15 Best Things To Do In Mill Creek Park

Are you looking for things to do in Mill Creek Park?

Will you be traveling to Youngstown Ohio, or a nearby vicinity and wanting to spend time with family and friends in Mill Creek Park?

You have come to the right place. I was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio.

And I have been fortunate enough to have spent more than my fair share of time in Mill Creek Park. 

If you are traveling to Ohio by plane, read my tips on how to stay healthy when flying.

Mill Creek Park is almost 3,000 acres of outdoor adventure, romance, and fun.

Here is will share my 15 favorite things to do in Mill Creek Park.

15 Best Things To Do In Mill Creek Park

Visit Fellows Riverside Gardens

One of Ohio’s original public gardens, this twelve-acre garden is hugely popular. It attracts hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists alike each year.

Bursting with colorful displays of flowers, what you will see changes with the seasons.

The Joanne Beeghly Rose Garden is of particular beauty as numerous classes of roses are grown.

The Gazebo and the Kidston Pavilion are lovely places to have your Insta-worthy photos taken. As long as there is not a wedding going on there! 

Look here for my suggestions on weekend getaways in Ohio!

D.D. And Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center

If you are into horticulture, this is the place to visit. 

Located within the Fellows Riverside Garden, the building that houses the Davis Visitor Center is very interesting.

Inside you will find a library featuring horticulture books for both adults and children. 

There is a museum that tells the history of Mill Creek Park and the Riverside Gardens.

And a gallery that holds exhibits that vary throughout the year.

Read about 18 things to do in Youngstown Ohio for other things to do in the area.

I suggest heading to the Melnick Observation Tower.  It is housed in a very neat-looking metal and glass building.

Climb up to the wrap-around deck where you will see panoramic views of the surrounding gardens and Lake Glacier.

There is an elevator as well so the viewing experience is wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Visit the upscale Shop in the Gardens gift shop. You will find candles, garden items, and home decor options.

All proceeds of sales are donated to the Fellows Riverside Gardens or used to fund their programs.

If it is time for lunch or a snack, stop at the lovely Garden Cafe.

High ceilings and mainly glass walls give the impression of being outside. In addition, when weather permits, there is a charming outdoor terrace to take advantage of as well.

It is open to the public for lunch only when the visitor center is open.  A children’s menu is available as well.

Visiting Lake Glacier Is A Cool Thing To Do At Mill Creek Park

Lake Glacier is 44 acres in size.

It was formed in the early twentieth century when Mill Creek was dammed.

There are a lot of recreational amenities to be enjoyed.

At the Glacier Boathouse on the west side of the lake, you can rent pedal boats and kayaks.

Boating and fishing are allowed when in season.

The Old Log Cabin is located on the north shore of Lake Glacier. It is one of the oldest buildings in Mahoning County.

Once used as a doctor’s office, these days it is offered for rent to the public. It is worth the drive to see this historical building.

Read here for an incredible list of things to do in Ohio.

Mill Creek Park: The Parapet Bridge

Located on the eastern shores of Lake Glacier, the Parapet Bridge is a creation of massive boulders and a graceful arch.

There are four viewing platforms to view the surroundings, including Lake Glacier and Spring Brook Ravine.

The Parapet Bridge is the most photographed in Mill Creek Park. The irregular stone parapets of this largest stone arch of the park add dimension and interest.

Stopping at this interesting bridge is one of the best things to do at Mill Creek Park.

Read about 11 best places to see fall foliage in Ohio here.

Ford Nature Center In Mill Creek Park Ohio

The Ford Nature Center is the headquarters for Mill Creek Park’s nature programs.

The stone mansion was donated to the park and opened in the early 1970s.

Adults and children alike will enjoy learning about the local area through the various exhibit rooms.

The Habitat Room and the Discovery Room have exhibits about local plants, animals, and nature. And the Live Animal Room is filled with animals that live in northeastern Ohio.

Visiting the Ford Nature Center is one of the more educational things to do at Mill Creek Park.

You can explore the immediate area by strolling the Virginia Axtman Nature Trail For All People. It is located adjacent to the nature center.

It is a quarter-mile asphalt trail through the forest. It is stroller and wheelchair accessible. 

If you are looking for packing tips for your trip to Ohio read my tips on how to pack lightly.

The Lily Pond

One of the popular things to do in Mill Creek Park is visit the Lily Pond.

Start by exploring it along the quarter-mile Lily Pond Circle Trail. It loops around the pond.

Seeing the goldfish that live in the 3-acre pond and the birds that frequent it is a fun thing to do for both adults and children alike.

Two observation decks, interpretive signs, and a kiosk all help make visiting the Lily Pond a memorable experience.

Lake Cohasset

For a more remote vibe, visit Lake Cohasset.

It is a twenty-eight-acre lake that provides a more secluded experience permitting you to explore and study wildlife undisturbed by crowds. 

East Cohasset Hike and Bike Trail is a two-mile moderate to difficult paved trail. West Cohasset Trail is a one-mile moderately difficult trail during which you can admire the regal hemlock trees and gorgeous views of the lake. 

Boating and fishing are not permitted on Lake Cohasset.

Visit The Suspension Bridge For The Insta-Worthy Picture

The Suspension Bridge connects the west and the east sides of Mill Creek Park.

