We planned an overnight in Akron between our major destinations and stayed at the Akron Ohio Hotel and Silo. The rooms were round as they were converted from the old Quaker Oats silos - fun and different! On the ground level, there was a restaurant where you could dine in converted railroad cars (they used to carry the grain to/from the silos). Very nice hotel but fine for kids over 9. There were little shops to explore in Quaker Square - nice gifts and relatively inexpensive souvenirs.

We also went to the National Inventors Hall of Fame http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/1_5_0_museum.asp which was great! There were exhibits about inventors and a hands on area for kids of all ages to "invent" using a vast variety of creative materials. We spent several hours there and had to drag the kids (husband too) away. ***The museum is closed in May/June 2010 for a new exhibit - check before planning your trip.