Youngstown area
Around Youngstown area
Photo: Dblcut3 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Ohio · 525k people
Youngstown area
Locals say Mahoning Valley · “The Valley”, “Y-Town”
Steel‑strong spirit, valley‑wide heart.
Penguin Red
Welcome to the Mahoning Valley, where the steel heritage runs deep and the pizza is square. Whether you're here for the parks, the Penguins, or the friendly rivalries, you'll find a community that's proud and welcoming. Grab a Brier Hill slice and make yourself at home.
Clubs for Youngstown area
No clubs for Youngstown area yet.
The room
Youngstown area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Youngstown's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Youngstown. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Youngstown area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Mill Creek Park Large urban park with lakes, trails, and gardens.
- Butler Institute of American Art First museum dedicated to American art.
- Youngstown State University Public university with the Penguins.
- Covelli Centre Arena for concerts, sports, and events.
- Packard Music Hall Historic theater in Warren.
- Stambaugh Auditorium Historic concert hall.
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Mill Creek Park
- Outdoors Bike the Mahoning River Trail
- With kids Oh Wow! Children's Museum
- With kids Mahoning Valley Scrappers game
- Evenings Catch a show at the Covelli Centre
- Evenings See a Youngstown Phantoms game
- Locals love Italian bakeries and pizza shops
- Locals love Corned beef delis
Through the year
- Canfield Fair August–September One of Ohio's largest county fairs, held in late summer.
- Youngstown Flea Spring through fall Seasonal market with local vendors, food, and crafts.
- Warren Summer Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts in Warren.
- Mahoning Valley Comic Con Spring or fall Annual pop culture convention.
- Mill Creek Park Summer Concert Series Summer Outdoor concerts in the park.
The Mahoning Valley has four distinct seasons: cold, snowy winters; warm, humid summers; and pleasant springs and falls. Best: Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to be outside.
Talk like a local
- “Y-Town”
- Nickname for Youngstown
- “The Valley”
- Short for the Mahoning Valley
- “Brier Hill”
- Neighborhood known for its pizza style
- “YSU”
- Youngstown State University
Getaways
- Pittsburgh, PA Sports, museums, and nightlife.
- Canton, OH Pro Football Hall of Fame and cultural attractions.
- Akron, OH Cuyahoga Valley National Park and outdoor fun.
- Salem, OH Historic downtown and local charm.
Local flavour
Teams
- Youngstown State Penguins NCAA Division I
- Youngstown Phantoms USHL
- Mahoning Valley Scrappers MLB Draft League
Also rooting for Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Cleveland Browns (NFL), Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB), Cleveland Guardians (MLB), Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Eat and drink
- Brier Hill pizza Thick-crust pizza with sauce on top, Italian sausage, and peppers, a local staple
- Corned beef sandwiches Popular in delis and diners across the Mahoning Valley
- Italian-American bakery goods
Where people go
- Mill Creek Park A large urban park with trails, lakes, and gardens
- Italian-American bakeries and pizza shops Family-run spots serving local specialties
- Butler Institute of American Art First museum of American art.
- Covelli Centre Arena for concerts and Penguins hockey.
- Eastwood Field Home of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
Heritage and traditions
The Mahoning Valley is proud of its steel-town grit, its rich immigrant heritage (Italian, Polish, Greek, Ukrainian, and more), and the way it has reinvented itself while keeping its traditions alive. Locals love to show off their ethnic festivals, comfort food, and the resilience that turned hardship into pride.
Say it like a local: “pop” — soda
Festivals
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Festival July A summer feast in Youngstown's Brier Hill neighborhood with processions, Italian food, and live music.
- St. John's Greek Festival June Greek food, dancing, and Orthodox hospitality at Youngstown's St. John's Greek Orthodox Church.
- Polish Festival at St. Stanislaus August Pierogies, kielbasa, and polka music celebrating Polish heritage in Youngstown.
- Ukrainian Festival at St. Michael's July Traditional Ukrainian food, embroidery, and folk dancing in Youngstown.
- Warren River Rally August A summer weekend of live bands, food trucks, and family activities along the Mahoning River in Warren.
Landmarks with a story
- Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor A Smithsonian-affiliated museum telling the story of steel and the immigrant workers who built the Mahoning Valley.
