Akron and Summit County are full of ways to spend time together! Whether you’re planning a first date, celebrating something special or just looking to switch up your usual routine, the area has plenty of perfect date spots. From grabbing drinks and trying a new restaurant to getting active outdoors or catching a live show, there’s a date idea for just about every kind of couple.
Grab a Drink
Sometimes the perfect date night starts with finding the right place to grab a drink, and Summit County has plenty of options that offer something beyond your typical night out. Sip locally made wines at Sarah’s Vineyard while overlooking Portage Lakes, or head to Tiki Underground for tropical-inspired cocktails. Green Dragon Inn combines drinks with hundreds of board games, making it easy to add a little friendly competition to your date. At The Cashmere Cricket, cocktails are their specialty, with a menu of handcrafted drinks and plenty of options to try together. For something a little more tucked away, Northside Speakeasy brings the feel of a Prohibition-era bar to Akron’s Northside District, with craft cocktails and a hidden entrance. Whether you’re in the mood for wine, cocktails or a game with your drinks, there’s no shortage of ways to raise a glass together in Summit County.
Make Dinner the Date
Stick to a classic dinner date, because Akron and Summit County have plenty of restaurants to choose from. Take in the experience at Alexander Pierce Restaurant and enjoy Prime steaks, fresh seafood or handmade pasta. Luciano’s Cucina Italiana brings authentic Italian flavors, with fresh ingredients and select products imported directly from Italy. At Industry Kitchen & Bar, chef-inspired dishes and handcrafted cocktails bring a big-city dining experience closer to home. Ken Stewart’s Grille has been an Akron dining staple for more than 35 years, known for fine dining favorites, an extensive wine selection and its tableside Caesar salad. For seafood lovers, Kingfish serves fresh, seasonal seafood with Southern influences, from oysters and crab to grouper and shrimp and grits. Head to Hudson for Rosewood Grill, where contemporary American dishes and a wide selection of drinks make it a great spot for a dinner date. With different menus to choose from, dinner can easily be the main event on your next date night.
Do Something Together
Bring some fun and excitement to date night with games or activities. Hit the lanes at AMF Riviera Lanes for a classic bowling date, or try something completely different at Akron Break Room, where you can suit up and smash everything from glassware to electronics. Quarter Up Bar + Arcade lets you challenge each other to retro arcade games and pinball while grabbing a bite or drink between rounds. Get creative together at Akron Glass Works, where hands-on glass making experiences give you the chance to create something of your own to take home. For a little more friendly competition, head to Topgolf Akron, where you can take turns at the hitting bays while enjoying food and drinks, no golf experience required. Whether you’re keeping score or just there for the laughs, these spots give you plenty to do together.
A Date in the Great Outdoors
Take your date outside and explore a different side of Summit County together. Spend the day at the Akron Zoo, home to more than 2,000 animals, as you make your way through the zoo’s different sections and exhibits. At Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, explore the historic estate and make your way through 10 different gardens spread throughout the property. Head into Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio’s only national park, for a visit to Brandywine Falls, home to a 60-foot waterfall. You can also sit back and enjoy the journey aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad as it travels through the Cuyahoga Valley, or explore Summit Metro Parks together with trails, parks and outdoor spaces found throughout the county. From a casual afternoon outside to a full day of exploring, there are plenty of ways to turn the outdoors into your next date.
Catch a Show Together
Turn date night into a night of live entertainment. Catch some of the biggest names in music at Blossom Music Center or plan a night at the historic Akron Civic Theatre for concerts, comedy and other live performances. During the warmer months, Lock 3 brings live music and events to the heart of downtown Akron, giving you plenty of reasons to make a night of it. Northfield Park Racino’s Center Stage welcomes nationally known musicians, comedians and entertainers throughout the year, while Jilly’s Music Room offers a more intimate way to catch live music with a rotating lineup of performers. No matter what’s on stage, sharing a live show can make your next date night one to remember.
No matter what your idea of a great date looks like, Akron and Summit County offer plenty of ways to spend time together. Keep it simple with drinks or dinner, add a little friendly competition, spend the day exploring or grab tickets to a show you’ve both been wanting to see. With so many options, your next date might just become a new favorite tradition.