I would like to know what the best Akron neighborhoods to visit are dealing with ethnic areas, great architecture, history, nightlife, restaurants etc. I would appreciate the info. :-)

The Portage Path/Twin Oaks area is beautiful (especially Castle Boulevard).

 

Highland Square is a must, of course.  West Akron in general has some nice areas. 

 

I believe there is an Italian section across the bridge, north of downtown.  Interesting stuff.

I'm not aware of any particularly ethnic neighborhoods in Akron.  There is no China town or little Italy.  There perhaps are some generalizations of ethnicity in areas of Akron.  For

example, North Akron has a lot of Italians in it.  The Southwest side of Akron has a lot of former West Virginians in it. 

Check out the Northeast OH link on the UrbanOhio.com page and then Akron and it gives a good idea of the architecture of the city and some neighborhoods.  There's definitely a lot of history to Akron from the canals to Quaker Oats to becoming the rubber capital of the world.  As far as nightlife: you got downtown, you got highland square-w.market, and there's the "valley".  Check out Yahoo's maps and click on the interactive buttons for bars and/or restaurants and you'll see the density or Google Earth for that matter.  Is there something in particular you are looking for?

The Portage Path/Twin Oaks area is beautiful (especially Castle Boulevard).

 

Highland Square is a must, of course.  West Akron in general has some nice areas. 

 

My favorites as well.  The Merriman Valley is also another nice area of the city, that's my current locale.

I wasn't looking for anything in particular. I was just trying to find out what the most interesting neighborhoods in Akron were to visit.

 

Where is the Portage Path/Twin Oaks area?

Where is the Highland Square area?

Take Rt. 18 (Market Street) west of downtown.  Highland Square is up the hill.  Portage Path/Twin Oaks is beyond that; Just follow the signs to Stan Hywet and you'll see/explore that area.

 

Keep in mind, Akron has many more areas than I mentioned; I just mentioned the ones I'm most familiar with.

I appreciate the info. Chris.  :-)

Portage Path/Merriman Road/Twin Oaks and even Highland Square areas are all pretty much West Akron.  Highland Square is a mile or so away on W Market away from downtown Akron.  The other roads are off of Market going north from Highland Sq.  You'll see mansions on both streets for about 2 miles and they sort of meet in the Valley.  Then pop through Sand Run Park in the valley and you've pretty much had the gee whiz experience of Akron. 

 

A good website for downtown Akron: http://www.downtownakron.com/

 

For restaurants if you're into top steaks check out Diamond Grille near downtown Akron on W. Market.  If you like killer burgers check out the various Swensons Drive-ins, if you like you're burgers flame-broiled check out the various Skyway Drive-ins, if you like $3 steak dinners check out Annabells on Monday nights, if you enjoy Italian check out Luigi's for their amazing mozzarella covered salads in the well hidden Northside area of downtown, if you like gourmet/high end dining go to Ken Stewarts on W. Market or his Bath Twp place. The primary ice cream place is the Stricklands Custard stand near the Goodyear Airdock.  There are several other quality Akron restaurants that I've neglected to mention in various other neighborhoods.  For a great coffee shop check out Angel Falls in Highland Sq.  House of Hunan also on W. Market has probably the best Chinese and Sushi hell maybe even Thai.  Winking Lizards are my fave sports bars- one off of W. Market near Summit Mall.

 

Grocery shopping isn't typically an interesting experience.  The Akron area stores however have made it interesting.  Acme the hometown chain has a surprisingly large selection of items and attractively laid out stores.  Mustardseed Market is a wonderful place to find eco-friendly and healthy foods also a nice restaurant upstairs.  West Point Market is a stunning store to go for hard to find international type foods.  I'm always amazed walking around that store.  All the stores are very service oriented.  There's also another chain in nearby Medina that's also kicking serious ass - Beuhlers for overboard service. 

 

Portage Lakes in the south of Akron gives the city a different flavor.  Check out the Harbor Inn down there for a little bit of Jimmy Buffet style. 

Hope that helps you decide what you want to go looking for.

 

 

If you like killer burgers check out the various Swensons Drive-ins

^ Mmm... just the thought of a Galley Boy (their signature burger) is making my mouth water.  A definent must if you visit Akron.

Thanks audidave. You gave me a lot of the type of info on Akron I was looking for.

my step sis had her reception at stan hywet its very grand make sure you check it out.

 

ps -- after your swenson's burger you def want stricklands custard for dessert -- put it this way i make sure to stop in at these joints if i can if i go that way on the drive back from nyc. besides some great local groceries like the aforementioned mustard seed, in other food news there is also a very quirky local fried chicken style nearby, barberton fried chicken. if you want healthy i think the aladdins middle eastern chain is around akron too. so you can eat well on your visit!