Overview
Ravenna is a city of 11,000 people (2019) in and the seat of Portage County.
2 sights · 4 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ravenna
Portage County Courthouse
The flagpole in front is an iconic 150 foot tall structure built in 1893. The steel criss-cross design looks more like a radio tower or oil derrick than a modern flagpole. It is seen as a symbol of the city of Ravenna, a…
Riddle Blocks
are unique, historic brick buildings built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, commissioned by H.W. Riddle, owner of Riddle Hearse Co. The original Riddle Block is on the southeast corner of the intersection of Ma…
West Branch State Park
A park centered around a large reservoir. Allows for fishing and boating. Includes a campground.
The Balloon-a-Fair
It starts downtown with a long parade and a day of fair food such as corn dogs, funnel cakes, and ribs. There are live bands all day. In late afternoon the official part of the festival packs up and moves east of town to…
Midway Twin Drive In
A classic drive-in movie theater.
Shaw Woods
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 20°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and May. (climate data from nearby Kent)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CAK Akron Canton Regional Airport, Akron — 20 mi away. Directions
- CLE Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Cleveland — 36 mi away (major hub). Directions
Ravenna is connected by I76 and SR5.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Portage County Courthouse, The Balloon-a-Fair, Riddle Blocks
- Lunch Guido's
- Afternoon Shaw Woods, Midway Twin Drive In
- Evening Mimi's Italian Grill & Bar
Day 2
- Morning West Branch State Park
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Ravenna is connected by I76 and SR5.
By bike
By plane
Get around
Ravenna is a walkable and very bikeable town. In spring, summer, and fall nearly anywhere in town can be reached easily by bike.
The PARTA bus service runs back and forth from Ravenna to Kent every 45 minutes or so all day from 6AM to about 10PM, Monday through Saturday.
See
See Portage County Courthouse
The flagpole in front is an iconic 150 foot tall structure built in 1893. The steel criss-cross design looks more like a radio tower or oil derrick than a modern flagpole. It is seen as a symbol of the city of Ravenna, and efforts in the early 2010s to have the flagpole torn down and replaced were met with huge opposition by residents.
See Riddle Blocks
are unique, historic brick buildings built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, commissioned by H.W. Riddle, owner of Riddle Hearse Co. The original Riddle Block is on the southeast corner of the intersection of Main and Chestnut, and once held and opera house. The other Riddle blocks are numbered and scattered throughout downtown. The words "Coach Hearse" are faintly visible on one of the Riddle blocks that can be seen when entering downtown from the south on Prospect.
Do
- West Branch State Park, 5708 Esworthy Road. 29 full service camping sites, 155 camping sites with 50-amp electric hook-ups, 14 non-electric sites, heated showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities, 700-foot sand beach, showerhouse, change booth, snack bar, year-round fishing, hunting, 2,650 acres lake, 12 miles of hiking trails, 20 miles of bridle trails, horse camp, playground and volleyball court.
Events
Do The Balloon-a-Fair
It starts downtown with a long parade and a day of fair food such as corn dogs, funnel cakes, and ribs. There are live bands all day. In late afternoon the official part of the festival packs up and moves east of town to Sunbeau Farm. The downtown part of the festival is free, but the Sunbeau part of the festival requires a $5 admission fee. At Sunbeau, you can watch hot air balloons take off and a fireworks display at dusk. At night, generally, Sunbeau is the 'family friendly' part of the festival, with many people instead staying downtown after a day of filling up on greasy fair food to have drinks at the downtown bars, which are always packed on this day.
Attractions
Buy
Eat
Drink
Drink Mimi's Italian Grill & Bar
Sleep
Nearby
Kent
City / town · 85 listings · 6 mi away
Streetsboro
City / town · 15 listings · 8 mi away
Stow
City / town · 11 listings · 10 mi away
Atwater
City / town · 4 listings · 10 mi away
Tallmadge
City / town · 13 listings · 11 mi away
Garrettsville
City / town · 8 listings · 12 mi away
Hudson
City / town · 24 listings · 12 mi away
Aurora
City / town · 9 listings · 12 mi away
My experience
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