Ohio & Erie Canalway Overview

Published on Oct 6, 2003

By providing sustenance, power, transportation, and recreation, the Ohio and Erie Canalway attracts travelers with lakes, rivers, and of course, the canal. Stroll through historic towns and ethnic neighborhoods comprised of those originally drawn by the canal-based commerce. Walk among natural landscapes cascading with water, take scenic trips along the canal or the rail line, and play at parks and learning centers. Sample some revered aspects of American culture at one of three Halls of Fame.

For a change, take an alternative form of transportation. Ride the rails on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and enjoy some gorgeous scenery not visible from the road. Glide down an original section of the canal in the Saint Helena III. She's a gem of a canal boat and, in traditional style, pulled by a team of horses. At the far end of the ride, the crew skillfully maneuvers the boat around the Lock IV turning basin.

Peruse the countryside and discover parks, gardens, nature trails and a natural preserve. Take the Towpath Trail through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. While in the park, grab a bike and enjoy the scenery as you trundle past wetlands, forests, fields, and historic sites. For a shorter walk, stroll through the Stan Hywet Gardens in Akron, and marvel at the riot of color and artistic landscaping. On hot days, cool off in Mill Creek Falls' 45-foot waterfalls in Cleveland. Watch animals from around the world or trek through a simulated Amazonian Rain Forest in the Cleveland Metropolis Zoo. For a hands-on experimental encounter, discover the world of science at the Great Lakes Science Center.

Don't leave the area until you have delved into the legacy of classic Americana. Explore one of the nation’s most boisterous legacies at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Get back to the roots of the genre or jam out to your favorite modern bands at sold-out concerts. In Akron, discover the National Inventors Hall of Fame and learn amazing facts about inventors and their creations. Everyone from Thomas Edison to Walter Hunt, inventor of the Safety Pin, is represented here. Just off the byway in Canton, relive the triumphs of football legends like Dave Wilcox or Steve Young.

Visit the other portions of American history at three historic villages spread along the byway. Experience life in the mid-1800s at Hale Farm and Village. Watch glass blowers, candle makers, potters, and blacksmiths ply their trades. Pet farm animals and listen to reenactors eager to tell their stories. Further along the byway, drive through Navarre, which is scattered with historic buildings dating from the canal times. Walk through an old mill, a courthouse, and an authentic log cabin. Visit Zoar Village, founded in 1817 in the pursuit of religious freedom by the Society of Separatists of Zoar. Walk among the restored buildings in the 12-block historic district as costumed interpreters act out daily life in the 19th century.

Take advantage of all that the Ohio and Erie Canalway provides to do and see. Learn about history and the natural world with hands-on experience. Enjoy the lakes, rivers, and canals as you walk through flowering parks. Celebrate America's unique culture at every stop you take.

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