VISIT YOUNGSTOWN Mahoning County 2019 Travel Guide youngstownlive.com #visityoungstown JIM TRESSEL, PRESIDENT YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY Youngstown, Warren and the entire Welcome Mahoning and Shenango Valleys provide TO YOUNGSTOWN AND many, many cultural, intellectual and culinary activities. Specifically, on the MAHONING COUNTY! campus of YSU, nearly every day one can enjoy musical activities at our Dana Family-friendly attractions, exciting outdoor recreation, School of Music; theatre productions; Get to Know the YO challenging golf courses, great wineries and world-class world-famous artwork at the Butler museums are waiting for YOU. You’ll be welcomed by and McDonough Museums; Division I hospitality professionals and local residents all willing to collegiate athletics; as well as stimulating share what makes our area so special. We love Y-town lectures on a myriad of subjects… and, of and we know YOU will too! Be sure to follow course, lunch or dinner at the MVR, with @YoungstownLive for news and updates on the best menu choices like Tressel Tortellini and attractions. SHARE your photos and experiences with Coach’s Cajun Chicken Sandwich. us by using #VisitYoungstown in your social posts! 02 ATTRACTIONS 08 PARKS & RECREATION CASEY MALONE, TV PERSONALITY The Mahoning Valley prides itself on great 11 BIKING TRAILS food, drink and hospitality. Here are my 12 GOLF suggestions for the first-time visitor: The Upstairs has excellent food and 16 ARTS & PERFORMANCE atmosphere for lunch and dinner. I especially like Mondays when The 18 COFFEE SHOPS Upstairs features Middle Eastern Night and a wide selection of authentic Mid East 20 WINERIES selections with a Lebanese influence. Youngstown is known for incredible pizza. 24 BREWERIES The best example of our pizza is Brier Hill 26 SHOPPING style and the best Brier Hill Pizza is at Avalon Downtown. For authentic Italian 28 FARMS AND MARKETS food, LaRocca’s is the best. Owner Anna Ficorilli is from Pacentro, Italy and makes 30 FESTIVALS, EVENTS AND RACES spectacular Italian specialties. The pizza dough and bread are prepared daily by 32 MAHONING COUNTY MAP Anna’s husband Joe. 34 DOWNTOWN YOUNGSTOWN 36 DINING 40 ACCOMMODATIONS 49 COMMUNITY RESOURCES MAHONING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Carol Rimedio-Righetti MADONNA PINKARD, HOST OF COMMUNITY CONNECTION As a lover of soul food, I would recommend Charlie Staples Bar-B-Que. He puts a “full cup of love” in his sauce! You cannot miss the Roger & Gloria Jones OH WOW! Children’s Center for Science and Technology. Although folks may think it is for children, there is a child in ALL of us. The Hurricane Tunnel is a must for all­­—it’s true EDUtainment. The best outdoor activities can be found in many of our local parks, but namely Mill Creek MetroParks. Not many know about the Ford Nature Center. You can’t go wrong with the Butler Institute of American Art. Lou Zona and the David Ditzler Anthony Traficanti staff are always ready with traveling exhibits from across America including John Mellencamp and local artists like Professor Alfred Bright. The foodie HOURS OF OPERATION AND EVENT DATES SHOULD BE VERIFIED that I am, Handel’s Graham Central Station ice cream combines the love WITH INDIVIDUAL LOCATIONS AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. of graham crackers and milk to an adult grown-up version of deliciousness. When in downtown Youngstown, Joe Maxx is the go-to coffee shop, not just for coffee, but herbal teas as well as fresh baked treats. Cover Photo: Cusano Photography Mastropiétro Winery GetWe asked some well-known to locals about Know their favorite spots. Read their suggestions the on YO where to eat, must-see attractions and their all-around favorite things about Youngstown. LIKE A LOCAL COREY LINSLEY, PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER A few of my “can’t miss places” to eat are the MVR and Cocca’s Pizza. My mom loves anything from White House Fruit Farm. I always try to get to Inner Circle Pizza and Charlie Staple’s Bar-B-Que with my dad when I’m home. And for dessert, nothing’s better than some Handel’s ice cream; I’m a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough guy. If you’re a golfer, Mill Creek and Reserve Run golf courses are two of my favorites. When I’m out with friends we usually end up downtown at Suzie’s Dogs & Drafts. And I would encourage everyone to get to a Boardman High football game and cheer on the Spartans, my alma mater! JAMIE JAMISON, PHOTOGRAPHER/ SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER Through my work in social media, I have met some amazing makers in our community who are passionate about what they do and extremely successful. If you dream it, it can happen here! One of my favorite Rust Belt Made makers is a floral farmer, Farmhouse