20 Things To Do In Youngstown

Youngstown is in northeast Ohio on the Ohio-Pennsylvania state border. The city rose to prominence in Ohio during the 20th century as a steel producer, but Youngstown had to reinvent itself once more as the industry started to decline. Today, the city is a beacon for arts and culture in the Mahoning Valley and beyond, with art museums and live music venues found all over the sizeable city.

Youngstown hosts the largest county fair in Ohio every year and is a city with a little bit of everything to offer. Situated an hour’s drive from Pittsburgh and Cleveland, the city is incredibly easy to reach, and you’ll find enough interesting things to do in Youngstown to keep you busy.

Youngstown, Ohio

20 Things To Do In Youngstown

1- Travel Along the Metroparks Bikeway

Opened in 2001, the 11-mile (18 km) Metroparks Bikeway runs from Austintown Township to Canfield Township, cutting past Youngstown’s western edge.

The bikeway is easy to use and features a maximum elevation difference of 180 feet (55 m).

Introduced with the sole purpose of getting locals out of their vehicles and back into nature, the Metroparks Bikeway runs through some of the state’s most picturesque landscapes and features restrooms, picnic areas and water fountains along the route.

Accessible to all ages and a fabulous way to enjoy Youngstown’s surrounding nature, the Metroparks Bikeway is a free attraction for nature lovers.

Download the Youngstown Scavenger Hunt: Roaming The Rust Belt to explore further.

2- Explore the Campus of Youngstown State University

Youngstown State University is a mid-sized public university with a student body of just over 10,000.

Founded in 1908, the university features one of the most picturesque campuses in the state and is an absolute delight to tour whilst travelling through the area.

The university has teams in several sports, such as football, basketball, athletics, and more, which visitors can enjoy by attending a game or track meet.

The university is also home to several world-class cultural and educative centres that are must-visit venues, such as the Ward Beecher Planetarium, a free-to-visit astronomy centre hailed as one of the best in the state.

Youngstown State University is at 1 University Plaza, Youngstown, OH 44555.

3- Let Your Hair Down at the Canfield Fair

Canfield Fair is Ohio’s largest county fair, covering over 350 acres (142 ha).

The fair plays host to all sorts of exhibits, livestock events, amusement rides, food stalls, arts and crafts, and live music performances by some of the best musicians in America.

It was established in 1846 and has since grown into one of Ohio’s biggest annual events, drawing crowds from across Ohio and beyond to partake in activities such as fun runs, fireworks displays and tractor pulling.

If you find yourself in Youngstown during early September, be sure to attend Youngstown’s biggest event.

Canfield Fair is at 7265 Columbiana-Canfield Rd, Canfield, OH 44406.

4- Explore the Wick Recreation Area

Officially opened to the public in 1956, the 65-acre (26 ha) Wick Recreational Area is one of Youngstown’s most-visited outdoor venues.

The park features attractions and amenities that the whole family can partake in, including tennis courts, a seasonal par 3 golf course, batting cages, picnic areas, football fields, baseball diamonds, cross-country skiing during winter and two pavilions.

The Wick Recreational Area hosts live performances throughout the year at Judge Morley Performing Arts Pavilion and offer private functions and events at the Thomas J. Bresko Pavilion.

The Wick Recreational Area is famed for its multi-purpose, year-round attractions and events, making it one of northeast Ohio’s best public parks.

Wick Recreational Area is at 1861 McCollum Rd, Youngstown, OH 44509.

5- Discover Youngstown’s History at Lanterman’s Mill

Built by German Lanterman and Samuel Kimberly between 1845 and 1846, Lanterman’s Mill is one of the most historic landmarks in Mahoning County and represents Youngstown’s founding and early success.

Situated along Mill Creek, the mill was used to grind wheat, buckwheat and corn into flour and meal to be shipped along the Erie Canal.

Perched on the land that once belonged to John Young, the founder of Youngstown, Lanterman’s Mill is still in operation today and forms part of the Mill Creek Metropark.

Lanterman’s Mill is at 1001 Canfield Rd, Youngstown, OH 44511.

6- Tour the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial

Niles, Ohio, is the birthplace of the 25th President of the United States, William McKinley and the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial pays homage to one of Ohio’s most prominent sons.

Built in 1915, the marble memorial features two wings, one housing the McKinley Memorial Library and the other housing the McKinley Museum.

