Free Things to do in Akron
From Cindy Orley, for About.com
Enjoying Akron Ohio doesn't have to be expensive. The "Rubber City" has beautiful parks, fascinating shops, and free days at museums. Learn more about the many free things to do on the North Coast.
Explore the Summit County Metroparks.Summit County Metroparks offers over 120 miles of paved and unpaved hiking and skiing trails, shelters and pavilions for picnics, and fishing for FREE. There are 13 parks to choose from that are scattered all throughout Akron, OH. Many parks offer programs with their naturalists, concerts, hiking sprees, and other family fun days throughout the year. Open Dawn to Dusk.
Investigate the Akron Police MuseumLearn about the history of the Akron Police Department as you take a free tour of the Akron Police Museum. There are many objects on display, including confiscated weapons, police equipment, uniforms, news clippings, photos, a 1965 Harley-Davidson police motorcycle, and more. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 330pm.
Akron Police Museum
217 S. High St.
Akron, OH
330 375-2390
A walk through the Glendale Cemetery is a walk through the past of Akron. You will see the statues and headstones of prominent "resident," including F.A. Seiberling and four former Congressmen. The Victorian Civil War Memorial Chapel there, built in 1876, honors the area soldiers who died in that war, and is on the National Historic Register. Many people have picnics in the picturesque setting of rolling hills. There are also summer festivals held in the open, grassy areas. Open dawn to dusk daily.
Glendale Cemetery
150 Glendale Ave.
Akron, OH
330 253-2317
Located in the heart of Downtown Akron, Lock 3 Live! hosts free events year-round, but most of the action happens in the summer and fall months. Enjoy a full schedule of free concerts of every genre, family and children events, auto showcases, and more – all for free. Check out Homegrown Saturday Mornings from July through September; this event includes locally grown produce for purchase along with a host of free activities including an educational program for children, tours of downtown historic sites, trolley rides, and family activities and games.
Lock 3 Live!
200 South Main St.
Akron, OH
330 375-2877
Learn about Akron's history of rubber production at the Goodyear World of Rubber museum for free. Exhibits include a replica of Charles Goodyear's workshop, depicting his discovery of vulcanization; a model of a rubber plantation; displays of tires; a film about the process of tire production; and other Goodyear memorabilia. Hours are Monday through Friday from 830am to 430pm.
Goodyear World of Rubber
1201 East Market St.- fourth floor
Akron, OH 44305
330 796-7117
Take a free tour of the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Dr. Bob's House. This restored home is where the concept of AA began, where over 300 alcoholics sobered up and received treatment. Watch the video on how it all began and flip through the photo archives of those AA have helped. Hours are noon to 3pm daily.
Dr. Bob's House
855 Ardmore Ave.
Akron, OH
330 864-1935
Akron Skate Park is 19,000 square feet of fiberglass reinforced concrete, with areas for the beginner, intermediate and advanced skater. Skating areas include a four-sided pyramid for stunts, a large bowl with sinking depth of seven feet, a 65-foot snake roll, a smaller bowl with 5-1/2 feet depth, a spine, stairs, ledges, rails, and quarter pipes. Akron Skate Park is located on the service road for the Rubber Bowl and Derby Downs Road, next to Akron BMX track. Open dawn to dusk, year round.
Akron Skate Park
1000 Derby Downs Rd.
Akron, OH
330 375-2804
This safe, fenced in play area is a great place for the family to play with their dog off-lease. Dogs love the exercise and socialization that they receive from playing with other dogs as well. What's more: the park-like setting is a great place for dog-owners to relax while their dog plays.
BARC Dog Park
499 Memorial Parkway
Akron, OH
330 849-BARC
Visit the Summit Artspace Gallery for free. This ever-changing gallery showcases work from greater Summit County artists. Free workshops are offered on Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm on various art genres. They also offer affordable studio, workshop, and classroom space for local artists. Hours are Thursday through Saturday from noon to 5pm.
Summit Artspace Gallery
140 East Market St.
Akron, OH
330 376-8480
Free Ballet performances in Akron parks continue even after the Ohio Ballet disbanned. Dancers from the region will come together to continue this 30 year tradition. Performances begin at 745pm for children's programs, and at 845pm on Friday and Saturday evenings for the adult program, for four weeks beginning on the last week of July. Venues vary week to week.