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Planning an excursion to Canton, Ohio is an educational experience in many ways beyond the city's crown jewel, the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With so many things to do and see, the Canton area is one rich with history, culture and opportunities for entertainment. Whether one is planning a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, the Canton and Stark County areas are filled with unique possibilities. For football fans, Hall of Fame Weekend is a prime time to pay a visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, located at 221 George Halas Dr. N.W. in Canton. Each summer during the first weekend in August, more than 700,000 people make the journey to Canton to partake in the excitement of the festival and share in the making of history as football legends are enshrined. Finding a good time to visit the Hall of Fame is easy, as it's open every day of the year except Christmas. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the remainder of the year. Throughout the festival and the year, guests to Canton can plan to visit the Hall of Fame Museum, which features a Game Day turntable stadium theater that takes visitors from training camp through the Super Bowl. Beginning at 10 a.m., the 30-minute film is shown every 16 minutes. Hall of Fame guests can also spend time taking in football history as they view artifacts which chronicle the first 100 years of professional football. Six interactive kiosks allow visitors to search for Hall of Famers and see videos of that enshrinee. Guests should plan to spend three to four hours minimum at the Hall of Fame due to the large amount of things to do and see. Special events take place at the Hall of Fame throughout the year, typically once a month. On Father's Day, every father gets in free and is given a free souvenir and an opportunity to enter a contest to win a Hall of Fame weekend experience. On the last Wednesday in September, the hall celebrates Senior Citizens Day by admitting seniors free. The Friday after Thanksgiving is Free Kids' Friday, when children under 16 are admitted for free and entertainment is provided throughout the facility. During festival weekend, tickets may be purchased at the ticket window, but it is recommended they be purchased ahead of time to avoid a long wait in line. For more information on festival weekend or to purchase tickets, call 1-800-533-4302 or see www.profootballhoffestival.com. For general information or to purchase tickets during other times of the year, call (330) 456-8207 or see www.profootballhof.com. For a dose of presidential history, visitors to Canton should pencil an hour or two into the itinerary and make a stop at the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, located at 800 McKinley Monument Dr. in Canton. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays, the museum is open year round except for major holidays. Some features of the museum are a million-dollar interactive science section called "Discover World," a planetarium, a McKinley gallery, an 1890's life-size town and historical and industrial halls. Guests can take a stroll outside and walk the 108 steps leading to the McKinley National Monument, the tomb of President McKinley and Ida McKinley. Planetarium shows, free with admission, are held at 1 p.m. daily and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Children must be at least five years old to view the show. For information on the museum, call (330) 455-7043 or see www.mckinleymuseum.org. History buffs can continue their education on President McKinley and his wife through visiting the First Ladies National Historic Site, located at 205 and 331 Market Ave. S. in downtown Canton. Guests can tour the Victorian-style home of Ida Saxton-McKinley. Tours are offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and reservations are recommended. For automobile enthusiasts, the Canton Classic Car Museum should be included in a visit to the city. Located at Market Avenue at 6th Street SW in downtown Canton, the museum houses 45 rare classic automobiles and thousands of pieces of historical memorabilia. Included in the cars on display are 1901 curved-dash Oldsmobile, a Bantam pickup truck and a 1937 Studebaker President bulletproof police car. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.
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