How to Have the Perfect Fall Day in Downtown Akron

One of the best things about living in Northeast Ohio is getting to experience the changing seasons—especially when the changing of seasons is as lovely as it is from summer to fall. If you’re on the hunt for activities to help you make the most of autumn in downtown Akron, let us be your guide. We’ve got a full-day itinerary for you to build on, which you can use for inspiration to stay busy (and cozy) all season long.

First Thing’s First: Fall Beverages

Now that it’s officially the spookiest, coziest season of the year, downtown’s establishments are prepared with menus full of warm seasonal beverages (in both temperature and flavor). Pumpkin spice is a given, but our downtown cafés go above and beyond to create drinks that are creative, unique, and deliciously autumny. Wrap your chilly hands around a steaming mug from one of the neighborhood’s many coffee shops, like Muggswigz, Evelyn’s, Akron Coffee Roasters, The Green Dragon Inn, Chameleon, or Sweet Mary’s.

Step Two: Cozy Up With Some Good Reading

A good book pairs so well with a good drink, and thankfully, there are several places in the neighborhood to secure your next read. The library, with its catalog of 2.4 million items, is a given, and there’s tons of seating throughout the building to keep you comfy. Plus: The library allows drinks with lids in their establishment, so feel free to bring that warm tea or coffee with you while you browse the shelves. If you prefer to buy your books rather than borrow, the Library Shop at Main, Trust Books in the Northside District, Banned Books Box and The University of Akron Press retail spaces inside Northside Marketplace, and Rubber City Comics are all can’t-miss reading destinations for you this fall.

Next Up: Stretch Your Legs and Take in the Foliage

As the Alfred Wainwright saying goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” So bundle up (if it’s chilly), don your rainboots (if it’s drizzling), and take a walk on the Towpath Trail, where even in the middle of the city, you can take in beautiful fall foliage and see wildlife like muskrats, mallard ducks, Canada geese, great blue herons, and perhaps even coyotes living and hunting on the Ohio & Erie Canal. If you’re looking for a quaint spot to pause on a bench or gaze at man-made waterfalls, don’t miss a visit to Lock 2. Then, try walking from the center of downtown to the Mustill Store for a fall “hike” that’s completely accessible and filled with scenic views of both the city skyline and the natural world.

Speaking of Clothing: Get Some Local Shopping In

Consider catching the Towpath Connector Trail to the Northside District, where you can do a little window shopping or even update your wardrobe for fall with a trip to Northside Cellar. The boutique is home to both designer and consignment women’s clothing that’s fitting for every age and every style. While you’re in the area, be sure to stop into Northside Marketplace to browse the curated selection of vintage clothing for all genders at Modern Traditions Co.; warm, handmade alpaca sweaters from LiRo Apparel; and other spaces with plenty more clothing and cozy fall accessories to choose from.

Then: Have a Great Meal

After all that walking and shopping, you’ll probably be hungry and wanting something warm, hearty, and comforting. Go for a heaping plate of pasta at Spaghetti Warehouse, DeJuan’s, or Luigi’s; an incredible burger at Missing Falls Brewery, Perfect Pour, or Barley House; gourmet grilled cheese at The Lockview; a seafood boil at Boiling House; something spicy, noodle-y, or rice-based at Cilantro or Heera Indian Cuisine; or some classic pizza at Totally Baked Pizza, DaVinci’s, or Twisted Tomato. Our dining guide has listings for all the restaurants in the neighborhood, so be sure to take a peek for even more options for having a great meal downtown.

Follow That With: A Show, Gallery Tour, or Game

Oh, the entertainment! During the fall, there’s a lot to choose from. Sports fans can check the Zips Athletics schedule to see when football, soccer, and volleyball games are happening. Moviegoers can visit The Nightlight for screenings of films from around the world every day of the week. Theater buffs can catch a spooky, seasonal show by Ohio Shakespeare Festival in Greystone, or the Millennial Theatre Project at the Knight Stage. Lovers of galleries and museums can tour Summit Artspace’s fall exhibitions, the National Museum of Psychology, Akron Soul Train, the Akron Art Museum, Clayton Bailey’s World of Wonders, or the Hower House Museum.

End With: A Seasonal Cocktail or Mocktail

Finish your perfect fall day with at one of downtown’s ambient bars or restaurants boasting seasonal cocktails and mocktails. A few extra cozy picks are High St. Hop House, the Northside Speakeasy, The Green Dragon Inn, and The Circle of 5ths, but you can’t go wrong at any of downtown’s eateries or drinkeries, a few of which even have fireplaces on their patios.

Note: The hours of the coffee shops, restaurants, stores, and entertainment venues mentioned in this guide may vary. Be sure to double check their hours ahead of time to make sure you can do what you want to do, in the order you want to do it, on the day you want to do it.

For even more to do this fall in downtown Akron, keep an eye on the DAP events calendar, which has listings for festive fall celebrations, live music, trivia nights, neighborhood tours, and so much more.

See our updated traffic advisories and parking information to navigate and park downtown with ease.

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