Canton (Ohio)

Canton is a mid-sized city in Stark County, Northeast Ohio. It is best known as the birthplace of professional American football, since the Canton Bulldogs were the first professional football team.

Understand

It is also the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, and National First Ladies' Library. Canton still lives and breathes football.

About 20% of Canton residents report German ancestry, and about 10% report Irish ancestry. The influence of these two ancestries can been seen throughout Canton.

Visitor information

Get in

By plane

By car
  • Interstate 77. Canton can be accessed primarily by I-77 which provides connection to Akron and Cleveland to the north, runs through New Philadelphia and Marietta, Ohio to the south, ultimately running its course through West Virginia and the Carolinas.
  • U.S. Route 30. Route 30 also runs through Canton. It heads to Wooster in the west and East Liverpool in the east.

By bus
  • 🌍 Lakefront Lines, 112 Cherry Ave SE (SARTA Canton Transfer Center), ☏ +1 330 456-7323. 
  • 🌍 Go Bus, 112 Cherry Ave SE (SARTA Canton Transfer Center). A couple of buses a day from Cleveland, Akron and other cities in Ohio. $10 each way +tax/fees. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Greyhound. A couple of buses a day from Cleveland and other cities. $10 each way +tax/fees. (updated May 2017)

Get around

By bus
  • 🌍 Stark County Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) (SARTA), ☏ +1 330-47-SARTA (72782) (2782). SARTA provides reliable public bus service throughout Stark County. Transfer Centers are in: Alliance, Massillon, and Canton. There is a bus to the Akron/Canton Airport (Route 115) and an express bus between Canton and Downtown Akron (Route 81). Buses on main routes generally depart each stop every hour. SARTA buses run 365 days per year. On holidays, buses run the Sunday schedule. Check website for details. Additionally, Lakefront Lines, a private bus company, operates an office in SARTA's Canton Transfer Center. Lakefront Lines goes through Canton on its route between Cleveland and Charleston, SC. $1.50 regular fare, $0.75 seniors and people with disabilities, children under 6 ride free. (updated Jul 2019)

By taxi

If you want a cab in Canton, or anywhere else in Stark County, you have to call for one. At the minimum you should call 30 minutes before you need a ride.

See
  • 🌍 Pro Football Hall of Fame, 221 George Halas Dr. NW (I-77 to exit 107A (Fulton Road)), ☏ +1 330 456-8207. Summer (Memorial Day – Labor Day) 9AM–8PM daily, fall–spring 9AM–5PM daily; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hosting the world's largest collection of pro football memorabilia, this site also features the Lamar Hunt Super Bowl Gallery and GameDay Stadium theater, which shows the deep archive of NFL Films documentaries. It is undergoing a mammoth expansion in preparation of the NFL's centennial in 2020. The Hall hosts an induction ceremony and Pro Football Hall of Fame Game to kick off the preseason each year. Adults $25, seniors $21, children 6-12 $18, children under 6 free. Parking $10. (updated Jul 2019)
  • Canton Classic Car Museum, 104 6th St. SW (Market Ave. S at Sixth St. SW), ☏ +1 330 455-3603. Daily 10AM-5PM (except holidays). Thousands of pieces of nostalgia, memorabilia, antiques, and period fashions. There are 45 antique and collectible autos, including a 1970 Plymouth Superbird, a 1937 Fully bullet proof Canton Police Car, and a hand carved 1937 Packard Hearse. Adults $7.50, seniors $6, children 6-18 $5, children under 6 free. 
  • 🌍 Canton Memorial Civic Center, 1101 Market Ave N, ☏ +1 330 489-3090, fax: +1 330-471-8840. Numerous events are held at the Canton Civic Center, such as sporting events, car shows, and circuses. 
  • Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Ave N, ☏ +1 330 452-4096, fax: +1 330-452-4477. This venue houses many of Canton's fine and performing arts, including the Canton Museum of Art. 
    • 🌍 Canton Museum of Art, 1001 Market Ave N, ☏ +1 330 453-7666. Tu-Th 10AM-8PM; F 10AM-5PM; Sa 10AM-3PM; Su 1-5PM. Known for collections of watercolors and ceramics. Adults and seniors $6, children $4. 
  • 🌍 National First Ladies' Library, 205 & 331 Market Ave. S, ☏ +1 330 452-0876. M-Sa 9AM-4PM. The Victorian family home of US Presidential First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley now serves as an educational center on the subject of contributions by the wives of US presidents and other women with significant roles in historical US politics. Call ahead for tour reservations. Adults $7, seniors $6, children $5. 
  • 🌍 Wm. McKinley Presidential Library and Museum (McKinley Monument), 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, ☏ +1 330 455-7043, fax: +1 330-455-1137. M-Sa 9AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM. Climb the 108 steps to the top. The memorial for the 25th U.S. President William McKinley is free, but the museum has a charge. Adults $7, seniors $6, children $5. 
  • 🌍 Basilica of Saint John the Baptist, 627 McKinley Avenue NW. Roman Catholic minor basilica, built in 1875. (updated Nov 2021)

