Once known as the Rubber Capital of the World, Akron was home to major tire manufacturers like Goodyear, Firestone, and Goodrich, fueling its economic boom in the early 20th century. While the rubber industry has declined, the city has reinvented itself with a focus on healthcare, technology, and the arts.
Today, you can explore the Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, one of the country’s largest historic estates, or catch a show at the Akron Civic Theatre, a beautifully restored atmospheric theater. For outdoorsy types, the nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides miles of scenic hiking and biking trails. With its revitalized downtown, emerging food scene, and musical heritage—Akron is the birthplace of The Black Keys—the city is emerging as a tourist destination.
Akron is home to a few gay bars and a gay sauna, catering to the Midwest gay scene. It's located in Northeastern Ohio, about 40 miles south of Cleveland. While Ohio is sometimes debated as a "Midwest" or "Great Lakes" state, it is generally classified within the Midwestern United States.
