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Located between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, the recreation area is 33,000 acres of undisturbed nature and is rich in history and natural wonders. One of the best places to start at is the "The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail" which runs through the center of area. The trail is good for walking, jogging and bicycles. Along the trail there are what remains of some of the locks used back when the canals were still in use. All points of historical interest on this 20-mile trail have a plaque with a brief history on what the point of interest was.
For those of you who enjoy shopping, there are plenty of little shops located in downtown Peninsula Ohio. Among the shops there are also restaurants and antique shops, plus there's a bicycle shop that will rent out bikes for use on the Towpath trail, or even just to get around the area.
For those who want to see the recreation area and enjoy a historic train ride there's the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Passengers can ride from Cleveland to Akron in coaches that were built around 1939 -1940. The cars are air conditioned in the summer. And pass through some of the most scenic areas in N.E Ohio. Some of the destinations of the railroad are the village of Peninsula, Hale Farm & Village, Quaker Square, and the Canal Visitor Center.
Another part of the Recreation Area is Kendall Park. Within this park there are rolling hills and plenty of hiking trails for all to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature here's an area there called "The Ledges" There you will find all kinds of cliffs, rock formations and caves.
One of the more popular caves is "Icebox Cave" which is named that because it's always cold inside during all seasons. After a long hike in the heat of summer, it's a real refresher. On the trail that leads back, you'll find yourself standing on a ledge of rock that overlooks the entire Cuyahoga Valley. The view is so gorgeous, you'll want to sit there for a long time and just enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. You'll want to bring a camera on this trip, especially in the fall. The colors are spectacular!
There are other things to do while in the Recreation Area. There's a golf course, a lake with some really great fishing, and large rolling hills that are great for winter sports and sledding. For those who enjoy skiing, Brandywine and Boston Mills ski resorts are both located in this area.
Hale farm and historical village are also located within the recreation area. This restored village with it's original buildings and historical sites is where you can see crafters such as the glass blower, candle maker, potter and blacksmiths, demonstrate the industries of the 1800s.When visiting northeast Ohio, this is the place to see.
Blossom music center, which is the summer home of the world famous Cleveland Orchestra is also located within the recreation area. Here you can enjoy concerts featuring some of the top performers while enjoying nature in this open-air auditorium.
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