There are so many wonderful things about Youngstown, the ninth-largest city in Ohio. Located on the Mahoning River, the city is about 65 miles Cleveland and 60 miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Youngstown was once a bustling steel town, but like other cities in the Rust Belt, it has suffered its fair share of employment loss when those industries dwindled. Now, downtown Youngstown is seeing a tremendous regrowth in the last few years thanks to cultural innovation.

The region has been part of the Western Reserve since John Young, a surveyor from New York, bought a piece of land here from the Connecticut Land Company and built the city himself in 1796.

In the 1820s, Youngstown's population began to grow due to industrialization and the opening of the Pennsylvania-Ohio Canal. In 1890, the city's population grew to 33,000, and in 1920, the population stood at 132,358, making it the country's 50th largest city. In the 1920s, it reached its highest population level in its history and secured itself as a viable subway area. By 1930, it had reached a population peak of more than 1,200,500 people, which is about 2.5 percent of the total population of Mahoning County. At the time, it was ranked 50th, according to the US Census Bureau's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Youngstown Park District serves Mahoning County residents and welcomes visitors from all over the nation and the world. Mill Creek Park covers 2,530 acres and includes a variety of outdoor activities for children and adults, including hiking, biking, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and enjoying views of Ohio Lake and the River Greenway. Rocky Ridge is home to a 70-year-old maple grove that had never been tapped until a few years ago.

Youngstown is also home to several pro sports athletes, including NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar, NFL running back Lynn Bowden Jr., MLB pitcher Dave Dravecky, boxer Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, and many others.

Youngstown has evolved from a booming steel town to a city much smaller today than it was in its prime. Today, new industries are emerging, and the city is experiencing an economic revival as new industries and businesses are attracted to the area. The city has experienced so much growth that it would have seemed impossible in just a few years.

If you're visiting, check out the Covelli Center, one of the most popular activities in town. The outdoor amphitheater in Wean Park is an impressive addition to the list of fun activities in and around Youngstown. This asphalt trail stretches over ten kilometers in the Mahoning County landscape and offers a variety of landscapes that connect to nature.

Youngstown's most famous outdoor area is known as Mill Creek Park, a five-mile stretch of landscaped woodland that is a lot like Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C. Mill Creek is the oldest park district in the state and includes a restored Lanterman's Mill from the 19th century. It also has a "Cinderella" iron link bridge that many people take photos of, so it's a must-see when in Youngstown.