Demographics:
Kent has a population of approximately 29,807 (2012).
Distance From:
Akron — 15 miles, 24 minutes on I-76E
Cleveland — 38 miles, 44 minutes on I-480E
Westlake — 50 miles, 56 minutes on I-480E
Canton — 33 miles, 36 minutes on I-77N
Nearby Cities:
Stow, Streetsboro, Ravenna, Brimfield, Cuyahoga Falls
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sept. 6-7 — Art in the Park
Sept. 13 — International Festival
Sept. 19 — Folk ‘Round Town
Sept. 27-28 — College Town Kent Fall Festival
Oct. 4 — Oktoberfest
Oct. 18 — Cider Fest & Kent State University Homecoming Day Parade
Oct. 31 — Halloween Events
Dec. 6 — Festival of Lights
Over the last few years, Kent has undergone a huge makeover to the downtown area with brand-new restaurants, shops and landscaping. The newly revamped area has places to enjoy a night out with a spouse, an evening out with friends, or a family day with toys and ice cream.
Parks & Outdoors
Nicknamed the “Tree City,” Kent is the largest city in Portage County and is located right along the banks of the Cuyahoga River. In fact, the rushing waters of the Cuyahoga River run rapidly through the heart of the business district of downtown Kent. Also, the outdoor amenities include plenty of green space with access to the Cuyahoga River, historical sites and fresh produce. Here are some to look for while in town:
Fred Fuller Park, located on Middlebury Road, is the largest park in the Kent area with more than 56 acres of land.
Franklin Mills Riveredge Park allows easy access to the Cuyahoga River, which flows through the downtown area and features a waterfall in the heart of the business district. There is a beautiful wooded area along the riverbank.
John Brown Tannery Park is the former site of a tannery built in 1836 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This area contains a natural amphitheater and gazebo made from the tannery building’s wood. Families can enjoy outdoor activities like picnicking and fishing or take a nice stroll on the grounds.
Unique to Kent is the Kent Bog State Nature Preserve located at 1028 Meloy Road. The bog is 42 acres and is a tamarack bog forest with the largest group of tamarack trees in Ohio. This nature preserve also has a boardwalk and interpretive signs for enthusiasts to visit and study the flora.
Haymaker Farmers Market on Franklin Ave. has grown over the years from a few farmers and their produce to several vendors and live entertainment. The market is open until the last weekend in October on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents and tourists alike can enjoy music, fresh produce, organic cheese, ice cream, baked goods, soaps, art and other artisanal goods. The market has something for everyone and is a great way to explore all that the area has to offer, as well as support local businesses and vendors.
Beckwith Orchards Cider Mill is a family owned and operated farm located at 1617 Lake Rockwell Road, where guests can find and pick their own produce including apples, peaches, corn, tomatoes and other seasonal items. The farm’s open to the public through December 24 and then reopens in August.
Shopping & Dining
There are many dining options for every person’s need or taste from casual eateries, specialty locations, fine dining or ethnic cuisine.
Bar 145, located at 100 E. Erie St, is a gastropub with burgers, bourbon and bands. Enjoy these American classics with live musical entertainment and a large outdoor patio.
Pufferbelly Restaurant, 152 Franklin Ave., is situated in a historical building, which was a main railway depot for the city of Kent. The dining establishment provides everything from pizza, wraps, sandwiches, soups and more. The Chocolate Snowball is a not-to-miss treat.
Bistro on Main, 1313 W. Main St, features elegant meals in the laid-back martini lounge or the classic dining room. Mixing traditional cuisine with exotic elements, Bistro on Main is the perfect spot for a romantic date night.
Insomnia Cookies, 295 S. Water St., delivers cookies right to your door until 3 a.m. Cookies come in a variety of flavors and you can even add ice cream. It’s the perfect treat for a midnight snack.
Tree City Coffee & Pastry, 135 E. Erie St., provides an organic coffee direct to the consumer, pastries, breakfast sandwiches and desserts. It’s a great place to catch up with a friend or pick up a treat.
Shopping in Kent is just as diverse as the dining with stores for children, teens and adults.
Off the Wagon, 152 E. Main St., is home to unique toys and gifts with a hint of unique items such as bacon-scented band-aids and literary-inspired temporary tattoos.
Figleaf Boutique, 138 E. Main St., offers clothing and accessories for young women and The Fashion School Store, 175 E. Erie St., Suite 202, has items made by Kent State University Fashion School students.
The Dragonfly, 164 E. Main St., specializes in custom monogramming and embroidery on anything and everything you could want from T-shirts to towels to tote bags and more.
Vinyl Underground, 257 N. Water St., stocks used and new vinyl, CDs, music memorabilia and more.
A Place to Live
Education in Kent offers a mix of private and public schools.
St. Patrick School is a private K-8 facility located at 127 Portage St.
Kent City School District, 321 N. Depeyster St., provides elementary and secondary schooling with five elementary schools, Stanton Middle School for grades 6-8 and Theodore Roosevelt High School for grades 9-12.
Kent State University is one of the top colleges and universities in the area with a range of programs that include certificate programs, associate, bachelors, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degrees. The Carnegie Foundation has ranked Kent State as one of the nation’s top 77 public research universities.
Taking care of your family’s health is easy to do in Kent with facilities that meet every need. Kent Health Care Center, 1290 Fairchild Ave., provides quality care to students, staff and faculty of Kent State University.
