If you’re looking for an Ohio weekend getaway, whether for a friends getaway, romantic weekend or simply a change of scenery, Youngstown has something for everyone.
As avid outdoor explorers with well-loved hiking boots and golf clubs that don’t get used often enough, we found Youngstown to be a perfect playground for an adventure in northeast Ohio. In fact, Youngstown’s several lakes and waterways, miles of hiking trails, vast green spaces and challenging golf courses meant there were activities galore that we enjoyed on our three-day weekend getaway.
We started our first morning reconnecting with nature. After all, it’s a great way to decompress and connect with each other, too, especially if your getaway is serving double duty as a romantic weekend!
We started our day hiking the award-winning Gorge Trail in Mill Creek MetroParks. This unpaved trail is a breathtakingly beautiful two-mile loop along Mill Creek. The trail consists of a boardwalk bordered on one side by the stream and on the other side by a massive wall of sandstone. Features include Umbrella Rock and views of the Cinderella Bridge and Lanterman’s Falls. If you’re looking for a smoother, more leisurely walk, there are also paved hiking trails throughout the park. (We recommend the beautiful quarter-mile loop around the Lily Pond, where ducks swim around the floating boardwalk and turtles sun themselves on logs.) You can also find a bouldering area behind the Bears Den cabin. A complete trail guide and map can be downloaded here.
The Gorge Trail Loop starts and ends at the parking lot for Lanterman’s Mill, a historic site near the Covered Bridge. You definitely want to plan a stop here to see history in motion — literally! This operational grist mill gave us a glimpse into the innovation of the 1840s. We got to watch how corn and wheat were ground down using hydropower and stone and even bought a bag of the gift shop’s stone-ground flour to create some tasty treats at home.
After, we headed to Lake Newport, the largest of Mill Creek Park’s lakes, to rent kayaks from the boathouse and give our legs a break. Then, we popped over to Lake Glacier to learn more about the area’s nature and history with a naturalist-led passenger boat tour. Several people rented pedal boats and were taking leisurely floats around the lake.
Bears Den Bouldering Area
Cinderella Bridge
Lanterman’s Mill
At the north end of the park and “just up the hill” from Lake Glacier is Fellows Riverside Gardens, a real gem. This beautiful botanical garden offers acres of flower displays to walk through, and it was a great place to get inspiration for our (much smaller) gardens at home. In the summer, the roses bloom in a spectacular display. In the spring, you can gaze at over 40,000 bloomed bulbs. If you don’t mind the colder air, visiting in the fall gives you a gorgeous, scenic view over Lake Glacier with breathtaking fall colors.
That evening, we walked down Phelps Street in downtown Youngstown to check out the Jackie Robinson-George Shuba “Handshake for the Century” statue. For a little background, in 1946, when Robinson (the first African American Major League Baseball player) hit a home run while playing for the Montreal Royals (minor-league team of the Brooklyn Dodgers), none of his teammates came to the plate to congratulate him. However, Youngstown native George Shuba, who was on deck, did not hesitate to do the right thing and meet Jackie with a congratulatory handshake as he crossed home plate. This simple gesture and significant moment bridged a barrier. A commemorative statue in Wean Park celebrates the 75th anniversary of this silent action against racial injustice. While in the park we grabbed a photo for Instagram at the iconic Youngstown sign just before the sun went down.
As with any weekend getaway, great food is a must!
We spent the rest of night one under twinkling string lights in the Phelps Street Gateway. Transformed from a narrow street into an open and welcoming plaza, this pedestrian-only space was great to explore and grab a bite for dinner.
We opted for classic Italian dishes at Prima Cucina Italiana, but you can also check out the extensive wine collection at V2 Wine Bar Trattoria, eat south of the border from a menu of Mexican favorites at Gringos Tacos & Tequila or enjoy modern American fare at West 34.
Next time, we want to time our visit with one of the outdoor shows or community events at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre. This large (4,800 capacity), unique northeast Ohio concert venue has a picturesque backdrop of the city skyline while you enjoy the show.
With all the moving and shaking we did our first day, we decided to take our second morning a bit more slowly.
We rented a pontoon boat from the marina at Lake Milton and spent the morning gliding peacefully on the lake. Others enjoyed kayaking and canoeing or rented jet skis, which we’ll definitely try next time for a little more speed.
After a nice float, we amped up the pace a bit and pulled out our mountain bikes for the twisty 10.5-mile Lake Milton Mountain Bike Trail. It features tight turns around trees with minimal rocks and roots, so it’s great even for a beginner.
If you schedule your day correctly, you can squeeze in a visit to The Butler Institute of American Art, a historic American art museum. We explored over 300 years of America’s history through sculptures, oil paintings, charcoal drawings and other media; see Jackson Pollock’s abstract expressionism, a painting of Abraham Lincoln by beloved artist Norman Rockwell and even Winslow Homer’s masterpiece, Snap the Whip! Depending on when you plan your weekend getaway, you might even catch the annual National Midyear Show, which features works submitted by artists from all over the United States.
Butler Institute of American Art
Bistro 1907
Mastropietro Winery
With big appetites after the morning’s activities, we headed back to the downtown area, where there were plenty of options for fueling up. We feasted on ribs made with a special barbecue sauce recipe used since 1911 at Charlie Staples Barbecue & Pitt Boss Esports Lounge. On future visits, we want to try the Italian dishes and play bocce at Cassese’s MVR or get scrumptious burgers from The Federal.
For dinner, we had reservations at Aqua Pazzo in Boardman and enjoyed their stunning patio and modern Italian dishes. Next time, we want to try Bistro 1907, an elegantly styled American bistro with a Parisian twist.
