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AttractionsNothing demonstrates how much downtown has to offer as this listing of attractions! Whether you are interested in sports or the arts, fine dining or history, there is something for everyone! Don Drumm Studios & Gallery437 Crouse St., 330-253-6268 (Just outside downtown) Summit ArtSpace Gallery140 East Market St., 330-376-8480 Summit ArtSpace Gallery features continuously changing exhibitions plus related arts activities in its two classrooms. The gallery is Phase I of opening the Summit ArtSpace community arts center. This Arts Alliance project is to establish an arts Center with affordable office and studio space in the Summit County-owned building at the corner of E. Market and Summit Streets. It is dedicated to displaying works by Greater Akron area artists. www.summitartspace.org Back to TopMillworks Gallery106 N. Main St., 330-253-2007 Located in Northside -- downtown Akron’s most creative neighborhood. Millworks Gallery has had over 160 art shows (many of them in restored landmarks by Chairmen Michael Owen). www.northsideclub.com/millworksgallery.htm Back to TopAkron Art Museum70 E. Market St., 330-376-9185 The greater Akron community enjoyed the International acclaim brought by the grand re-opening of the new, expanded Akron Art Museum. Construction began on the new facility in July 2004. The museum is a world-class institution showcasing regional, national and international collections of modern artwork created since 1850. The museum’s own collection focuses on contemporary art and photography, while two to four major touring exhibitions a year share some of the most innovative artists of our time. The museum offers a wide range of entertaining and educational programs, including poetry readings, gallery talks, lectures, outdoor summer concerts and family art classes. Since its humble beginnings in the basement of the public library in 1922, the Akron Art Museum has played an increasingly vital role in the city of Akron. Continuing in that tradition, the museum made history with a 65,000 square foot expansion designed by world-renowned architecture firm, Coop Himmelb(l)au. The dynamic, soaring structure is adjacent to the former museum, a post office building dating back to 1899. The addition increased gallery space, allowing greater display of the museum’s important paintings and sculpture from the permanent collection as well as selections from its distinguished photography holdings. The expansion also provides a number of exciting amenities long requested by museum visitors such as classrooms, a children’s gallery, museum gift shop and café. www.akronartmuseum.org Back to TopThe National Inventors Hall of Fame221 S. Broadway St., 330-762-4463 The National Inventors Hall of Fame is an architectural gem in Akron's downtown. The courtyard in front of the sail-like structure actually enters the building several levels above the bottom floor. From the top floors, which contain the Inventor's Hall of Fame displays, visitors can view all the way down to the bottom floor, which holds several interactive exhibits, including strobes, microscopes, magnets, computers, water play, make-it/take-it, and a wood shop. Offering more than a traditional science museum, the Inventors Workshop offers families hours of hands-on exploration, interactive exhibits, and inventive fun. National Inventor’s Hall of Fame hosts thousands of families, school groups and individuals each year. The museum features interesting inventor displays as well as hands-on interactive exhibits. A new batch of inventors are inducted into the hall of fame each year. www.invent.org Back to TopMarble MuseumWhen the former O'Neil's building was being renovated for private use, the City of Akron designed the bottom floor of the old department store for restaurants, specialty shops, and The American Marble and Toy Museum. The board of directors is working with a committee appointed by the city to facilitate turning the space into a historical/toy museum/children center. Back to TopRed Light Galleries111 North Main St., 330-434-7605 The second floor of Northside is now home to Red Light Galleries, a working art studio and gallery of works by local resident artists. The recently restored space features a hallway that runs from the front of the building to the back, connecting several individual artist studios. www.redlightgalleries.com Back to TopOld Stone School301 S Broadway St., 330-761-2688 Akron's first schoolhouse, built around 1840, remains at what is now the corner of Broadway and Buchtel. Now known as the Old Stone School, the building was restored and reopened in 1967. Every Akron third-grade class visits the Old Stone School for a half day to study history and heritage. Back to TopGreater Akron