Communities

As part of your adventure, you may decide to focus your trip on one of our six Canalway communities, which create unique destinations that incorporate nature, heritage and recreation.

Six communities stretch north to south in the Canalway, from Cleveland to New Philadelphia. They include: The Industrial City, The Cuyahoga Valley, The Portage Path and Summit, The Canal Villages, Lincoln Highway and Tuscarawas Valley. Each provides a window into the diversity and richness of the Ohio & Erie Canalway.

The Industrial City: The Northern most section of the Canalway begins in Cleveland, where industry once reigned. Today, visitors can experience performing arts, sports, shopping, dining, museums, ethnic neighborhoods and nightlife. South of Cleveland, the Cleveland Metroparks Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation features wildlife, fishing, hiking

Cuyahoga Valley: In the Cuyahoga Valley, visitors can experience outdoor life in the 33,000-acre Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the third most visited national park in the United States. Hiking, biking, fishing, sledding, wildlife, scenery and more attract visitors to the park year round. Small towns with deep heritage in and adjacent to the park add a rich dimension to the Cuyahoga Valley experience.

Portage Path and Summit: Following the route the Native Americans used to portage canoes between the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas rivers, The Portage Path serves as the perfect spot for outdoor recreation from boating and fishing to hiking and bicycling. The city of Akron anchors this region.

Canal Villages: Small towns sprouted up along the canal and still exist today, a reminder of the canal era. Today, visitors can take in the sights and sounds the canal towns have to offer, experiencing historic canal charm and modern day convenience.

Lincoln Highway: Running east to west across the Ohio & Erie Canalway, the Lincoln Highway was the first transcontinental highway built to accommodate America’s growing dependence on the automobile. Today it is recognized as a state byway. The cities of Canton and Massillon provide urban amenities along the Lincoln Highway.

Tuscarawas Valley: The southern-most region of the Ohio & Erie Canalway is full of history. From Schoenbrunn Village to Zoar, visitors can get a glimpse at what life what life before and during the canal era. This region also links to canal days, railroads and industry that moved north through the Canalway.