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On May 4, 1970, Ohio National Guard soldiers fired on students protesting the Vietnam War at Kent State University, killing four and wounding nine. The site is now a National Historic Landmark, and for many visitors understanding that day is the first reason to come to Kent. The city itself, though, is a lively college town on the Cuyahoga River with a lot more to offer.
Kent grew in the 1800s as Franklin Mills, a mill town where abolitionist John Brown once ran a tannery, and took its name from railroad investor Marvin Kent. The university opened in 1910 and now shapes daily life, while a rebuilt downtown with Acorn Alley and new hotels has brought fresh energy since the 2010s.
Walk the May 4 site and museum, see the fashion collection at the Kent State University Museum, then catch a show at the Kent Stage. Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Akron are each about 20 minutes away.
Museum in Taylor Hall telling the story of the May 4, 1970 shootings through film, photographs, artifacts and the voices of witnesses. It places the event within the Vietnam War era and student protest movement. Allow about an hour, then follow the walking tour markers outside around the landmark site.
Memorial on the Kent State campus near Taylor Hall honoring the four students killed and nine wounded on May 4, 1970. Lighted markers show where each student fell in the parking lot below. It is a solemn place; visit quietly, and note that the university holds a commemoration every year on May 4.
Small park by the river marking the spot where abolitionist John Brown ran a tannery in the 1830s, when Kent was still the mill village of Franklin Mills. Markers explain his time in the area long before Harpers Ferry. It takes only a few minutes; combine it with a walk to the Kent Dam.
Museum in Rockwell Hall with one of the largest collections of fashion and costume in the country, from historic gowns to designer pieces, plus decorative arts. Exhibits change regularly, so each visit is different. Check opening days, as hours follow the academic calendar, and park in a nearby campus lot.
Small pedestrian passage in downtown Kent lined with independent boutiques, cafes and eateries, created during the downtown revival. It links Main Street with the newer blocks around the Kent Hotel. Stroll it with an ice cream or coffee, then branch out into the surrounding bars and restaurants.
Restored 1920s movie theater on Main Street that now hosts touring folk, blues, rock and comedy acts in an intimate setting. Seats are close to the stage, so even small shows feel special. Buy tickets ahead for popular acts and have dinner downtown before the show.
Stone dam built in the 1830s for the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal, one of the oldest surviving dams of its kind. A restoration project rerouted the river around it, so the dam now stands beside a free-flowing stretch of the Cuyahoga with a small park, walkways and a good view of the old stonework from the Main Street bridge.
Multi-use trail that runs through Kent along the Cuyahoga River and connects toward Ravenna and Munroe Falls. It passes woods, wetlands and riverbanks and is popular for biking, running and dog walks. Join it near downtown and head along the river for an easy ride with few road crossings.
City park on the Cuyahoga River with shaded picnic areas, ball fields, trails and access to the water. Paddlers use it as a stop for canoe and kayak trips on this scenic stretch of river. Pack a picnic, and check river levels with local outfitters before going out on the water.
Restaurant inside Kent's restored 1870s railroad depot near the river, serving American dishes, salads and Sunday brunch. Railroad decor and a patio make it a favorite with visiting parents. It is next to the Kent Dam and trail, so you can walk off lunch along the river afterward.
Long-running downtown festival held in early summer with craft and food vendors, live music on several stages and family activities filling the streets. It draws crowds from across Portage County. Park outside the center and walk in, and bring cash for some vendors.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Pacificboyksu, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Pacificboyksu, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Pacificboyksu, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Lee Paxton, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JonRidinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
