Entertainment Alternatives in Akron OH

Akron has a wide variety of entertainment available, especially for the sports or history fan. Akron hosts the All American Soap Box Derby every summer. Children from across the country race their homemade, gravity-powered race cars down the steep hill at Derby Downs, shaded by the Lockheed Martin Airdock.

Adjacent to the Derby Downs race hill is a huge outdoor skatepark for the skateboard and roller blading enthusiasts. Featuring concrete ramps, a stair set with handrail, a snake run, two bowls going as deep as 7 feet, two hips, many smaller quarter pipes and a variety of grind boxes, the park covers 19,000 square feet. Positioned just a few feet from the Akron Skatepark is a BMX course, hosting organized races often during the warmer months.

Akron, Ohio also has a colorful and diverse heritage of old restaurants and shopping centers. The Trackside Grille, themed with railroads which run parallel to the building, provides a narrative of Akron's history. 'Quaker Square' located in the heart of Akron's downtown, is a mall made out of the old Quaker Oats factory, which originally operated there. Hotel rooms now reside in what used to be the factory's oat silos, providing a unique and historical experience to the patron.

For more exciting entertainment, Akron has numerous amusement parks and resorts. Geauga Lake and Wildwater Kingdom has over 40 rides and attractions for the whole family. The park includes 8 world class roller coasters, from the classic woodie 'The Big Dipper' to the world's longest floorless roller coaster, The Dominator.

In spectator sports, Akron still has plenty to offer. Canal Park in Akron's downtown is the home of the Akron Aeros (http://www.akronaeros.com/), 'AA' affiliate of the Cleveland Indians baseball team. Nearby, Cleveland is also home to the NFL's Cleveland Browns, the MLB's Cleveland Indians, and the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, the 2007 Eastern Conference Champions.

The city is also home to several museums, including:

Akron Art Museum
Goodyear World of Rubber Museum
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
The Archives of the History of American Psychology
American Marble and Toy Museum
National Inventors Hall of Fame

Also, 30-35 minutes away is the Professional Football Hall Of Fame in Canton (http://www.profootballhof.com/), and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland (http://www.rockhall.com).