Crew cuts - Akron-Canton, Ohio

From a day out in Amish country to a road trip to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, you can do it all in northeast Ohio says Rozlin Alida, AirTran Airways Station Manager.

 

What is the Akron-Canton area’s greatest destination?

I’d say the Amish country. Ohio has one of the largest concentrations of Amish communities in the country, and the epicenter is in nearby Holmes County, just half an hour south of the airport. In Walnut Creek, Berlin and Hartville you’ll find beautiful scenery, great Amish cooking and unbelievable handmade furniture and quilts.

 

Where would you take the kids?

To Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom (www.geaugalake.com), a huge amusement park with thrill rides and a waterpark, and the Harry London Candies chocolate factory (www.londoncandies.com), where you can see how chocolate is made… and get free samples!

 

What if you’re interested in the outdoors and athletics?

You can explore the woods and see Ohio’s natural flora and fauna at The Wilderness Center (www.wildernesscenter.org), a nature center and land trust about half an hour south of the airport, in Wilmont, Ohio. For animal lovers, the Akron Zoo (www.akronzoo.org) is one of the best medium-sized zoos in the nation. And McKinley Park is a wonderful spot in Canton where you can take a stroll, play soccer, fish, visit the rose garden or climb up to the McKinley National Memorial.

 

What are your favorite restaurants in the Akron-Canton area?

One of my favorites is the The 356th Fighter Group Restaurant and Banquet Center (356th.tripod.com). It’s located right outside the airport’s perimeter, so you can see planes taking off and landing while you dine. I also really enjoy a night out at Geisen Haus. I don’t have a favorite dish there—everything is so good! In Amish country, The Amish Door (www.amishdoor.com) in Wilmot and Hartville Kitchen (www..hartvillekitchen.com) in Hartville are famous for their great homestyle food.

 

Where should you go if you’re interested in arts and culture?

The Cultural Center for the Arts (www.cantonculturalcenter.org) in Canton is home to a symphony orchestra, ballet company, theater and art museum all under one roof. Another place for theatrical performances, concerts and films is The Canton Palace Theater (www..cantonpalacetheatre.org), an old cinema that opened in 1926. The ceiling is painted blue and displays moving images of clouds, so when you look up, you feel like you’re outside. It’s absolutely fascinating and there are only five such theaters in the entire country.

 

Where do you go if you’re interested in history?

For history buffs, I would suggest two places in Canton: the William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum (www.mckinleymuseum.org) and the National First Ladies’ Library (www.firstladies.org)—it’s the only one in the country.

 

What are your favorite day trips from the Akron-Canton area?

If you drive down I-77, you can hit all three Halls of Fame—the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (www.rockhall.com) in Cleveland, the National Inventors Hall of Fame (www.invent.org) in Akron, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (www.profootballhof.com) in Canton—within an hour of each other. “The rollercoaster capital of the world,” Cedar Point amusement park (www.cedarpoint.com) is 90 minutes away, in Sandusky, Ohio. And Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio are all within easy distance.

 

Sum up Akron-Canton in a few words.

It’s a small-town atmosphere with big-city amenities—a great mix! For employment opportunities with AirTran Airways visit www.airtranjobs.com