MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS

Akron

Goodyear World of Rubber
Your kids, probably like you, tend to take rubber for granted. After you visit this museum, you'll have a different view. See a mock rubber plantation and a movie about manufacturing tires. Learn how Charles Goodyear stumbled onto the vulcanization process and how tires are produced. There's not much here for tiny tots--but grade-schoolers will like the Indianapolis 500 race cars and the tire taken from the all-terrain vehicle that was used on the moon. 1144 E. Market St., Akron; (330) 796-7117.

Hale Farm and Village
What was life like in these parts back in 1848? Visit Hale Farm and Village and find out. This restored and operational village is a must-see. Historical reenactors serve as glassblowers, blacksmiths, and other village residents, and will answer your kids' questions about how families worked, played, ate, and subsisted before video games, or even radios, existed. Some of the reenactors have pretty saucy opinions--your kids will get a history lesson that actually entertains them. They'll also get a kick out of the spinning, candlemaking, cooking, and preserving food. Closed November through April. 2686 Oak Hill Rd., Bath; (330) 666-3711; The Western Reserve Historical Society

Akron Zoological Park
Red pandas, barking deer, tigers, bears, penguins, rare Chinese alligators, and lions are among the 400 animals that reside at this modest but fun zoo. Be sure to see the river otter exhibit--these guys are real acrobatic rascals. Kids can take a pony ride and a train ride around the grounds. Additional parking fee. Closed November through March. 500 Edgewood Ave., Akron; (330) 375-2550; (330) 375-2525; Akron Zoo

Cuyahoga Falls

Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area
Your family can wind through the 33,000-acre wooded valley of the Cuyahoga ("crooked") River while hiking, biking, golfing, and skiing--all in season. The magnificent park is 22 miles long and follows the path of the old Ohio and Erie Canal between Cleveland and Akron. The flat Towpath Trail, once traveled by mules and horses as they pulled boats through the canal, past an old stone lock, now serves as a wonderful trail for walking and biking. Another good trek for children is the Ledges Trail, passing through shifted glacial rock formations. It's just over two miles long, but you can walk part of it and turn around. Two area ski resorts cater to downhill skiers and snowboarders: Boston Mills, 7100 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, (330) 657-2334; and Brandywine, 91146 W. Highland Rd., Sagamore Hills, (330) 657-2334. The national recreation area has four visitors' centers. The Canal Visitor Center, 7104 Canal Rd., Valleyview, (216) 524-1497, by the Towpath Trail, is open daily year-round; take the kids for a canal lock demonstration. The Happy Days Visitor Center, 500 W. SR 303, Boston Heights, near the Ledges Trail, is closest to Cuyahoga Falls; take Route 8 north to Route 303, west one and one half miles. Park headquarters: 15610 Vaughn Rd., Brecksville; (800) 445-9667 within Ohio.

Dover Lake Waterpark
Seven water slides, three tube rides, a water-whirl ride, two speed slides, and a wave pool will give your kids summer thrills. And after the slides and water rides, there are amusement park rides, a train ride, and a swimming lake with sand beach. Older kids can head to the miniature-golf course, and batting cages, free video arcade, and horseshoe pits add to the fun. There's a parking fee. Closed September through May. From Akron, take Route 8 into Macedonia, left at Highland Road, and follow the signs. 1150 W. Highland Rd., Sagamore Hills; (330) 655-7946; Dover Lake

Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated July 2005.