The Top 3 State Parks in Driving Distance of Akron, OH

Certainly one of the best things about living in Akron, OH is being able to enjoy its extensive park system. It boasts verdant forests, scenic ponds, and well-maintained facilities. The following parks are just a short drive away and offer all kinds of fun activities! more 1. Munroe Falls Metro Park This expansive park is separated into two sections: the Tallmadge Meadows Area on 1088 North Avenue and the Lake Area on 521 S. River Road. The former features a 0.35-mile, wheelchair-accessible trail that loops around the park's grassy meadow. The 2-mile Meadow Trail takes visitors through thick woods, a shrub thicket, and a wetland forest. During the winter, Tallmadge becomes a popular spot for skiing and sledding. If you're visiting the Lake Area, it's a good opportunity to take advantage of the GMC Acadia's available roof rack and bring your kayak along since there's easy access for small boats. There's also a sandy beach area, picnicking spots, and covered shelters. From this section of the park, you can take a hike along the Indian Spring Trail, a 2.2-mile trail that goes deep into Munroe Falls' forest and passes by peaceful ponds and streams. 2. Goodyear Heights Metro Park Goodyear Heights on 2077 Newton Street stretches across 400 acres and features a large pond, forests, and marshes that attract a wide variety of wildlife. While hiking along its nature trails, visitors may encounter frogs, salamanders, turtles, and even deer. Bird watchers will be happy to learn that the park hosts numerous species throughout the year, including the great blue heron, red-tailed hawk, and several types of woodpecker. At the northern end of Goodyear Heights, you'll find the Eastwood Ballfields, where you can watch or play a game of baseball or softball. Parties and large picnics are regularly hosted at the charming lodge that's available for rent. 3. Croghan Park Found at the intersection of North Miller Road and Sand Run Parkway, Croghan Park is known for its sporting facilities, which include two basketball courts, two handball courts, and three tennis courts. The rest of the park is covered by large, open fields where visitors can soak up the sun and have a picnic. There are also multiple walking paths and a playground with a jungle gym, slides for big and small kids, and swings. In addition to several picnic tables placed throughout Croghan Park, there's a pavilion next to the playground that features its own BBQ grills. Whether you want to take the kids to the playground at a neighborhood park or go on a hike and view some beautiful nature, you'll have no problem finding the right spot when you're in the Akron area. Shopping for a new ride to get you from place to place? Visit Toth Buick GMC today and check out our impressive inventory of new and certified pre-owned automobiles! Image via Pixabay

With the sun smiling down during these warm summer months, spend some quality time with the family outside of the living room. Whether you're seeking a relaxing day on the water or a more rigorous outing, we've got you covered. Check out these outdoor activities worth your time in Akron, OH. more 1. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens The historic mansion and breathtaking gardens located at 714 Portage Path boasts 70 acres of things to explore, including an old stone quarry, multiple historic buildings, many historic gardens, and beautiful architecture and decorations from the 1900s. Things to do include a butterfly habitat, an interactive trail, and geocaching quests. 2. Akron Zoo You can't go wrong with a visit to the zoo, especially at the vast habitat home to over one thousand species found at 500 Edgewood Ave. The zoo is part of an organization dedicated to conservation and education surrounding animal welfare. This means your visit helps care for the critters you see, and the ones still in the wild. The zoo is sectioned by themed areas of the park that take you on a journey around the world. Observe the wonders of the underwater world in the Curious Creatures exhibit, which highlights plants and animals that developed bizarre ways to ward off predators. 3. Cuyahoga Valley National Park Located between Akron and Cleveland along the Cuyahoga River, this stunning natural landscape goes on for miles. Park your 2024 Buick Encore GX Sport Touring at the Northside Station at 27 Ridge Street, or find another access point address on their website. The beautiful riverside park is flourishing with plants and wildlife, with plenty of routes designated for explorers. The winds and bends of the river provide life-force energy to forests, farmlands, and grassy hills that make up this enchanting landscape. Adventure through the Ledges Trail to behold brilliant rock formations, or hike the Brandywine Gorge Loop, which features waterfalls surrounding a deep ravine. 4. Portage Lakes Cruises For a romantic day on the lake, book an intimate cruise with Portage Lakes and witness the beauty of all 7 lakes. You can find the friendly crew dockside at Pick's at PLX, located at 530 Portage Lakes Drive, or schedule a departure from the Nauti Vine Winery. The crew will even pick you up from your Air Bnb's dock if you're just passing through! The boat can accommodate a standard wheelchair, and there is a ramp from their dock at Pick's. The tour is flexible to your tastes, with optional narration and customizable route options like taking a dip in the lake at the state park. When you've filled your phone with photographs or finished reading your book in a serene nature nook, swing by Toth Buick GMC to see what's new. Image via Pixabay

As one of Ohio's leading cultural centers, Akron, OH is home to an amazing variety of museums where you can learn about the arts, sciences, or history. All located a short distance away from the center of town, they aren't difficult to find, especially with the GMC Terrain's available GMC Connected Services. The following establishments are considered to be among the city's top destinations, so be sure to check them out first! more 1. The National Museum of Psychology Part of the University of Akron's Cummings Center for the History of Psychology at the University of Akron at 73 S. College Street, this museum provides in-depth looks at several aspects of the psychology field. When guests first walk into the museum, they'll be exploring the introductory Psychology Is All Around Us exhibit, which shows how psychology has integrated itself within our daily lives. Other exhibits offer primers on how the mind and intelligence works, mental health treatments, and the history of psychology as a profession. Current hot topics, such as race or gender in psychology, are covered by a rotating gallery. Guests can also enjoy taking a number of acuity tests and experimenting with interactive displays. 2. Akron Art Museum Having started in 1922 as an institution for arts appreciation by the industrialist Shaw family, the Akron Art Museum on 1 S. High Street now houses over 7,000 pieces of modern and contemporary artwork from around the world. You'll find most of its permanent collection, featuring mostly western art dating from the mid-1800s and beyond, in the 20,000-foot-gallery space of the main building. The main building's first floor includes beautiful examples of modernist and impressionist style, such as those from Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Charles M. Dewey. Within the adjacent Knight Building, you'll find the pop art of Andy Warhol and photorealistic paintings from Chuck Close. 3. Akron Children's Museum One of the finest children's museums in Northeast Ohio can be found here on 216 S. Main Street. Separated into a number of themes, the Akron Children's Museum offers tons of fun ways for kids to learn about the world that they live in. For example, the Down on the Farm exhibition will have its young visitors participating in a simulated farm harvest, where they'll gather produce and then sell it at the market. Over at the Wind Tunnels, kids can experiment with the force of wind by building their own parachutes. There's also a train exhibit, art studio, and musical garden where they can try their hand and various instruments. It's sure to be a fun and educational time, no matter which museum in Akron you choose to visit! Before your next outing, visit Toth Buick GMC today and check out our extensive inventory of new and used cars! Image via Pixabay