Baseball Hall of FameCanal Park Stadium The dream of a Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame came true on May 8, 1982, when 98 individuals attended a banquet at Anthe's restaurant on West Market Street to honor a charter group of eight inductees. The hall of fame was originally the vision of Rudy Piekarski, a former player at St. Mary's High School and the Akron University. He had played for and managed several AA teams and coached at Revere High and Kenmore High, and served as commissioner of the Greater Akron AA Baseball League 1981-1992. In 1981 the organization started to recognize former players, coaches, managers, sponsors and umpires who had displayed their talents or generosity in an outstanding manner over the many years of the existence of the A, AA and Old Industrial Leagues in Akron. The Organization was called “The Greater Akron Class A-AA Baseball League Hall of Fame.” In August of 1984, the then presiding committee voted to change the name of the organization to “Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame.” This move was made to recognize all levels of baseball in the Akron. www.acorn.net/gabhof Back to TopAkron-Summit County Public Library60 South High St., 330-643-9000 The new Main Library. Fun, bright – a cool place to gather with a few of your friends. Some of what you will find:270,000 sq. ft. of visually captivating light and enlightening information; 135,000 sq. ft. each of renovation and new construction. SUBJECT DIVISION SPACE has doubled in size from 6,000 – 8,000 sq. ft. to 14,000 – 16,000 sq. ft. The spectacular new CHILDREN’S LIBRARY, has more than tripled in size, to over 12,000 sq. ft. This vibrant area is resplendent with color and has a flight theme the Wright Brothers would be proud of! The old auditorium seated 182; the new state-of-the-art theater seats 430 people in an elegant setting that has an 850 sq. ft. stage area, digital video projection, a 16’x26’ screen and quality sound system. The Steinway baby grand is stored nearby. The Library is connected to the new Market/High parking garage via an enclosed glass block bridge. The all-new Library Shop on Main! Your source for novel gifts and gently used books. A fabulous, spacious place to browse and find that special gift. Operated by the Friends of Main Library. Unwind in the new CAFÉ. Teens are welcome in their own space outfitted with diner-style seating, where they can “chill” with sodas and snacks while enjoying their own collection of books, magazines, and audio-visuals. TWO NEW SUBDIVISIONS include Special Collections, dedicated to preserving unique documents of our local history, and Magazines and Newspapers, a collection of 1200 magazines and 50 local and national newspapers. The new Main ibrary combines compelling public space with greatly expanded and enhanced public library services for all members of our community. The entire former building has been renovated, with expansion to the building’s north and south. Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects designed the new Main Library as a flexible space ideally suited for expansion and adaptation. www.ascpl.lib.oh.us Back to TopJohn S. Knight Center77 East Mill St., 330-374-8900 The John S. Knight Center boasts of an exhibition hall of approximately 30,000 square-feet; 12,00 square-feet of banquet space: an additional 12,600 square-feet of meeting space; and 22,000 square-feet of magnificent lobby, highlighted by the distinctive glass rotunda and spiral staircase. The lower level features and atrium-style concourse, 12 flexible meeting rooms, and six permanent meeting rooms available to accommodate any size function you may be planning. The upper level features banquet room and ballroom space totaling 12,855 square feet that can be divided into 5,080 and 6,775 square feet to separate dinning and meeting function. The upper level 30,000 square – foot exhibition hall has ceilings 30 feet to the trusses and 48 feet to the decking. www.johnsknightcenter.org Back to TopLock 3 Park182 S. Main St., 330-253-2488 With a $1 million grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the City of Akron constructed the three-acre Lock 3 Park. The park replaced a series of Main Street commercial buildings. A further grant from Summit County government supported the relocation of steam lines around the park. The city's engineering bureau designed and supervised the park's construction. Lock 3 features include unique surfaces, tinted textured concrete surrounded by grass and enclosed by an iron fence and gates which are illuminated by ornamental lighting. A red rubberized walking surface, “Canal Walk,” extends from the Civic on South Main to the Advanced Elastomer Systems complex. The Lock 3 stage area is wired for sound and lighting effects. The