It’s 2026, and America is celebrating a major milestone. From its early days along the Ohio & Erie Canal to its evolution into the “Rubber Capital of the World” and a center for airship innovation, Greater Akron is a place shaped by the industries and ideas that helped define modern America. Today, that story lives on in a cultural hub where history shows up in ways you can see, feel and explore.
Visiting during the celebration offers a new perspective, not just on the nation’s story, but on the local moments and milestones that helped shape it right here in Summit County.
How Summit County Is Honoring America 250
To mark this milestone, Summit County is joining other communities across Ohio to honor our past, celebrate our present and imagine our future. Locally, that vision comes to life through a series of programs and events designed to highlight what makes us distinct.
Ohio Trails & Tales
At the center of the celebration is the Ohio Trails & Tales series, which explores key themes that have shaped Ohio and its role in the broader American story. Through this series, which is part of America 250-Ohio, visitors can dive into topics like air and space travel, creativity, innovation and the evolution of transportation, all while discovering how the area connects to the larger Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail.
Air & Space Trail
Summit County’s story reaches beyond the ground and into the skies. As part of the Air & Space Trail, local sites like the Akron History Center and MAPS Air Museum highlight the region’s role in aviation history, from early ballooning to modern aerospace innovation.
Creativity Trail
Art, storytelling and imagination take center stage along the Creativity Trail, where Summit County’s creative spirit is on full display. Visitors can explore the Akron Art Museum, Hale Farm & Village and Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, along with unique stops like Clayton Bailey's World of Wonder, the Akron Zoo’s Conservation Carousel and the Maple Valley Branch Library, honoring Poet Laureate Rita Dove.
Innovation Trail
Innovation has long been part of Summit County’s identity, from industry to invention. The Innovation Trail highlights the thinkers, makers and problem-solvers who helped push ideas forward. Local stops, including the Akron History Center and MAPS Air Museum, invite visitors to explore how Summit County contributed to advancements that changed how people live, work and move.
Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail
Following the path of the historic Ohio & Erie Canal, this trail tells the story of how waterways shaped both Summit County and Ohio. Visitors can experience this history firsthand at sites like the Akron History Center, Boston Mill Visitor Center, Mustill Store Museum and Richard Howe House. Explore even more at Lock 2, Lock 3, Portage Lakes State Park and all throughout Cuyahoga Valley National Park, especially along the Towpath Trail. These stops offer a tangible connection to the routes that once powered trade, travel and growth across the region.
Transportation Trail
From canals and railroads to cars and aircraft, the Transportation Trail explores how Summit County helped keep people and goods moving. Highlights along this trail include the Akron History Center, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, MAPS Air Museum, Portage Lakes State Park, Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame and Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. Together, these sites showcase the role Summit County played in the evolution of travel and industry in Ohio.
Discover Summit County’s Story
As America marks 250 years, there’s no better time to explore the places that bring its story to life in real, tangible ways. In Summit County, that story unfolds through canals and trails, in the spirit of innovation and across the communities that continue to shape the area today.
Whether you’re planning a visit or simply looking to see the area from a new perspective, consider this your invitation to experience it all firsthand. Because here, every path has a past, every place has a story and each one is worth celebrating.