Explore football’s beginnings, retrace the steps of President McKinley’s front porch campaign or simply enjoy Midwestern charm in this Ohio city.
Canton was the birthplace of both a presidential campaign and football’s national organization. Explore the city’s fascinating history and enjoy its cheerful Ohio charm. It sits on the periphery of the greater Cleveland metropolitan area and has the cultural offerings of a much larger city. Use it as the gateway to explore the state’s vast Amish country.
William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States, conducted his famous front porch campaign from Canton. Learn all about his rise from Ohio lawyer to national leader at the William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum.
Explore the important roles of presidents’ wives at the National First Ladies’ Library housed in the Saxton McKinley House, the childhood abode of President McKinley’s wife Ida Saxton. The couple lived here during the early years of their marriage.
Football brought lasting fame for Canton. In 1920, four Ohio teams met at a Canton auto showroom and founded the American Professional Football Conference. This organization eventually evolved into the NFL. Learn all about football’s history at the Pro Football Hall of FameOpens in a new window. Walk among the busts of players and coaches who shaped the sport and watch highlight reels in the Super Bowl Theater.
See a show at the 1920s Canton Palace Theatre. Musicals, plays, concerts and other performances are staged here throughout the year. Inside, look up at the sky-like ceiling, which features stars and moving clouds.
Reach Canton from the rest of the state on multiple highways. The nearest train station, offering daily service to Chicago and Washington D.C., is a 30-minute drive away in Alliance. Akron Canton Regional Airport is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of the city. It offers numerous domestic flights. For more flight choices, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is just an hour’s drive away.
Regardless of whether you’re a football fan or a history scholar, Canton’s friendly atmosphere will make your visit a pleasant one.
