On September 17, 1920, the American Professional Football Association was founded in Canton; it was later renamed the National Football League. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton and celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of the greatest legends of professional football. Its exhibits tell the sport’s story with modern interactive technology and unique artifacts; the interactive area also includes a Madden EA Sports video game suite.
Football History and the McKinley Legacy
The story of William McKinley is also present at several sites in Canton. The Pro Football Hall of Fame includes a gallery dedicated to his life, containing the world’s largest collection of McKinley artifacts. The Saxton McKinley Home is the only surviving residence in McKinley’s hometown with direct historical connections to President William McKinley.
The First Ladies National Historic Site consists of two properties in downtown Canton: First Lady Ida Saxton-McKinley’s home and a visitor center. The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum combines history and science; the museum is family-friendly. The grounds are also home to the McKinley National Memorial, the burial place of President William McKinley and his family. These sites focus on different aspects of McKinley’s story—from his personal life and presidency to the family’s remembrance.
Other museum visits offer their own highlights. The Canton Museum of Art presents 12 to 14 exhibitions each year. Its cultural program includes Free Family Days, Canton Arts District First Fridays, gallery talks and behind-the-scenes tours; programs may change, so check the current calendar before your visit. The Massillon Museum is a cultural venue where art and history come together. The MAPS Air Museum showcases more than 55 types of aircraft, along with over 130 displays of historical artifacts and interactive exhibits. The museum is also a war memorial; its Gallery of Heroes contains a relic from the battleship USS Arizona, which was attacked at Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
Trails Through Forests and Landscapes
The Congressman Ralph Regula Towpath Trail offers 26 miles for hiking and cycling in Stark County. It follows the Tuscarawas River across flat, shaded terrain, passing through deciduous forests and rural and urban landscapes. Several access points connect the trail north to Cleveland and south to Tuscarawas County. Along the same route, you can experience both river and forest sections and a changing variety of landscapes.
At Quail Hollow Park, rolling meadows, marshes, and pine and deciduous forests surround a 40-room house; the park covers more than 700 acres. For different trail surfaces, there is the paved Nature for All Trail and other natural-surface trails near spring pools, wetlands and forests. A moderately difficult mountain biking loop also runs mostly through deciduous and coniferous forests.
Petros Lake Park offers two trails with different layouts: the one-mile Mindfulness Walk has ten mental health stations. The Petros Lake Loop Trail runs for 1.20 miles over crushed limestone around the 13-acre Petros Lake. Fry Family Park, meanwhile, was the first park in Ohio to be certified as an Urban Night Sky Place. At Walborn Reservoir, seven miles of trails wind through pine forests, oak and hickory woods, and wildflower fields; the reservoir covers nearly 1,800 acres. Pairs of adult nesting eagles have used this area to breed for more than two decades.
Lakes, Waterways and Local History
Deer Creek Reservoir lies in northeastern Stark County and covers 334 acres, surrounded by nearly 1,000 acres of forest. It offers opportunities to observe bald eagles, osprey, migrating waterfowl, white-tailed deer and coyotes. Activities mentioned on the reservoir include boating with electric motors, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. There is also a shoreline kayak launch and an accessible kayak launch.
Sippo Lake Park covers 300 acres. Its trails run near the lakeshore and through wetlands and forests. Boats and other watercraft are available to rent at Sippo Lake Marina, which also has an accessible kayak launch. Marina services are seasonal and may change, so check before your trip. In the park, the Congressman Ralph Regula Canalway Center explains how the Ohio & Erie Canal influenced Stark County’s growth and success. Stark County is also part of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area.
Discover a different canal story at Magnolia Flouring Mills: behind the mill are a section of the Sandy & Beaver Canal and Dam #6. Richard Elson had the mills built along the canal route in 1834. They remained in the Elson family for 171 years before being acquired by the Stark County Park District in 2005. Public tours are usually held during the annual Canal Days festival in early August; check the dates before your trip.
Events and Practical Information
The annual Stark County Fair is held at the Stark County Fairgrounds in Canton. If you are planning your trip around an event, check its dates in advance. The Akron-Canton Airport provides access to SARTA buses serving Stark County. Transit connections and service may change; check before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Navarre, Canton, North Canton, Massillon, Alliance, Columbiana County, Huron County, Pike County.
For the main travel overview: Ohio.
