Great Ohio Cities- Local Spots

Local Cities- The fun to be had in the cities that were nearest to where I grew up.

Canton~

Although Canton, Ohio probably wouldn’t be considered a typical vacation destination, I decided to start with this one because this is the closest city to where I grew up. It deserves a shout-out! :) I’ve enjoyed plenty of local attractions. A daytrip to Canton from Cleveland or Columbus would be a fun excursion.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is probably the largest tourist attraction in Canton. It is a fun museum for all ages and there’s something for everyone. Every other year, Fawcett Stadium right next door hosts the biggest high school football game of the year- Canton McKinley Bulldogs vs. the Massillon Tigers. I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying the big game in both Fawcett Stadium in Canton as well as Paul Brown Stadium in Massillon.

The McKinley Monument is also near the HOF. It is a large monument in a park setting. Visitors enjoy the trails and the 100+ steps leading up the Memorial Mausoleum, his final resting place. There’s plenty of space to picnic- my father enjoys a lunch while watching birds and people. Every year, usually the Wednesday or Thursday before the 4th of July, the Canton Orchestra holds a free open-air concert at the McKinley Monument. Everyone brings a blanket and some treats and enjoys being out with the community and celebrating the 4th with fun music and fireworks.

To experience a little piece of Canton history, stop in at Taggart’s Ice Cream Parlor at 1401 Fulton Road. They’ve been there for decades. They serve sandwiches, side dishes and fabulous ice cream treats. The Bittner is their classic treat but I personally love the Pecan Sundae. If you’re in the area, walk up a few blocks to 1524 Fulton Road and visit Plant Et Art, a funky gift shop with quality candles, functional art, plants and other unique items.

Massillon~

Massillon is just west of Canton and a great place to visit! As previously mentioned, they are the other half of the giant high school rivalry that has been going strong in our area for more than 100 years! The culture of football a part of Massillon!

Just driving around the city is a blast. There are several large murals painted on the sides of buildings around the city. The murals include themes of football, the canal days and the armed forces but my favorite is the mural that can been seen while driving north on Erie Street, right before Lincoln Way on the right (32 Erie Street South)- 55 Diamond Court- this one depicts real locals living a typical day, waving from their windows and walking around the neighborhood. The Historic 4th Street District has beautiful homes. The Lion Lincoln Theatre is an old-fashioned theatre that still shows movies on Friday and Saturday nights. During the summer, Massillon holds street festivals and car shows, bands play and everyone has a blast. The food at Smiley’s Ristorante and Pizzeria at 27 Lincoln Way East in downtown Massillon is delicious!

Massillon has a lot to offer to those who enjoy active recreation. The Towpath Trail and Tuscarawas River run right through Massillon and there are plenty of hiking, biking, kayaking and canoeing opportunities to be had! The Trailhead at Lake Avenue has bike and canoe rentals at Ernie’s Bicycle Shop. We’ve enjoyed canoeing the river many times. We have done bike trips to Canal Fulton and Clinton to the north- soon the trail will extend through Akron into the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. To the south, the trail extends into Amish Country. The Towpath also connects to the Sippo Lake Trail which travels west to Dalton and beyond.

Akron~

There is always something to do in Akron. The University of Akron offers a lot of culture- there are shows and lectures and EJ Thomas Hall. The Akron Museum is newly renovated. Don Drumm Art Studio is a fun place to see beautiful things. But to me, the best of Akron is the MetroParks system. Well-marked hiking paths run through all different types of terrain. The Towpath Trail is a great place to bike from downtown Akron all the way through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and on toward Cleveland. My siblings, friends and I utilize the MetroParks system almost every weekend!

If your into culinary DIY, check out the West Pointe Market, which has a variety of gourmet foods. My husband and I have a tradition of enjoying our favorite of everything in the WPM on our anniversary- that includes delicious cheeses, great bottles of wine and, of course, a variety of choices from the chocolate counter!

The local’s eatery in Akron is Swenson’s, a local drive in with quick service, good burgers (meaty and vegetarian), thick shakes and lots of Akron charm. Locations are allover the city. Swenson’s #1 on the West Side is right up the street from the West Pointe Market.