Nestled comfortably in Canton lies the Pro Football Hall of Fame where the greatest football players of all time are forever immortalized. Among the names represented here are Barry Sanders, Michael Strahan and Emmitt Smith.
On a Friday night, the Canton Palace Theater is lit up like an historic Christmas tree. The ambiance of the theater is calming and secretive, as if it will take a couple visits to solve its mystery. Speaking of mysteries, the theater offers a Murder Mystery Event where the setting is 1920's Canton Palace Theater. Patrons become part of the puzzling narrative and must work together to solve it. You have to wonder if there's real mystery at Canton Palace Theater, though. They offer a monthly paranormal investigation into the supposed "spirits" of the theater, giving patrons the chance to come face-to-face with those from the afterlife.
Back when muscle cars were mere toddlers, the streets of Canton were alive with the cries of horns and the screech of tires as racing through the streets commenced. The Canton Classic Car Museum showcases what is left of that period of auto history and the museum displays classic cars like Chevy Corvettes, Ford Mustangs, Dodge Chargers and everything your motor heart desires.
You can almost smell the oil paints as you enter the Downtown Canton Arts District. A hotspot for the inspired and creative, the district houses art-centered businesses, restaurants, shops, bars and seven art galleries. The wafting aroma of cooked pottery fresh out of the kiln will forever keep you coming back.
The McKinley National Memorial is the place where late president William McKinley lies in eternal sleep. He was the 25th president of the United States and was assassinated in 1901. President McKinley grew up Canton, which is why the city was chosen as his final resting place. The memorial is a reminder to Canton of its American ties and celebrates William McKinley's life and his term as president.
Gripping your hand around the cold steel of the golf club, you steady your aim and visualize the ball soaring gracefully through the air. A swing, a tap, and then your visualization becomes a reality. There's nothing more satisfying than seeing the ball fall just where you aimed it and this satisfaction can be yours at The Quarry Golf Club's lush fairway. This golf course provides an excellent escape for any true golfer and there's something unique about this particular course. It is built on an old quarry, which provides each hole with its own inimitable identity, making for a fascinating challenge in the game of golf.
Building and painting a sailboat model takes patience and precision and the Blue Water Majesty Museum opens the doors to a world of tiny sailboat models of varying sizes and detail. The amount of detail put into the creation of one of these models isn't believable until you're eye-to-eye with one of the exhibits. This museum just may encourage you to take up a new hobby.
After a long day visiting the city of Canton, it's nice to find a place to rest your weary feet. The night beckons and you crave something that feels like home, nothing like those pricey, five-star hotels. You stumble upon an ordinary looking hotel from the outside, but as you enter the energy vibes completely alter. The lobby reflects the history of an earlier time with a gorgeous Victorian design and dark oak trim. The McKinley Grand Hotel was built in 1986 and was originally a Marriot Hotel before it was converted to an independent, boutique hotel. It is now considered one of the "hidden gems" in the Canton hotel scene.
A heavenly experience means a trip to the Beginnings Salon and Day Spa. The warm glow radiates comfort and relaxation as you await one of the best massages in the area. This is the place of regeneration for the mind, body and soul. Feel beautiful and get your makeup done by professionals, relish in their wide variety of spa packages or get a new hair color. No one does exhilaration better than Canton.
Canton celebrates the Enshrinement Festival, directly tied to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which is a weekend-long celebration of professional football. The festivities include a large parade, music, food and more.
Adventure Landings is an inflatable wonderland that provides quality family entertainment. Activities include swimming, an inflatable playground and rock climbing. The facility is indoors so it's the perfect rainy day activity for energetic kids.
When you pick up the cool bowling ball and dig your fingers into the plastic holes, you know this shot will be it: the strike! Discovering AMF Hall Of Fame Lanes in Canton feels just like the moment before a strike, quiet and breathless. It's a bowling alley that caters to a community's passion for bowling. You can leave the kids at home and attend a grown-up party hosted by the Hall of Fame or bring your kids to celebrate a birthday. AMF Hall Of Fame Lanes promises it will be a ball.
Baylor Beach Park offers a welcoming escape from the summer sun and provides many amenities for summer entertainment including picnic areas, camping sites and, of course, a water park. There's no reason to wallow in boredom when Baylor offers so many activities.
There's nothing more freeing than galloping into the sunset on your noble steed, and Canton has just the place for such an activity. Bear Creek Resort Ranch offers horseback riding for all experience levels as well as campgrounds, swimming holes, hayrides, ATV trails, fishing, mini golf and paddleboat rentals.
It's true, most people don't know how to stop and truly enjoy all nature has to offer. But, places like the Beech Creek Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve teach everyone a thing or two about the appreciation of everything natural.
Not many places can say that canoeing is an easy and accessible sport. The conditions have to be right for both location and weather but, luckily for Canton, the Canal Fulton Canoe Livery has picked a perfect spot on the Tuscarawas River for just this type of activity. You can also rent bikes to follow the paths that snake around the area or rent a double kayak and enjoy an adventure with someone special.
