Free Activities & Things To Do in Akron

image via Flickr by Brandon Bartoszek

Akron offers residents and visitors a wide range of things to do, from free events in the park to open art shows and interesting, unique museums. Many of the attractions and events in the area offer free admission, so you can keep busy without spending much money. We’ve asked our local staff and their families for their recommendations of free and fun things to do in Akron and compiled our list of the “Best of Northeast Ohio” when it comes to things to do in Akron. If you and your family know of something free and fun to do in the city, let us know and we’ll be happy to add it to our list. 

See a Concert at Lock 3

Lock 3 in Akron is home to the downtown outside concert venue. It sits next to the Akron Civic Center Theater and every summer features a wide variety of entertainment from music concerts to festivals, movies, and more. The 2021 schedule includes events such as Summer Cinema, Homegrown Saturday Mornings with locally grown produce and free activities for the whole family, and fresh air fitness. You can see all kinds of musical acts such as The Drifters and the Platters, rock tribute bands such as the original Eagles Tribute, and gospel singers.

The schedule also includes comedy acts, and on Thursdays, it’s Alternative Summer Nights with JENY 107.3. This is an outdoor party every Thursday with drink specials, yard games, and music. It all gets started at 7 p.m.

Take a Downtown Walking Tour

Take a walking tour of downtown Akron to see the new Main Street, upcoming development projects, newly completed projects, and public art. You can also explore downtown Akron and see its rich industrial history. This tour includes stops at:

• John S. Knight Center. This building houses the United Rubber Workers union hall. The historical marker outside explains the history of the sit-down strikes before and after the formation of the union.
• The University of Akron College of Business. This college is one of the top business colleges in the world.
• GOJO World Headquarters. GOJO was a hand cleaner developed to help clean rubber workers’ hands. Its most popular product is Purell.
• B.F. Goodrich Museum. The B.F. Goodrich museum houses artifacts, drawings, and memorabilia that showcases the rubber companies’ history. 
• GALA. The Greater Akron, Legal Secretaries Association was designed to promote a better understanding of legal secretaries and what they do. 

Take a Downtown Yoga or Zumba Class

Take your yoga or Zumba class at Lock 3 Park this summer and fall. The hour-long yoga classes run every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and you can catch a Zumba class on select Saturdays throughout the summer. Classes are free, but pre-registration is required since space is limited. You can park on the Cascade Parking Deck for just $2 or find a free spot on Bowery or Quaker Street.

Listen to Rhythm on the River

Enjoy some music at Howe Meadow on Riverview Rd in Peninsula, Ohio. The summer concert series is outside, so make sure to bring a blanket or lawn chairs so you can sit back and relax. All concerts get started at 4 p.m. with the gates opening at 2 p.m. Admission is free, but you need to register for free tickets online before going to the concert.

The series will feature Carlos Jones & the P.L.U.S. Band on Sept. 4. This group was voted the best live act in Cleveland and has won the award for the best Reggae act for many years in a row. The band with Jones at the front offers wonderful rhythms and fantastic vocals. They are one of Cleveland’s biggest draws, and you can see them live and for free at the Rhythm on the River Summer Concert series.

Visit the Akron Police Museum

The Akron Police Museum sits in the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center and is the perfect stop for people who enjoy police memorabilia. It features artifacts and police items on display, such as uniforms, equipment, and even some confiscated weapons. You can also view news clippings, photographs, and a 1965 Harley-Davidson police motorcycle. Admission is free for everyone, and you can visit the museum Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.

Akron Art Museum Downtown @ Dusk Summer Concert Series

The 2021 Summer season is the 21st year of the downtown summer concert series for the Akron Art Museum. Concerts take place at the Bud and Susie Rogers Garden, with local favorites performing. You can see the Curtis Taylor Quartet, Timi FUNK, and the Numbers Band. You can learn about their full schedule of programming on their website and experience the best that the Akron art scene has to offer by visiting the museum downtown.

Connect With The Best of Northeast Ohio Will Our Local Staff

We love all the different things you can enjoy in Akron. We hope you enjoyed our list of our favorite free things to do in the city. Let us know if we missed out on your favorite and we’ll be happy to add it to our recommendations. Read more on all that Akron has to offer with our blog.