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Regardless of the season, the Akron and Canton area is bursting with fun things to do. Around here, you'll find some of the friendliest people in the country, an incredible dining scene, an abundance of interesting museums, talented local artists, plenty of outdoor opportunities, and more. And believe it or not, you can experience almost all of it without spending a cent! Instead of staying in to save money, grab the family and go explore this wonderful region. From concerts on the lawn to vibrant art exhibits, we rounded up 30 of the best things to do in the Akron and Canton area that are completely free! Turns out that having fun on a budget isn't so difficult after all.

For History Buffs

Visit the Akron Police Museum, which showcases the history of the local police department all the way back to the 19th century. You'll find old police uniforms, a 1965 police motorcycle, confiscated weapons, lots of photos, and plenty of interesting stories! Take a tour of the Magnolia Flouring Mills, a stunning five-story, 19th-century mill that preserves the history of rural Stark County. Having fun isn't hard when you have a library card! Visit the Akron Library and tuck into a good book.  Get spooked at Akron's Glendale Cemetery (or simply take in the history). The cemetery dates all the way back to 1839, and truly tells the story of the area! Walk the 108 steps to the top of the McKinley Presidential Monument.

Photo courtesy of the Troll Hole Museum

Visit the Troll Hole Museum, which boasts more than 20,000 troll items (including a Guinness World Record troll doll collection). Here, you'll learn everything about trolls, from ancient mythology to the modern dolls we're grown to know and love. Look for birds at the 703-acre Quail Hollow Park, located in Hartville. Grab your fishing pole and round up the family for one of the Stark Parks' summertime fishing derbies.

For Foodies

Take a 45-minute tour of the Harry London/Fannie May Factory, where you'll be able to sample Ohio's famed Buckeye candies made fresh, and surround yourself with the aroma of chocolate. Tours depart hourly Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm. Take a tour of a nearby winery! Gervasi Vineyard offers free public winery tours on Saturdays. And in case you want to make a day of it, here are some of the other best vineyards in the Akron and Canton area.

For Outdoor Enthusiasts

Photo courtesy of Summit Metro Parks

Visit one of the area's nearby Metro Parks, which feature wildlife viewing opportunities, bike paths, wildflowers, soccer fields and hiking trails. Play a round of disc golf at Arboretum Spiker Park or the Roscoe Ewing Park Disc Golf Course. Bike the 85-mile Towpath Trail through Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas Counties (or at least part of it). Take advantage of the snowy weather in winter and go sledding! Here are the top 12 sledding hills in the area.

Photo courtesy of Summit Metro Parks

Get in touch with nature at the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, which boasts 104 acres of exhibits, live animals, trails and more.

For Lovers of the Arts

Visit Studio 2091, which is situated in a 200-year-old building and hosts an ever-changing mix of contemporary artwork. Visit the Kent State University Museum, a gorgeous example of architecture that houses abundant collections of influential fashion and artwork from all over the world. Venture back in time at the Hoover Historical Center — the boyhood home of Boss Hoover, the founder of the Hoover Company. Stroll down 4th Street in Massillon, a historic district featuring gorgeous, 19th century homes.

Courtesy of Akron Art Museum. Photography by Joe Levack/Studio Akron. 

Check out the galleries at the Akron Art Museum on Thursdays, when admission is completely free! The normal entry fee is $10. Sit in on the free, family-friendly concert series, Serenades in the Park. These shows will be performed all over Stark County by the Canton Symphony Orchestra from June to September. Tour the Canton Arts District, which boasts more than 30 art galleries, studios and specialty shops — plus a wide range of public street artwork and five live music venues! (And don't miss out on First Fridays, monthly celebrations featuring live music, performance and visual art events, delicious bites and more).

Photo courtesy of Bud Graham via Canal Fulton Glassworks

Marvel at the glass blowing demonstrations at Canal Fulton Glassworks, and then peruse the gorgeous work from local artisans. Visit the Canton Museum of Art on Thursdays! On this day of the week, admission is free from 10 am to 8 pm. View a free family-friendly movie at the Canton Palace Theatre on the first Friday of every month. You can find an updated list of events on the Facebook page. Volunteer for an incredible, local charity, or support your favorite theatre! Here are 22 Ohio causes worth supporting.

For Explorers

Check out the summer farmers' market at Lock 3 in the heart of downtown Akron, or simply visit the area for a game of bocce. During the winter, enjoy a 10,000-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink!

Photo courtesy of Ohio's Amish Country 

Admire the gorgeous scenery on the drive to Amish Country, and take some times to explore the traditional farms and shops. Tell spooky stories and visit these notoriously haunted sites in Ohio. There are 11 Ohio State Parks within a one-hour drive from Akron (including the famed Cuyahoga Valley National Park) and once a year, each of them offers free camping on a designated weekend! Plan ahead to snag a spot, and then check out these other incredible places to go camping in Ohio.

Have fun!

