I will be in NE Ohio for the "Reclaiming Vacant Properties" conference, which is in Cleveland in October.  I will be spending most of the week in Cleveland (at the hotel @ Terminal Tower).

 

However, I will have some downtime around this conference and will be staying one or two nights in Akron, intending to explore Akron a bit (since I don't know too much about the place) and also a jaunt over to Youngstown.

 

I will be staying in downtown Akron (I think there is still a hotel in that Cascade Center complex?), so would like some advice about the downtown area first, but also for the city in general:

 

1. Local coffee shops.  I've become a fan of coffee culture through my frequent visits to Louisville and Cincinnati and want to partake of some of this in Akron and Youngstown.  Recommend a few to me that are not Starbucks.

 

2. Restaurants.  Recommend some independent local restaurants, preferably ones that source locally and are more into greens..not necessarily vegitarian, but more novelle cuisne or organic, etc)

 

3. Live music.  I like original local bans, indy/alt rock.  Or acoustic things, singer/songwriter, folk, bluegrass, etc.  Give me a few good venues for this kind of music.

 

4. Interesting neighborhoods & "heritage tourism".  Recommend some local history musuems, landmarks, and areas where there is some gentrification/restoration/adaptive re-use.  I'm also interested if they have done some historic interpretations/exhibits on the canal that went through there.  I think they have or are planning to, but not sure.

 

5. Urban ag and local food.  Are there any local farmers markets in Akron and local examples of urban gardening/urban agriculture?

 

Youngstown

 

I've already visited Youngstown years ago to see the steel museum, but am planning a return visit.  Anything else to see there, particularly anything relating to urban ag, shrinking cities things (neighborhood decommissioning, urban ag experiments, etc), and also some food/drink recommendations (like old ethnic restaurants, coffee shops like I asked about above for Akron, etc).

 

 

In Akron, I recommend the area where Chrissie Hynde's Vegiterranean restaurant is (vegan), which is close to Luigi's (great, old-school pizza place - cash only), which is next to the Northside, which has good food and is a great place to catch local bands. 

 

I'll let the others comment on other things you're looking for.  Have a great trip!

Jeffrey, the chain hotel in the former Quaker Square closed and is now run by the University of Akron. Find out more here (including some rather unflattering reviews)...

 

http://www.travelpost.com/hotels/The_Quaker_Square_Inn_at_the_University_of_Akron/hid32781

http://www.quakersquareakron.com/

 

If you want, stay in Cleveland or at a bed/breakfast in Peninsula...

 

Inn At Brandywine Falls 

www.innatbrandywinefalls.com

(330) 467-1812

 

Shady Oaks Farm Bed And Breakfast 

www.shadyoaksfarmbnb.com

(330) 468-2909

 

...then take the train down to Akron. Trains operate three times a day Wednesday through Sunday until the end of October. Since you're a fan of heritage tourism, while riding the train put on one CVSR's complimentary headsets and listen to the "Voices of the Valley" audio program.

 

At the top of the steps above the Akron Northside Station, there's a bike rental place (across the street from Luigi's). Explore downtown Akron by bike to your heart's content. There's always the National Inventor's Hall of Fame in downtown Akron. Just east of the station as part of the Cascade Locks is Mustill's Store, left over from the canal era.

 

http://www.cvsr.com/

http://www.cascadelocks.org/mustill.htm

http://www.invent.org/

 

In Youngstown, since you're into local coffee shops and live/indie music, the Lemon Grove Cafe on West Federal Street downtown is THE place to go.  http://www.lemongrovecafe.com/

 

For urban ag in Youngstown, check out:

 

http://www.resettleyoungstown.org/

http://www.growyoungstown.org/urbanagri.html

 

I'll keep my eyes open for more ideas.

 

 

1. Angel Falls in Highland Square you will likely love.  Nervous Dog is a quickly growing new Akron chain that started in Wallhaven by Highland Square.  There's Pearl Coffee roasters just south of downtown.  Not sure if they brew any coffee there.  Another local roaster is KC coffee.  Here's where that can be found: http://kccoffeeco.com/kccoffeeco/default.aspx?i=14  Pretty phenomenal coffee. Oh, and Mocha Maiden too..

2.Lots of restaurants in Akron.  Crave prob has the best website. www.eatdrinkcrave.com.  Lockview downtown will not disappoint with the assortment of grilled cheese sandwiches and their amazing macaroni bites. Cilantros just opened under the former manager from Thai 9. Briccos is worth a look next door. A new lunch place called Stew Pot focuses on inexpensive soups/stews/chilis.  In Highland Sq. Aladdins is popular as is Mary Coyle/Trecasos which combines Italian food in an ice cream parlor..

3. Musica is probably the main venue with music almost nightly.  To me, its fairly hit/miss mainly miss since its more of an emo/christian touring acts/acoustic indie stuff.  Lockview occasionally has music upstairs on their patio.  Northside has a variety of music mainly with blues and jazz. Annabells  constantly has indie music upstairs and punk/metal/indie downstairs.  Lounge has bands also at times in their "backstage" with their KISS touring sound system.  Blossom has the big touring acts. Check out a local monthly paper called Buzzbin for shows.