- St. Columba Cathedral The mother church of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, with striking modern architecture and mosaics.
- St. John's Greek Orthodox Church A beautiful Byzantine-style church in Youngstown, center of the Greek community's religious life.
- Temple El Emeth A historic Reform synagogue in Youngstown, reflecting the city's once-thriving Jewish community.
- McKinley Memorial A grand marble monument and library in Niles dedicated to President William McKinley, who was born there.
- National Packard Museum Located in Warren, celebrating the Packard automobile and the city's industrial innovation.
Food traditions
- Pierogies Eastern European dumplings stuffed with potato, cheese, or sauerkraut—a staple at church dinners and family tables.
- Kielbasa Polish sausage, often grilled and served with sauerkraut, especially at festivals and backyard cookouts.
- Pączki Day On Fat Tuesday, locals line up at bakeries for these filled, fried Polish doughnuts—a pre-Lenten indulgence.
- Lenten fish fries Parish halls and fire stations host Friday fish fries during Lent, featuring fried cod, pierogies, and coleslaw.
- Greek gyros The Greek community brought savory gyros with tzatziki, now a beloved lunch staple in Youngstown.
Music and arts
- Polka music Brought by Polish and Czech immigrants, polka bands still play at weddings, festivals, and church halls.
- Italian folk music Songs and tarantella dances keep Italian heritage alive at feasts and family gatherings.
- Youngstown Symphony Orchestra A professional orchestra performing at Stambaugh Auditorium, a cultural anchor since 1911.
- Ethnic folk dancing Greek, Ukrainian, and Polish dance troupes perform in colorful costumes at heritage festivals.
A little history
- 1977 Black Monday
- 1899 Packard Motor Car Company founded in Warren
- 1843 William McKinley born in Niles
- 1797 Youngstown founded by John Young
- 1846 Canfield Fair established
Rivalries
- Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns NFL rivalry that splits the valley.
- Youngstown State vs. Akron College football matchup.
- Warren G. Harding vs. Youngstown East High school football rivalry.
- Game day YSU Penguins football tailgating
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Outdoors Sledding at Mill Creek Park
- Outdoors Cross-country skiing at Mill Creek
- With kids National Packard Museum
- With kids McKinley Memorial
The Mahoning Valley has a distinct working-class accent shaped by Eastern European and Italian immigrant roots. Locals often say 'youse' for 'you all', 'pop' for soda, and 'crick' for creek. The 'oh' sound in words like 'Youngstown' can be flattened, and there's a slight nasal quality. You'll also hear 'redd up' (clean up) and 'gum band' (rubber band), leftovers from Scottish and Pennsylvania influences.
Only here
- Brier Hill pizza—a thick, square-cut pizza with a sweet sauce and Romano cheese, named after a Youngstown neighborhood.
- The Packard automobile was invented in Warren; the National Packard Museum celebrates that legacy.
- The Canfield Fair is one of the largest county fairs in Ohio, drawing over 300,000 visitors each September.
- The Mahoning Valley is the only place with a 'Steel Valley' identity—you'll see steelworker statues and murals.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the weather: winters are cold and snowy, so invest in a good coat and learn to love 'crick' (creek) walks in Mill Creek Park.
- Try Brier Hill pizza first—it's a Youngstown original with a thick crust and Romano cheese. Ask for it 'Brier Hill style'.
- Pronounce 'Mahoning' as 'ma-HO-ning' and 'Boardman' as 'BORD-man'. Locals will appreciate the effort.
- Say 'pop' for soda, and don't be surprised if someone says 'youse'—it's the local plural you.
- On Fridays during Lent, join a church fish fry—it's a community tradition, not just a meal.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Areas in Youngstown area
Nearby
Every areaHermitagePennsylvaniaWhere the Shenango flows through hills and history.CantonOhioLocal rooms for Stark County.AkronOhioBig heart, hard work, and a sweet tooth for Buckeyes.WeirtonWest VirginiaWhere the river bends and the hills hold stories.New PhiladelphiaOhioLocal rooms for Twin Cities.MeadvillePennsylvaniaWhere the oil boom began and the lakes are calm.Oil CityPennsylvaniaRiver town with a deep history and warm communityPittsburghPennsylvaniaThree rivers, endless bridges, and a big heart
Youngstown-Warren-Salem, OH CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.