3 Favorite Local Parks in Driving Distance of Norton, OH

Spring in the Cuyahoga Valley is a beautiful time of year. Celebrate the season, the sunny weather, and the spring blossoms behind the wheel of a powerful Ford Mustang with all the latest bells and whistles, and drive to the fantastic festivals and events loaded with spring activities around Norton, OH. 4 Fun Spring Activities You Can Drive to Near Norton, OH 1. Kids' Fishing Derby The annual Kids' Fishing Derby in mid-April at Little Turtle Pond at 2400 Harrington Road in Akron, 10 miles from Norton, is a wonderful event if you're a fishing family. Young anglers under 16 who can hook a golden trout each receive a $1 prize. A limited number of rods and reels are available, and bait is supplied. Adults are not permitted to fish, but you can enjoy the festive occasion picnicking and encourage your kids from the sideline. more 2. Native American Cultural Weekend Every year over a weekend in mid-April, Hale Farm and Village at 2686 Oak Hill Road in Bath, Ohio, about 13 miles away, hosts the two-day Native American Cultural Weekend, where families can experience the Native American culture and traditions of the  Cuyahoga Valley, home to indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Listen to fascinating stories of the past and present and watch engaging presentations and demonstrations by Native American educators to learn more about the rich history and archaeology of the Valley. Join the naturalist tour to the Log Cabin for a hearth and campfire cooking demonstration, learn more about the Eastern Woodlands' tattooing traditions, and visit Hale House for a dye demonstration. 3. Vintage Baseball and Picnic Days Step back to the 1860s at the Vintage Baseball and Picnic Days, held at the end of April at Hale Farm and Village each year. Enjoy delicious snacks and local brews while watching a baseball game played in historic gear with 19th-century rules by the Akron Black Stockings, a vintage baseball team against rival teams just like they did over 200 years ago. If you're going to have a cold one, please take it easy, drink slowly and responsibly, and don't drive. 4. Native Plant Festival Learn how to protect indigenous plant species and cultivate them to attract local wildlife to your garden at the annual Native Plant Festival at the Lake Area at 521 South River Road in Munroe Falls, just over 17 miles away, on May 20, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Summit Metro Parks staff and experts from local native plant nurseries will give talks on the crucial role of indigenous plants in our ecosystem and how to incorporate them into your landscaping. There will also be a wide selection of native plants for sale. Take full advantage of the spring season and enjoy a range of outdoor recreational, cultural, and historical experiences. Drop by Ken Ganley Ford today and take a new sporty Mustang, spacious Expedition, or tough F-150 for a spin.

Looking for a way to satisfy your craving for sightseeing and new places in and around Norton OH? You're in luck! We've put together a list of four great tourist attractions within an easy half-hour drive (or less), plus a fifth destination that doesn't require you to leave the Norton city limits at all. Be sure to read to the end for that special bonus destination, but for now, let's get going! 5 Great Tourist Attractions in Driving Distance of Norton, OH Akron Zoo First up is the Akron Zoo, located just 15 miles (and 15 minutes) northeast of Norton at 505 Euclid Avenue in nearby Akron, Ohio. This family-friendly attraction welcomes 400,000 visitors each year to a 50-acre site that's home to more than 1,000 animals and over 100 different species. With its tigers, snow leopards, red pandas, and even Komodo dragons, the Zoo is sure to satisfy your hankering for a walk on the wild side! more Akron Art Museum As long as we're in Akron for the Zoo, let's go for a twofer and head over to the nearby Akron Art Museum. Here you'll find more than 7,000 objects spanning the period from 1850 to the present day in genres as diverse as sculpture, glass, painting, photography, and digital art. Review your art experience with an after-art walk through the Museum's beautifully landscaped Event Space and Garden. It's all at 1 S High Street in downtown Akron. Cuyahoga Valley National Park Head twenty minutes north of Norton to explore the National Park Service's beautiful and historic Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Located at 6947 Riverview Road in Peninsula, OH, it beckons tourists with more than 125 miles of hiking trails, including one that follows the towpath of the historic Ohio and Erie Canal. Factor in great opportunities to fish, kayak, explore Brandywine Falls or ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway, and you've got the perfect family outing! Pro Football Hall of Fame If your idea of tourism includes sports, navigate about a half-hour southeast of Norton to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in nearby Canton. This shrine to American football showcases the history and evolution of the game, its rules, and equipment through interactive exhibits, artifacts, and memorabilia that recall legendary players and coaches. Stopping here feels like a game-winning touchdown if you love football or sports history; kickoff is at 2121 George Halas Dr. NW in Canton, OH. Norton Cider Festival If it's the first weekend in October and you're just back from one of the above attractions, it's time for our bonus: Norton's very own annual Cider Festival. Started in 1988, the Festival draws enthusiastic crowds from all around Norton for a weekend of cider tasting, tasty apple treats, games, rides, concerts, and a delicious pancake breakfast sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 132. To join in the fun, visit Columbia Woods Park at 4060 Columbia Woods Drive in Norton, Ohio. There you have it: four great attractions, plus a fifth insider bonus, all within an easy drive of downtown Norton and brought to you courtesy of Ken Ganley Ford. In the market for a new ride? Check out our full-service lineup of new and used Ford cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, EVs, and commercial vehicles at Ken Ganley Ford today!

Located in the western part of the Akron metropolitan area, the city of Norton, OH features numerous nearby tourist destinations that draw visitors of all ages and preferences year-round. Whether you are searching for historical monuments, nature reserves, or other local landmarks, here are three nearby destinations you can drive to in your new 2023 Ford Explorer Platinum. 3 Favorite Local Landmarks in Driving Distance of Norton, OH 1. Portage Lakes State Park A magnet for boaters, nature lovers, and anglers, Portage Lakes State Park is one of the favorite local attractions among Norton residents, offering endless opportunities for outdoor sports and recreation. Covering an area of a little over 400 acres and managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, this state park is located at 5031 Manchester Road and can be reached in less than 15 minutes by car from the city center. Portage Lakes State Park opened its doors to the public in 1949 and has since been one of the best spots in the region to unwind, spend a day away from the city, and have a picnic with friends. Some of the facilities you can find in this local landmark include public boat ramps, an archery range, accessible fishing piers, nine nature trails for running or hiking, and swimming beaches. more 2. Akron Art Museum Located at 1 South High Street in downtown Akron and less than 10 miles northeast of Norton, the Akron Art Museum is one of the most iconic buildings in the region, as well as a popular local landmark that draws thousands of visitors every year. While the original museum opened its doors to the public in 1922, the current building was inaugurated in 2007. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, the Akron Art Museum features three collections of local art pieces in a gallery space that encompasses more than 20,000 square feet. Besides these permanent exhibits, this museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and events, making it the most important cultural center in the city. 3. Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Another important local landmark located within driving distance of Norton, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is a sprawling house museum that features several gardens, a greenhouse, and one of the largest Tudor Revival houses in the entire United States. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, this place is a great spot to learn about the life of the affluent families that lived in the complex throughout the early 20th century. No matter what type of vehicle you are looking for, if you are searching for a local dealership offering great models and the best prices in town, you've come to the right place! Stop by Ken Ganley Ford today, find the perfect car for you and your family, and meet our team of expert sales agents.