I'm writing this review after hearing a deeply disturbing story from my younger sister, who was a…read morestudent in the Stow School District. Over the years, she visited this establishment multiple times through school-organized field trips. Her earlier experiences seemed educational and age-appropriate, but her final visit in 8th grade was traumatizing and completely unacceptable. On her first visit, she was a young child, excited to explore history. She remembers playing with wooden toys and engaging in fun, interactive activities. It was a harmless and enjoyable experience. On her second visit in 4th grade, the experience was still fairly lighthearted--she milked cows, churned butter, and watched glassblowers at work. It seemed like a continued effort to connect children with the past in a safe and engaging way. But her third visit in 8th grade took a shocking and horrifying turn. During this "A Fugitive's Path: Escape on the Underground Railroad" experience, my sister and her classmates were: Placed in shackles and treated like slaves Forced to simulate escaping through the Underground Railroad Exposed to the sound of blank bullets being shot into the air Surrounded by the cracking of whips Yelled at and intimidated by adults playing the roles of slave catchers or owners This wasn't education--it was trauma packaged as a learning experience. As her older sibling, hearing her describe the fear, humiliation, and confusion she felt during this simulation was gut-wrenching. I cannot understand how any school district, let alone an educational institution trusted with children's development, would approve of such a psychologically scarring experience. How could you slowly build a relationship with this place over several years, only to subject children--still minors--to a reenactment of slavery that includes the sounds of gunfire and whips? What kind of message does that send? What makes anyone believe that this is appropriate or effective? Let me be very clear: no child should ever have to go through this. Teaching about the horrors of slavery is important--but traumatizing children in the process is not education. It's irresponsible and deeply damaging. To the school district and the organizers of this program: What made you think this was okay? You crossed a line that should never be crossed. You failed these students. As a sibling, I'm heartbroken. And as a community member, I'm calling for serious accountability and immediate re-evaluation of what is considered "educational." This should never happen again--to any child, in any school, anywhere. This event took place in 2013-2014 school year however her trauma is still valid in 2025!!!!!!!!

My first time and what a great experience. The grounds were lovely although did need the grass cut…read more All of the employees were great with the exception of one who was not age appropriate and came off as mean.

Came here for Mothers Day. Worth the visit to see the house and gardens…read more We were told when you come around Christmas there are not as many rooms open for the house tour. But on Mother's Day we got to see a lot of the rooms we never saw. And got to ask more questions and take our time a bit more. All around good experience. You want to see as many of the rooms as possible. Pro tip. If you are doing a house and garden tour leave the house thru the front door. This way you don't have to back track the gardens. Out the front door take a right to head along the back of the house and the gardens. Don't miss the greenhouse. The Japanese garden and the really all the gardens are beautiful. It's a nice walk. You can definitely get your steps in. It's a nice afternoon. We spent about 2.5 hours. Could have spent longer. But we were hungry. This was a good experience overall and fun afternoon.

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is such a beautiful place to visit all year round. I remember going…read morehere several times as a child for field trips and I have always been fascinated with this home. Several years ago I found out that they have special tours at Christmas time where you can tour the house and each room has a different theme and you can also tour the grounds where they have Christmas light displays. I believe the tickets this past Christmas or $28 each which goes towards keeping up the estate and grounds. I feel like that's a fair price. There is so much to see in the estate and out on the grounds and I suggest coming here during the year as well for a regular tour. The Christmas decor is so beautiful each room in the estate is typically sponsored by a local business. It's so interesting to see some of the old furniture, dishes, light fixtures, truly whatever you can think of it's all so beautiful. They even have a greenhouse on the property where you can go to purchase plants, especially poinsettias for the Christmas season. They have a little concession stand where they sell things like hot chocolate, coffee, wine and beer, cookies, chili, soft pretzels, etc. Santa even stops by during certain hours where you can visit him. Overall, this is one of my favorite places to visit during the Christmas season and as a child I loved coming here during the year.

If you're a lover of classic cars you need to visit Clifford's Mini Auto Museum. The museum has a…read morepretty solid collect of almost everything you could imagine. Very well clean, restored, and so much passion throughout the little building. The owner did a great job on restoring the historical building. The museum is only open of specific days and when festivals are happening. Really fun spot to check out if you're in the area.

