Massillon, OH

The Tuscarawas River forms not only the geographical center of Massillon, but also its historical center. In Massillon’s very early beginnings, the river served as a boundary line among the Indians of 1650, having the same function in later years between certain groups, such as the Territory of the United States and the Indians in 1785. Over time, development occurred in the area, including the building of farm land, state buildings, facilities for Sippo Creek, and, finally, the town. After the Ohio-Erie Canal opened in 1828, Massillon soon found success exporting wheat. Over time, various industrial activities thrived, turning Massillon into the city it is today. Visit the Massillon Museum, free of charge, to gain deeper understanding about Massillon, and browse exhibitions held throughout the year that showcase local art, photography and more. Around August, the family-friendly Fun Fest provides visitors with games, contests, and arts and crafts in downtown Massillon.

Diners enjoy Massillon’s range of dining options, with a large number located on the east side of the Tuscarawas River between Massillon and Canton.

Cameo Grill on Erie Street suits all hungry and thirsty visitors, whether they seek breakfast, a casual lunch or drinks with friends. Open most of the day, locals love Cameo’s reasonable prices, pleasant staff and ambiance. Be sure to try the original Cameo burger and fries that gets high marks from locals, cementing its well-earned reputation as a go-to place for American fare.

Kozmo’s Grille on 1st Street provides customers with a diverse range of meals from late-morning through to the evening. Serving up a fun atmosphere along with good food, the restaurant keeps locals coming back for more. Try the spinach and artichoke dip as an appetizer and fire-roasted tomato basil pizza for your main course.

Located on Lincoln Way, family-run Top of the Viaduct Restaurant boasts tasty food and excellent service. Customers enjoy the restaurant’s quick turnaround time, cleanliness and good value. Try visiting for breakfast or simply order it later in the day. Favorites also include various salads, such as pecan chicken or Malibu beach, and hot roast beef sandwiches served with homemade mashed potatoes.

Residents also enjoy a selection of bars in the area, including Erie Street Pub, a casual sports bar that opens early for breakfast. The pub provides customers with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, drink specials and games such as pool.

Find a fun and friendly atmosphere at Firehouse Grille & Pub on 2nd Street, where karaoke and live entertainment take place on some nights. Open late and providing good value for the money as well as special deals, the pub hosts both sports fans and families.

Flex your dance moves outside of Massillon. Take a 40-minute drive into Akron instead, where a wide variety of music and dancing options exist to suit every taste and mood. Closer to Massillon, Canton also presents further opportunities.

With major routes running in both directions through Massillon, drivers are spoilt for choice when it comes to traveling around Ohio. Ohio State Route 21 connects to Interstate 77 in both north and south directions, giving travelers great access to much of Ohio, including Cleveland in the north. Get on U.S. Route 30, going from east to west through Massillon, to gain access to Canton in the east and Mansfield in the west. Uber services the area around Akron, including Massillon and Canton. Ample public parking exists within Massillon, however customers seeking retail therapy in the downtown area may have more difficulty finding a space close to their destination. Stark Area Regional Transit Authority, or SARTA, operates in the area, providing residents with public transport within Massillon as well as access to Cleveland and Canton. A number of bus routes travel around the neighborhood, including the 122, 124, 126 and 128, while the 125 connects travelers to northern Canton. From here, passengers access destinations that include downtown Canton and Akron. The 102 and 152 late-night buses also run in the area and connect directly to downtown Canton, where you can hop on bus route 4 to reach Cleveland, about an hour-and-a-half away.

Residents enjoy biking and walking around Massillon and surrounding areas, taking advantage of access to trails, including the Sippo Valley Bike and Hike trail, which continues to Dalton, as well as the Ohio and Eerie Canal Towpath Trail. Six miles of this trail runs adjacent to the Tuscarawas River, which winds through the city in a north to south direction, connecting bikers to various destinations in Massillon.

Nature lovers won't be disappointed in Massillon, with its many green spaces suited for anyone from families to lone wanderers. Around 35 parks and open areas provide visitors with picnic areas, playgrounds, sporting facilities, walking trails and more. Just some options include the ball fields, picnic area and open pavilion at Arthur Genshaft Memorial Park, the paths and trails, picnic area and football field at Bottoms Park and tennis facilities and a playground at Franklin Park. Dog owners take their beloved pets to the off-leash dog park at Furnas Park, while walkers, joggers and bikers enjoy the Sippo Valley Trail.

Renting a one-bedroom residence in Massillon costs, on average, $529. Massillon residents pay 4.8 percent less than the average Ohio resident, which runs at 13.2 percent less than the national average. However, the price for gas runs 17 percent more than the national average. Costs for bus tickets come to $1.50 for a regular fixed route and $2.50 for a Cleveland fixed route, while a bottle of beer at the local pub costs around $3.50.

Shoppers flock to downtown Massillon for a choice of shops in locations such as Meadows Plaza, Massillon Marketplace, Mayflower Shopping Center, Amherst Shopping Center and Towne Plaza. Massillon caters to everyone’s needs, providing customers with both locally owned shops, such as local jeweler C.J. Duncan, and national chain retailers, such as Target. Find more big brands and designer labels by driving 15 to 20 minutes to Belden Village Mall, home to a huge range of department stores and fashion boutiques.

In Massillon, visit Hannah’s Candles on Lincoln Way for unique gifts and, of course, candles. Hand-poured, triple-scented and soy-based, the candles come in over 150 different scents. Customers enjoy the shop’s vast card selection and other handmade products, including wood gifts. Locals also shop at Howard’s Tiger Rags Apparel, located virtually next door, to get Massillon Tigers kits as well as regular apparel for men of bigger, taller stature. The ladies visit Linde’s Bridal & Prom nearby for wedding and special occasion dresses by American and European designers.

Grab your groceries at area chain stores that include Giant Eagle and Walmart Supercenter, or shop for fresh, locally grown produce at Massillon Farmer’s Market. This market opens every Saturday from June through October in the parking lot of the Massillon Recreation Center.