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Make the Drive to These 4 Local Attractions Near Norton, OH

Make the Drive to These 4 Local

Take a drive in a Ford EcoSport, Escape, or Bronco to find all the fascinating local attractions around Norton, OH. Visit a magnificent Tudor revival-style manor house, ride on an authentic steam locomotive through the Cuyahoga Valley, take a closer look at an original 1911 Model T Ford and 1966 Mustang, and stroll through breathtaking English gardens.

Make the Drive to These 4 Local Attractions Near Norton, OH

1. Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

The magnificent Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens at 714 North Portage Path in Akron, a short ten-mile drive from Norton, was the home of Frank Seiberling, one of the Goodyear cofounders. The Tudor revival-style manor house, one of the largest in the U.S. open to the public, was completed in 1915 and was used by the family to entertain many well-known artists and personalities.

In 1957, after the death of their parents, the Seiberling children donated the impressive landmark to the Akron community. Today, the museum offers tours of the vast estate and mansion and holds various exciting events throughout the year.

2. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Take a 21-mile drive to Peninsula and board an authentic steam-powered locomotive at the Peninsula Station at 1630 Mill Street W. to trundle along the tracks for a 3.5-hour trip to experience the sights and sounds of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park by rail. The train's Executive Class and Upper Dome Class cars, with their glass domes for magnificent views of the scenery, are most enticing.

The locomotive's luxury lounge car dates back to the days when steam locomotives were all the rage. The locomotive runs throughout the year, and the railroad hosts a variety of exciting and fun experiences.

3. Canton Classic Car Museum

Take a 27-mile drive out to Canton to take a closer look at the authentic 1911 Model T Ford on display at the Canton Classic Car Museum at 123 6th Street SW. The museum displays 40 other beautifully preserved rare and unique vintage classics, including a 1966 Ford Mustang.

Take a stroll through the museum to view the selection of automobile memorabilia, interesting car-related objects, historical photographs, movie posters, and vintage toys relating to the world's most impressive vehicles.  

4. Gardenview Horticultural Park

Hidden behind a stone wall along Pearl Road in Strongsville, 30 miles from Norton, lies acres and acres of delightful English cottage gardens. A stroll through the sprawling Gardenview Horticultural Park will make you feel as if you've been whisked away to the British countryside. The breathtaking flowering gardens are the life's work of Henry Ross, who created this English wonderland after returning home from World War II.

After he died in 2014, his apprentice Mark LaRosa continued to care for the gardens full-time. Gardenview Horticultural Park is open to the public between April and October.

Take a day off and head down the road to all these amazing places to see extraordinary things. While you're out there having fun, stop at Ken Ganley Ford and test-drive a new Ford.

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5 Great Tourist Attractions

5 Great Tourist Attractions in Driving Distance of Norton, OH

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!

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3 Favorite Local Landmarks in Driving Distance of Norton, OH

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.