.5 out of 5
160 Montrose West Ave, Akron, OH
$81 nightly
The price is $93 total per night from Aug 6 to Aug 7
$93 total
Aug 6 - Aug 7
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Akron. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7/10 Good! (893 reviews)
"na"

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Comfort Inn & Suites Copley Akron
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Extended Stay America Select Suites - Akron - South
Extended Stay America Select Suites - Akron - South
2.5 out of 5
3325 Fortuna Dr, Akron, OH
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Akron. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Firestone Country Club ...
6.4/10 (404 reviews)
"Good hotel for my needs. No desk at night and in morning. I left early in the morning. Felt I needed to call in to make sure I was checked out. Would be helpful to have a touch screen for check out or even a key dropoff."

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025

Extended Stay America Select Suites - Akron - South
Lakefront Portage Lakes/Akron
Charming 2-bedroom home with stunning views.
Lakefront Portage Lakes/Akron Charming 2-bedroom home with stunning views.
2 out of 5
Akron
Stay at this vacation home in Akron. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Firestone Country Club and Topgolf are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
Truly a Home Away from Home
"Wow. This house was extremely charming and well-furnished. Surrounded by trees and a great view of the lake, we could not have asked for more. Guessing the house at 800 to 1000 sq ft — so much more than our planned stay at the airport hotel. Nicely furnished, quiet — really quiet, and tastefully ..."

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Lakefront Portage Lakes/Akron Charming 2-bedroom home with stunning views.
Akron (Portage Lakes) Peaceful Lakefront Cottage with Kayaks
Akron (Portage Lakes) Peaceful Lakefront Cottage with Kayaks
Akron
Stay at this vacation home in Akron. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a garden. Popular attractions Firestone Country Club and Topgolf are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (45 reviews)
niece week
"Short lake trip for our anual "niece week" trip. Lovely cottage and beautiful view!"

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Akron (Portage Lakes) Peaceful Lakefront Cottage with Kayaks
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Akron

Downtown Akron is quite compact, so if you’re staying in this area you may be happy to mainly get around on foot. There is also an efficient bus network, the Akron Metro, which serves the whole city. To get the most out of your stay, rent a car, which will give you the freedom to explore the area at your leisure. Akron has lots of cycle lanes, but is very hilly, so only rent a bike if you’re feeling fit. Visit the METRO Regional Transit AuthorityOpens in a new window website.Browse Akron rental cars.

Best time to visit

With four very distinct seasons, Akron will offer you a different experience depending on the time of year you visit. Winters can be very cold, with average highs in January close to freezing; however, the Christmas lights and German markets make this a fun destination around the holiday season. Summers can be swelteringly hot and humid, so consider spring or fall for more temperate weather and fun festivals.

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