Living in the Youngstown, Ohio, region comes with plenty of perks, including beautiful parks, historic landmarks, and year-round food, culture, and arts festivals. With so many fun activities available, it can be overwhelming to decide which attraction best fits you and the interests and needs of your loved ones. Luckily, our team here at Boardman Mitsubishi has put together this guide detailing the top five attractions in and around Youngstown, Ohio. With this list, you can always have family-friendly outing options at your fingertips the next time you're looking for a fun activity.
1. Mill Creek Park
Mill Creek Park - Suspension Bridge by Jack Pearce is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0
The first spot on our list of the top five attractions around Youngstown, Ohio, is none other than Mill Creek Park, a massive park consisting of over 4,000 acres of scenic lakes, ponds, gardens, and historical landmarks. As one of the largest metropolitan parks in the country, Mill Creek attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, consisting of tourists and locals alike. Visitors take advantage of the area's various amenities, including two 18-hole golf courses, the Ford Nature Center, and the Melnick Observation Tower.
One of the most popular attractions within Mill Creek Park is the Fellows Riverside Garden, a 12-acre garden with various flowers, including a rose garden and a gazebo and pavilion for the perfect photo op. Within the Garden is the D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center, where you can ponder through a library detailing local horticulture and visit a museum detailing the history of the park and its facilities. This is also where you can shop for fun souvenirs and grab a bite to eat at the Garden Cafe.
Location: 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, OH.
2. OH WOW! Children's Center For Science & Technology
The next spot on our list of the top attractions in the Youngstown area is the OH WOW! Roger & Gloria Jones Children's Center for Science and Technology. OH WOW! is a one-of-a-kind educational and fun experience for kids of all ages. With nearly 18,000 square feet in total, this massive facility is full of galleries and exhibits your children are sure to love while also learning valuable science and technology-related concepts. Guests can also host events at the facility, making the perfect backdrop for birthday parties, corporate events, and fundraisers.
OH WOW! consists of eleven unique galleries, known as WOW! Zones. Each focuses on different scientific and technological concepts that align with Ohio and Pennsylvania academic standards. Examples of WOW! Zones include the Avionics gallery, where visitors make their own paper airplanes and launch them at various targets, along with the Early Childhood gallery featuring Kids in the Kitchen, where little ones can learn about farm-to-table sustainability practices.
Location: 15 Central Square, Youngstown, OH.
3. Ward Beecher Planetarium
Another must-see attraction you can visit right here in Youngstown is the Ward Beecher Planetarium located on the Youngstown State University campus. For over 50 years, the Ward Beecher Planetarium has served as a pillar for astronomy education in the Mahoning Valley, providing the perfect setting for family outings, school field trips, and YSU astronomy classes. As an institution dedicated to public education, the Planetarium is completely free to visitors, making this both an affordable and educational attraction the whole family can enjoy.
Public shows at the Ward Beecher Planetarium typically take place between September and May, with summer programs for children available every summer through the end of July. While shows at the Planetarium are suitable for people of all ages, it's important to note that the showroom does get quite dark, which may be an issue for younger children. If you're interested in bringing the whole family along, consider taking advantage of one of the afternoon family matinees every Saturday at 2 p.m.
Location: One University Plaza, Youngstown, OH.
4. White House Fruit Farm
The White House Fruit Farm is another iconic attraction you and your loved ones can enjoy this summer and fall near the Youngstown area in Canfield, Ohio. Since 1924, this 200-acre landscape has served as a landmark for fruit farming in northeast Ohio, with over 75 acres of fruit and vegetables growing year-round. Visitors can pick strawberries, blueberries, and sunflowers, while the rest of the farm's crops are available for purchase at the market, including apples, peaches, nectarines, rhubarb, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and cucumbers.
Perhaps just as famous as their fresh fruit fields is the farm market, where thousands of visitors sample and purchase a wide range of food items, including apples, cheeses, donuts, fudge, sauces, bread, pies, and their beloved apple cider. The Budgie Barn Experience is perfect for people of all ages, where you can hand-feet multiple parakeet birds. The Sunflower Experience allows you to stroll through rows of gorgeous sunflowers and hand-pick a bouquet to take home.
Location: 9249 State Route 62, Canfield, OH.
5. Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Woods Festival
One of the most iconic festivals taking place every year in the Youngstown area is the Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Woods Festival, which is one of the region's most popular and beloved craft shows. Each October, craftspeople and artisans from near and far travel to the Shaker Woods to demonstrate their crafts and sell various items to the public. Some of the most popular artisan booths include candle makers, woodworkers, doll makers, and leatherworkers, all of which make hand-crafted items available for purchase.
The Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Woods Festival also offers a selection of delicious treats to enjoy reminiscent of the past, including freshly-made donuts, cobbler, hand-cut french fries, and homemade bean soup. Some of the most popular items available at the Festival are Christmas decorations, including ornaments, wreaths, and other holiday crafts. Children under 12 enter for free, and adults can enjoy the festival for just $10 per day.
Location: 44337 County Line Road, Columbiana, OH.
So, there you have it. That's our list of the top five attractions you and your family and friends can enjoy right here in Youngstown, Ohio. We hope this list is helpful the next time you're searching for a fun outing people of all ages can enjoy. Did we leave out one of your all-time favorite Youngstown attractions everyone should know about? Are you interested in buying or leasing a new Mitsubishi vehicle? Contact us today at Boardman Mitsubishi, and a member of our team will be more than happy to assist you.