Do
  • 🌍 Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Avenue N, ☏ +1 330 454-8172. The Palace Theatre is a restored 1920s theater. Be sure to look up and check out the "real" sky, complete with stars and moving clouds. Over 300 events are played at the palace each year, from musicals to matinées. On the first Wednesday of every month $1 matinées are shown. 
  • Canton Symphony Orchestra, several locations throughout Canton, ☏ +1 330 452-2094. The Canton Symphony Orchestra has been playing since the late 1930s. The orchestra plays new music, classical music, and showcases soloists. Prices vary depending on concert. 
  • Center Ice Skating Arena, 8319 Port Jackson Ave. NW, ☏ +1 330 966-0169. Call first for open skating times. This ice skating rink has a NHL sized rink, high school and college games, and open skating, along with lessons on skating. 

Annual events

Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival

The Annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival is the biggest event in Canton each year. These events occur for about 10 days each summer last July to early August.

  • AFC-NFC Hall of Fame Game. This preseason classic is held annually at Fawcett Stadium in Canton. 
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement, Fawcett Stadium, ☏ +1 330 458-2048. 
  • Timken Grand Parade. This parade follows a 2.2-mile route and attracts more than 200,000 spectators. 
  • Balloon Classic Invitational/Jackson-Belden Food Fest & Fireworks, 6000 Frank Avenue NW (Kent State - Stark Branch). Free, parking $5 after 3PM. 
  • National Ribs Burnoff, Stark County Fairgrounds. Free, parking $5 after 4PM. 
  • Concert and Fireworks, Downtown Canton. Free. 

Itineraries

Learn

Buy
  • 🌍 Canton Centre Mall, 4000 Tuscarawas St W, ☏ +1 330 478-1438. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-5:30PM. 
  • 🌍 Belden Village Mall, 4230 Belden Village Mall, North Canton (I-77 and Everhard), ☏ +1 330 494-8815. Hosts over 110 stores and eateries. Shops in the mall and nearby Park Crossings and Village Commons shopping centers include department stores, shoes and clothing stores. 
  • 5th Avenue Flea Market, 3800 Harmont Ave. NW (Rt. 62 and Harmont), ☏ +1 330 453-3803. Sa Su 9AM-5PM. Indoor flea market with about 200 vendors. 

Eat

Budget

Mid-range
  • Arcadia Grill, 321 Court Ave NW, ☏ +1 330 454-6055, fax: +1 330-454-2841, . Su 8AM-2PM, M Tu 11AM-8AM, W-F 11AM-9PM, Sa 7AM-9PM. 
  • Baker's Cafe, 1927 Stark Ave SW, ☏ +1 330 454-0528. M-Th 8AM-9PM; F Sa 8AM-10PM. While the setting may not be what one would expect, from its location in an industrial area and the plain brick exterior, Baker's has the best steaks in the area. Dinners $15-25.. 
  • Napoli's Italian Eatery, 221 Market Ave N, ☏ +1 330 452-7456. This Italian restaurant is known for its pizza and pasta dishes. Outdoor dining in the summer. 
  • 🌍 The Desert Inn, 204 12th St NW, ☏ +1 330 456-1766. Order a meal "family style" where everyone orders their own meat and shares salad, rice, potatoes and bread. Belly dancers on Fridays. (updated Dec 2019)

Splurge
  • 🌍 Bender's, 137 Court Ave SW, ☏ +1 330 453-8424, fax: +1 330-453-9009, . M-Th 11AM-9:30PM, F 11AM-10:30PM, Sa 5PM-10:30PM. One of the more upscale restaurants, be prepared to spend around $100 for dinner and wine for two. Dinners $20-40. 

Drink

Drinking beer outside on public sidewalks is allowed in Canton, but only from plastic cups not cans or bottles. Most bars in downtown will sell beers to-go, though there is no discount.