This 86-foot long by 32 feet wide bridge has been nicknamed the Cinderella Bridge, and the Walt Disney Bridge. 

Recently renovated to its original opulence, the lovely arches and soaring spires make for the best Insta-worthy and romantic photographs!

Looking for waterfalls in Ohio? There are some epic ones. Read about the 18 best waterfalls in Ohio here

Lanterman’s Mill Has The Pioneer Spirit Of Mill Creek Park

Arguably one of the most visited sites in Mill Creek Park is Lanterman’s Mill.

Looking to take a step back into the past? Lanterman’s Mill is the perfect spot. 

Renovated in the 1980s to reflect its period look, the mill is a great example of the industries developed along Mill Creek. 

Today it operates just as it would have back in the 1800s grinding grains.

Open seasonally, when you visit you can watch grains being ground, and feel the giant stones move. You can smell the heavenly fresh and sweet aroma coming from the freshly ground grains.

There is a gift shop where you can purchase preservative-free freshly ground flour.

East Gorge Trail outside of the mill is a half-mile moderately difficult hike. It does involve climbing steps. You will be able to see the beautiful Mill Creek gorge. And Lanterman’s Falls.

Lanterman’s Falls

Lanterman’s Falls plunge in the gorge below and there is a beautiful overlook where you can see the mill and the falls.

There is a myriad of hikes you can take down into the gorge as well to view the falls at different levels.

The Covered Bridge

The nearby Covered Bridge is a period restoration of a bridge originally used by the farmers to bring their grain to the mill back in the 1800s. 

Visiting the Covered Bridge is one of the most historical and scenic places to visit in Mill Creek Park.

Mill Creek Metropark: Lake Newport

Created in the 1920s on donated land, and after a dam was built, Lake Newport is the largest of Mill Creek Park’s three lakes.

Coming in at 60 acres of open water, and 40 acres of wetlands, this is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.

Fishing and boating are permitted seasonally.

You can launch a boat at the launch on East Newport Drive.

If you are interested in renting a pedal boat or a kayak head to the Lake Newport Boathouse on West Newport Drive.

Other exploring options include the one-mile moderately difficult West Newport Trail. Or the 1.75-mile easy East Newport Hike and Bike Trail. Both hikes offer wildlife and wetlands views.

A bonus of the latter option is seeing the Daffodil Meadow abloom in the spring.

The Newport Wetlands

Located at the southern end of Newport Lake, is the Newport Wetlands. 

Here you have a wide amount of options to see a variety of plants and animals. 

For starters, you may choose to walk the Albert E Davies Wetland Trail. Take a quarter-mile asphalt trail that leads to a boardwalk through the Newport Wetlands. 

Along the way, interpretive panels explain the wetland habitat.

Visiting The Daffodil Meadow Is One Of The Best Things To Do In Mill Creek Park

An extremely popular event draws thousands to Mill Creek Park every spring. Booming daffodils.

Daffodil Meadow is located on the east side of Lake Newport. 

An unusual and unique project to bring the beauty of the park closer to travelers in their cars as they drove by, Daffodil Meadow is an extremely popular destination in the spring.

And why not? This award-winning location has thousands of daffodils blooming!

New bulbs are planted every fall to make sure there will be blooming daffodils the following spring.

There are educational plaques and the daffodils are labeled for your enjoyment, during the blooming season.

One Of The Best Things To Do In Mill Creek Park Is To Play A Round Of Golf On An Award-Winning Course

Mill Creek Park offers two 18-hole golf courses.

 North Course plays through tall trees while South Course plays through streams. It was awarded the distinction of being one of America’s best municipal golf courses.

Situated within the stunning beauty of Mill Creek Park, the golf courses will challenge players of any age and all skill levels.

In addition, amenities to choose from are golf lessons, a fully stocked golf show, a practice range, and a staff of professionals who will assist you. 

A handsome bar and grill, Hole 55, offers breakfast lunch, and dinners. Seating is indoors or out on the picturesque outdoor patio.

Packing List For Visiting Ohio

This unisex RFID blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind.

This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.

My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. It is made of lightweight aluminum and so easy to use.

I was not a fan of packing cubes until I started to use them! This is the exact set of packing organizers I use whenever I travel.

I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for travel and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack or your purse.

When filled with water, it is not too heavy to carry. And the charcoal filter ensures fresh clean water whenever you fill the Bobble. You can find filter replacements here. 

You will want a backpack or daypack with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc.. This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great

Perhaps you need a more substantial backpack for your travel. This antitheft backpack has a charging port, is water-resistant, and can comfortably carry up to a 15.6″ laptop.

These waterproof all-season shoes are extremely affordable and yet fashionable. 

Mostly everyone is familiar with the Skechers brand, and these Air Run high fashion sneakers come in a lot of colors to match your outfits and are still affordable.

I highly recommend these Vionics adjustable strap orthotic sandals.

We all need to protect our eyes from the sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays. These unisex polarized sunglasses come in a lot of lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable too.

If you are fond of the aviator-style of sunglasses these polarized aviators may interest you. 

If you need new luggage, this expandable soft side spinner luggage is affordable and comes in lots of colors.

If you like hard-sided better, then you may favor this hard-sided luggage set better. Both sets come with TSA locks and 8 wheels per piece.

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