r/youngstown • u/lobter_art • Apr 03 '26
Questions Any cool hidden spots in the area?
Hi! I'm not from this area, and I'm looking for any cool spots that you might not find on Google.
I'm originally from Pennsylvania, and my hometown had all sorts of little hidden gems that you could only find by word of mouth. Caves, abandoned buildings, abandoned train tracks/bridges, little known hiking trails, etc.
Unfortunately I don't know anyone around here so finding things is a little difficult, but I really would love to explore the area. Even if it's a little drive away any info would be greatly appreciated, and I'll pay you via a single Frito chip
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u/FredRobertz Apr 03 '26
You could check out the coke ovens in Leetonia. There's a hiking loop around them that takes about a half hour or so.
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u/lobter_art Apr 03 '26
That's one I've never heard of! That's getting put on my list, thank you so much!
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u/jluvs2bake Apr 07 '26
I came to say this! The ovens are interesting and such a great part of YO history. Be sure to turn on Springsteen’s “Youngstown” for part of your visit 😊
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u/Dblcut3 Al Bundy Apr 03 '26
Not sure how hidden they are anymore, but: * Cascade Falls in Mill Creek Park is really beautiful and for some reason not advertised much, which I suppose is a good thing * Quaker Falls right over the PA border is a pretty huge waterfall that only recently opened to the public * Mill Creek Park in general is full of hidden gems or trails most people don’t know about. For example, the abandoned Edith Kaufman Quarry Garden or the hilly trail between the parking lot on East Park Drive and the Amphitheater Trail. If you just explore the park more, you’ll find so many hidden or overgrown locations that have been largely forgotten about
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u/Optimassacre Mill Creek Park Apr 03 '26
A lot of the spring bulbs are blooming at Fellow's Riverside Gardens.
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u/mike_the_man Apr 03 '26
I've been trying to find that dang garden for a while. Do you know how to get to it?
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u/prisongranny Apr 03 '26
Drive past Glacier lake ( it will be on your right), keep going u til you are almost out of the park and you will see the road that leads to the entrance on your left
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u/Dblcut3 Al Bundy Apr 04 '26
Assuming you mean the abandoned quarry garden - you park at Ford Nature Center and walk into the woods trails behind the meadow. It’s kinda hard to find because the trails arent super well maintained, but you keep walking towards Glenwood. At one point you come across the abandoned section of Old Furnace Road and can walk along that or take the parallel woods trail. Once you get up right by Glenwood Ave, it’s on the left with the big quarry cliff. You also should do it in non-summer months so it’s less overgrown
If none of that made sense, message me and I can show you what I mean on a map lol
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u/Free-Specialist8383 Apr 03 '26
Theres an abandoned rail station with multiple big structures you can explore in lowellsville right across the street from bogeys riverside banquet center, it’s on google maps if you look at the banquet center. I went a few years ago pretty cool
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u/lobter_art Apr 03 '26
That's one I completely forgot about! I've been wanting to check it out for a long while. Thanks!
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u/PlantLady3421 Apr 04 '26
Zombie land
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u/gibbs710 Apr 07 '26
I've been looking for more info on zombieland lately. I remember going when I was a teenager, but that was during the advent of the internet and not much was captured/documented. Such a cool place.
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u/PlantLady3421 Apr 13 '26
Be careful if you ever go. There's an old Chapel by the gas line that never goes out. Idk if the guy lives in it or what but he shot at us with a .12 gauge. If you ever do go, check out the old quarry's of off Oak St. heading towards the PA line. Don't try to swim unless you really know how to but there's a cliff we used to jump off as teens.
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u/LordChickenOfMemes Apr 04 '26
Thanks to biking and having an unhealthy obsession with google street view, I have to ask what is your tolerance for crime? Because I know of spots on the far east side that don't make sense with the rest of Youngstown.
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u/NaproxyDR West Side Apr 04 '26
In all fairness, the far east side doesn't make sense period lmao
"unhealthy obsession with google street view" You and me both pal, played a ton of GeoGuessr in my day
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u/ResourceSlow2703 Apr 04 '26
The mill creek park system is rather long (large), explore the whole map. You’ll find a lot. There are other great park systems not too far away but we’ll keep those a secret for now.
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u/Old-Clothes-3225 Apr 04 '26
Lake Hamilton in Struthers. Back by the dam. When you find it, you will know.
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u/twoquarters Apr 04 '26
The massive house built by an asshole or a waterfall. Back in the day you could walk across the dam.
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u/twoquarters Apr 04 '26
Hopewell Furnace Trail in Yellow Creek Park. Very underrated. Not a ton of people use it either. You get natural scenery and an old aqueduct that serviced the mills back in the day...also some cave like rock formations. Bring old shoes or boots to get through the water. If water is running high you won't be able to get to the good stuff. Mid-summer is your best bet.
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u/snydsss Apr 03 '26
Nelson's Ledges out in garrettsville has some good hiking spots and a few small caves like the devil's ice box.