Becoming a teenager is a pivotal moment for most, bringing an exciting new outlook on life as you enter a different social world. But more importantly, being a teenager means having more freedom. Whether it’s perhaps spending time alone, with a few friends or a large group of people, there are many hangout spots that teenagers often populate. Although some are more popular than others, there are many teen hot spots that are known and loved.

    Beginning in North Canton, there are many fun activities and restaurants to enjoy. The North Canton Skate Center is packed full on weekend nights, especially with young teenagers. Without having a license, many kids hang out there, skating, playing arcade games, and socializing. In addition, Belden Village is extremely busy on the weekends. The Tinseltown movie theater is a popular date spot for teens of all ages. Not only do teenagers go to Belden Village to shop at the mall and surrounding stores like Target, you can also find them hanging around Raising Cane’s Chicken. 

    Natalie Brandenburg, a GHS senior who works at Cane’s said “the weekends are definitely the busiest. Teenagers “come all day” to Cane’s, especially later at night.  

    For those with driver’s licenses, Swensons Drive In is a fan favorite. The closest locations to Green are the Jackson Township location and the North Canton location. Swensons is busy year round; however, being open until 1:00/1:30 makes the weekends Swensons’ busiest days during the school year. After football and basketball games, students flock to these Swensons to grab a bite, but also to socialize. Swensons has a huge social aspect, bringing teenagers from different schools in contact with each other. 

    “My favorite thing to do after games is go to Swensons with my friends because it’s a great spot and a great time,” said Ben Pine.

    Although it may seem like some popular teen hangouts veer away from Green, some, in fact, lie within city limits. Green is home to many great city parks, for example Boettler Park, Southgate Park and East Liberty Park. Boettler and Southgate cater to teenagers that love peace and relaxation. Many students come to these parks to walk the trails, enjoy nature or hammock from the trees. Another place teenagers love to go to enjoy nature is the Nimisila Reservoir. These places are great to go to, whether to be alone, do homework, read a book, listen to music and more. To add, these parks also cater to the athletic teenagers. Boettler Park included tennis/pickleball courts, as well as basketball courts. However, the basketball courts at East Liberty Park are far more popular. Teens of all ages meet at these courts to play pick up games, exercise and meet new people who share a similar interest in basketball. 

    When it comes to food, Green has a variety of sit down restaurants, ice cream places, and fast food restaurants that teenagers gravitate towards. El Fogon is a popular restaurant that appeals to teenagers due to their low priced menu. For dessert, Handel’s Homemade Ice cream has it covered. With most of the employees being high schoolers, the demographic of customers tends to be a majority of teenagers. Whether visiting a friend who works there, grabbing ice cream after a night out or tagging along with others for the social aspect, Handel’s proves to be the most popular ice cream place for teens. If you’re looking to grab snacks late at night, Sheetz is the place to go. With endless options, you’ll often find large groups of teenagers inside ordering food and drinks. 

    “Sheetz has been my favorite place to go with my friends all throughout high school,” Maddy Elsass said, because “you never know who will be there.”