18 Things to Do in Downtown Akron's Northside District

Category Arts & Entertainment

The Northside District is a unique part of downtown. It’s self-contained and cozy—its own oasis with delightful cuisine, quirky shops full of handmade goods, eclectic art exhibits, stunning views, and colorful public space. From relaxing at the parklet on the Northside Green to riding the train, or catching live music at Jilly’s to refreshing your wardrobe at Northside Cellar, read on to discover tons of things to do and places to visit while you’re in the Northside District.

Places to Eat & Drink

1. Luigi's

Luigi’s is widely regarded as an Akron staple. From their salads with cheese to old-world pies, no nonsense atmosphere, and late-night hours, it’s the perfect place to dine when you want something comforting, hearty, classic, and unpretentious. Part of their no nonsense charm—they’re a cash-only business! Don’t worry, they’ve got an ATM in case you forget to bring the green paper.

2. NOMZ

Located inside Northside Marketplace, NOMZ is a galley-style kitchen that serves brunch, lunch, seasonal rotating menus, coffee, espresso, smoothies, and cocktails, and has a variety of vegan and gluten-free options.

3. Jilly's Music Room

Jilly’s exclusively serves gluten-free, small-plate dishes. They also boast over a hundred beers, craft cocktails, and a formidable weekend brunch. While you’re there, as the name implies, you can also enjoy live music from local, regional, and national bands.

4. The Plannerz Place Eatery

The Plannerz Place was established as a home catering business just months before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and is now open for dining inside Northside Marketplace. The Plannerz Place Eatery offers an incredible rotating menu of southern style soul food, including whole wings, pulled pork, roast beef, BBQ pig feet, salmon croquettes, and sides like macaroni and cheese, candied yams, collard greens, corn soufflé, hopping johns, and soul rolls. Learn more, and check out their menu on their website.

5. Luciano's Cucina Italiano

Luciano's Cucina Italiano is located in the space that was formerly DBA and serves fine, authentic Italian cuisine in at atmosphere that is comfortable, stylish, and modern. They offer light appetizers, an extensive list of meat, fish, and handmade pasta dishes, and some heavenly Italian desserts. They also boast an intimate Chef's Table experience, where you can choose between 5, 7, 14, or 21 courses for up to 4 guests, artfully prepared by the chef.

6. Northside Speakeasy

Connected to the Courtyard Marriott hotel, step into the warm, dim lighting of the Northside Speakeasy, a sophisticated social lounge reminiscent of the 1920s, and sip on one of their classic cocktails.

7. Essential Dipped Delights

Essential Dipped Delights is a gourmet dessert company inside Northside Marketplace that specializes in unique desserts sure to satisfy your everyday sweet tooth fix. They serve chocolate-covered fruit, puddings, cheesecakes, fresh fruit, and more. Need treats for a corporate event, or a family get-together? Essential Dipped Delights is a must.

Shops

8. Northside Marketplace

Northside Marketplace is your destination to shop, eat, and chill. They’re an incubator space and urban market that focuses on supporting social interaction, local businesses, and grassroots artisans. Visit their 100+ vendors for an exciting, multifaceted shopping experience, then hang out in their common area over a cup of coffee, cocktail, lunch, or dessert. Some of the larger shops in the space: Lepley & Co., a popular plant shop; Liquid Lab & Studio, a boba tea shop; Modern Traditions Co., a curated vintage clothing shop, and Essential Dipped Delights, mentioned above.

9. Zeber-Martell Clay Studio & Gallery

Zeber-Martell is a clay studio and gallery that boasts one-of-a-kind home décor, garden sculptures, holiday décor, lamps, jewelry, and more. Stroll through their shop to find the perfect gift for a loved one or a new decoration for your home.

10. Northside Cellar

Northside Cellar is a spunky boutique that carries new and consignment women’s clothing, accessories, home goods, local artwork, and furniture. Shop a unique inventory of hand-selected items that you can’t find just anywhere. No matter your personal style, Northside Cellar has something for everyone and every budget.

11. Dirty River Bicycle Works

Dirty River Bicycle Works is a full-service bike shop, where you can purchase bikes and bike accessories, and have them maintained and repaired. Join them for their weekly Yeti Squad ride, every Sunday at 10 am.

Experiences

12. See Live Entertainment

The great things about the Northside District go way beyond the food and shopping. Spend an evening or weekend at Jilly’s Music Room. They feature local, regional, and national bands, as well as improv comedy troupes, karaoke, open mic nights, and more.

13. Relax on the Northside Green

The Northside Green is a vibrant public space that bloomed in 2020 as a collaborative project between DAP and Summit Metro Parks. Local artist April Nicholson-Couch designed the colorful ground mural that spans the Northside Parking Lot, and the outdoor butterfly-themed furniture, created by Krunchworks Design, is the perfect place to relax in the presence of the pollinator-friendly plants in the space. The mural was refreshed in summer 2025.

14. Walk or Bike the Towpath

The Towpath Trail runs through downtown Akron and is a major asset to the neighborhood. You can access the Towpath Connector at the intersection of Howard and Ridge Streets. It’s great for walking, or even for borrowing a bike from Summit Bike Share and taking it for a spin. In the spring, the trail is alive with 472 blooming sakura trees, which make it especially beautiful.

15. Dirty River Yeti Squad Ride

Every Sunday morning, Dirty River Bicycle Works leads a group bike ride—the Yeti Squad Ride. They take off at 10 am. Bring your bike and join them, or join them on one of their Akron Bike Party rides the third Friday of every month. Akron Bike Party meets at Missing Falls Brewery on the southern end of downtown.

16. Think Outside the Box

If you, too, feel that shipping containers are for some reason all the rage these days, head to True North, the parking lot adjacent to Dirty River Bicycle Works, to explore Outside the Box, a collection of shipping container art exhibits. Thanks to Curated Storefront, you’ll see art from local, national, and internationally-known artists in the form of murals and installations.

17. Check Out the Hotel Matthews Monument

In the middle of the twentieth century, Howard Street was a regional hub of Jazz and African American culture. Nationally renowned musicians would often stop in Akron while traveling between New York and Chicago, and while they were here, they stayed at Hotel Matthews. Although the hotel no longer stands, there is a memorial in its place at 77 North Howard St.

18. Ride the Train

Akron is the gateway to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Take a Scenic Excursion, or easily explore the park by taking advantage of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s Explorer Program, which allows you to run, hike, or bike in one direction, and take the train in the other.

Want to extend your visit to the Northside District? Stay overnight in the Courtyard Marriott!

See our updated traffic advisories and parking information to navigate and park downtown with ease.