Overview
Youngstown is the northwesternmost community in the state of New York. Its strategic location at the mouth of the Niagara River, on the border with Canada, made it a prime site for fortifications, the last of which has stood just north of the village since 1726.
1 sights · 1 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Youngstown
Old Fort Niagara
A full accounting of the history of fortifications at this site could fill a small book. Suffice it to say that the location on a promontory at the point where the Niagara River empties into Lake Ontario was a vital stra…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Sep and Oct. (climate data from nearby Buffalo)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- IAG Niagara Falls International Airport, Niagara Falls — 11 mi away. Directions
- BUF Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Buffalo — 26 mi away (major hub). Directions
From the east, most travelers will come in on New York State Route 18, which hugs the shoreline of Lake Ontario before turning south to head to Lewiston (New York). Route 18 bypasses the village, but Route 18F branches off nearby and enters the village's heart. Visitors coming from Lockport or other more southerly origins may prefer Route 93, Lockport Road, which ends just short of the river at Route 18F.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Old Fort Niagara's Log Cabin offers light grill fare, wraps, hot and cold drinks, and ice cream.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
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Photos
Map
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Get in
From the east, most travelers will come in on New York State Route 18, which hugs the shoreline of Lake Ontario before turning south to head to Lewiston (New York). Route 18 bypasses the village, but Route 18F branches off nearby and enters the village's heart. Visitors coming from Lockport or other more southerly origins may prefer Route 93, Lockport Road, which ends just short of the river at Route 18F.
From the south, Route 18F runs alongside the river from Lewiston, with the Niagara Scenic Parkway a bit farther inland; the latter interchanges with Route 93 at the village line.
See
See Old Fort Niagara
A full accounting of the history of fortifications at this site could fill a small book. Suffice it to say that the location on a promontory at the point where the Niagara River empties into Lake Ontario was a vital strategic location until well into the nineteenth century. The famed "French Castle" that forms the centerpiece of the modern attraction was built in 1726, making it the oldest building in the U.S. between the East Coast and the Spanish Southwest. During peak season, you'll see artisans, artillery and musket demonstrations, and tour guides; the rest of the year, you'll be relying on self-guided and audio tours to view the structures—though you'll still see hourly musket demonstrations. Some special events feature re-enactors populating the fort.
- The fort also hosts several special events throughout the year, such as their Candlelight Tours in December ($8 admission).
Buy
The Museum Shop at the fort is open at 9AM daily, and you can shop there without paying admission.
Eat
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Old Fort Niagara's Log Cabin offers light grill fare, wraps, hot and cold drinks, and ice cream.
Sleep
Go next
- Niagara-on-the-Lake, directly across the river, is Youngstown's Canadian counterpart. In fact, due to a bend in the river, Niagara-on-the-Lake's Fort George actually sits due south of Fort Niagara. In addition to the historic fort, the village has a charming downtown and great views of the lake and even (on a clear day) Toronto. Of course, to get there from Youngstown, you have to take the Niagara Scenic Parkway south, cross the river at the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge (I-190), then head back north again to NOTL.
Nearby
Lewiston
City / town · 9 listings · 7 mi away
Niagara Falls
City / town · 50 listings · 11 mi away
Grand Island
City / town · 5 listings · 16 mi away
North Tonawanda
City / town · 14 listings · 17 mi away
Lockport
City / town · 14 listings · 19 mi away
Tonawanda
City / town · 12 listings · 20 mi away
Amherst
City / town · 29 listings · 22 mi away
Barker
City / town · 5 listings · 25 mi away
My experience
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