What to Do on Sundays in Downtown Akron

Category Guides

Have you ever heard someone complain (or perhaps said yourself) that there’s nothing to do in downtown Akron on Sundays? Well read on, because we’ve got good news: you can make a whole day of it, no matter what part of downtown you choose to visit.

We’re here to make it as easy as possible for you to do so. From where to park and where to find your morning caffeine, to active experiences, shopping, lunch spots, and more, we’ve got you covered. Who knows? You may even discover your new favorite Sunday spot.

Bonus: Parking in city spaces downtown is free on weekends!

Above: The Towpath Trail with Sakura in bloom (Photo: DAP Staff)

Southern Part of Downtown (Between Bartges St. & Buchtel Ave.)

Where to Park

Park in the Main/Buchtel Parking Lot or in the Canal Place Parking Lot.

Where to Find Your Morning Coffee/Tea

Stop by Muggswigz. They source, roast, blend, and serve excellent coffee, delicious pastries, and have a calming, natural-feeling environment for an optimal wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee experience. Perfect for gearing up to make a day of it. Alternatively, visit The Daily Pressed, a newly opened European coffee shop that also serves breakfast, lunch, and high-end cocktails at night.

Where to Explore Public Space

Hop on the Towpath Trail at the intersection of Exchange and Water St. (near the Richard Howe House), and head South toward the breweries—an especially beautiful walk in the spring when all the Sakura trees are in bloom.

Where to Have Lunch

There are tons of restaurants open for lunch on these blocks. Take your pick from Twisted Tomato Pizzeria & Beerwall, The Daily Pressed, DeJuan's, Spaghetti Warehouse, Perfect Pour, Missing Falls Brewery, DaVinci’s Pizza, Boiling House, 69 Taps Pub & Eatery, Jimmy John’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, or D.P. Dough. For dessert, Insomnia Cookies has you covered.

What to Experience

Visit the Great Escape Room for a fun, unique Sunday afternoon downtown.

Bonus: If you stay into the evening, check out Ingy’s Piano Bar for their weekly piano karaoke event, which happens exclusively on Sundays from 6 to 10 p.m.

Above: Lock 4 (Photo: The University of Akron)

Central Part of Downtown (Between State St. & Bowery St.)

Where to Park

Park in the State St. Parking Deck or in the Summit County Parking Deck.

Where to Explore Public Space

Head West on Bowery until you reach the entrance to Lock 4. You can’t miss it; the incredible mural by El Mac and Aiseborn will beckon you down the stairs (which are bike friendly) and into the space. Enjoy the beauty of the canal, the art, and the walkways.

Where to Have Lunch

From this part of the district, many restaurants are only a few walkable blocks away. If you’re looking to keep close, though, you can’t go wrong with Barley House, which has a great menu of flatbread pizzas, specialty mac ‘n’ cheese, franks, sandwiches, burgers, wings, and more. After, be sure to stop by Chill Ice Cream & Indulge Chocolates for dessert.

What to Experience

We highly recommend catching a show at the Akron Civic Theatre. The Knight Stage, in particular, is an intimate performance space that feels perfect for Sundays. Check their website for a schedule of shows. If you’ve got kids, take them to the Akron Children’s Museum for a fun, family friendly afternoon of play and exploration.

Above: The Bud & Susie Rogers Garden (Photo: Maddox Graham)

Historic Arts District (Between Mill St. and MLK Blvd.)

Where to Park

Park in the CitiCenter Parking Deck or the High/Market Parking Deck.

Where to Find Your Morning Coffee/Tea

Stop by Sweet Mary’s Bakery for a rich, hot beverage and delectable pastries, Heera Indian Cuisine for Masala Chai, or The 1: Food & Spirits for a continental breakfast.

Where to Explore Public Space

Enjoy the beauty of the Bud & Susie Rogers Garden adjacent to the Akron Art Museum. It’s a great place to sit with a book or cup of coffee while you soak in the peaceful, artistic atmosphere around you.

Where to Have Lunch

For lunch in the Historic Arts District, you can’t go wrong with out-of-this-world pizza from Totally Baked, handhelds from Akronym Brewing, appetizers or sandwiches from the medieval castle–themed Green Dragon Inn, deliciously authentic Indian food from Heera Indian Cuisine, or something decadent and savory from Sweet Mary’s Bakery.

What to Experience

There’s lots to experience in this part of downtown. Visit the Akron Art Museum (free to University of Akron students who show their Zip Card), see a movie at the Nightlight, try a board game at one of Full Grip Games’ open-play tables or the Green Dragon Inn, or find your newest read or DIY project at the library. For some shopping, stop by Rubber City Comics or Full Grip Games.

Above: The Northside Green (Photo: DAP Staff)

The Northside District (Between MLK Blvd. & Ridge St.)

Where to Park

Park in the N. Main St. Parking Lot or the Northside Parking Lot Furnace St.

Where to Find Your Morning Coffee/Tea

Head to NOMZ inside Northside Market Place for coffee and breakfast, or grab Sunday brunch from Jilly’s Music Room (especially great if you are gluten-free). In either case, you’ll enjoy what you eat and drink.

Where to Explore Public Space

Check out the Northside Green, the colorful strip of pavement in the middle of the parking lot on N. Main St. It’s a butterfly waystation, with garden beds and planters full of perennials native to the area that are ideal for pollinators. You can also hop on the Towpath Connector at the intersection of Howard St. and Ridge St. if you’re looking for a longer walk.

Where to Have Lunch

It’s an Akron classic—enjoy Italian fare at Luigi’s for a late lunch. Or, head back to Nomz or Jilly’s, or indulge in some decadent southern style soul food from the Plannerz Place Eatery.

What to Experience

Stop by the Courtyard Marriott to borrow a bike from Summit Bike Share and explore the Towpath on two wheels. You might even consider trying the Yeti Squad Ride with Dirty River Bicycle Works on Sunday mornings. For something a little more low key, explore True North, the lot filled with shipping container art galleries and exhibitions adjacent to Dirty River, or meander through the Northside Marketplace for some laid-back weekend shopping of local, handmade goods.