Thanks to the Downtown Akron Partnership, the diversity of Akron can be experienced on the third Thursday of every month from 4 to 8 p.m.

Free trolley services are available from Quaker Square to the more than 30 highlighted destinations in downtown Akron during the excursion.

As part of the event, the Downtown Akron Partnership creates a map of all of the businesses being highlighted for the night, along with a description of all of the events available to participants.

“The goal is to introduce visitors to independent destinations, events and activities that establish downtown Akron as an arts and culture destination every day of the week,” the 3rd Thursday website said. 

Kelli Fetter, director of engagement & events for the Downtown Akron Partnership, hopes members of the community, especially students, feel comfortable and explore everything Akron has to offer.

“It’s really easy to see the diversity of things that we have to offer downtown,” Fetter said, “all of the different kinds of restaurants to styles of food and music.”

The listings for 3rd Thursday span from the Northside District, where vendors such as Luigi’s Italian Restaurant and Jilly’s Music Room reside, to Main/State Streets, where restaurants such as The Lockview and El Gato are featured.

“[3rd Thursday] really shows you all that we have to offer and all of the different pockets of activity,” Fetter said.