Once known as a center for American steel production, Youngstown is transforming itself from it’s Rust Belt origins into a welcoming community on the Mahoning River. With nationally recognized festivals and fairs, historic landmarks, outdoor activities, arts, and entertainment, you’ll be delighted with the number of fun things to do in Youngstown Ohio.

Here are just a few of the top attractions Youngstown has to offer you and your family.

Things to do in Youngstown Ohio

Canfield Fair

Since its humble beginnings in 1846, The Canfield Fair has grown to become the largest county fair in Ohio and one of the largest in America. Now boasting to be “The Best Six Days of Summer” with “353 Acres of Fun,” each year the fairground welcomes nearly 300,000 visitors with the August Fair alone and thousands more with special events throughout the year.

The huge fair event is held the last week of August and has all your county fair favorites including tractors, fair food, exhibits, rides, and animals, but you’ll also find large concert schedule and a full calendar of special events on their website.

Canfield Fair
7265 Columbiana-Canfield Rd., PO Box 250, Canfield, OH 44406
(330)533-4107
Website

Mill Creek Park

Mill Creek Park covers 2,658 acres of land and is the oldest park district in Ohio. This large, beautiful park includes several lakes, ponds, gardens, and recreation areas in addition to two education centers, a historic mill, and a golf course.

At the northern end of the park, you’ll find several of the park’s visitor favorites including Fellows Riverside Gardens and Lanterman’s Mill. Fellows Riverside Gardens is a free, public gardens are full of color and activity. Each year the gardens welcome more than 400,000 visitors and offer tours, gardening courses, and special events held in the garden’s D.D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitors Center.

Beautiful through all four seasons, Lanterman’s Mill is one of the area’s most historic landmarks. Here you’ll find scenic plunge falls, a 96-foot covered bridge, an operating waterwheel, artisan stone-ground flours, and several walking trails to enjoy.

You’ll want to visit the metroparks website for the details on these and all of the park’s events and activities including art classes, fitness, boating, fishing, biking, golf, tennis, sledding and more. {Website}

Fellows Riverside Gardens
123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, OH 44509
(330)740-7116
Website

Lanterman’s Mill
1001 Canfield Rd. (SR 62), Youngstown, OH 44511
(330)740-7115
Website

OH WOW! Children’s Center of Science & Technology

From water works to light and sound, to avionics and more, this educational science center is sure to wow kids from 0-14 with plenty of hands-on activities. The museum currently offers eleven WOW! Zone galleries for kids to explore and experience while they put the Scientific Process of Inquiry into action.

Whether you are looking for an afternoon of educational family fun, an exciting field-trip location, or a unique place for a birthday party, you’ll want to visit their website. You can find details on party packages, field trip, and lesson plan resources, and special events happening each day.

OH WOW! Children’s Center of Science & Technology
11 W. Federal St, Youngstown, OH 44503
(330)744-5914
Website

Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Eastwood Field is home of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and the location for affordable family fun and a good ball-game! As the minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, you’ll find great seats, fireworks and special events, stadium food, and talented, friendly players.

Known as “Baseball at the Mall,” the stadium’s frequent “Buck Nights” where fans can buy $1 general admission tickets, hot dogs, soft drinks and beer. If you have a baseball enthusiast in your family, be sure to check the “Tickets Packages & Group Outings” section of their website for details on unique and special experiences available to fans.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers
111 Eastwood Mall Blvd., Niles, OH 44446
(330)505-0000
Website

White House Fruit Farm

Owned and operated by the Hall family since 1815, White House Fruit Farm is open year-round and offers a huge variety of local grown seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as other tasty foods, treats, and family fun. Stop into their farm market for homegrown apples and cider, homemade buttercream fudge, or one of their famous blueberry donuts or other bakery items. The market also includes a coffee bar with specialty coffee and teas.

Call or visit their website for the full events list that includes learning opportunities, baby animals, live music, fruit festivals, and events for every season. To see the farm in action, pre-planned group tours are available for schools and bus tour groups for a small per person fee. Pick-up one of their beautiful fresh fruit gift baskets while you’re there!

White House Fruit Farm
9249 State Rt 62, Canfield, OH 44406
(330)533-4161
Website

Old-Fashioned Christmas In The Woods

Drawing thousands of visitors each year, the Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Woods Festival is an event worth traveling for. With beautiful fall colors in a scenic wooded setting, the October festival includes more than 200 vendors and exhibitors demonstrating and selling their works, live entertainment, and delicious food options.

In addition to a long list of live entertainment, your family can experience the work of potters, iron and stone workers, candlemakers, leatherworkers, woodworkers, and doll makers in action. Handmade and unique gift items area available for purchase.