Looking for more local recommendations? Here's how to have a perfect day exploring Akron, Ohio.
Akron , Canton

Here in Cleveland, we have a strong sense of pride. We are grounded in life's most important treasures — family, good food and sports (go Cavs!) — and we know that our little slice of heaven on Lake Erie is something truly special. Our town is filled with makers and innovators that are putting us on the map as one of the best craft beer cities in the country, as...
Cleveland

It's no secret that Cleveland is home to an incredible dining scene. It has long been a topic of conversation among publications like the Los Angeles Times and Thrillist, and while local haunts like Sokolowski's University Inn and new hot spots like Lola typically garner all of the attention, we'd like to give some love to the burgers. In this city, there is no shortage of burger options. You can go simple at an old-school drive-in, or step it up a notch at a locavore eatery with a rooftop view. Either way, the beef is likely sourced from right here in Ohio, and the flavors mix together just right. Next time you're smacked with a burger craving, check out these 10 incredible joints around town!

Heck's Cafe

2927 Bridge Avenue, Cleveland OR 35514 Detroit Road, Avon Heck's Cafe has two Cleveland locations — one in Ohio City and one in Avon. The Ohio City spot is tucked into a historic, 120-year-old townhouse with indoor garden seating, and the Avon restaurant features a new warehouse setting with an industrial feel. And although the atmosphere is second to none, locals flock here for the gourmet burgers and locally sourced fare. Keep it simple with the Heckburger, or take it up a notch with the Market Burger, which features braised short ribs, bearnaise sauce and arugula.

Johnny's Little Bar

614 Frankfort Avenue, Cleveland Johnny's Little Bar is a secret spot tucked just around the corner from the more upscale Johnny's Downtown, and features a no-frills atmosphere, neon lights, a jukebox, and burgers worth bragging about. The restaurant veers away from bells and whistles, offering just the essentials on a half-pound burger with cheese alongside house-made chips.

Burgers 2 Beer

1938 Euclid Avenue, #100, Cleveland and several other locations

Photo courtesy of Burgers 2 Beer

Burgers 2 Beer brings burgers to life with creative ingredients, adventurous recipes and delicious grass-fed beef. There are 26 different burger options on the menu, and each is more clever than the last. For instance, the Luther, one of the restaurant's most popular burgers, is served on a glazed donut and topped with bacon and cheese, and the Like Butta Baby is drizzled with truffle butter and topped with bacon, Cajun brie, crispy fried onion straws and caramelized balsamic onion jam. Are you hungry yet?

B Spot

28699 Chagrin Boulevard, Woodmere and two other Cleveland Locations B Spot is owned by The Chew host and Iron Chef star Michael Symon, so you would naturally expect the burgers here to be at the top of their class — and you would be right. There is a lot of hype surrounding B Spot, which features bologna, brats, beer, bourbon and (of course) burgers! The award-winning Fat Doug features coleslaw, pastrami, swiss cheese and Cleveland's favorite Stadium Mustard. If that doesn't strike your fancy, there are 12 more to choose from, as well as a build-your-own option.

Hot Dog Diner

5494 Pearl Road, Parma Don't let the name fool you — there's more than just dogs at the Hot Dog Diner! In fact, the pierogi burger is the reason we come back to this spot again and again. The perfectly seasoned burger comes topped with grilled onions, cheese and a full pierogi — all of which is stacked on a fluffy and lightly toasted bun. It truly is a little bite of heaven, and it rings in at an easy $4.99.

Swensons

14510 Cedar Road, University Heights and seven other locations

Photo courtesy of Swensons 

Swensons is actually known as basketball star LeBron James' favorite burger joint in town, and we're not surprised in the least. The old-school drive-in eatery serves a simple menu of burgers, fried dishes, sides and shakes, and although the venue doesn't take itself too seriously, the food is nothing to scoff at! Grab the Galley Boy, which is an award-winning double cheeseburger topped with two special sauces.

Stevenson's Bar & Grill

800 E 200th Street, Cleveland This laid back, no-frills sports bar has long established itself as a neighborhood hangout. Locals might come for the cocktails, draft beer and multiple tvs screening current sporting events (go Cavs!), but we suspect the popularity comes from the burgers. The patties come single or stacked, and are topped with grilled onions, melted american cheese, tomatoes, pickles and lettuce — the usual suspects.

The Greenhouse Tavern

2034 East 4th Street, Cleveland

Photo courtesy of the Greenhouse Tavern 

The Greenhouse Tavern is conveniently located downtown right on the pedestrian strip, and is a fantastic place for an easy dinner or lunch at any time of day. The upscale spot boasts a gorgeous rooftop patio and inventive new American fare. We like to start our meal off with the foie gras and clam appetizer before moving onto the lamb burger, which features a luxe cheese fondue, champagne shallot mignonette and tangy yogurt sauce. Yum.

Bar Cento

1948 West 25th Street, Cleveland Nestled in the heart of historic Ohio City, Bar Cento features a European-inspired menu focused on local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. The Ohio Beef Burger features — you guessed it — local grass-fed beef! The patty is beautifully sandwiched in a warm griddled bun, and topped with caramelized onions, port salut cheese, lettuce and tomato. There isn't much to it, but with flavors this good, it's best to keep it simple.

The Rail

400 Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted and four other locations

Photo courtesy of The Rail 

This local chain is all about supporting local. Everything from the beer to the burgers is sourced from right here in the state, and the staff celebrates the local community by hosting "beer school" classes in collaboration with local breweries at the restaurant. We're fans of the Local Yokel burger, which features Swiss cheese, local thick-cut bacon, and a fried local egg atop a 100% local beef burger and toasted bun. All menu items can be substituted with a veggie burger or chicken burger for no additional cost!
Cleveland
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