Towns throughout Northeast Ohio carry a certain historic beauty. Whether it’s the people in the community, famous landmarks or area attractions, cities like Hudson allow families to experience history while enjoying a modern, thriving community.
While some might be aware of Hudson’s local lore, others might not realize how much there is to see and do in this Summit County city.
Here’s a look around town for families who may visit for a weekend adventure or even consider relocation.
Parks & Outdoors
The city boasts more than 20 parks, which include everything from ball fields, boating, golfing, hiking trails, pavilions and sand volleyball.
Hudson Springs Park (7095 Stow Road) is the largest park with more than 260 acres of lake, meadow and woods. It also has a whimsical children’s area, which features a hedge maze. The park’s 1.6-mile trail is along the perimeter of the lake, which has a dog run and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the beauty.
Hudson offers one of the few area skateboard parks. Located just south of the bustling Route 303 and 91 intersection, Veteran’s Way Park has basketball courts, an outdoor amphitheater space, walking trail and a children’s playground.
Shopping
Main Street (Route 91) in Hudson has been a hub of local commerce for more than 100 years and continues to be a destination for shoppers. The quaint old buildings now house such unique treasures as The Learned Owl Book Shop. Located at 204 N. Main St., this local gem has been a Hudson establishment since 1968. My Little Red Wagon at 220 N. Main St. features old-fashioned toys and games for everyone in the family. Country Blues, Riley’s Clothiers and Grey Colt have dressed several generations.
The newer First & Main development, directly behind Hudson’s Historical Main Street, features even more options. There are plenty of shops that merit a girls’ day out, including Nicky Nicole’s, In-Style Accessories and Solaire Salon and Spa.
Historical
To really get to know a town, first you have to explore its past — and history buffs will find Hudson’s story quite interesting.
Known originally as the Connecticut Western Reserve, Hudson was founded in 1799 by David Hudson.
The town was also home to Owen Brown, whose son, John, was a prominent abolitionist. A historical marker on the city’s central green commemorates the role the city played in the anti-slavery movement.
The Hudson Library and Historical Society and Destination Hudson have extensive resources for residents and visitors, including a walking tour of Underground Railroad sites. Two of the highlights of the tours include the Dave Hudson House at 318 N. Main St. and Thirty Acres, at South Main Street, where traces of an escape tunnel remain.
A Place to Live
While Hudson is known for history and for happenings, it also has great community features that may not be well known to visitors of the city. If you’re looking to move to Northern Summit County, Hudson might be worth a look.
The city has everything a family needs, such as a state-of-the-art library, along with an active historical society. If healthcare is needed, The Summa Health Center at Western Reserve (5655 Hudson Dr., Suite 200), along with two centers in the neighboring city of Twinsburg (Cleveland Clinic Twinsburg Family Health & Surgery Center and University Hospitals Twinsburg Health Center) provide nearby options.
Report cards aren’t only for the kids as Hudson School District recently received a grade of “Excellent with Distinction” in 2013 from the Ohio Department of Education.
If you’re looking for private school education, Hudson is not short of supply as parents can look to Western Reserve Academy, Hudson Montessori School and Seton Catholic School.
Where to Dine
Hudson’s culinary scene continues to blossom. Chef Sean Monday’s trio of delicious dining options literally corners the northern quadrant of First & Main. One Red Door is a tavern-inspired dining experience with a large selection of wines and a craft cocktail menu, as well as lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. His casual eatery Flip Side offers a creative burger menu with milkshakes, mac and cheese, salads and plenty of beer on tap. His latest concept, 3 Palms, has an authentic Mediterranean feel that is centered around an Italian-built wood-fired oven.
Recently, Cleveland restaurateurs Matthew Mathlage and Eric Dietrich opened Peachtree Southern Kitchen in a historic space on Main Street.
North End, located near the Twinsburg border, has an extensive wine selection and innovative cuisine in an intimate, sophisticated space. Globally-inspired meals can be found at Otani (sushi, mixed Asian), Jaipur Junction (Indian), Marcelita’s (Mexican) and Pad Thai.
Culture, Music, Theater
Music and theatre are cornerstones of Hudson’s quality of life as well. The Hudson Players (41 S. Oviatt St.) perform several shows annually with ensemble casts of community performers. Young Actors Studio
(86 Owen Brown St.) offers tuition-based classes in performance and off-stage production and six shows open to the public.
Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Hudson Bandstand Committee hosts free Sunday concerts on the Green in front of the gazebo at 7 p.m. that feature all genres and types of performers.
Families can gather for more free concerts Fridays and Saturdays in July and August at the First & Main Green, 7-9 p.m.
Hudson, Ohio Demographics
The Northeast Ohio metropolitan area is the 15th largest region nationally with more than 4 million people. The city of Hudson has a population of approximately 24,000. (Hudson Chamber of Commerce)
Neighboring Cities: Streetsboro, Stow, Twinsburg, Kent, Cuyahoga Falls, Aurora, Macedonia, Richfield, Ravenna
Distance From:
Akron – 15 miles, about 20 minutes on Route 8
Cleveland – 30 miles, about 36 minutes on I-480
Beachwood – 19 miles, about 23 minutes on I-271 and I-480
Medina – 26 miles, about 35 minutes on I-271
Westlake – 38 miles, about 47 minutes on I-480
Distance to Major Airports:
Cleveland Hopkins: 29 miles, about 35 minutes on I-80
Akron-Canton: 27 miles, about 30 minutes on I-77 and Route 8
Happenings to Remember
Signature Events:
2014 dates are subject to change.
Merchants of Hudson International Festival (April 5-12)
Hail to the Chefs (May)
Memorial Day Parade (parade starts at 11 a.m. on May 26)
Concerts on the Green (Sundays,
Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Hudson Festival Days, including Clothesline Art Show, House and Hudson Farmer’s Market (9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, June 7-Sept.)
Garden Tour, Ice Cream Social (June 12-13)
4th of July Fireworks (July 5)
Summer Sidewalk Sale (July 17-20)
Hudson Wine Festival (July 18-19)
Music Nights @ First and Main (Every Friday and Saturday in July & Aug.)
Art on the Green (Aug. 23-24)
Taste of Hudson (Aug.30-Sept. 1)
Hudson Haunted House (October)
Merchants Trick or Treat (Oct. 23)
Come to Hudson for the Holiday (Nov. 28)
Santa on the Green (Dec. 6)
Hudson Holiday Walk (Dec. 7)