Steubenville, the county seat of Jefferson County, is a historic city on the banks of the Ohio River. Known as the "City of Murals," it is home to 20,000 citizens and boasts a rich history and tradition. Founded in 1797, it is a family-friendly community with safe neighborhoods and a wide range of educational opportunities. The city is home to numerous services and recreational facilities, including the preserved land office building. A common attraction is the reconstructed Fort Steuben, erected in 1786 for protection against native Indian attacks.
The reconstruction began in 1986 and was built on the original site. The city has a rich history of various industries, including paper mills, steel mills, coal mining, potteries, nail factories, and glass factories. The success of these industries attracted immigrants of many nationalities to Ohio. Steubenville's first railroad bridge across the Ohio River opened in 1865 after delays.
While in Steubenville, you may also visit the Ohio Frontier Experience to learn about the life of troops and surveyors on the frontier. Take self-guided tours and see artifacts uncovered by archaeologists since 1978, or discover historical markers commemorating notable individuals, locations, and events along the Ohio River Scenic Byway. See the Steubenville Nutcracker Village, the world's most extensive collection of life-size nutcrackers on display in the Historic Business District. Experience the stunning backdrop of the Ohio River, Market Street Bridge, and West Virginia hills.
Enjoy a meal at the Ville Restaurant and Bar, a family-owned establishment that has been open since 1996. It offers a variety of cuisines, including American and Italian options, and has received several recognitions. The restaurant is located at Fort Steuben Mall and provides lunch and dinner options, including appetizers, soups, steaks, salads, and sandwiches. It offers takeout options too. Another option in the area is Texas Roadhouse, famous for hand-cut steaks, ribs, and made-from-scratch sides and dressings. Bennigan's Steubenville is also an American restaurant in the area, located in Franciscan Square, and offers a warm, friendly atmosphere, seasonally changing menus, takeout, seating, and a full bar.
Berlin RV Park and Campground, established in 2011, offers complimentary Wi-Fi, a self-pick herb garden, and a recently built pavilion for recreational use. The campground's modernity provides a fresh atmosphere and 50 RV sites for $37 a day. Additional features include full hookups and showers. Pets are allowed.
Austin Lake Park and Cabins is a large RV park in Toronto, Ohio, on Lake Austin's shores, offering bumper boats, pedal carts, and a designated dog swimming area. The campground also has full hookups, showers, and back-in sites.
Cross Creek Camping Resort, located in Delaware, is 20 minutes north of Columbus. It offers frisbee golf, tennis, bike rentals, and pedal carts. Additionally, it's conveniently located near the Columbus Zoo and Ohio State University. The campground is well-maintained and pet-friendly, with 208 RV sites with full hookups, pools, and showers.
Beaver Creek State Park, located in Columbiana County, offers a tranquil environment and a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. The park is home to the Clovis culture, and visitors can camp in Crawford's camping park, which offers clean showers, restrooms, laundry services, and electricity hookups. Visitors can also explore the park's log home and schoolhouse, which provide a unique glimpse into the area's history. Additionally, the Beaver Creek Education Center offers a chance to learn more about the wild animals that call the park home. The park also features several water bodies, including a lake and a creek, where visitors can go swimming, boating, and fishing.
Barkcamp State Park, located in southeastern Ohio, is great for angling and swimming. The park covers 1,005 acres of land and is home to a diverse array of tree species, including redbud and dogwood. The park's lake, Belmont Lake, offers fishing and boating opportunities, ice skating, ice fishing, and ice boating in the winter. The park also features hiking trails for biking enthusiasts to enjoy the scenic views of the densely packed forest. Visitors can also relax in the park's picnic areas and view wild animals such as squirrels, opossums, white deer, and bird species.
