Despite being located in Akron’s downtown core, Canal Park is almost within sight of Route 59, which winds through the city. The chances are pretty good you’ll find yourself on Route 59 as you head to Akron, which means that getting from the highway to the ballpark takes just a couple minutes, even when there’s traffic.
Canal Park’s downtown location means there are a number of parking options to consider, including garages, open-air lots and spots on the street. The huge plus, however, is that parking is free in the city’s downtown after 6 p.m. The bulk of the RubberDucks’ games begin shortly after 7 p.m., which means that in most cases, you won’t have to open your wallet to park. If you enjoy getting to the park extra early, you’re still in luck. Your best bet is the State Street parking deck, which you can find across the street from Canal Park’s right field fence. Here, as is the case in all city-owned parking decks, the first half hour of parking is free. For a 7 p.m. game, aim to arrive minutes after 5:30 p.m. and parking in this convenient garage won’t cost you a cent. For a detailed breakdown of Akron’s downtown parking options, including their rates, click here.
If you’re visiting Canal Park from out of town, a great choice for accommodations is the Courtyard Akron Stow, which is located less than 15 minutes north of the ballpark. It’s directly adjacent to Route 8, which eventually turns into Route 59 that you’ll take right to the park. The hotel has large guest rooms, free parking, a breakfast buffet and a fitness center. Despite the hotel’s close proximity to the highway, it’s notably quiet and just minutes from a long list of places to eat and shop. If you’re looking for something quick, the hotel is within walking distance to a Skyline Chili and a McDonald’s, and just a few minutes to Graham Square Plaza, which features a ton of parking and eating options, including Chipotle, Red Lobster, Applebee’s and Subway.