The memorial features a range of artefacts and exhibits from McKinley’s life before and during his presidency, making it an excellent day-trip destination from nearby Youngstown.

National McKinley Birthplace Memorial is at 40 S Main St, Niles, OH 44446.

7- Observe the Stars at the Ward Beecher Planetarium

On the Youngstown State University campus, the Ward Beecher Planetarium is the centre for astronomy throughout the Mahoning Valley.

A popular destination for nearby schools and an immersive educational venue for the public, the Ward Beecher Planetarium is entirely free to visit.

Opened in 1967, the planetarium features a 40-foot tall (12 m) domed ceiling capable of projecting solar systems and galaxies with immense detail.

The venue can seat up to 145 people and is a wonderful Youngstown attraction to visit when travelling alone or with family.

Ward Beecher Planetarium is at 100 Lincoln Ave, Youngstown, OH 44555.

8- See a Show at the Stambaugh Auditorium

Opened in 1926, the public, non-profit Stambaugh Auditorium is Youngstown’s premier performance space and features a 2,553-seat Concert Hall, an 8,800 square-foot (818 m2) ballroom, a recital hall and a formal garden.

This state-of-the-art venue hosts talented entertainers from around the world, private functions, business events, and more.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, the Stambaugh Auditorium is an unmissable Youngstown landmark and the epicentre of the region’s culture and entertainment scenes.

Stambaugh Auditorium is at 1000 5th Ave, Youngstown, OH 44504.

9- Buy Fresh Produce at the White House Fruit Farm

The White House Fruit Farm was established in 1924 after Jerome Hull, the Mahoning County Superintendent of Schools at the time, purchased 200 acres (81 ha) of farmland from his uncle to grow apples and peaches.

Hull’s son David took over the farm in 1978 and turned it into a year-round farmers market rated as one of the best in Ohio.

Today the White House Fruit Farm is popular across Ohio and still owned by the Hulls, selling fresh produce, homemade goods, baked delights and sweet treats to visitors.

White House Fruit Farm is at 9249 Youngstown – Salem Rd, Canfield, OH 44406.

10- Learn and Explore at the OH WOW! 

Opened in 2011, OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, or OH WOW!

It is an interactive educational centre promoting STEM (interactive exhibits) in the northeast Ohio region.

OH WOW! features eleven galleries and more than 60 interactive exhibits catering to children aged 0 to 14, including a sensitive sensory room, an exhibit focusing on mental health, and all sorts of science, math and engineering-oriented displays.

If you’re travelling with children, the OH WOW! centre is an unmissable landmark that guarantees a day filled with exploring and learning in a fun and interactive setting.

OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology is at 15 Central Square, Youngstown, OH 44503.

11- Visit Mill Creek Park

Mill Creek Park was formed in 1891 and is the largest park in the Metroparks system, with a total area of over 2,658 acres (1,076 ha).

The park is home to attractions and activities such as wintertime skiing, tennis, hiking, biking, golfing, fishing, boating and volleyball.

The Lanterman’s Mill, situated inside the park, is one of the region’s most historically significant sites.

With so much to see and do inside one of Ohio’s most picturesque public parks, Mill Creek Park is bound to enthral all who enter with stunning beauty and a laundry list of attractions and sights to behold.

12- Stroll Through Boardman Park

Boardman Park is a lush 227-acre (92 ha) urban park located in the heart of Boardman Township, just minutes from Downtown Youngstown.

Opened to the public in 1947, the park attracts over 500,000 annual visitors with its many attractions and stunning beauty.

There are many activities at Boardman Park, including tennis, pickleball, golf, volleyball, disc golf, and ice skating during the winter months.

The park also organises live entertainment every Thursday night during the summer at Boardman Park’s sizeable amphitheatre.

Boardman Park is at 375 Boardman Poland Rd, Boardman, OH 44512.

13- Enjoy Live Music at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre

Nicknamed “The Amp”, the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre is a relatively new addition to Youngstown’s already impressive entertainment scene.

Opened in 2019, the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre has a total capacity of roughly 4,800 and is within Downtown Youngstown’s Wean Park.

The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre is as scenic as it is lively during performances, with verdant trees and rolling lawns surrounding it.

This open-air venue has played host to many big names in music and is one of Youngstown’s go-to places for world-class live music, making it a great place to stop by when in the area.

Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre is at 201 S Phelps St, Youngstown, OH 44503.

14- Catch a Live Event at the Covelli Center

Youngstown’s self-proclaimed sports and entertainment hub, the Covelli Center in Downtown Youngstown, is the official home of the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms and is where the biggest names in entertainment perform when in the area.

Opened in 2005, the venue has hosted famous musicians such as Elton John, Tim McGraw and Carrie Underwood and events such as local basketball championships and world-renowned plays.

Capable of accommodating up to 7,000 people, the Covelli Center is a great place to stop by whenever a big-time performer or event comes rolling through Youngstown.

Covelli Center is at 229 E Front St, Youngstown, OH 44503.

15- Tour the Butler Institute of American Art

The Butler Institute of American Art became the first museum in the United States solely dedicated to American art when it opened in 1919 and has evolved to become one of the leading art museums in the country.

Home to an impressive collection spanning more than 20,000 individual works of art, the Italian Renaissance-style facility is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.

Not only does the Butler Institute of American Art focus tremendously on conventional American art, but the facility also became the first museum in the US to focus on electronic art and new media, making it well worth a visit.

Butler Institute of American Art is at 524 Wick Ave, Youngstown, OH 44502.

16- Stroll Down Phelps Street Gateway

Phelps Street Gateway is Youngstown’s dining, shopping and nightlife capital, featuring some of the city’s best bars and restaurants along a pedestrian-only street.

It’s within walking distance from downtown’s top attractions, such as Wean Park and the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, making it a great destination to visit at night after exploring other landmarks.

If you’re looking for the perfect dining experience to satisfy your tastebuds or a lively bar to enjoy a drink, chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for at the Phelps Street Gateway.

Phelps Street Gateway is at 1-99 N Phelps St, Youngstown, OH 44503.

17- Relax In Wean Park

The Raymond John Wean Foundation Park, or just Wean Park for short, is Downtown Youngstown’s premier urban park.

The park is home to many of Youngstown’s most famous landmarks and attractions, including the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre and the famous YOUNGSTOWN sign.

It’s the heartbeat of Youngstown and its residents and serves as a gathering spot for families and friends looking to enjoy a picnic, a stroll, or live entertainment outdoors.

Stopping by Wean Park is highly recommended to all who visit Youngstown, especially when a festival or concert is underway.

Wean Park is at 229 E. Front St, Youngstown, OH 44503.

18- See A Play At Youngstown Playhouse

The Youngstown Playhouse has been one of northeast Ohio’s top concert halls and community theatres since the venue was established in 1924.

For almost a century, the Youngstown Playhouse has been delighting audiences with musicals and locally-produced plays, making it one of the oldest operating community theatres in the United States.

Not only is the venue a launching pad for future stars of Hollywood and Broadway, but the venue plays a vital role in promoting arts and theatre in Youngstown.

The Youngstown Playhouse is a wonderful venue with affordable live entertainment and great local artists.

Youngstown Playhouse is at 600 Playhouse Ln, Youngstown, OH 44511.

19- Tour Youngstown Museum 

Nicknamed the “Steel Museum”, the Youngstown Museum of Industry and Labor recounts the highs and lows of early Youngstown’s biggest economic driver, the steel industry.

Youngstown State University operates the Ohio History Connection-owned museum.

The museum celebrates the lives of everyone who helped to turn Ohio into the titan of industry it’s so well known for.

The museum was designed by architect Michael Graves and features all sorts of exhibits, artefacts and items to help tell the story of the state’s rise to prominence.

Resembling a 20th-century steel mill, the museum serves as an archive and repository library for the entire Mahoning Valley and is one of the city’s most significant cultural sites.

Youngstown Museum of Industry and Labor is at 151 W Wood St, Youngstown, OH 44503.

20- Reflect at the 9/11 Memorial Park

The 9/11 Memorial Park in Youngstown honours and remembers the lives lost during the tragic events which unfolded on September 11, 2001.

The park features pathways linking together beams from the World Trade Center, stones from the Pentagon, and dirt from the crash site of Flight 93.

9/11 Memorial Park is free to visit and provides visitors with a glimpse into the tragic events of that fateful day and a space to reflect and forget about the outside world for a second.

9/11 Memorial Park is at 1055 S. Raccoon Rd, Austintown, OH 44515.