Everett Covered Bridge is the only remaining covered bridge in Summit County. The bridge makes a striking cultural and historical statement. In the Cuyahoga Valley, trails wind through varied landscapes, while museums and historic sites offer more to discover.
History in Buildings and Museums
Hale Farm & Village is an open-air museum dedicated to bringing history to life. Its focus is on depicting rural life in the Western Reserve in northeastern Ohio between 1825 and 1850. Guides in period clothing share the history, and craftspeople demonstrate historic crafts. This clearly defined period makes the museum’s glimpse into life in the region concrete.
The Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens estate includes five historic buildings. The Gate Lodge is associated with the conversation that led to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. The estate thus brings together architectural history and a significant chapter in the history of the movement.
Two museums in Akron offer different perspectives. The Akron Art Museum focuses on modern and contemporary art; its collection includes more than 7,000 objects dating from 1850 to the present. The Akron History Center shares Akron’s history through exhibits, activities, and events. Rediscovered artifacts and stories draw attention to the city’s development. Together, the museums offer a way to explore both art and Akron’s history.
Canal history is another discovery to consider: events are announced at the Canal Exploration Center for summer and fall, where visitors can watch live demonstrations of locks and learn about the history of the canal. Check event dates before your visit.
Landscapes and Trails in the Cuyahoga Valley
Summit County is home to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. More than 125 miles of hiking trails wind through forests, wetlands, and former fields. These landscapes contrast with the buildings and museums: rather than exploring individual chapters of history, the focus here is on the variety of natural habitats along the trails.
Beaver Marsh is one of the park’s most diverse natural communities. From the Ira Trailhead, an easy walking path leads there along the Towpath Trail; it is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Brandywine Falls is a 60-foot waterfall reached by a partially accessible boardwalk. Park information updated on March 20, 2024, lists the waterfall’s daily hours as sunrise to sunset; the boardwalk may be closed in icy conditions. Check current conditions before your visit.
Different Ways to Explore the Area
The Freedom Trail connects cyclists between downtown Akron and Kent. A train ride travels through the Cuyahoga Valley and along the Cuyahoga River. These offer two different ways to get around: one for cyclists traveling between two points in the city, and one by train through the valley along the river.
For navigation, Summit Metro Parks provides maps for each park and trail. These include a map of Summit County showing the locations of the Metro Parks. Use the appropriate park or trail map to get an overview of each area before you go.
Discover more destinations: Fairlawn, Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Macedonia, Stow, Twinsburg, Clinton, Barberton, Northfield.
For the main travel overview: Ohio.