We ended our day the same way we started it: relaxing — but this time, with some great wine!
Youngstown has five wineries on the Wines of the Valley Wine Trail, each worth a visit and a great way to “wine” down from a busy day. On the expansive patio at The Vineyards at Pine Lake, we enjoyed delicious wine paired with crème brûlée to finish our evening on a sweet note. Some other highlights of the wine trail include the vineyards at Mastropietro Winery (and their gas fire pits for chillier evenings), the signature wines named with a connection to local history at Halliday’s Winery and the California-style atmosphere at L’uva Bella Winery. If you’re looking for a unique spot, DOPE Cider House & Winery, Ohio’s first black and female-owned cidery, has handcrafted ciders and seltzers along with their wine selections.
If wine isn’t your thing, Youngstown has plenty of local breweries from downtown Youngstown to neighboring towns like Austintown or Lake Milton.
Ranked fourth in the country for top-quality, affordable public golf courses, the Youngstown area was ideal for a day spent hitting the links. We could have planned a long weekend just devoted to golf — and we will in the future!
We opted to start at Mill Creek Golf Course, which offers two 18-hole championship courses, both par 70, designed by Donald Ross. We took on the streams and classic Donald Ross final-hole challenge of the South Course, but you can also play through the trees and natural hazards of the North Course.
When we go back to Youngstown, we want to try out the other courses in the area. Reserve Run Golf Course has great lakes, rolling hills and a covered patio to enjoy lunch and celebrate a low score. You can also play Kennsington Golf Course, where strategically placed bunkers and fairways create a challenging but rewarding 18-hole course. Also perfect for winter visits, Kennsington has new full-swing golf simulators, with over 80 championship courses available to play at the adjacent Waypoint 4180 center. We plan to book one of the Stay-and-Play packages available at four different hotels in the area.
After a successful day on the fairway, we took our winning streak to Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course. We enjoyed the simulcast horse racing from around the country (available year-round), but if you visit between October and April, there’s also live thoroughbred racing. The video lottery terminals cover all denominations from one cent to $25, so we had a blast trying out the different machines and finding our favorites.
When we took a break to eat, we chose SB Restaurant, which was great for relaxing at the end of the day with a drink.
By the end of day three, we were craving something sweet — and Youngstown didn’t disappoint! We’d heard through the grapevine about Handel’s Ice Cream, and after visiting, it’s an absolute must! When it comes to homemade ice cream, Handel’s lives up to its reputation as the BEST ice cream on the planet.
We couldn’t hit all the spots we wanted during our 3-day trip, but a few additional Youngstown attractions are first on the list when we make our way back!
My partner and I visited Youngstown for a weekend away, but we saw how much family fun can be had when the kids tag along, too. For something educational, take the kids to OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology or the Arms Family Museum. OH WOW! has plenty of exhibits and programs to shape – and entertain – young minds while the Arms Family Museum takes visitors back in time through the Mahoning Valley’s past.
Stopping at White House Fruit Farm in Canfield, Ohio, is a Mahoning County MUST, and there are plenty of things for you AND your kids to do. After walking through the farm market to snag their world-famous blueberry donuts, deli meats, fresh produce and homemade jams, be sure to take the kids around the lawn to feed the fish at the pond and play on the turkey house-turned playground. Before you go, you’ll want to head to their website to check out their seasonal festivals and special donuts! Depending on what’s in season, you can even pick your own fruits.
If the weather permits, Boardman Park is a green oasis in the middle of a busy township. Spanning 300 acres, the park has walking trails, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, frisbee golf and even outdoor concerts in the summer.
To connect even more with nature, take the drive to Berlin Center to visit Noah’s Lost Ark, a safe haven for exotic animals. See lions, tigers, cougars, wolves and more up close while learning about them and their natural habitats.
When traveling to Youngstown, be sure to check what’s happening at all the great performing arts venues in the area. I would definitely recommend scheduling your trip around what’s going on across the city to see a great show while you’re exploring!
There’s the Covelli Centre, a premier entertainment venue that hosts all kinds of events, from hockey games and Disney On Ice to big-name concerts and comedy shows; Stambaugh Auditorium, a historical landmark that surrounds live performances with beautiful 1920s architecture; DeYor Performing Arts Center, a dynamic and modern venue for concerts, theater productions and other captivating performances; and The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, which brings in big names for unique outdoor concerts experiences. You can even stop by the Youngstown State University campus for theater performances in Bliss Hall or cheer on the Penguins in football, baseball, basketball and more in their sports facilities across the city.
With so many fun things to do in Youngstown, we simply couldn’t hit it all in one long weekend. But, since it’s so accessible from Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and even Cincinnati, we’ll certainly be back.
If you’re planning an Ohio weekend getaway, we hope these ideas help you get started—the opportunities to explore are endless! Need more insight? Start planning your trip by exploring youngstownlive.com in more depth. You’ll find lodging options and even more activities to add to your itinerary. There are plenty of Youngstown, Ohio tourist attractions to go around!
From hotels to B&Bs, Youngstown offers plenty of options for places to rest your head. Take advantage of great amenities, convenient locations and even Stay-and-Play packages that enhance your golf experience.
Whether you choose to tee off at stellar golf courses, explore miles of hiking and biking trails, enjoy wine at local wineries or get out on the water, you’ll find unforgettable activities in and around Youngstown.
Bring your appetite – Youngstown is filled to the brim with unique dining options to satisfy any craving. From Italian or Middle Eastern to casual barbecue or upscale fine dining, you’ll find your palate pleaser here.
