Don’t Miss Out on These Free Things To Do in Youngstown Ohio
There is no shortage of fun things to do in the Mahoning County and Youngstown area and Mahoning County! Check out our list of free things to do in Youngstown that are perfect for friend groups, families, couples or anyone looking for a great time.
Mill Creek MetroParks
The 4400 acres of green space within Mill Creek MetroParks has been a nature lovers’ getaway for Mahoning Valley residents for over 100 years. It’s one of the most beautiful metropolitan parks in northeast Ohio! Just minutes away from Downtown Youngstown, Mill Creek MetroParks is home to over 45 miles of hiking and biking trails, boating and disc golf.
One of the most scenic trails in all of Mill Creek MetroParks is the Gorge Trail, located near the historic Lanterman’s Mill and the Mill Creek waterfall, known as Lanterman’s Falls. This award-winning trail is bordered by sandstone cliffs on one side and Mill Creek on the other side.
Fellows Riverside Gardens
Fellows Riverside Gardens is located at the north end of Mill Creek MetroParks. This 12-acre public garden attracts over 400,000 visitors a year and features an amazingly diverse selection of flowers and plant life. There are also special displays during all four seasons, so it’s a perfect destination at any time of the year.
Inside the D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center, visitors to Fellows Riverside Gardens can enjoy a meal at the Garden Cafe by Kravitz, browse the horticultural library or visit the gift shop.
123 McKinley Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44509
MetroParks Bikeway
The MetroParks Bikeway is an 11-mile paved biking trail that runs from Canfield to Austintown. The trail lets bikers, hikers and skaters enjoy nature while also getting great exercise. It has a gentle elevation increase of 180 feet, so you don’t have to be a professional biker to enjoy great family fun on the Bikeway!
Ford Nature Center
The newly-renovated Ford Nature Center at Mill Creek MetroParks features interactive nature exhibits, a bird observation room and panoramic meadow views. For those needing more accessibility, the Virginia J. Axtmann Trail for All People is a 0.1-mile paved trail for people of all abilities to explore the scenic wooded area.
840 Old Furnace Road
Youngstown, OH 44511
The Walnut Grove – Hine Memorial Fund Accessible Playground
In 2013, a group of residents and business leaders got together with the idea of creating the area’s first all-inclusive playground for children of all ages and abilities. With accessibility in mind, they formed The Walnut Grove – Field of Opportunity nonprofit organization to raise funds and begin construction on the one-acre Hine Memorial Fund Accessible Playground in Canfield.
It really is a sight to behold! Spend the afternoon with your little ones, enjoying the sunshine and play areas. The playground includes an inclusive play area, nature trails and 20 acres of natural wetland (plus a bridge that connects to the Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway).
8800 Columbiana-Canfield Rd.
Canfield, OH 44406
Boardman Park
Mill Creek isn’t the only beautiful park in the area! Boardman Park is 243 acres of recreational parkland right in the heart of Boardman. It boasts paved biking trails as well as pedestrian-only trails surrounded by natural habitat. Free amenities also include tennis courts, a disc golf course, sand volleyball courts and two playgrounds!
375 Boardman-Poland Rd.
Boardman, OH 44512
Community Events
Boardman Park holds free community events throughout the year. Experience free live music and fireworks in the summer, pumpkin carving and Halloween celebrations in the fall, wellness classes in the spring, free holiday lights in the winter and more!
Keep an eye on their calendar to be the first to know about free community events.
Wean Park and the Robinson-Shuba Statue
Located just outside of Downtown Youngstown in Wean Park, the newly installed Robinson-Shuba statue commemorates the historic 1946 handshake between Jackie Robinson, the first professional baseball player to break the color barrier, and his teammate, Youngstown native George Shuba.
Wean Park is also a great place for a summertime picnic or meet-up with friends. In warm weather months, Wean Park is known for its free Summer Movie Series. After all, what’s better than taking in a family-friendly movie under the stars?
201 S. Phelps St.
Youngstown, OH 44503
The Ward Beecher Planetarium
Youngstown State University’s Ward Beecher Planetarium is a star-studded extravaganza — with free admission! From September to May, the planetarium hosts regular shows that are open to the public, featuring a wide range of fascinating themes perfect for visitors of all ages. Highlights include special holiday-themed shows in December and fun, kid-friendly presentations inspired by the world of Harry Potter. Be sure to check The Ward Beecher Planetarium website for the full schedule of events!
100 Lincoln Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44555
Clarence R. Smith Mineral Museum
You can have a great time finding out about the workings of our Earth at the Clarence R. Smith Mineral Museum, a local hidden gem located on the first floor of Moser Hall on the Youngstown State University Campus. See minerals from all over the globe while you learn about how they are formed and how they can be used in various industries, from construction to jewelry making. Don’t miss the dazzling display of fluorescent minerals, too!
Located in Moser Hall, First Floor
134 Lincoln Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44555
The Butler Institute of American Art
Youngstown’s very own world-renowned art museum was the first museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to American art. The Butler’s art galleries have works by notable artists like Winslow Homer, Norman Rockwell, Edward Hopper, Mary Cassatt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, Andrew Wyeth and Albert Bierstadt. There are also examples of Native American art and an entire wing, The Beecher Center, dedicated to art and technology. While the museum offers free admission, donations are always accepted and appreciated!
524 Wick Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44502
Enjoy the Free Fun Around Youngstown!
Our parks, museums and historic sites offer an abundance of free things to do in Youngstown, Ohio for everyone to enjoy. The stops listed above are great ways to spend time in between other activities like seeing stunning performing arts at Stambaugh Auditorium or The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, getting ice cream at the original Handel’s, trying the famous blueberry donuts at White House Fruit Farm, cheering teams on at various sporting events, visiting local breweries or dining at our many amazing restaurants!
Learn more about all Mahoning Valley favorites at ExploreMahoning.com before you visit Youngstown and the greater Mahoning County — and don’t miss out on any event by keeping tabs on our calendar.