Salt Fork State Park, located in Lore City, Ohio, is Ohio's largest state park, covering around 17,000 acres of land. The park features a 2,952-acre lake that offers waterskiing and speed-boating opportunities. Visitors can also fish for crappie, muskellunge, walleye, and abundant bass in the lake. The park also provides a 2,500-foot swimming beach, a golf course, and a nature center, which provide opportunities for swimming, sightseeing, and golfing. The park also features the Kennedy Stone House, a historic building that gives insight into the life of Benjamin, a famous writer. Hunting is allowed, and visitors enjoy picnicking, hiking, snowmobiling, biking, and shooting in the park's archery range.
Friendship Hill National Historic Site, located in Point Marion, Pennsylvania, tells the story of Albert Gallatin, a former Secretary of the United States Treasury. The site includes an estate that once housed Europeans fleeing the French. Visitors can explore the estate, including the James Jones House, a revival-style house, the Palace of Gold Museum, and the Morgantown Glass Museum. The site also features a visitor center where you can learn more about Albert's impact on the U.S. government and view his gravesite. For those looking for outdoor activities, the site offers hiking along Friendship Hill Hike Loop, Cheat Lake Trail, and Mon River Trail. Wine tasting in Gallatin Estate Winery is also a popular leisure activity in this park. Visitors can taste the estate's wine and enjoy the picturesque surrounding views.
James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor, Ohio, offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the life and accomplishments of the 20th President of the United States, James Abram Garfield. The site is home to various wild animals and large beach trees. Visitors can tour the President's house and explore the visitor center, which contains souvenirs, apparel, and other materials that relate to the President and his legacy. Hiking is a popular leisure activity on this site since several hiking trails remain open all year round. In addition, you can fish and enjoy the scenic views of the lakes and ponds within the park. The site also includes a library where visitors can explore and learn more about the President's life.
The Flight 93 Memorial Park in western Pennsylvania honors the 40 passengers who lost their lives in the terrorist hijacking of United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. The park is an educational center that tells the story of the passengers' courage and determination to fight terror. Visitors can explore the park's Visitor Center and the memorial's grounds, which include a Memorial Plaza, a Wall of Names, and a Tower of Voices. In addition, the park offers hiking and biking opportunities along the Allee and Western Overlook Trails; visitors can take their pets for a walk and enjoy the serene nature of the park. Rock gardens, lovely trees, and a gorgeous waterfall make this park a perfect sightseeing spot.
The Wayne National Forest is a stunning natural destination in Nelsonville, Ohio, boasting over 1 million acres of wetlands, forests, and foothills. This diverse landscape is home to various plant and animal species, including hickory trees, rare orchids, oak trees, trillium, violets, and different bird species, wild turkeys, beavers, box turtles, bobcats, and white-tailed deer. Visitors can enjoy various activities within the forest, such as fishing in the Ohio River, boating, cross-country skiing, hunting, and geocaching. However, it's important to note that specific rules and regulations must be followed while participating in these activities. The forest also offers camping opportunities, and clear nights provide a perfect chance to stargaze.
Another national forest worth visiting is the Monongahela National Forest in Elkins, West Virginia. This diverse forest is home to eight endangered animal species, more than 200 bird species, and 75 tree species. The forest is an excellent destination for hunting, wildlife-watching, and fishing in the lakes and rivers, home to more than 70 species of fish. In addition, the forest offers scenic hiking trails such as the North Fork Mountain Trail, Red Spruce Knob, and Holy Crest, which provide breathtaking views of the forest, rivers, and wildflowers. The forest also features swimming areas and campgrounds like Spruce Knob Campground and Seneca Shadows Campground.
The Allegheny National Forest is located near the Appalachian Mountains in Pennsylvania and is the state's only national forest. This forest is home to the Kinzua Reservoir and the Allegheny River, making it a popular destination for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and other water activities. The forest is also home to more than 300 species of wild animals and trees, and visitors can hike along the Red House Lake Area and Blacksnake Mountain Trail while enjoying beautiful views of wildflowers. Fishing enthusiasts can also enjoy fishing for white bass, smallmouth bass, bullhead catfish, and other fish species in the streams within the forest. Other leisure activities here include bird watching, geocaching, and stargazing.