One of the Coolest Cities You’ve Never Been To: Akron, Ohio

Akron, Ohio is often sidestepped by travelers who opt for flashier destinations. That’s too bad, says Jason Segedy, a longtime Akron resident and the city’s director of planning and urban development.

“If people will come here and really explore the city’s neighborhoods, I think they’ll leave with the opinion that our city is a lot bigger than they thought and a lot nicer than they thought,” he says. “I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

One of the best ways to get to know Akron is to spend some time in some of Segedy’s favorite neighborhoods, where art, food and fun are around every corner. Here are his top three things to do in Akron.

Akron Historic Arts District: Where fine art and eclectic nightlife collide

BLU Jazz+, a hip supper club in the Akron Historic Arts District, boasts a mid-century metropolitan vibe. Photo Credit: Blu-Jazz+

The Akron Art Museum might not have the largest collection in the world—it’s not even the largest in the state—but what it lacks in size it makes up for in quality. Proof? This Akron attraction houses some of the most famous pieces of contemporary art from the 20th century. Andy Warhol’s masterpiece Brillo Box is here, among several other pieces by the pop artist. You’ll also find several of Ansel Adams’ moody black-and-white landscape photographs and photorealistic portraits by Chuck Close.

During happy hour, craft beer fans belly up to the bar at the nearby High St. Hop House for some of the best brews from near and far (including nearby Cleveland and Columbus). For more than a decade, the diverse bistro Crave has been dishing up fun, affordable and eclectic bites like smoked Gouda mac and cheese and Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches in a colorful, buzzy setting. If you’re a live music fan, Segedy suggests BLU Jazz+, one of his all-time favorites. The hip supper club combines cool cocktails and tasty bar bites with top-notch musicians in an intimate space.

Northside District: Your gateway to a national park and a scenic railroad

Rent some wheels from the Akron Bike Center and set out on your own to explore the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Photo Credit: Akronstock- Shane Wynn

“What’s really cool about this neighborhood is that the Towpath Trail comes right up through it,” Segedy says. “It’s also just up the hill from a Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad station, so you can hop on a train and be in a national park in 25 minutes, which is pretty cool.” To take advantage of the meandering Towpath Trail, the 85-mile rails-to-trails path that follows the old Ohio & Erie Canalway, stop in the Akron Bike Center and rent some wheels; a 10-mile ride north will put you in the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Prefer to save your legs and relax while checking out Akron attractions? Hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, sit back, and enjoy the scenery as it unfolds out the window.

Reward yourself for a day well spent with dinner and drinks just steps from where you’ll return your bike. At D.B.A., Michelin-starred chef Dante Boccuzzi blows diners away with his stunning—though pricey—multicourse tasting menus. But don’t worry: The restaurant offers a contemporary bar menu suited for more modest budgets. For a nightcap, walk through the old-timey telephone booth that serves as the door into Northside Speakeasy, where Prohibition-era cocktails and atmosphere await.

Kenmore: An artsy neighborhood on the rise

The Rialto Theatre in the Kenmore Neighborhood was once a historic movie theater; now, it’s a performing arts center. Photo Credit: Rialto Theatre

“The Kenmore neighborhood has this quirky mix of businesses, including a recording studio, guitar repair shop, renovated theater and comic book store,” Segedy says. A prime example of the eclectic neighborhood: the Rialto Theatre, a movie theater built in the 1920s that was closed for decades before being renovated into a performing arts hub. Now musicians come here to use the Rialto’s recording studio, and music fans come here for live music in an offbeat setting.

The hip Kenmore tavern Old 97 was named after the 97th (and final) stop on the old Akron trolley line. Grab a seat inside the cozy, saloon-like space and enjoy a martini alongside uncomplicated pub grub like quesadillas and house-made pizzas. Then head out back to play a few games of bocce. Want some fun to take home? Stop in Kenmore Komics & Games, a shop that’s entertained kids and adults since 1987. If you’re looking for a rare comic, it might be in Kenmore.

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