Kent is shaped almost entirely by Kent State University, and most of what brings visitors here connects to that fact. The May 4 Visitors Center on campus is the primary draw for people coming from outside the region — a sober memorial to a defining moment in American history. Beyond that, downtown Kent rewards a few hours of wandering: independent bookshops, record stores, and a good Saturday farmers' market. A paved trail along the Cuyahoga River gives you an easy way to stretch your legs. Kent is a half-day destination for most visitors, or a good base if you're spending time in the Cuyahoga Valley.