Youngstown, Ohio, is a great place to plan a vacation. It is in the center of all the Midwest action. It is only about an hour from both Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Cleveland, Ohio. It is also the halfway point between New York City and Chicago. If you are passing through Youngstown on your way to one of these larger cities, stop over for a day or two to see what it has to offer.

Stomping Grounds - Local Skate Park
If you want to stretch your legs and get some riding time in during your vacation or business trip, drive to the Youngstown suburb of Austintown. This is where you will find a great skate park called Stomping Grounds. It is open all year; however, it has two seasonal schedules, a winter schedule and a summer schedule. Saturday the park is always open from noon until 10 p.m. regardless of when you visit the area. The owners of this skate park also open the park when the outside weather is bad, so call ahead if you are stuck indoors and want something fun to do.

Youngstown, Ohio Attractions
When you are not skateboarding, you will want to explore the local tourist attractions. One of the must see attractions is the Butler Institute of American Art. It is located on Wick Avenue. The Mahoning Valley Historical Society is also found on Wick Avenue at 648 Wick Avenue.

If you are interested in nature, consider touring the Ford Nature Education Center, which is located at 840 Old Furnace Road. On the other hand, if you are interested in catching some air instead of getting your shoes dirty, plan to take a hot air balloon ride offered by the Sky Dancer Hot Air Balloon Flight. This ballooning company can be found at 3110 E. Western Reserve Road.

If you are looking for a place to go to school next year, stop by the Youngstown State University campus. Take a tour, talk to an admissions counselor and explore the campus. You can also try out the food, do a little shopping at the University Center and become familiar with the vibe of the school.