By all means, plan a trip to Canton, Ohio, to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It is an amazing facility . . . . and still growing.

While you’re there, take one of their awesome food tours. Enjoy a great progressive meal (i.e. different courses in different restaurants) while hearing stories of the town’s history and famous people. I wrote about it here.

Visit the lush, gorgeous 55 acres of the Gervasi Vineyard and enjoy a superb meal. I described it here.

But, before you leave Canton, do yourself a huge favor and spend an hour or two strolling through downtown admiring the great displays of public art.

You’ll see painted murals — even in the parking garages. 

3 Stooges

The back side of Basil restaurant.

You’ll see vinyl installations of famous photographs. 

Football is a prevalent theme.

You’ll see a wide variety of sculptures.

Birth of the NFL

“Shattered Expressions”

And you’ll be impressed that even the trash receptacles have been “art-enhanced.” Eighteen local artists are featured.

From my perspective, all of these efforts tell me that the people of Canton care greatly about the impression their town makes on visitors and how much pride they want their townspeople to have in their city. Good for them. I wish more cities would follow their example.