Planning a trip to Canton, Ohio? Canton, Ohio is mostly known for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but believe it or not, there’s a lot more to do in Canton, Ohio (and the area) than just the HOF. We’ve put together this list of things to do in Canton, Ohio, but it is a condensed list. We’ve also included links to additional things to do in Canton and around the area.
Take a Tour
Harry London Chocolate Factory Tour
Have you ever wondered how delicious chocolate candies are made? Here is your chance to find out! Harry London Chocolate Tour is a free [approximately] 45-minute tour. You will get to go behind the scenes and see the step-by-step process to making these delicious gourmet chocolates.
- Location: 5353 Lauby Road, North Canton, OH 44720
- Hours: Tours depart hourly: Monday – Thursday 10am to 4pm ET
- Price: Free!
Learn more by clicking here!
Canton Food Tours
Are you a Foodie who’s always up for a new dining experience? Canton Food Tours offers a 3-hour food tours where guests get to visit and experience 3-4 different restaurants in the area as well as fun points of interest! Although a little pricey, there’s more than just eating involved in this experience. “A fun, food-filled, interactive experience: 3 hour guided city tour, enough food to replace lunch or dinner, all taxes, restaurant staff gratuity, and take-home swag bag” (from Canton Food Tours website). Book either an afternoon or evening tour, depending on your schedule.
- Location: 555 Market Ave N, Canton, OH 44702
- Hours: Afternoon and evening tours available. Check the tour calendar for dates. Don’t see a date that works for you? Contact Canton Food Tours and see about booking a tour on a day that works for you.
- Price: Afternoon: $58/adult(does not include drinks) $35/child; evening $65/adult (does not include drinks) and $35/child. Add $10/person to include alcoholic beverages.
Learn more by clicking here!
Explore the Great Outdoors
Parks in Canton, OH
Photo courtesy of Visit Canton
Canton is home to a number of parks. 40 to be exact, plus 10 mini-parks, for a total of over 800 acres! Parks include Arboretum Park, which includes a disk-gold course; Fairhope Nature Preserve, which includes seven walking trails; Nimisilla Park, which is currently being transformed with new gardens (including an Infinite Peace Garden); and Stadium Park, which features plenty of fun things to do (including a softball complex).
Click here for information on Canton Parks!
Canton Garden Center
Located on the Stadium Park property, the Canton Garden Center is a great place to relax and connect with nature. The center includes a nature trail, a JFK Memorial Fountain, beautiful gardens, a children’s tree house, a small bell tower, and a children’s garden.
- Location: 1615 Stadium Park Drive NW Canton, Ohio 44718-3517
- Hours: Dawn to Dusk
- Price: Free!
Visit a Museum
Photo courtesy of Visit Canton
Pro Football Hall of Fame
If you’re a football fan, we highly recommend you plan to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame! Visitors learn about American football’s history through the many different interactive exhibits at the Hall of Fame. Learn about all of the Hall of Famers in the Hall of Fame Gallery, home to the famous bronze busts of these great footballers. Learn about the Super Bowl’s history through unique artifacts from the Lamar Hunt Super Bowl Gallery. The Lamar Hunt Super Bowl Gallery also features the current year’s Lombardi Trophy, the past Super Bowl Championship Rings, and the Super Bowl Theater that currently highlights the Patriots’ victory over the Rams this past year.
Additional exhibits include the “A Game For Life” Theater, the Pro Football Today Gallery, the Hunt/Casterline Pro Football Hall of Fame Card Collection, the Hall of Famer Lockers – Class of 2018, The NFL’s First Century Gallery, and Interactive Area and Black College Football Hall of Fame. There’s so much to do at the Pro Football Hall of Fame! (And if you’re planning your trip during the Hall of Fame Festival, there’s even MORE to do!)
- Location: PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME 2121 GEORGE HALAS DR NW CANTON, OH 44708
- Hours: Summer hours (5/25-9/5) 9am-8pm; winter/spring/fall hours 9am-5pm
- Price: Adults: $26; Children: $19. Note: There is a $10 parking fee.