city plans to add additional temporary structures at Lock 3 for lavatories and concession sales. In the adjacent O'Neil Commons area, there are permanent bathrooms and indoor concessions. Throughout the year, various events, festivals and artists take place at Lock 3 Live! www.lock3live.com Back to topCanal Park Stadium300 S. Main St., 330- 972-3767 In the heart of downtown Akron along the historic Ohio & Erie Canal, Canal Park is home to the Akron Aeros, Class AA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. This state-of-the-art facility was designed by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, Inc. (H.O.K.) of Kansas City, Missouri. H.O.K. also designed Jacobs Field in Cleveland and Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Canal Park was built in 14 months, between January 1996 and March 1997 at a cost of $31 million. The first pitch at Canal Park was thrown on opening day April 10, 1997. In their first two seasons, the Aeros set Eastern League attendance records, drawing more than amillion fans to downtown Akron. Canal Park seats 8,500, is expandable to accommodate a Class AAA team with seating for 12,500, and includes the largest free-standing scoreboard in minor league baseball. www.akronaeros.com/visit-facts.html Back to TopCanal Towpath TrailWhere mules once hauled barges full of goods and new settlers, the Towpath today serves runners, hikers, families, and lovers as they find places of peace and tranquility, hidden views of wildlife, and artifacts of the original settlers. More than 60 miles of the Towpath has been developed for recreational use into a multipurpose trail. Ultimately, the Towpath will extend from Cleveland’s lakefront to Dover and New Philadelphia. Convenient access is located in Lock 1, Lock 2 and Lock 3 parks in downtown Akron. www.ohioanderiecanalway.org Back to TopCuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad-Akron Northside Station27 Ridge St., 330-657-2000 The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is 33,000 acres of land that is part of our National Park system. From rive floodplain and steep cut valley walls to ancient stands of evergreen, you’ll journey through a world of historic sites and timeless natural processes. A world that still enchants, even after 12,000 years. Take a seat and watch it unfold. Meadowland, pinery, marsh, river, ravine, and wood. Beaver, fox, deer, and owl. Amble through small towns. A working 19th century farm, miles of smooth Towpath Trail to bike and hike. A fascinating canal museum. Big city shopping and more. There’s a wealth of natural and human history in the Valley. A world where time slows, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is your ticket in. www.cvsr.com Back to TopAkron Civic Theatre182 S. Main St., 330-535-3179 The Akron Civic Theatre was designed by famed theatre architect John Eberson, and built by Marcus Loew in 1929 on the banks of the Ohio & Erie Canal. Long recognized among the community’s cultural landmarks, the Akron Civic Theatre has a rich and spectacular history. It has provided the community with a venue for quality entertainment and live performances for over seventy years. The interior structure was fashioned after a Moorish castle featuring Mediterranean décor, including medieval carvings, authentic European antiques and Italian alabaster sculptures. The Civic’s auditorium was built to resemble a night in a Moorish garden, complete with clouds that drift across the theatre’s domed ceiling and stars that twinkle in the sky. Among the facilities of its size, The Civic is one of only five remaining atmospheric theatres in the country. The Civic recently completed a $22.6 million renovation and restoration project that took over one year to complete. The historic interior has been completely restored to its original luster. The stage was also expanded, and all new dressing rooms were constructed beneath the theatre. The facilities have also been brought up to current standards for patrons and performers with improved sound, lighting, HVAC, restrooms, concession areas and accessibility for the physically disabled. The beautifully restored Akron Civic Theatre is host to various artists and variety shows. www.akroncivic.com Back to TopE.J. Thomas Hall198 Hill St., 330- 972-7570 Edwin J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall provides the University of Akron with one of the country's finest concert facilities. It has been called one of the most beautiful and flexible performance halls in the world by New York Times architectural critic Ada Huxtable. Featuring Beyond Broadway and Broadway in Akron, there is no reason to go any further than downtown Akron for the best shows around. www.ejthomashall.com |
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