Discover Akron’s Hidden Gems: A Memorable Day Journey Information to Ohio’s Vibrant Metropolis

Disclaimer: this put up was sponsored by the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau. Photographs and opinions are my very own.

We regularly discover ourselves driving by way of Akron on our approach to go to household in Pennsylvania, however we hardly ever get the possibility to cease in Summit County (and when now we have, it’s been to the wonderful Blue Door Bakery & Cafe in Cuyahoga Falls or feeding my obsession with fried rooster in neighboring Barberton).

However final month the parents from the Akron/Summit CVB invited us out for a day, and I feel we’ve found extra of one of the best issues to do in Akron – observe alongside!

First cease is all the time going to be espresso, and we began with the wonderful Porchlight Coffee.

Porchlight sits simply off the freeway on Grant Road, with an enormous, open house that invitations you whether or not you’re simply stopping by way of, catching up with mates, or working for a bit.

Their menu spans the same old drip espresso, chilly brew, and espresso drinks, plus some nice seasonal specialties. I went for a restaurant miel (a honey latte), Beth tried their seasonal horchata chilly brew generously topped with cinnamon, and the boys cut up an iced mocha.

Porchlight additionally gives a small meals menu that features breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast, baked oatmeal, a salad, and grilled cheese. We tried a pair sandwiches with souffled egg, bacon, cheddar, arugula, and Dijon.

Porchlight can be a brand new member of the Drip Drive, a espresso path in Summit County that takes you to twenty domestically owned retailers. If you buy drinks and acquire stamps on at the least 16, you’ll be able to earn a particular version mug and be entered right into a drawing to win $500 in prizes! Study extra at thedripdrive.com.

Porchlight Espresso
798 Grant St.
Akron, OH 44311
porchlightcoffee.square.site

Cease two was a self-guided tour of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens simply exterior town.

The large property, which clocks in over 64,000 sq. ft and consists of dozens of rooms, was constructed between 1912-1915 by Gertrude and F.A. Seiberling. (F.A. began Goodyear Tire & Rubber Firm together with his brother Charles in 1898.) The identify Stan Hywet (pronounced HEW-it) comes from the Previous English for “stone quarry,” a nod to the property’s legacy. The corridor was their residence for greater than 40 years, after which it turn out to be a non-profit open to the general public for excursions.

The complete property spans 70 acres and consists of gardens, a conservatory, and different options. Remarkably, about 95% of the home and its furnishings are all authentic! Have a look inside:

There are guided excursions scheduled all through the day, however the self-guided entry helps you to wander by way of the 2 foremost tales of the home at your individual tempo. Relying on the tour, tickets vary from $9-10 for youth 3-17 and $19-21 for adults (cheaper in case you’re a member). Get a take a look at all of the tours and admission prices here.

You might spend hours analyzing the frequent rooms, library, places of work, bedrooms, kitchens – even a pool!

The extent of preserved element is wonderful.

After touring the home, it is advisable to take time to discover the gardens. There’s a lush English backyard, a chilled Japanese backyard, a conservatory, and way more.

Stan Hywet Corridor & Gardens
714 N. Portage Path
Akron, OH 44303
stanhywet.org

After our tour of Stan Hywet, we had labored up an urge for food, so we adopted our host’s suggestion to take a look at The Lockview downtown.

The Lockview is a comfortable spot – certainly, inside view of the outdated canal locks downtown – that’s identified particularly for his or her grilled cheese sandwiches. They provide 15 totally different variations, from basic to inventive, plus a great deal of bar snacks and a full bar.

We tried the #1 basic with American cheese, the #8 with goat cheese, roasted purple peppers, and spinach; the #12 with American cheese, mashed potatoes, and a aspect of gravy; and the #14 with pepper jack and chorizo. All terrific!

The Lockview
207 S. Fundamental St.
Akron, OH 44308
thelockview.com

And whilst you’re at The Lockview, we extremely recommend stepping subsequent door to the Peanut Shoppe.

Much like the Peanut Shoppe in downtown Columbus, the Akron retailer has been serving fresh-roasted nuts, candies, and different goodies for the reason that Nineteen Thirties!

It’s arduous to not really feel like a child once more once you’re there!

The Peanut Shoppe
203 S. Fundamental St.
Akron, OH 44308
facebook.com/peanutakron

We additionally spent a little bit time strolling round Lock 3 Park throughout the road. You’ll be able to see remaining parts of the Ohio & Erie Canal and a number of the locks. Now it options the attractive Akron Civic Theatre, outside areas used for reside music, and gorgeous murals.

Our afternoon tour took us to the Akron Art Museum downtown! The museum has lengthy been on my listing to go to. It options just a few gallery areas, a restaurant, and an attractive glass atrium with some interactive actions. Relying on how rapidly you progress by way of museums, you may spend a pair hours and simply take all of it in.

The primary galleries characteristic an eclectic combine from their everlasting assortment, from work and pictures to sculptures and digital items. My private favourite was “Gentle Atlas” by Cynthia Daignault. She spent 5 months touring the perimeter of the U.S., stopping each 27 miles to color what she noticed. The result’s 360 small watercolors depicting the altering panorama.

Now by way of September 24, 2023 they’re internet hosting a fabulous present of labor by Keith Haring. Haring was identified for creating hundreds of items, lots of them made within the NYC subways by way of the Eighties till his dying in 1990. It is a uncommon likelihood to see a lot of his work collectively; it’s daring, cartoon-ish at occasions, and enjoyable.

The Akron Artwork Museum is open Wednesday-Sunday. Non-member admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for college students, and youngsters 17 and underneath are free.

Akron Artwork Museum
1 S. Excessive St.
Akron, OH 44308
akronartmuseum.org

Our remaining cease of the day was a spot I’ve been wanting to go to for years: Hoppin’ Frog Brewery. Their brewery and taproom sits south of city, throughout the street from the airfield the place the Goodyear Blimp is housed!

We have been nonetheless full from lunch, however in case you’re hungry Hoppin’ Frog gives a surprisingly dynamic meals menu, with charcuterie boards, pretzels, wings, sandwiches, flatbreads, soups, salads – even a full vegan menu!

We tried a flight of beers, together with my favourite: B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher. The identify stands for Bodacious Oatmeal Russian Imperial Stout. It’s wealthy however balanced, and was one in all my early loves after I first bought into craft beer within the early 2000s. So enjoyable to style it proper on the supply.

Stress-free at Hoppin’ Frog’s taproom was the proper end to a enjoyable day!

Hoppin’ Frog Brewery
1680 E. Waterloo Rd.
Akron, OH 44306
hoppinfrog.com

Because of the parents from the CVB for internet hosting us! If you wish to be taught extra about Akron and Summit County, and get concepts for eating places, parks, museums, bars, household actions, music, and way more, take a look at visitakron-summit.org!

Disclaimer: this put up was sponsored by the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau. Photographs and opinions are my very own.