Day 1
Board the train at Rockside Station in Independence. The leisurely ride winds through Cuyahoga Valley National Park and lets visitors sit back to watch bounding deer, graceful blue herons and busy beavers go about their day under a thick canopy of leaves. The tracks follow the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail (a great place to walk and bike) for about an hour until arriving in Akron.
Drop your bags at the Quaker Square Inn, where Quaker Oats silos house round rooms, and then enjoy family-style Italian food at reliable Luigi’s.
Day 2
After taking advantage of the hotel’s free breakfast, head over to the Akron Art Museum, which shows Warhols in a lovely 2007 addition.
Akron Glass Works sells glittering eye candy, while Don Drumm Studios and Gallery features works from more than 500 artists.
West Point Market entices guests to splurge on high-quality wine and groceries, then relax over a bowl of soup or a crab cake BLT in the cafe. Be sure to have a sundae at Mary Coyle Ice Cream Parlor before climbing on the train for a peaceful ride back to your car.
For information: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (800) 468-4070; cvsr.com and Akron (800) 245-4254; visitakron-summit.org
