A Clevelander’s Guide to Canton: 21 Must-Go Spots

Residing south of Kent and Akron, about an hour outside of Cleveland, Canton is just enough of a hike for some city folk to write it off as “too far.” It sits quietly on the edge of the Northeast Ohio region — possibly outside of it, depending on who you ask.

Their loss.

Hidden beneath the Zips, Golden Flashes and rubber tires of it all, Canton is a silent stunner for its concentration of museums and locally owned restaurants, plus a highly acclaimed winery resort — something that many urban areas in Greater Cleveland can’t boast.

Whether you have a weekend to kill or just a few hours, fill up your tank for a quick trip that hits all the notes with Canton’s standout dining, shopping and entertainment destinations.

Basil Asian Bistro

The family-owned restaurant relies on the craft of chef Luong Ly for a fresh menu of Pacific and Southeast Asian cuisine featuring sushi, stir-fry, pad thai, and signature noodle dishes. Generous shareables and sophisticated cocktails round out the offerings. 585 Market Ave., Canton, 330-452-3888, basilasianrestaurant.com

Canton Marketplace

Dozens of local small businesses come together in the Mills Historic Tower for a streamlined vendor-style shopping experience that features decor, artwork, snacks and other household essentials. 101 Central Plaza S., Canton, 330-223-8246, millshistorictower.com 

Canton Museum of Art

Various exhibits display excellence in diverse media of art and design, and the space is constantly updating its collections and expanding event offerings for the community. Tickets $6-$8, 1001 Market Ave. N, Canton, 330-453-7666, cantonart.org

Dorrie’s Booktique

Seemingly endless shelves make up a repertoire of used books across genres, plus a healthy collection of puzzles and quirky gifts like bookmarks and greeting cards. The laid-back space has a warm, nostalgic ambiance that’s ideal for getting lost in a good story. 4931 Hills and Dales Road NW, Canton, facebook.com

Dough Co. Doughnuts & Coffee

This family-owned spot has long been loved by folks all over town for its perfection of the basics. Doughnuts, fritters and cinnamon rolls prepared daily alongside a batch of fresh coffee make a simple, perfect pairing. 4742 Hills and Dales Road NW, Canton, 330-915-8053; 1653 North Main St., North Canton, 234-209-9603, facebook.com/doughcodoughnuts 

Fronimo's Downtown

While a gourmet menu and formal ambiance make this Downtown Canton restaurant feel fit only for special occasions, a friendly staff and buzzy environment encourage diners to come as they are. From gnocchi to sliders and schnitzel, there’s a meal for everyone that truly exemplifies a chef’s seasoned touch. 315 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton, 234-360-8665, fronimosdowntown.com 

Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa

Get the lakefront wine country experience from an urban landscape. Stay on-site at the winery resort with various lodging and dining options, plus spa sessions, shopping hot spots, tastings and other special experiences for sipping vine-fresh Italian wines and distilled spirits. Other Gervasi-owned restaurants, such as Twisted Olive and OLINDA, offer the resort’s wines and Italian fare throughout Canton. 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, 330-497-1000, gervasivineyard.com

Laura of Pembroke

The elegant boutique specializes in upscale furniture and home decor, plus a trendy selection of women’s clothing. A team of specialists also provide interior design services in residential and commercial spaces. 3119 Whipple Ave. NW, Canton, 330-477-4455, lauraofpembroke.com

READ MORE: Shop Secondhand Across Northeast Ohio at These 21 Vintage Stores

Main Street Modern

This expansive vintage store is defined by its illustrious collection of midcentury modern furniture, art and decor, which gets updated seasonally. The space also features a curated selection of secondhand clothing from Lost Thread Vintage. 618 Mulberry Road SE, Canton, 330-206-6006, mainstreetmodern.com

MAPS Air Museum

The aviation hub displays planes of the past, present and future — plus the legends that piloted them — through interactive exhibits and informative libraries. Tickets $8-$15, 2260 International Parkway., North Canton, 330-896-6332, mapsairmuseum.org 

