Free & cheap

Free Things to Do in Youngstown, Ohio (Updated Fall 2026)

A free art museum with 22,000 works, a 12-acre public garden, Lanterman's Falls in Mill Creek Park, and a free national park an hour away: the best no-cost outings in and around Youngstown.

Updated · 2 min read · By the Valley Weekender team

The white marble entrance of the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown
Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown · Photo: Lorinda Dixon, CC BY-SA 4.0
On this page
  1. 1. The Butler Institute of American Art
  2. 2. Fellows Riverside Gardens
  3. 3. Mill Creek Park trails, bridges and falls
  4. 4. Ford Nature Center
  5. 5. Free community events
  6. 6. A free national park, an hour away

Youngstown is a great town for free fun. Some of its best attractions cost nothing at all, including a nationally known art museum and one of Ohio's finest public gardens. Here are the best free outings, with current hours.

1. The Butler Institute of American Art

Founded in 1919 and nicknamed "America's Museum," the Butler was one of the first museums devoted only to American art. Its collection of more than 22,000 works spans three centuries. Admission is free, always, and so is the parking lot next to the building.

  • Where: 524 Wick Ave., in the cultural district next to YSU.
  • Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday noon–4 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays.
  • Now showing: In Honor of America 250 Ohio: Joseph G. Butler, Jr. Collections of Our Nation, through Dec. 26, 2026.
  • For families: The Butler runs Family Days, quieter Sensory Sundays, and the Young Friends Adventure for ages 2–5. Check its calendar for dates.

2. Fellows Riverside Gardens

This 12-acre display garden at the north end of Mill Creek Park draws more than 400,000 visitors a year, and it's free. Come for the roses and seasonal displays, the views over the park, and the Anthony J. Fox Family Foundation Children's Garden.

  • Where: 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown.
  • Hours: The gardens are open daily, year-round, sunrise to sunset. The Davis Education & Visitor Center is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Heads up: The Garden Café has been closed since Jan. 1, 2026 for redevelopment, so bring snacks. Picnicking isn't allowed in the gardens, but there are picnic tables throughout the MetroParks.
  • This winter: The free Frost & Lights holiday event runs Dec. 5, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027.

3. Mill Creek Park trails, bridges and falls

Mill Creek MetroParks is Youngstown's backyard. You can walk the trails, drive the scenic roads, see Lanterman's Falls and the historic mill, and cross the park's landmark bridges for free. Yellow Creek Park in Struthers is also open sunrise to sunset all year.

Not quite free: Inside Lanterman's Mill (built 1845–46, and still grinding corn and wheat) costs $2–$4, and kids under 6 get in free. It's open only from May through October, Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., so this weekend is one of your last chances until spring. You can see the falls from outside the mill year-round.

4. Ford Nature Center

Mill Creek MetroParks' nature center at 840 Old Furnace Rd. is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. It's a good rainy-day stop with kids, and nearby trails lead into the park.

5. Free community events

Many of the Valley's seasonal events cost nothing, from trunk-or-treats to holiday light walks. Right now, see our list of free Halloween events. YSU's Dana School of Music also performs regularly at Stambaugh Auditorium. Check each listing for ticket details.

6. A free national park, an hour away

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, between Cleveland and Akron, charges no entrance fee. It's about 54 miles from Youngstown, roughly an hour and 10 minutes by car. Read our day-trip guide.

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