4. Highland Square is the main funky neighborhood.  There are definitely other little neighborhoods that don't get the attention in Firestone Park, Ellet, Goodyear Heights and I'm sure a few other's I'm missing.  West Akron area is like Oakwood but it's part of Akron.  Don't miss Stan Hywet mansion and gardens there.  Definitely take a trip on the CVSR ($2 each way with a bike) to see the Cuyahoga Valley maybe stop in Peninsula to take in the shops there and the best of the Winking Lizards. Rent a bike there to bike down to the Beaver Marsh and Szalay's market or up to Boston Mills or Brandywine to see the various waterfalls nearby.

 

5.I don't think Akron has much urban ag since Akron doesn't have much urban.  Definitely there are farmers markets but I believe they are mainly on weekends.  Might be one at Lock 3 on Fridays.  As far as local food perhaps Swensons in Wallhaven for their burgers. WestPoint Market is like an even better Dorothy Lane. Acme #1 a block away is like a giant Dorothy Lane.  I just added in the Akron area restaurant forum a sweet list the Beacon Journal did on the various types of markets available in Akron. Peanut Shoppe by Lockview is a classic store for roasted nuts. Stricklands custard shop by the Akron Fulton airport by the Goodyear Airdock is a classic stop to watch planes take off.

In addition to what KJP mentioned for Youngstown, (the Lemon Grove covers the first 3 items on your list) you might want to check out the Idora Neighborhood: http://www.yndc.org/neighborhoods/idora  I haven't been there recently, but it appears that a lot of activity has taken place in that neighborhood. (including urban gardens)

 

I personally think the neighborhood around Wick Park on Youngstown's north side is pretty phenomenal, and that's why I'm trying to move there. (and why I've made a couple photo tours of it)  But, while there is a lot of investment coming to that neighborhood, there isn't a lot of evidence of it yet, except for YSU student housing.  If you visit this area, check out the farms on Baldwin Ave.  They are mentioned in one of the articles at the Resettle Youngstown link KJP provided.

 

If you want a restaurant with real "Youngstown" character, you should also check out the Golden Dawn.  I don't know if I would call it ethnic, but it definitely has local character, and it's just east of the Wick Park neighborhood. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22295203220

Thanks for the advice so far. This is great stuff!  BTW, what is the name of that restaurant Chrissi Hind owns.  I am certainly going to try that place.

 

That Lemon Grove sounds great.  Do they really open at 4 PM daily?  That's amazing that they are open on Sundays, which is a tough time to find things open here in Dayton.

Chrissie Hynde owns Vegiterranean.  It's pretty good.  I liked the risotto and pizzas.

That Lemon Grove sounds great. Do they really open at 4 PM daily? That's amazing that they are open on Sundays, which is a tough time to find things open here in Dayton.

 

Lemon Grove is open on weekdays starting at 11 a.m. and they stay open until 4 a.m. every day, including weekends. I think they open at at 5 p.m. on weekends.

The hotel in the cascade complex is now the Akron Centre Hotel, no longer a Raddison.

 

I second checking out the Angel falls in Highland Square. There is a coffee shop/gallery at musica called Mocha Maiden but it really never seems to be very busy

 

I love Crave, so definately make that one of your meals. I work with several vegatarians and they never have any problem finding something to eat there.

 

Be sure to stop into Rubber Cty Clothing (RCC) and pick up your Akron wear.

 

Thanks for the advice so far. This is great stuff! BTW, what is the name of that restaurant Chrissi Hind owns. I am certainly going to try that place.

 

That Lemon Grove sounds great. Do they really open at 4 PM daily? That's amazing that they are open on Sundays, which is a tough time to find things open here in Dayton.

 

On weekdays, they open at 7 AM.  I do not know if they really stay open until 4 AM every night, though.  I would guess that it depends on the crowd.

 

And yes, they're open Sundays.  They have a "stitch 'n b!tch knit and crochet circle" (if you can believe that) on Sundays starting at 6, and seem to have bands scheduled most Sunday evenings.

For Akron:

 

1.  Coffee Shops:  My favorite is <a href="http://www.nervousdog.com/">Nervous Dog</a> in the Wallhaven neighborhood on West Market and West Exchange (you can enter the little strip where it hides from either street, though it's easier from Market).

 

2.  Restaurants: I strongly recommend <a href="http://www.thelockview.com/">The Lockview</a> as one of your restaurant choices; I'm there at least once a week, though I live within walking distance, so that makes it easy.  They're best for dinner and drinks because their beer selection is the best I've found in Ohio (though I'm sure Cleveland and Cincy have some places that can compete).  My vegetarian roommate loves the place as well, since they've got a lot of veggie-friendly dishes.

 

Another restaurant that I like, but which is not all that veggie-friendly, is <a href="http://www.metroburger.com/">Metro Burger</a>, a build-your-own-burger place out in Highland Square.  They do have veggie patties, though.

 

3.  Live music:  I'm not the best to ask about this, especially because you'll be coming in October, after the free summer concerts at Lock 3 have ended.