  • Harmon's Pub, 2329 Tuscarawas St W, ☏ +1 330 453-2144. M-Sa 11AM-2:30AM. This Irish pub is a local favorite. Harmon's is known for their Irish Fries, potatoes sliced chip-thin, deep fried, and coated with a special seasoning. Harmon's motto, "Good luck, good cheer, good friends!" really describes the atmosphere. 
  • Tozzi's Restaurant of Magnolia, 144 North Main St. Magnolia (Magnolia is a short drive south of Canton.), ☏ +1 330 866-9878. Tuesday-Sunday evenings. Established in 1914. Offering steaks, seafood, chicken and pasta. Join family and friends in the heart of Magnolia. Original tin ceilings, fresh roses and white table cloths make Tozzi's classic atmosphere. Full bar and attentive service. Call for reservations. $10-35 Cash only. 
  • 🌍 George's Lounge, 229 Cleveland Ave. N.W (two blocks right off of Tuscarawas), ☏ +1 330-452-0029. Tu 2-6PM Th 4PM-2:30AM, F 6PM-2:30AM, Sa 6PM-2:30AM. A locally owned bar since 1959. MC/Visa accepted. $2-5. 
  • 🌍 Picciano's Martini Lounge, 410 Market Ave N (1½ blocks south of the Palace), ☏ +1 330 454-3800. Full bar specializing in fresh cocktails, offering finger foods Tu-Sa evenings. Lunch F only. No outside sign. 
  • 🌍 Canton Brewing Company, 120 3rd St NW, ☏ +1 330 409-0343, . Speakeasy Tu-Th 4PM-10PM, F 4PM-11PM, Sa noon-11PM; Restaurant Tu-Th 11AM-9PM, F 11AM-10PM, Sa 4PM-10PM. A brewery with a restaurant on the first floor and speakeasy in the basement. The speakeasy has an extended line up of draft beers. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 🌍 Shale Brewing, 715 2nd St SE, ☏ +1 330-776-8812, . (updated Apr 2017)
  • 🌍 Buzzbin Arts & Music Shop, 331 Cleveland Ave NW, ☏ +1 330 754-6770. M-Th 4PM-1AM, F Sa 4PM-2:30AM, Su 6PM-1AM. A bar and arcade that regularly acts as a music venue. (updated May 2017)
  • Mapleton Cider Mill, 8720 Mapleton St SE, East Canton, ☏ +1 330-488-1260. Daily during daylight. Unpasteurized sweet apple cider. Sales start in late September using an honor system. $5 per gallon. 

Sleep

Mid-range

Splurge

Stay safe

Dial 911 from any telephone for emergency police, medical, and fire services.

Areas that are not recommended for travelers:

  • Highland Park - Now known as Skyline Terrace - Cherry Ave. south of 14th Street
  • Newton Zone - Newton Ave. between Tuscarawas and 5th Street
  • Deuce Block - 2nd St. NE by Harrisburg

Connect
  • 🌍 United States Post Office, 220 4th Street SW, ☏ +1 330 438-6444. M-F 8:30AM-5PM. 
  • 🌍 Stark County District Library, Main, 715 Market Avenue N, ☏ +1 330 452-0665, fax: +1 330 452-0403. Su 1PM-5PM; M-Th 9AM-9PM; F 9AM-6PM; Sa 9AM-5PM. The main branch of the Stark County District Library offers free public computers, although you may have to obtain a library card first. Public WiFi is available without needing a library card. (updated Dec 2019)

Cope

Hospitals

Gym
  • Hall of Fame Fitness Center, 2700 Roberts Ave, ☏ +1 330 455-4348. Open M-F 6AM-10PM; Sa Su 8AM-5PM. This fitness center offers exercise equipment, a track, and an indoor swimming pool, along with other fitness activities. A free pass can be obtained from their website. 
  • 🌍 YMCA, 405 2nd Street NW, ☏ +1 330 456-7141. 

Laundromat

Newspapers

Go next
  • Amish Country centered in Holmes County to the southwest of Stark County.
  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This park is primarily north of Canton, and follows the course of the Cuyahoga River and the historic Ohio & Erie Canal between Cleveland, Akron and Canton. A number of older buildings are preserved here. The Cuyahoga Scenic Railroad, with train cars from the 1940s and 1950s also runs through the park from Cleveland and Akron. The Canal Byway extends from Lake Erie in Downtown Cleveland through the southern suburbs past Akron, Canton, New Philadelphia and into rural Bolivar and Historic Zoar.
  • Hall of Fame Cycle. Tourists can plan visits to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Inventure Place (the National Inventors Hall of Fame) in Akron, and The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
  • Hartville. About 15 minutes to the north, Hartville offers two flea markets, antique stores and a handful of restaurants.
  • Zoar Village State Memorial, 2½ miles east of I-77 (exit 93) on State Route 212. It is between New Philadelphia and Canton in Tuscarawas County. Referred to as: The quaintest, most interesting and unique village, in this country. Zoar Village was founded by German religious dissenters called the "Society of Separatists of Zoar", in 1817 as a communal society.
  • Zoar School Inn Bed and Breakfast take one or two nights for a stay in the historic first school of Zoar. Step back in time circa 1836. Enjoy fireplace and Jacuzzi suites, full gourmet breakfast and explore Zoar Village. +1 216-927-3700
Routes through Canton
Akron ← North Canton ←  N  S  → Dover → Charleston
Mansfield ← Massillon ←  W  E  → East Canton → Pittsburgh
Columbus ← Massillon ←  W  E  → Louisville → Youngstown
Kent ← North Canton ←  N  S  → Waynesburg → Steubenville
END ←  N  S  → East Sparta → Barnesville


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