Planning Your Trip to UA

Whether you are travelling hundreds of miles or right down the road from your house, we hope this page will provide you with everything you need to plan your trip to Akron, Ohio. If you need information you cannot find here, please contact our office so we can assist you further.

Your Arrival

New Roo Orientation check in starts at 9 am in the Jean Hower Taber Student Union. You will be directed to park on level 1 of the South Campus Parking Deck (lot 36).

Driving to UA

Parking for New Roo Orientation is in the South Campus Parking Deck. The GPS address for the South Campus Parking Deck is 261 East Exchange Street, Akron, OH, 44325.

Follow the instructions in your student's orientation email to validate your free parking.

• Please note that if you utilize the gated visitors lot located on Buchtel Avenue or any street meter space, you are subject to fees associated with parking in that area. This gated lot does not honor the parking validation we have issued for you as an Orientation visitor.

Once parked, you will have a short walk to the Jean Hower Taber Student Union. Orientation signage and staff will direct you from the parking deck to the Student Union.

Overnight Accommodations

The University of Akron is in the heart of Akron, Ohio, and we have many different areas surrounding campus! Take a look at these different experiences to see which meets your needs the best.

• The Northside Experience – Courtyard Akron Downtown
  • Explore the Northside Marketplace, featuring an eclectic mix of the area's best startups
  • Dine at Luigi’s, an Akron staple since 1949
  • Drive time to orientation parking: 5 minutes
• The East End Experience – Hilton Garden Inn Akron
  • Stay in the most historic part of the city, right next to the Rubber Capital of the world, Goodyear Headquarters.
  • Grab a scoop of ice cream at Handel's, a highlight of Northeast Ohio.
  • Drive time to orientation parking: 8 minutes
• The Falls Experience – Sheraton Suites Akron Cuyahoga Falls
  • Visit Falls River Square for a walk on the riverfront boardwalk
  • Explore the newly reconstructed historic district on Front Street in Downtown Cuyahoga Falls for dining, shopping, and entertainment
  • Drive time to orientation parking: 11 minutes
• The Summit Experience – 10+ hotel options
  • In the mood to shop or dine out? Summit Mall is the place to go and there's no shortage of restaurants in the Fairlawn/Montrose area. 
  • Try the iconic Galley Boy at Swenson's Drive-In.
  • Drive time to orientation parking: 15-20 minutes depending on hotel selection

Things to Do

If you’re looking to add a little time to your visit, there are a ton of unique and interesting attractions within a very short drive of orientation! Make sure to ask the orientation staff about some of their favorite activities and attractions in the city.

• Visit the animals at the Akron Zoo
• Explore the newest exhibits at the Akron Art Museum
• Catch an Akron RubberDucks game
• Take a walk around the unique Highland Square neighborhood
• See a featured event at Lock 3 Outdoor Stage
• Catch a concert at the historic Akron Civic Theatre
• Enjoy a local play at Weathervane Community Playhouse
• Experience Broadway in Akron at EJ Thomas Performing Arts Hall on campus
• Discover everything that is going on in Downtown Akron

Flights

If you are planning to arrive by plane, we recommend renting a car for easy transportation.

Airports Near UA

• Akron Canton Airport (CAK): 4 miles | 22-minute drive
• Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE): 42 miles | 42-minute drive