Blooms. If you are visiting local shops in the JACKIE POPOVEC, SINGER/ area, you will often find fabulous local makers. SONGWRITER, THE VINDYS My favorite local foods are easy…White Ask anyone what makes this place special House donuts and Handel’s ice cream. RYAN MARTINO, DRIVER and they will tell you: the people. There You can’t make a bad choice. I’ve had the MARTINO MOTORSPORTS is a strength and loyalty in the people of Youngstown unlike anywhere else. opportunity to take Instagram photos for both. Experience the Hot Rod Super Nationals at As an area musician for 10+ years, I’ve Let’s just say it’s the sweetest job in town! the Canfield Fairgrounds in July. It draws watched people grow and thrive in this thousands of participants from across the world town. If you haven’t experienced the showcasing their vehicles. In August, enjoy the downtown Youngstown scene lately, look Canfield Fair. Full of food, family fun, games no further than Federal Street. Joe Maxx and rides that entertain 350,000 each year, it’s handcrafts the finest coffee blends in Ohio’s largest county fair. Lace up your shoes town, or for a pint, hit the ‘pour your own’ and grab your camera for a hike or bike ride tap house Whistle and Keg which offers through Mill Creek Park. Don’t forget historic local and regional brews. For food, check Lanterman’s Mill, one of the Park’s most out The Kitchen Post, where their Taco visited areas. Learn about Youngstown’s famed Tuesdays and weekend brunches reign steel heritage at Youngstown Historical supreme, grab a dog at Suzie’s Dogs Center of Industry & Labor. Catch some of & Drafts, or a late-night slice of pizza the world’s best music, entertainment and at Avalon Downtown. Federal Frenzy family shows touring the area at the Covelli rocks downtown each April with bands Centre. If you’re into cookies a must-stop is like Judah and the Lion, Smallpools, Reel One Hot Cookie, paired with a cup of Victory Big Fish and The Vindys! Summer brings Lane from High Octane Coffee where the MANY ethnic festivals to enjoy. coffee beans are roasted in-house. welcome WITH SO MANY ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT, the weekendYOU’LL WANT TO STAY A WHILE! Ryan MartinoPhoto @martinomotorsports Contest Winner! The Butler Institute of American Art Celebrating 100 Years of Great American Art Cantabile by Stephen Knapp ATTRACTIONS WITH SO MANY ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT, YOU’LL WANT TO STAY A WHILE! @nicomorgione @momish_mom The Butler Institute of American Art OH WOW! Children’s Center for Science & Technology IMMERSE YOURSELF IN HISTORY AND FUN Centennial [sen-ten-ee-uhl] noun: reflection of America’s history, arranged Want to learn more about Youngstown’s a 100th anniversary or its celebration. in chronological order. Director and history as the second-largest steel No matter how it’s defined, a 100th Curator, Dr. Louis Zona, has been known producer in the US? A visit to The birthday is certainly cause for to say, “A visit to The Butler is like a walk Youngstown Historical Center of celebration! And in 2019, The Butler through American history, with Industry & Labor will give you a glimpse Institute of American Art reaches this masterpieces leading the way.” into the lives and times of the men and milestone with plans for special exhibits, women who labored in the iron and steel activities and events, including a special Browsing through the museum’s marbled industry in the Mahoning Valley. Known celebratory Gala in October. halls, you’ll find important paintings by locally as The Steel Museum, this unique Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent, facility preserves this area’s labor, Founded by Youngstown industrialist Edward Hopper and William Merritt immigration and urban history. While Joseph G. Butler Jr. to house his Chase, to name just a few. You will also artifacts like workers’ tools and clothing extensive collection of American Art, The find Snap the Whip by Winslow Homer, lend a closer look into the lives of past Butler opened to the public in October the centerpiece of the museum’s 19th steel mill workers, life-sized scenes, 1919. It was established as the first century holdings. This painting of including a mill locker room and part of a museum in the country dedicated to children playing outside of a one-room company-built house, give an accurate works created solely by American Artists. school house is known as “America’s depiction of life during the steel era. It was founded “pro bono publico” (for the Mona Lisa”. All are part of the museum’s public good) and has maintained its free impressive collection of realist portraits, The steel industry brought great wealth admission policy throughout its history. impressionist pieces and paintings and prosperity to Youngstown, which is of the American West.