Akron-Area Favorites

Did I mention I love the Akron area? Here are just some of the things I love here! It's no wonder Akron was named one of the best places in the country to raise a family.

Mexican Food: Mariachi Coco's (Valley)
Inexpensive, FAST and delicious food! (I recommend the chicken fajita quesadillas!)

Chinese Food: House of Hunan 
I've only ever been to the West Market location (they have three) but I've gone there for years and years and it's by far my local favorite Chinese restaurant - consistently good and with a very authentic atmosphere.

Pub Bricco: Sandwiches, soups, appetizers and a big drink menu in a wonderful pub atmosphere in Akron's beautiful Merriman Valley.

Rockne's: Lots of great choices, big portions, reasonable prices and an excellent children's menu ($3.99 includes drink, entree (like breaded shrimp), fries, and two Oreo cookies). I LOVE the one on Merriman Road -- it's never crowded and it's got "character."

Akron Zoo: If you haven't been there in the last several years, you won't recognize it! It's close and you can easily tour the whole zoo in a couple hours. I recommend a zoo membership, so you can go to zoos around the country for free or half price.

Sarah's Vineyard: A great place to hang out, whatever the season! Its popularity continues to grow, so make sure to call and make reservations if you're going there on a weekend.

Pat Catan's: My favorite craft store! (A good friend moved to a big city in the South and said there's nothing even close to Pat Catan's there!)

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens: How lucky are we to have this gem in our neighborhood? Again, get a membership and you can visit gardens across the country for free! (I actually rarely go into the manor house; the kids and I just love wandering around the grounds!)

Peanut Shoppe: I'm embarrassed to admit I just went here for the first time recently. Boy what I've been missing. Fresh and delicious doesn't begin to describe it!

The Nat: An awesome place to exercise and a great child care program for the kids!

Falls River Cruise: This pontoon boat ride runs during the summer and I always take out-of-towners on it. It's inexpensive, informative and a relaxing way to spend about an hour on a summer afternoon or evening (make it an extra-special event by getting ice cream afterward!).

Summit County Metroparks and Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Again, we are SO lucky to have such an incredible system of parks and hiking trails in the area! Enjoyable every season of the year!! The Towpath alone is an absolutely amazing place to bike, walk, run, or even cross country ski (weather permitting!). Park at different spots along the Towpath and you won't believe how much the scenery varies!

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: Just do it. Especially in the summer, when you can "bike and ride" for just $2 a rider. That is one super deal!

Cleveland Orchestra concerts at Blossom: Bite the bullet and buy the lawn ticket package. You won't regret it! There's nothing like having a picnic on the grounds of Blossom and enjoying the fabulous music of the Cleveland Orchestra on a beautiful summer evening. Bring the kids too! Kids under 12 are free and our kids love going! And when you buy the lawn ticket package you have an excuse for going a couple times each summer!!

Highland Theater: Don't you just love seeing a movie here? It reminds me of being a kid when there used to be big screens at ALL the movie theaters. You can't beat the prices, either, or the atmosphere. If you've never been here, you really need to go!!

Library Shop on Main (the used bookstore inside the Akron Main Library):  I've never left here without a bunch of great books at an unbeatable value!! Make sure you have time to browse, though, because that's half the fun!! (I love to go to the used book sales at the Cuyahoga Falls and Stow libraries, but they are held only a couple times a year -- so this is a great resource year-round!)

Akron Civic Theatre: Another absolute GEM! Go any chance you get!! Take a tour if you can! It is so beautiful!!

Fisher's Cafe and Pub (Peninsula): Another of my very favorite restaurants, especially in the nice weather when you can sit out on the patio. It's especially refreshing when you stop after a long ride on the nearby Towpath!

Canton-Akron Airport: I don't know of anyone who has flown in or out of this airport that doesn't love it and try to use it as much as possible. Quick story ... Once I was on the shuttle bus from the parking lot with a few other people very very early one morning. Shortly after I had gotten through security and was waiting at the gate, the shuttle bus driver approached me. He had found a pair of reading glasses on the bus and was going through the airport trying to find the owner. Pretty amazing.

Porthouse Theatre: If you can, treat yourself to a performance here sometime. Porthouse, which is affiliated with the Kent State University theatre program, has three productions each summer and is on the grounds of beautiful Blossom Music Center. I have seen at least one show here every year since 1995. Some are better than others, but it is always a really wonderful experience seeing the talent of these rising stars, sitting in the outdoor ampitheatre battling all of the elements, and starting off the evening with a yummy boxed dinner relaxing at one of the many picnic tables. Terri Kent is the artistic director and although I've never met her, I have a lot of respect for what she does for local theatre and the local community.

Wally Waffle (Downtown Akron and Tallmadge): Treat yourself to one of their melt-in-your-mouth waffles (I recommend the chocolate chip). My family just visited the downtown Akron location for the first time on Sunday morning. A great eclectic mix of people. But I'm guessing you need to get there before 9:30 to avoid a wait.

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Akron-area favorites gone but not forgotten ...

Lou & Hy's ... Jackie McConnell's ... the Akron Agora ... Huckleberries ... the Village Theatre ... Bangkok Thai (in the Valley) ... Norton's ... G.D. Ritzy's ... Richfield Coliseum ... sigh!!!

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Want to know my favorites in Cleveland, Canton and beyond? Visit my Blog and check under the "day trip" category!

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