As an artist, you need to know how to work your medium, but when it comes to glass you really must understand how to mold and shape your work. The people at the Canton Glass Works are professionally-trained glass artists and they teach their wondrous skills to those wanting to learn. These artists take pride in being a part of the fine art scene of Canton and help to celebrate Canton's love for art.
There's nothing wrong with a love of gardening and the Canton Garden Center whisks you away into a make-believe land filled with everything gardening. A library stands in the midst of the property and is surrounded by lively, flowing plants showcasing the intricate art of gardening. The library provides information on gardening and home beautification through the use of plants and flowers and is a not-for-profit organization that hopes to bring a passion of gardening to the community of Canton.
Grab your paint brush, your beads, pastels and clay because 2nd April Galerie and Studios creates a whimsical escape into the imagination of the Canton community. This studio features local artists and craftsmen who put together exhibits featuring jewelry, photography, cards, pottery and more. Directly below the gallery is the Kathleen Howland Theater which presents a number of different shows each season.
It's often hard to find a decent music venue that suits your specific needs and tastes. A perfect venue knows how to balance a lively crowd with a superior selection of music. With a hint of spice and a pinch of passion, a concert becomes a spiritual experience riddled with bone-rattling-good tunes. Buzzbin Art and Music Shop brings such an experience to its viewers, and patrons come from all over to take part events here.
Preparing food is an art form, as is tasting it. Measuring the capabilities of a flavor requires a delicate palate, but for the people of Canton, it's second nature. The Canton Food Tours give locals the opportunity to taste the delicacies of Canton and, for a short while, take on the role of a local food critic. These tours include the Heat Seekers Dinner (bring lot's of milk), Just Desserts Tour (foodgasms are okay), Warehouse District Tour and City Line Tour. There's no better way to spend an evening than enjoying the best of Canton dining.
A hot cup of tea can send a ray of warmth through your body, one that you can feel all the way to your fingers and toes. Dragonfly Tea Room and Gift Shop serves you toe-tingling tea, which is especially in demand during the cold season. The gift shop boasts a collection of cute memorabilia and tea related items so you can relive your tea drinking experience at home.
If you travel up the hill from the Amish Door Restaurant, you will come across a towering and intimidating Victorian-era house drenched in Canton history. Gateway Wines resides here and houses local Ohio wines and special, international wines. This is one place that knows the importance of taste and it provides daily wine tastings during the week. The winery also offers a quaint gift shop stocked with various Amish gifts and gadgets.
2nd Hand Treasures describes itself as a "hip, cool consignment shop" that boasts over 500 consignors. Part of every sale goes towards charities and the shop has already donated thousands of dollars to various organizations. The best thing about such a consignment shop is that every time you visit, it's a different adventure. Nothing ever stays the same and the merchandise is always changing. If you're looking for some retail excitement, 2nd Hand Treasures promises a thrilling experience.
The Amish are often viewed as a secretive culture shrouded in wonder and mystery, but when it comes to food, we are all the same. The Amish Door Restaurant and Village offers breakfast delicacies like biscuits and sausage gravy and this could be the best way to start your day. Dinner may include the country fresh salad bar or the slow-cooked roast beef. Eat as the Amish do, and eat well.
Sometimes everyone needs a place to escape from the worries of everyday life, and many people do this through retail therapy. The Belden Village Mall is the place for the locals of Canton to hide and one can get lost in the crowds of mothers, daughters, and bored husbands and boyfriends, until you feel the stress slip out from under your fingertips and onto your platinum credit card. It's so bad, but feels oh so good.
Flouring is no longer a major part of our economy but in Canton, flouring at Magnolia Flouring Mills still receives worldwide recognition. This mill has even won two gold medals for its work at state fairs and has officially been added to the National Register of Historic Places because it preserves the narrative of rural towns in an area that relied on flouring as a way of life. Take a tour of the mill and learn all about the history of Magnolia and its surrounding counterparts.
It's early morning and you're up for a jog against the rising sun. You need a place to go, somewhere peaceful and alive. The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail is the answer to your need. It runs for 84 miles and has 48 trail heads. The energy surrounding the towpath creates an effervescent experience complete with wooden areas, beautiful ponds, lakes, and rolling meadows.
The First Friday of every month has become a city-wide tradition in Canton with music, performance art, food, visual arts events and plenty of surprises. Canton calls it a "monthly party" and honestly there's no better way to describe the event. Businesses gather to take part in the celebration with their own parties and events. Anyone who isn't a part of First Friday is a true party-pooper, as dubbed by the citizens of Canton.
The menu at Arcadia Grille is bursting with American classics including the cheeseburger, Caesar salads, pastas and the all-American turkey dinner. It takes talented artists to create a masterpiece out of simplicity like they do at the Arcadia Grille.
Featured Image Source: Canton Chamber of Commerce
