Scenic roads to admire fall foliage (and stop for a meal) in Summit County

Tawney Beans, Akron Beacon Journal
·6 min read
A lone bicyclist rides North on Riverview Road in Peninsula.
A lone bicyclist rides North on Riverview Road in Peninsula.

The peak of fall colors is nearly upon us in Northeast Ohio, prompting long drives through the countryside to admire vibrant leaves. But there's no need to travel outside of Summit County to see the beauty of fall — any one of these roads display it just fine.

And if a passenger gets hungry or restless, simply pull into one of the restaurants or attractions near each tree-lined road.

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For more information on fall foliage, check out the Ohio Department of Natural Resource’s Fall Color Progress Map or YouTube playlist.

Christman Road, Green

A bench sits on the banks of the Nimisila Reservoir at the Summit metroparks boat ramp in Akron.
A bench sits on the banks of the Nimisila Reservoir at the Summit metroparks boat ramp in Akron.

If you like the aesthetic of a lake lined by swathes of orange, red, yellow and brown, this is a great place to start your fall foliage journey. Christman Road hugs the eastern half of the Nimisila Reservoir that resides between Green and New Franklin. And, despite the road’s proximity to residential housing, almost every inch of it is lined by trees, water or a mix of both.

Where to eat: Locals have enjoyed Guiseppe's Pizza since it opened in 1963, which explains why it has topped Beacon Journal reader polls for the best pie in town on several occasions. This comes at no surprise for Beacon Journal history and nostalgia writer Mark Price, who as a child “ate there so much that I practically turned into a pepperoni.” So, go ahead and grab a slice or two on your trip around Nimisila Reservoir. 14 E. Caston Road, Green; 330-644-8842, myguiseppes.com.

Mark Price on Guiseppe’s Pizza:Guiseppe’s Pizza in Green lives up to childhood memories of former box boy: Local Flavor

Where to stop: Take in a great view of the lake against the multicolored leaves at its C6 parking lot. For a closer view, walk down to the dock and bench located on the water’s edge. 6194 Christman Road, Green; summitmetroparks.org. 

Terex Road, Hudson

Canada Geese swim in a pond at Barlow Farm Park in Hudson.
Canada Geese swim in a pond at Barlow Farm Park in Hudson.

Take a drive through one of Hudson’s more rural areas on Terex Road, which is almost entirely lined by trees displaying their changing leaves.  

Where to eat: You’ll find a whole host of Asian dishes – sushi, pad thai, curry – at Pad Thai Hudson. Or, if you are feeling adventurous, check out their house specialties like Siam Eggplant and Thai Cornish hen. 5657 Darrow Road, Hudson; 330-650-9998, padthaihudson.com.

Where to stop: Take a trip back to the early 1800s at Case-Barlow Farm, a preserved homestead from more than 200 years ago that played a part in the history of Hudson and the Underground Railroad. Plan to celebrate a friend or family member's upcoming anniversary or birthday? Driving them through the fall foliage on Terex Road for a surprise party at the farm wouldn’t be a bad idea – particularly if they like the outdoors and history. Contact staff to schedule your visit or event. 1931 Barlow Road; 330-650-0591, casebarlow.com.

Silver Creek Lake, Norton

A tree holds its color near the shore of Silver Creek Lake at Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton.
A tree holds its color near the shore of Silver Creek Lake at Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton.

Though this road has no official name, it is flanked by wonderful views of Silver Creek Metro Park and Silver Creek Lake during the peak of fall colors. The park sits on the border of Summit, Medina and Wayne counties. Use the map on summitmetroparks.org to see how to navigate and access the road surrounding Silver Creek Lake.  

Where to eat: Chow down on burgers and wings while listening to live music at Old Stone Jail Bar & Grill. The restaurant also has $1 taco Tuesdays and Saturday karaoke nights, if that is more your style. 5640 Wooster Road W., Norton; 330-991-4058, facebook.com/Old-Stone-Jail-Bar-and-Grill.

Where to stop: There are quite a few places worthy of interrupting your leaf-viewing around the lake. A few are the observation deck on the south side of the lake and, for the children in the backseat asking, “Are we there yet?” even though there are no real destinations when looking at leaves, a beach and playground.

Riverview Road, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Riverview Road passes through the entirety of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, from its beginning in Akron to Peninsula and beyond into Cleveland. But be prepared, with trails, trains and wildlife around its every twist and turn, a tour of fall colors on this road may last all day.  

Where to eat: Saffron Patch in the Valley, located just after Riverview Road turns into Merriman Road, often serves Indian cuisine like chicken tikka masala and garlic naan to travelers famished from their trek through the national park. 1238 Weathervane Lane, Akron; 330-836-7777, saffronpatchinakron.com.

Where to stop: Stretch your legs at Beaver Marsh, an extensive wetland popular for seeing and photographing wildlife. To get there, park at the Ira Trailhead and follow the Towpath Trail a quarter mile north to the boardwalk viewing area. 3801 Riverview Road, Peninsula; nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/the-beaver-marsh. 

More on the park:Everything you need to know about visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Park Lake, Munroe Falls

Fall colors are reflected in the water at Munroe Falls Metro Park.
Fall colors are reflected in the water at Munroe Falls Metro Park.

Cruise through the 222 acres of woodland enclosing Park Lake in Munroe Falls Metro Park. The road, which has no official name, shows visitors the fall colors and activities situated around the entire lake. Use the map on summitmetroparks.org to see how to navigate and access the motorway.

Where to eat: Down the street from Park Lake is a Mexican restaurant named La Mexicana. It offers a wide range of dishes from Monterrey Mexico such as fajitas, quesadillas and tacos. 76 West Avenue, Tallmadge; 330-630-2800, lamexicanacantina.com.

Where to stop: There are beaches, playgrounds, a soccer field and basketball court along the road. Visitors can also take Indian Spring Trail to Heron Pond on the south side of Park Lake for fishing.

Sand Run Parkway, Akron

A jogger runs the trail in Sand Run Metro Park in Akron.
A jogger runs the trail in Sand Run Metro Park in Akron.

Sand Run Parkway gives Cuyahoga Valley National Park a run for its leaves, especially where it crosses through Sand Run Metro Park between Merriman Road and Sand Run Road. At some point while appreciating fall foliage on this road, visitors will also drive through Sand Run stream at the metro park’s ford.  

Where to eat: If you are heading west on Sand Run Parkway, turn left onto Ghent Road and you will have a whole host of restaurants. On the left is foreign fare such as Leonardo’s Pizza and Continental Cuisine and the right side of the road has American dishes from The Rail and dessert courtesy of Duck Donuts.

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Where to stop: Sand Run Metro Park has seven trails of varying difficulty for those who would like a closer look at the park’s foliage and fauna. The forest is home to a variety of squirrels, owls and woodpeckers. Some rare species inhabit the park too, like sharp-shinned hawks, butternut trees and native orchids. summitmetroparks.org/sand-run-metro-park.

Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@gannett.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Admire fall foliage on these scenic roads in Summit County