Visit their website for the festival dates, program, entertainment schedule, lodging options, directions and more. Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Woods was recognized as one of the nation’s “Top 100 Best Classic & Contemporary Craft Shows” in the September 2018 issue of Sunshine Artist, America’s Premier Arts and Craft Show Magazine.

Old-Fashioned Christmas In The Woods
44337 County Line Rd, Columbiana, OH 44408
(724)774-6341
Website

Youngstown Phantoms Hockey

This exciting top-tier junior hockey league brings you talented hockey players and a great game night, claiming “It’s more than a ticket, it’s an experience!” Playing from October through April, you can enjoy the excitement of the game, celebrate with Sparky their phantom mascot, nominate your favorite local servicemen and women to be their “Hero of the Game” and even take a tour of the locker room with advance reservation.

Single ticket prices are affordable, but be sure to explore their website for group packages, discounts, Kids Crew information and special packages, promotional schedule, and their many in-game experience offers.

Youngstown Phantoms Hockey
229 E. Front St., Youngstown, OH 44503
(330)747-7825
Website

Shaker Woods Festival

Celebrating more than 36 years of crafters (dressed in Shaker period clothing), live entertainment, and great country cooking, the Shaker Woods Festival is full of family-friendly activity, tasty foods, and of course shopping!

Each August, the festival welcomes you to meet more than 200 crafters and artisans who create handmade brooms, pottery, glass, jewelry, florals, furniture, baskets and more. A color-coded map and crafters list can be found on their website as well as a link to their entertainment schedule.

Group ticket pricing is available for 10 or more and kids under 12 are free. Please leave your pets at home, but parking is free. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and enjoy walking through the rustic wooden walking paths on the grounds.

Shaker Woods Festival
217 State Route 7, Columbiana, OH 44408
(330)482-0214
Website

Boardman Park

This beautiful green space provides 243 acres of year-round recreation and is a great place for a picnic and outdoor fun. Available activities include Bocce, sand volleyball, softball, 3 playgrounds (including one for age 6+ and another for age 5 and under), tennis courts, disc golf and 4 miles of nature trails in the middle of a busy shopping area.

Visitors note the beauty of the walking trails, clean bathrooms and share that the park is a nice place for families to take a break, relax and enjoy the outdoors. In addition to recreational activities, the park has an active special events calendar with live music concerts, family-friendly programs, events, and movie nights.   

Boardman Park
375 Boardman-Poland Rd., Boardman, OH 44512
(330)726-8105
Website

Youngstown Playhouse

With a long and diverse show list with past shows like Young Frankenstein, The Music Man, and Fiddler on the Roof, the Youngstown Playhouse has been producing entertaining community productions since 1924. The theatre strives to offer “innovative, unique, and accessible theatrical performances” and is one of the oldest ongoing community theatre programs in the country.

Each year the 450 seat theatre offers between 7-10 quality productions with individual tickets, group discount tickets, and season passes with flexible ticketing options. Although they are not included as part of their season performances, the theatre also brings partner productions with their “Friends of the Playhouse” performances.

Youngstown Playhouse
600 Playhouse Lane, Youngstown, OH 44511
(330)788-8739
Website

Butler Institute of American Art

Located adjacent from Youngstown State University with a historic landmark as it’s frame, Butler Institute of American Art is “America’s Museum.” The museum is considered a hidden gem in Youngstown and draws visitors from around the world.

With more than 20,000 individual works, several collections, exhibitions and an entire wing dedicated to new media and electronic art, visitors are impressed with the large variety of interesting works for guests of all ages. Events at the museum include art history documentaries, classic American films, and live music concerts. Tours are available with advance reservations. Admission and parking are FREE to all guests.

Butler Institute of American Art
524 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44502
(330)743-1107
Website

Ward Beecher Planetarium

This educational planetarium can be found in the Ward Beecher Science Hall on the Youngstown State University campus. Originally opened in 1967 through the generosity of Mr. Ward Beecher (industrialist and philanthropist), the planetarium continues to offer quality science and astronomy programs for the public.

To honor the wishes of Mr. Beecher for science to benefit young people, the planetarium offers programs that are free and open to the public, although donations are appreciated. Many of their shows include a live look at the current night sky and are offered most weekends from September through May with Saturday afternoon shows designed for younger visitors.

You can find visitor information including parking information, program schedule, a teacher’s guide, and corresponding educational show materials on their website.

Ward Beecher Planetarium
One University Plaza, Youngstown, OH 44555
(330)941-1370
Website

Have you visited any of these or other family friendly places in Youngstown Ohio? If so, leave a comment to share your experiences and recommendations. Thanks!