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum

The comprehensive space honoring America’s 25th president, a former Canton resident, features a history museum, interactive science center, planetarium and research library — all of which foster local education and boundless creativity and curiosity. Tickets $15-$17, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton, 330-455-7043, mckinleymuseum.org

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Canton remains the birthplace of the NFL in 1920, and since 1963, its hall of fame has been the landing spot for enshrining the sport’s best figures of today and yesteryear. Across several walkable galleries and exhibits, the space also hosts tours and ticketed events, and an on-site gift shop stays stocked with merchandise and memorabilia. Tickets $38.95-$45.95, 2121 George Halas Drive NW, Canton, 330-456-8207, profootballhof.com

Smoosh Cookies

Located on the campus of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, this sweet treat hub sandwiches a generous scoop of ice cream between cookies, brownies or donuts. Choose from nine cookie flavors to pair with one of 20 ice creams, and finish it with a selection of toppings ranging from candies, sauces or more cookies. 2101 Hall of Fame Way NW, Canton, 234-999-5550, smooshcookies.com 

Starflyer Brewing Company

Retro lamps, large windows, a wall of knick-knacks and mismatched chairs across tables give this new Canton brewery a feel unlike most industrialized spaces of its kind. Beers range from fruity, hoppy, sweet and coffee-forward, offering a smooth sip for every palate. 500 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton, starflyerbrewing.com

Table Six Kitchen & Bar

This casual, yet upscale restaurant features elevated pub fare and Americanized fusion dishes such as short rib lo mein ($24) and a chopped Greek salad ($8.50). A spacious dining room and cozy patio make it an ideal neighborhood spot all year long. 6113 Whipple Ave. NW, North Canton, 330-305-1666, table6canton.com

Taggarts Ice Cream

Nostalgia engulfs every inch of this parlor, from the tall wooden booths and checkerboard floors to old-school sundaes crafted with homemade ice cream and whipped cream. Come for sweet treats like the famous Bittner ($5.45-$7.75), which blends vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and pecans, but stick around for a full food menu featuring salads, burgers, hot dogs and more. 1401 Fulton Road NW, Canton, 330-452-6844, taggartsicecream.com

The Boutique Experience Women’s Fashion & Styling

With vintage and preloved fashion options and in-house color consultation services, you can leave this local shop with a whole new outlook on your wardrobe. Discover what looks best on you, from the perfect neckline to the color that best brings out your eyes. 437 McKinley Ave. NW, Canton, 330-265-8326, facebook.com

The National First Ladies Library & Museum

The library and museum spotlights the women who made America's presidents half the men that they are. Their most tremendous achievements and societal influence are spotlighted through exhibits, seminars and interactive events. Nearby, patrons can also visit President McKinley and First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley’s historic Canton home. Free Admission, 205 S. Market Ave. Canton, 330-452-0876, firstladies.org

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Tremont Coffee Co.

Locally roasted coffee complements sweet syrups and toppings, plus a slew of breakfast bites and pastries. Smoothies and tea are also available for those looking to skip on the caffeine. 540 N. Main St., North Canton, 234-209-9347; 2433 Cleveland Ave. SW, Canton, 234-999-1424, tremontcoffee.com 

Twisted Cafe

The restaurant fuses the mastery of Canton’s Twisted Citrus, That Pop Up Bar and TD’s Tailgate Grill into an all-day cornerstone for inventive brunch, themed cocktails and pub-inspired lunch and dinner. 1645 N. Main St., North Canton, 330-305-9680, thetwistedcitrus.com

Walkie Talkie Espresso & Coffee

The repurposed Woodland Motor Service gas station in Canton’s Logan neighborhood packs a lot of color and flavor into a small spot. The bright orange building is one of the city’s only independent coffee shops, but it makes up tremendously for the deficit with vibrant coffee beverages using beans from Phoenix Coffee Co., plus a lineup of local and house-made pastries. 504 15th St. NW, Canton, instagram.com/walkietalkiecoffee

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