Named in honor of Revolutionary War general John Stark, Canton Stark County is a mid-sized Midwestern region that was a manufacturing center in the early 19th century. The county utilized its railroad lines in its early manufacturing days, and then evolved into an area built upon a service economy, with strength in the education, finance, and healthcare sectors. The county is home to Malone University, Walsh University, Stark State College, and a Kent State University branch.
Canton Stark County offers the very best in attractions, shopping, dining, outdoor recreation, and arts and culture, as well as a large network of public golf courses and wineries. The county offers something for everyone, as it is home to hidden Ohio Amish Country treasures, as well as such national attractions as the Pro Football Hall of Fame, William F. McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, and National First Ladies' Historical Site.
Popular Canton Stark County attractions include the National First Ladies' Library, the first and only facility devoted to the contributions of First Ladies and other notable women in history. The site consists of the Ida Saxton McKinley House, as well as the Education and Research Center, which houses exhibit spaces, a 91-seat Victorian theater, research library, and conference rooms in renovated 1895 bank building. The Canton Museum of Art serves as one piece of Canton's burgeoning arts scene, and focuses on American watercolors of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as contemporary ceramics. Shoppers delight in Hartville's six-acre hardware store and Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market, which houses more than 110 indoor, individually owned shops and 12 acres of outdoor shops.
Canton Stark County's many wineries include Perennial Vineyards, the county's oldest vineyard and winery. Located in Navarre, Perennial Vineyards boasts a post-and-beam structure that dates back to 1854, as well as a sunset patio, vineyard pavilion, live music, and menu of appetizers, flatbreads, and pizzas. Gervasi Vineyard and Italian Bistro is home to a winery, villa accommodations, event venue, and The Bistro, all in one; The Bistro serves rustic Italian fare made with seasonal, hand-crafted ingredients. Gervasi's newest offering is The Crush House, a winery, wine bar, and eatery with a casual menu.
For a culinary tour of Canton, visitors and residents alike turn to Canton Food Tours for walking and van tours that showcase the city's food, history, and arts. Among Canton's many restaurants is Bender's Tavern, the city's oldest restaurant, which serves fresh, seasonal cuisine in an elegant, relaxing setting that features marble and paneled oak walls and tin ceilings. Basil Asian Bistro is known for its spicy Szechuan, Thai curries, sushi, and stir-frys, inspired by Pacific and Southeastern Asia. Housed in a hilltop 1869 mansion in Minerva, Hart Mansion Restaurant serves American cuisine in an Italianate setting. Situated in Canal Fulton, V-Li's Thai Cuisine serves award-winning, authentic gourmet Thai cuisine in a quaint, cozy atmosphere.