Akron is home to some of the Greater Cleveland region’s best museums. If you’re looking for a great way to spend your free time this summer, consider frequenting the following facilities.
Akron Art Museum
Located in a historic building with a stunning Louvre-inspired steel and glass addition, the Akron Art Museum is renowned for its modern art collection and architecture. The museum has been in operation since 1922, but it has grown considerably over the years to include 20,000 square feet of gallery space. Pieces in the collection consist of Western art, turn-of-the-century realism, American impressionism, postmodern paintings, Pop Art, sculptures, and photography. Major temporary exhibitions that have included the likes of Norman Rockwell are housed on the Knight Building’s second floor.
In addition to the indoor gallery spaces, the Akron Art Museum features a library and café. A modern urban garden is also in the works. Parking is available at the High Street Parking Garage across the street, and admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and free for children under 17. On Thursdays, everyone can visit the facility for free.
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
The area’s most notable country estate, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is also one of the country’s largest homes. The estate was built between 1912 and 1915 for the founder of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, F.A. Seiberling. Major gardens throughout the estate grounds include an English garden, grape arbor, breakfast room garden, Japanese garden, and the stunning West Terrace. There are also a number of pools throughout the property.
If this is your first visit, start with the Guided Manor House Tour, which lasts about an hour and allows you to observe what life was like for the Seiberling family. Preserved rooms include the Music Room, Great Hall, indoor swimming pool, and master bedroom. Tickets for the guided tour are $19 for adults and $8 for children under 17. Members can enjoy 50 percent off the general price.
Akron Fossils & Science Center
Located just a few miles west of Akron in Copley Township, the Akron Fossils & Science Center is a creation-based museum offering guided tours, hands-on activities, and interactive exhibits. The 4,500-square-foot facility also features a two-and-a-half-acre outdoor dinosaur-themed adventure park designed for kids. The museum’s touchable displays include fossils, a woolly mammoth jawbone, dinosaur eggs, dinosaur teeth, and a mastodon skeleton.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
If you don’t mind a 45-minute drive into Cleveland, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is an absolute must-visit. This world-renowned museum on Lake Erie’s shores is dedicated to history’s most influential music artists, producers, and others who have significantly contributed to the history of rock and roll. 2016’s inductees include Deep Purple, Chicago, and Steve Miller, while exhibits are designed to take you back through the entire history of this iconic musical tradition.
With so many museums in the Greater Cleveland area, you’ll never feel limited by the possibilities. Start planning your next visit today.
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