 

4 & 5.  Heritage tourism/urban ag:  I'm going to combine these two because I frequently combine them myself.  If you have a car that allows you to bring your bike here, I strongly recommend the <a href="http://www.ohioanderiecanalway.com/">Towpath Trail</a>, which has many ingress points throughout downtown Akron, for biking, using the Bike Aboard! $2 fare on the <a href="http://www.cvsr.com/">CVSR</a> to get back to Akron Northside.  I combine these two because I frequently do: when I bike out on the towpath, I often begin with an empty backpack, which I then fill up on the way at <a href="http://www.dayinthevalley.com/attractDetail.php?attrId=8">Szalay's</a>, which is basically right on the Towpath a little ways south of Peninsula.  Despite the "Sweet Corn Farm" name, it is much more than that.  They sell all kinds of produce, breads, jams, honey, etc., and they have a couple of vendor stands, too.  I've never been there on a weekend when it wasn't packed.  The last time I was there, I picked up bags of black plums and white peaches (both absolutely mouthwatering) and a loaf of bread from a local gourmet shop called <a href="http://www.breadsmith.com/">Breadsmith</a>, which you can also buy in the shop if you can get out to Fairlawn, a little ways east of Summit Mall.  Also, if you have a sweet tooth and can handle some calories in the middle of a bike ride, the fruit sundae made by one of the little vendor stands at Szalay's is amazing.

Thanks for your alls advice so far.  This is good stuff.  I will be able to just touch on some of these places...but its cool to see a lot of these places right downtown!  This is going to be fun!!!

 

Tell me about this Rubber City Clothing place?  Is it sort of fetish wear? 

 

A question about Youngstown.  Are there any good italian or other ethnic restaurants there.  I know there is or was a big Italian community in the Mahoning Valley (and other ethnics, too), so was wondering about any local favorites for dinner?

 

Also, seeing as how I like old stuff, are there any surviving 19th century (pre 1900)neighborhoods in Akron or Youngstown? I don't seem to recall much that is really old in these towns from previous visits, but i might have missed them.

http://www.rubbercityclothing.com/

 

Akron related clothing.. link to my favorite shirt..http://www.rubbercityclothing.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=18

A question about Youngstown. Are there any good italian or other ethnic restaurants there. I know there is or was a big Italian community in the Mahoning Valley (and other ethnics, too), so was wondering about any local favorites for dinner?

 

 

Jeffery check out this map created by one of the more prolific local bloggers: (there are more than just eateries here, though) http://www.mapbuilder.net/users/jankoytown/59055

 

A few items are out of date. (i.e. The Chevy Center is now the Covelli Center, and Rosetta Stone just closed)  But, the real traditional places have been open for quite a while.  For Italian, I'd recommend MVR.  But, some of the other names that jump out at me as places you might be interested in are: Avalon Gardens, Casa Ramirez, Dubic's Palm Cafe, (not sure if they serve dinner, though) Kravitz' Deli, The Open Hearth, and the Royal Oaks. (sorry I couldn't narrow it down further.  These all either have significant Youngstown heritage, and/or are authentic ethnic places.

 

Also, seeing as how I like old stuff, are there any surviving 19th century (pre 1900)neighborhoods in Akron or Youngstown? I don't seem to recall much that is really old in these towns from previous visits, but i might have missed them.

 

I don't think Youngstown has any 19th century neighborhoods.  The oldest I'm aware of is the Wick Park neighborhood.  Most of the houses are turn of the century.  The Wick Log Cabin - built in the 1880's - was the first residence built in the area as a getaway destination for the Wick family before the rest of the neighborhood was there.

There is no bad italian food in Youngstown, lets put it that way. If you are looking for homestyle red sauce Italian, it's pretty hard to get a bad meal. The list of above pretty much covers the Y-town institutions. Try some Briar Hill style pizza while you are intown (red sauce, green peppers and grated cheese) it is availible in many of those restuarants its named for the working class Italian neighborhood on the nothside where my grandpa grew up.

 

Open Hearth has awesome copper covered tables in their booths BTW...

 

MVR and Open Hearth are my two favorite Italian eateries in Youngstown. There are also good Italian restaurants in the suburbs of Austintown, Boardman and Poland where many of Youngstown's Italians went in the 1960s and 70s. But one of my favorites is up in Warren:  Leo's Ristorante, 7042 East Market Street.

 

Most of Youngstown's 19th century neighborhoods were clustered along the Mahoning River or around downtown. Those that were along the river were leveled for the expansion of the steel mills between 1890-1920. And those that were around downtown were either leveled for some art deco office buildings downtown (thankfully those beauties are still standing!), or they succumbed to urban renewal schemes in the 1960s (especially on the east side of downtown).

Make a short jaunt up to Warren and go to www.mochahouse.com

 

If you go to Warren check out The Hot Dog Shoppe and Sunrise Pizza.

 

You can't go wrong with Mahoning Valley Italian food. I'm a Warren/Trumbull Co. girl so i prefer places like Alberini's, Cafe 422, Salvatore's, Leo's, Sunrise, Buena Vista Cafe, Enzo's, etc

Enzo's white pizza!