There is so much history in Hudson that I never knew about! I've been meaning to check out this…read moretiny, local museum and it was so cute. This Fire Museum, dedicated to the history of the Hudson Fire Department, is located within the town hall. It's a perfect spot to pop in while in the shopping district in downtown Hudson! The staff were very friendly and answered all our questions with such enthusiasm and education. Kids would love to see the old fashioned fire truck inside you can touch and inspect up close, as well as historical fire gear dating back to the 1800s. A very underrated spot that needs more recognition.

Recently came here with my wife since there was a festival in town next door. It's a cute and small…read moremuseum and Visitor Center. Thankfully it's free too but it's worth a nice 20 to 30 minutes of your time if you have a chance. You get to learn the great history of Hudson and see how far the fire department has come throughout the years and get to know some cool facts. The Visitor Center is less interesting but it's got a lot of great, small souvenirs.

I've been coming downtown to Playhouse square for 30 Years. I have been a season ticket holder for…read morethe last 10 yrs. Right now is the prime experience. The Key Bank Broadway series, the other touring plays that come into town are all top notch and award winning. It's premier entertainment all around. Date night, girls night, family night. The shows are truly top notch. Plus, they have comedians, musicians all the time. It's world class and can compete with NY or Chicago any day. Check out the website to see who's coming. Holidays are especially fun. Don't snooze on this experience. You'll have fun! And for the cost conscious they have discounts and ways to save. Check them out!

Cat Kid the Musical…read more I visited as part of a school event. The pricing and coordination was great. The musical itself was great for kids. They laughed the whole time and it was very on point with the dav pileky books.

This is a small art museum in a beautiful contemporary building that mostly features local artists…read moreto NE Ohio. There are a few recognizable names among the collection such as Mark Rothko and Keith Haring. I visited the museum in March of 2026 and it was my first visit to the museum. My bf and I were done in about 75 minutes. Adult tickets are $12 with some discounts offered to seniors, children, the military, and locals. We saw some impressive pieces, including a gorgeous installation that featured taxidermied peacocks that was definitely the showstopper among every visitor that day. We were bummed that a large section was closed off in preparation for an upcoming exhibit. It meant a lot of non special exhibit art was not viewable to us. A heads up and/or a discount would have been nice. Meanwhile, a viewable exhibit with a gorgeous Tiffany glass window installation was almost missed entirely by us because the doors to get to it were covered up by curtains, giving off the impression that it was closed. Fortunately, we walked through the curtains out of curiosity and saw the glass piece but many others in the museum walked right by it. A sign letting people know that the space was open would be a good idea! The art museum store was closed by the time we were done but from the outside, it looked like a pretty good, if pretty typical, art museum gift shop. It is worth checking out if you are in the Akron downtown area.

Fabulous art, some great classics here and some local artists and quite a few I had never heard of…read more One interesting series in the current photographic exhibit is by Josh Azzarella who "works with historical photographs by removing or abstracting their central imagery." Unique to see the Kent State Shooting without Jeffrey Miller. Lovely to see a Calder and a Magritte here as well. Don't miss the facade of the building which itself is an art piece. I understand that it uses the same steel and glass as was installed in the Louvre. [Review 1351 of 2024 - 270 in Ohio - 22374 overall]

This is an amazing live music venue for folk indie music and bluegrass. It is a small historical…read morespace seating about 75 at tables and 150 if only chairs auditorium rooms. Most tables were of 8 ppl and couple of 4 tops and some benches and chairs along the sides. Great acoustics. Vaccine or negative Covid test required. A nice set up of a small bar w a nice selection of craft beer, wine and sodas. A lovely experience. Parking for the G.A.R. Hall is located directly across the street on the South West Corner of Route 303 and Riverview Road. There is handicap parking located directly in front of the G.A.R. Hall. Alternate Parking can be found 1 block away at the old Yellow Creek Trading Company. Or at Riverview Court (old Ohio Hardwoods) on the Southeast Corner of the intersection of Route 303 and Riverview Road. Parking in Peninsula is always tight so consider car pooling if coming w friends. Can't wait to return!

A wonderful small historic venue where music can be enjoyed. Performers from all around the will…read morestop and play here for an evening during the week or on weekends. We've gone to watch bands I've never heard of and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It's a very personal connection to the performers because the hall only holds a hundred ppl or so. You can buy a beer or cocktail and for 2 hours just relax and listen. Very friendly ppl. My only reason for 4 stars is the bathrooms are in the basement. I've seen a new addition that is supposed address this problem but haven't been yet. I absolutely recommend!