7 Reasons to Visit Akron This Summer

Events & Festivals

Some kinds of fun never get old, and that is especially true at the All-American Soap Box Derby championships July 18. This youth gravity-racing program has been an Ohio tradition since 1933. The Akron championship race is in its 88th year and hosts young racers from as far away as Japan. Spectators can attend the races for $10 to soak in the competitive atmosphere and enjoy the on-site vendors and activities. 

“We have a little bit of a festival that goes on outside the actual race. We’ll have entertainment for the kids, like bounce houses and food trucks,” says Dennis VanFossen Jr., president and CEO of the International Soap Box Derby. “Swenson’s will be here serving their Galley Boys, because you can’t come to Akron without [getting] a Galley Boy.”

Aviation and automobile enthusiasts love the Props & Pistons Festival at Akron Fulton Airport on Aug. 15 and 16. Attendees are treated to aerial shows, aircraft displays and a car and bike cruise-in. 

Beyond planes and cars, the Props & Pistons Festival hosts a lineup of local food trucks to feed hungry attendees. Kids at the festival can check out the bounce houses, crafts and educational projects at the free Family Fun Zone hosted by the Akron Children’s Museum. 

Aug. 7 through 9, head to Twinsburg for the largest annual gathering of multiples in the world during the Twins Days Festival. This event hosts thousands of twins, triplets, quadruplets and other multiples for a celebration of their special sibling bonds. 

Multiples from around the globe come to Twinsburg to show off their biological connections by participating in talent shows, look-a-like contests, parades, cornhole tournaments and other twin-focused events. Even if you aren’t a twin, this event is packed with live entertainment, dining options and plenty of good people-watching. 

Outdoor Adventures
Explore Ohio’s only national park on foot or by rail, and check out the Akron Zoo’s special summer events for kids and adults alike. 

Explore the natural beauty of Ohio’s only national park on the many treks available within Cuyahoga Valley National Park. With over 125 miles of hiking trails, there is a path for every age and skill level. One of the most popular hikes is the Ledges Trail, a 1.8-mile loop that takes you around a plateau of rock formations. To start, park at the Ledges Trailhead in Peninsula and refer to the map on the bulletin board near the parking area. 

Another popular trail is the Brandywine Gorge Loop due to its great views of Brandywine Falls. This 1.5-mile hike begins at the Brandywine Falls trailhead in Sagamore Hills and gains 160 feet in elevation. Take this hike early or later in the day to avoid larger crowds. 

Another way to take in the beauty of Summit County’s river valley is aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which hosts several themed events and excursions throughout the summer. On select Fridays, the railroad hosts themed rides during the evenings that features different activities happening in each car aboard the train. 

For example, during the July 24 excursion, one car will host a murder-mystery event, while another hosts a floral-arranging workshop, and a third serves up aloha spirit in the form of tiki drinks from Cuyahoga Falls’ Tiki Underground. 

Those who want to get up-close to wildlife can check out one of the many events that the Akron Zoo puts on during the summer. One family-friendly event that is returning this summer is Dino Trek, which will be on display through Sep. 20. The attraction features 30 life-size dinosaurs (some with animatronic movement) to teach visitors about the adaptations that allowed dinosaurs to protect themselves and survive. 

For a little bit of grown-up fun, the Akron Zoo hosts its first 21-and-older Margarita Crawl. Explore the zoo after-hours with a drink in hand July 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. The $45 (nonmember) ticket lets attendees roam the zoo against the backdrop of food trucks and a live DJ and includes samples of eight unique margaritas.  

American History 
Follow the road-trip routes mapped out by America 250-Ohio to see the multitude of ways Summit County helped influence the direction of our nation. 

Learn about Summit County’s contributions to the United States along one of the themed trails presented by America 250-Ohio. The Transportation Trail includes six Summit County stops at locations that teach visitors about the characters and companies that transformed how people traveled, traded and connected. 

Stop by Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron to view the America 250 exhibition “The Families That Built Akron.” The exhibition traces the stories of those who helped shape the city through their lives, work and traditions. 

Other stops on the Transportation Trail include MAPS Air Museum in Green, Portage Lakes State Park and the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame in Akron. 

There are also six Summit County sites along the Creativity Trail, a route that links museums, public murals, libraries and studios to showcase the impact that the creative voices of Ohioans have had on the evolution of our nation. 

One of those locations is the Akron Art Museum, where you can see pieces from famed artists such as Andy Warhol, Chuck Close, Mickalene Thomas and many others that are part of the institution’s permanent collection. The special exhibition “Kent Monkman: History is Painted by the Victors,” offers a collection of works by the Fisher River Cree Nation artist, who explores modern societal concerns such as the climate crisis and impact of government policies on Indigenous communities. It is on display through Aug. 16.

While in Akron, visit another trail location at Don Drumm Studios and Gallery to see works by the influential Akron-based sculptor known for pioneering the use of cast-aluminum in art. His namesake gallery represents over 500 North American artists, and there is always something beautiful to look at and perhaps even take home with you. 

Other routes that share our state’s role in shaping the nation include the America 250-Ohio Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail, with Summit County stops that span historic canal locks, the Towpath Trail and the Mustill Store Museum (a former 19th-century supply store that now houses artifacts that tell the area’s story). Summit County sites on the Air & Space Trail and Innovation Trail offer even more ways to learn about the region’s significant contributions to the nation.  

When You Go
For more information about this and other destinations in Akron and Summit County, go to visitakron-summit.com.

Akron Zoo
akronzoo.org

America 250-Ohio Trails
america250-ohio.org

Cuyahoga Valley National Park
nps.gov/cuva

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
cvsr.org

All-American Soapbox Derby
soapboxderby.org

Props & Pistons Festival
flyohio.org

Twins Days Festival
twinsdays.org