Learn more about the Pro Football Hall of Fame by clicking here.
William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum
We love the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum! This has always been one of our favorite things to do in Ohio. Learn about our 25th president at the McKinley Gallery, which features the largest collection of McKinley artifacts in the world. Visitors can also learn about Stark County’s history in the Stark County Story exhibit. Take a step back in time at the Street of Shops exhibit, a life-size replica of a historic town. Children will love taking a journey through the past, present, and future at Discover World (personally, our favorite exhibit at the museum). When you’re finished inside, make sure to visit the McKinley monument on the property. If you’re feeling athletic, bring your running shoes to run the steps like the locals!
- Location: 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW Canton, OH 44708
- Hours: 9am – 4pm Monday-Saturday; Noon -4pm Sunday
- Price: Adults: $10; Children: $8
Click here to learn more about the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum.
Experience the Arts
Photo courtesy of Visit Canton
The Canton Palace Theatre
The Canton Palace Theatre is “the literal and figurative cornerstone of the Downtown Canton Arts District.” The Theatre hosts anything from dance performances to movies to different types of fests. They are hosting a summer kids movie series this summer (2019), “featuring affordable, family-friendly movies each Monday afternoon throughout the Summer!” Click here for a list of events.
- Location: 605 Market Avenue North Canton, Ohio 44702
- Hours: Varies by event/performace
- Price: Varies by event/performance
Click here to visit the Canton Palace Theatre’s website.
The Canton Museum of Art
Satisfy your artsy side by visiting the Canton Museum of Art. Current exhibitions (May 3, 2019 – July 21, 2019) are Drafting Dimensions: Contemporary Midwest Ceramics, Food for Thought: Works from the Permanent Collection, John Jude Palencar: Between Worlds, and Organized Ambiguity: Recent Grids of David Kuntzman. These are in addition to the permanent collection (“focused on American watercolors and works on paper from the 19th century forward, and contemporary ceramics from the 1950s forward”). In addition to the exhibitions and collection, the museum also hosts different art classes.
- Location: 1001 Market Avenue North Canton, Ohio 44702
- Hours: Monday – Closed; Tuesday – Thursday – 10am-8pm; Friday – Saturday – 10am-5pm; Sunday – 1pm-5pm
- Price: Adults: $8; Children (12 and under): Free! FREE admission every Thursday, Sponsored by PNC Foundation AND every first Friday of every month.
Click here to learn more about the Canton Museum of Art.
Summer Fun for Kids with Pigskin’s Pals
During the summer, kids 2-12 can get a Pigskin’s Pals membership, which includes free admission to various attractions (including the Pro Football Hall of Fame!), goodies, and fun experiences. Click here to find out more about this awesome offer!
More Things to do in Canton, Ohio
The list above is just a short list of things you can do in Canton, Ohio! Click this link to be taken directly to the Visit Canton website to explore even more options.
Canton First Friday
Come join the party! The city of Canton hosts a monthly party in Downtown Canton on the first Friday of every month. The party features live music, performances, and visual arts events. “It is primarily a self-guided tour of local art galleries, studios, stores and restaurants. First Friday begins with a First Stop at the Canton Museum of Art @ 5:30, followed by the full-out event downtown from 6-10 p.m. Rain or shine. First Friday happens every month – year ’round!” Learn more by clicking here.
Things to Do Near Canton, Ohio
Interested in going outside of Canton? Check out our 5 Things to do in Ohio post!
No offense, but when I think of Ohio, I think of chocolate 🍫 YUM 😋
But, boy, am I wrong! I do like football 🏈 I would go see the Football Hall of Fame for sure. My daughter and her family likes to visit Cedar Point’s Amusement Park. I pinned this so others know that there is more to do in Ohio than I did.
Thank you for sharing!
LOL I don’t think of chocolate, so that is funny! I guess we do have the chocolate factory! Thank you for pinning this for me!
I love the idea of Canton First Friday! It sounds like fun.