Cuyahoga Falls, a satellite city immediately north of Akron, features a downtown that has been revitalized over the past 6 years. Activities along the scenic Cuyahoga River add to the city's appeal, located about 7 miles north of downtown Akron and 35 miles south of downtown Cleveland. The city's history focused on industry in the 1800s powered by the river. Today, it’s a mainly residential bedroom community with a population of just over 50,000. “There’s a mix of people who work in Akron and Cleveland,” says Bethany Teriaca, a Realtor and sales manager at Howard Hanna Real Estate. “State Route 8 is a highway until you reach Interstate 271 south of Cleveland.” Those who work in Akron may work for the hospital system, the University of Akron or the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, which has nearly 3,000 employees at its headquarters. The Akron Metropolitan Regional Transit Authority, or METRO, provides public bus transportation. The Cuyahoga Falls routes have stops on State Street, Portage Trail and Howe Avenue.
Downtown Akron is a short ten minute commute for the residents of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Cuyahoga Falls is a popular destination for whitewater kayaking.
Cuyahoga Falls residents recognize this landmark on Portage Trail in Cuyahoga Falls.
Goodyear is a major employer near Cuyahoga Falls.
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Changing the streetscape in downtown Cuyahoga Falls
Front Street is the main north-south road through downtown Cuyahoga Falls. About six years ago, the city decided to change the makeup of that street. “It’s kind of counter that you would think as far as what would think economic development goes,” says Bill Lowery, a Realtor with eXp Realty. “It used to be a pedestrian-only street. They redid the street and opened it to two-way traffic, and people can park in front of the bars and restaurants.” That led to new development, and is now home to restaurants, boutiques and breweries. “Before that, people were not coming to downtown. It’s now a cool place to be,” he adds.
The Cuyahoga Falls Downtown Amphitheater is part of the downtown entertainment and arts scene. On the banks of the river, the venue hosts various local acts during the warm-weather months. South of the amphitheater is an ice-skating rink active during the winter. In a nod to the past, the city closes off Front Street for the Irish Festival in June, the Italian Festival in July and Oktoberfest in late September. That’s to make way for vendors and food trucks. The Cuyahoga Arts Center is where those who want to be artists can begin the journey, and those who want to be better can hone their skills with various levels of classes.
Cuyahoga Falls residents take in the live entertainment at the Irish Festival.
Residents enjoy the food and entertainment at the Italian Festival in Cuyahoga Falls.
The Cuyahoga Valley Arts Center is located in downtown Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Bands play at the Amphitheater during one of the many festivals in downtown Cuyahoga Falls.
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Blossom Music Center
Northwest of downtown is the Blossom Music Center, a large outdoor amphitheater that regularly hosts the Cleveland Orchestra in summer. Other musical acts performed in 2024 at the venue include the Goo Goo Dolls, “Weird Al” Yankovic and country performer Tyler Childers. The venue's capacity is 23,000. In the area, the Porthouse Theater is an outdoor venue where shows produced by the nearby Kent State University theater company are performed. Both are located in the southern part of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a 32,000-acre forested area that surrounds the Cuyahoga River between Cuyahoga Falls and the southern suburbs of Cleveland.
Concerts happen all summer long at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls.
Cuyahoga Falls residents enjoy bird watching in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park Towpath Trail is near Cuyahoga Falls.
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park Rail Line is near Cuyahoga Falls.
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Separate retail sections in Cuyahoga Falls
Before the downtown area became trendy, the retail section of Howe Avenue in the southern part of Cuyahoga Falls was where most retail stores were. “I call it the O.G. retail section,” Teriaca says. “That area is still going strong.” That’s despite the closing of the Chapel Hill Mall in 2021, but the smaller shopping centers in that area remain. Target, The Home Depot and Dick’s Sporting Goods are some of the big box stores, along with chain eateries and a Giant Eagle for groceries. A Giant Eagle Market District, a beefed-up version of a Giant Eagle grocery store, anchors another retail section in the western part of Cuyahoga Falls. Other businesses opened around there, and it became a third retail section in the city to go along with downtown and Howe Avenue. “The key thing was they added more areas to eat where people could come together and be social,” she adds.
Cuyahoga Falls residents can shop for sporting goods at their local Dick's Store.
Shop for all your home good needs at stores located in East Village.
Shopping at your local Home Depot in East Village for all your DIY projects.
Restaurants and shops on Front Street in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
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Water Works Park
With over 25 parks in Cuyahoga Falls, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get out and enjoy fresh air. Keyser Park has a dog park, lighted basketball and tennis courts, and a community garden where residents can grow produce on their garden beds during summer and fall. Water Works Park is a hot fishing spot by the Cuyahoga River. “Many families will also do photo shoots because it’s very beautiful,” Teriaca says. The park's main feature is that it is closer to Munroe Falls Avenue, home to the Water Works Family Aquatic Center. It has three pools, a lazy river and two large slides. It’s a popular destination during the summer. Brookledge Golf Club is a public course that offers a Junior League for experienced golfers ages 12 to 17 in June and July to advance their skills ahead of high school competition.
Cuyahoga Falls residents enjoy playing golf at Brookledge Golf Course.
Water Works Park in Cuyahoga Falls features a waterslide, lazy river, and swimming pool.
Residents can let their dogs run at the Keyser Park dog park in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Kayakers enjoy paddling the Cuyahoga River through Water Works Park in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
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Cuyahoga Falls homes just above $200,000
As of November 2024, the median home price in Cuyahoga Falls is just under $210,000, which is 5% more than it was in 2023. Single-family homes that are modest in size are built close together, while bigger homes on larger lots are more common well west of downtown. Most single-family homes are priced between $130,000 and $700,000. “There are many Cape Cod houses that don’t have basements, which is not normal in Northeastern Ohio,” Lowery says. Basements are usually a Midwest necessity with the possibility of tornadoes. Condos run from $80,00 to $400,000, while townhouses are much less typical and range from $120,000 to $370,000. Multifamily homes go from $120,000 to $420,000.
New condominiums can be found in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Cape Cods are very charming and well-kept in Cuyahoga Falls.
A beautiful example of a brick Colonial in the Broad Boulevard neighborhood of Cuyahoga Falls.
A variety of brick ranches are located in the Mud Brook neighborhood.
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Cuyahoga Falls crime
Crime rates in Cuyahoga Falls are lower than nearby Akron and the national average, according to data compiled by Niche.
Cuyahoga Falls City School District
The Cuyahoga Falls City School District has six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. On Niche, the district is rated a B-minus overall. The district serves over 4,000 students and has an overall student-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. Cuyahoga Falls High School is rated a C-plus, and students can take classes in Career Technical Education, ranging from automotive technology to courses in the IT Academy. Private school options are mainly K-8 at Redeemer Christian School, Immaculate Heart of Mary and Summit Christian Schools. Summit is the only private school to be graded on Niche, receiving an A.
Cuyahoga Falls High in Downtown Cuyahoga Falls is preparing students for further education.
Redeemer Christian School in Cuyahoga Falls.
Immaculate Heart Of Mary School provides private education in the neighborhood of
Cuyahoga
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