7 Unique Things to Do in Youngstown, OH

Youngstown, Ohio, is one of the ten largest cities in Ohio. It sits in the Midwestern rust belt, has a long and interesting history, and offers various activities and attractions. No matter what time of year you visit Youngstown, there is always something interesting to do, but spring is one of the best times of year in this area. The weather is warming up after the long winter, so you can take advantage of the many outdoor activities. Take a look at some unique things to do in Youngstown.

Visit Mill Creek Park

Mill Creek Park sits along the southern border of Youngstown. It is the largest metropolitan-owned park within the city limits in America, covering over 4,400 acres and offering a wide variety of outdoor activities for all ages. You can head to this park whether you want to walk, run, bike, fish, play tennis, or go sledding or cross-country skiing. 

The park has a 20-mile driving path with beautiful views along the way. It is also home to Riverside Gardens, where you can grab plants and flowers for your own spring planting. 

Plan a day at Mill Creek Park and have a picnic by the Lilly Pond, go for a walk along the river, and explore some of the nature trails.

Visit the Butler Institute of American Art

Visit the Butler Institute of American Art. This unique museum was the first of its kind in the country and is entirely dedicated to American art. The museum itself is a historical landmark, and inside, there are over 20,000 pieces to see, along with several collections and exhibits. One section of the museum even focuses on new media and electronic art, which is always worth checking out.

There is no admission fee to enter the museum, but they accept donations. You’ll find the Butler Institute on Wick Ave in Youngstown.

Check Out the Ward Beecher Planetarium

Located on the Youngstown State University Campus, the Ward Beecher Planetarium is the place to go for all things astronomy and stars. Philanthropist Ward Beecher first opened the planetarium in 1967, and at his request, admission and programs are all free to the public.  

If you attend one of the night shows, you can see the current night sky and learn more about it with the narration’s help. The museum keeps the programs and technology updated, and changes them regularly, so you can learn something new every time you go.

Explore OH WOW! The Roger and Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science and Technology

OH WOW! The Roger and Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science and Technology opened in 2011. This unique center allows children to explore STEM-based programs in a hands-on and interactive environment. Most exhibits focus on kids from newborns to 14-year-olds, and they are all fun and educational at the same time. 

Some of the exhibits they can explore include:

• Drive to Excel WOW! Zone. This exhibit explores adaptive equipment and technology and features an interactive video called Silly Faces.
• Avionics WOW! Zone. This exhibit has an Airplane Shooter. Visitors make their own paper airplanes and launch them at targets.
• Brain Power WOW! Zone. This exhibit has kids learn about money and budgets and even withdraw cash from an ATM.
• Engineering WOW! Zone. This exhibit has the kids working as a team to solve a problem. There’s a magnet wall and a Lego table, and they can build a Gear Train.

See A Show At the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater

This outdoor amphitheater sits in Wean Park. It has a 4,800 seating capacity and hosts a variety of concerts and outdoor community events. For the 2022 season, the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater will host Brothers Osborne – We’re Not For Everyone Tour and the Youngstown Mega Music Festival featuring Cameo, The Dazz Band, and One Way. 

This summer, you can also head to the amphitheater for the Juneteenth Celebration, the Youngstown Summer Movie series, and the Vindys.

Visit White House Fruit Farm

It’s always a good time to visit White House Fruit Farm, with activities and events all year round for the whole family. Stop by to shop at the market and then relax outside at the picnic tables while you have lunch or a snack. There’s a playhouse for the kids,  a pond,  and a fountain. There’s also a beautiful field of sunflowers with picture-perfect spots just a short walk away. 

The market features homegrown produce, deli-sliced lunch meats and cheeses, fudge, specialty foods, and their own apple cider. The market is also where you’ll find White House Farm’s famous donuts. They make them fresh daily in a variety of flavors. Some of the local favorites include the blueberry iced donut, the apple cinnamon, and the chocolate iced. They have seasonal offerings too. In the spring, you might find carrot cake and lemon donuts, and in the summer, you might find cotton candy and raspberry. 

Fall is another great time to visit this farm. They have everything apples and pumpkins along with horse-drawn wagon rides, a children’s petting zoo, a gift barn, a children’s play area, and of course, their famous donuts. 

Take in a Mahoning Valley Scrappers Game

Image via Flickr by Roadgeek Adam

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are the minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. There’s no better way for a family to enjoy an affordable day of baseball fun than at a minor league park. Every seat has a great view of the game and the players; there are often fireworks on the weekends after the game and lots of special events. 

The stadium’s “Buck Nights” make going to a game even better. General admission on these nights is just a dollar, and you can also get hot dogs, soft drinks, and beer for just a buck. 

You’ll need reliable transportation to get you to all of these Youngstown activities, so make sure to stop by Cochran Chevrolet to find your next ride. Let our #1 Cochran team hep get you in the car of your dreams. You can also let us know if we’ve missed one of your favorite unique things to do in the area so that we can check it out. If we love it as much as you do, we might even add it to our list.