The Mahoning Valley's Mill Creek MetroParks is the crown jewel of all things nature related in the Youngstown area. The park, itself, is enormous. In fact, at 2,600 acres, it's one of the largest metropolitan parks in nation. Founded it 1891, it was also the first park district established in Ohio. Mill Creek features three lakes; a wetland; experimental farm; two 18-hole championship golf courses; a recreation area with an outdoor performing arts pavilion, sports fields, tennis courts, batting cages, and a dek hockey rink funded by the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation; Fellows Riverside Gardens & Davis Center; Lanternman's Mill; a hike-bike trail; 20 miles of drives; 15 miles of foot trails; and a variety of bridges, ponds, streams, well-tended gardens and waterfalls. With so much to do, it's hard to suggest a starting point. So, take trolley ride park tour on the Cohasset Express. It's a fun and efficient way to experience an overview of the 'Green Cathedral'. Photo By: Mill Creek MetroParks

Since 1926, Stambaugh Auditorium has served as a premier entertainment venue in the region and the crown jewel of Youngstown's historic Wick Park neighborhood (see #15). The venue gets its name from Henry Stambaugh who was a prominent local businessman in the early 20th century. The Greco-Roman style auditorium features a 2,500+ concert hall, a 9,700-square-foot ballroom, recital hall and an outdoor garden/reception area for private functions. The concert area's acoustic quality has been compared to that of Carnegie Hall by those who have played both. It's also home to a large un-augmented E.M.Skinner pipe organ (the only remaining one in the area) as well as Opera Western Reserve. Stambaugh is a popular place for weddings and community events but also for many national acts and speakers. Click here for a complete list of events. Photo By: Stambaugh Auditorium

The City Club of the Mahoning Valley is a chapter of the City Club of Cleveland which was launched in 1912 and was conceived from the ideals of the Progressive Era. The Clubs serve as some of the oldest non-partisan, and continuously operating free speech forums in the nation. The Mahoning Valley chapter holds its forums at different venues between Youngstown and Warren but typically has a free monthly event at Suzie's in downtown Youngstown. The events address local issues with local, regional and national experts. And there is no limit to the discussion topics. If you are civic minded and interested in the Mahoning Valley, these discussions are not to be missed. Follow the club on Facebook and Twitter for updates. Better yet, become a member and get all the notifications sent TO you while also supporting free speech and conversations of consequence throughout the Valley.

Oak Hill cemetery is Youngstown's oldest and most historically significant cemetery. Built in 1852, some of the city's most prominent families are buried here. Beautifully designed and featuring a unique view of downtown, the best time to take a stroll is during the fall when the Mahoning Valley Historical Society hosts an organized walking tour. Also, each year around Halloween, the cemetery serves as the starting point for the Youngstown Zombie Crawl. For more information on the history of the cemetery, click here.

The Royal Oaks is Youngstown's oldest bar and perhaps its most interesting. Owned by the Kennedy brothers and located on the near East Side, the Oaks looks like your typical non-descript dive bar from the outside. But don't be fooled. Everyone goes to the Oaks (and even more do now given its Bar Rescue exposure). Aside from its old-school-meets-punk-rock vibe, perhaps the biggest reason to visit the Oaks is for their BBQ. It's some of the best in the area. Their ribs are marinated for days, are smoked with cherry wood and the portions are huge. The grilled wings are fantastic as well. Their signature sauce is Hot Raspberry BBQ which is so good that you could put it on tree bark and you'd order seconds. You haven't experienced Youngstown unless you've been to the Oaks, so put this one close to the top of your list.

For a small city, Youngstown possesses an impressive array of community theater options. To that end, there are a number of local community theaters which consistently turn out one great show after another. The Youngstown Playhouse is the oldest continually operating community theater in the nation; the Hopewell Theatre conducts its plays in a former Mahoning Commons church built in the 1890s; East Street Productions is Youngstown's first and only professional stock theatre company; the Rust Belt Theater Company do their risque shows at the Calvin Center For The Arts, a former elementary school once operated by the church next door. There's other great community theater groups in the area as well so your options are plentiful on this front.

The Mahoning Valley Historical Society has two locations in the greater downtown area where one can learn about local history. The first is the Arms Family Museum of Local History which is located on Wick Ave. Built in 1905, the first floor features original period rooms while the lower level and second floor showcase a complete history of life in the Mahoning Valley. A gift shop is located in the back. Arms is also a great place to view historic photos of the Valley. The second location is the Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center located on W. Federal Street in downtown. Purchased by the MVHS in 2008 and originally home to Good Humor Ice Cream and Ross Radio, the 22,400-square-foot facility has three floors with a beautiful grand ballroom on the second. Not surprisingly, it is a popular place for notable community events.

Around the year 2000, the leadership team at the Youngstown Business Incubator made a very risky but important decision: they would focus on incubating business-to-business software companies exclusively. Some thought this was too niche for a place like Youngstown but the decision proved to be a game changer. The YBI has grown from one building to a campus of nearly 6 and incubates numerous start-ups. Within the campus resides YBI 'graduate' Turning Technologies, an industry leader in audience response systems. On the southern end is America Makes, a national additive manufacturing research & development center (and which got not one but two State Of The Union shout outs). YBI's success has become so prolific that in 2015 it was named the No. 1 University-Affiliated Incubator in the world. Yes, in the entire. freaking. WORLD. A great example of Youngstown 2.0.

Located in the heart of downtown Youngstown in the historic McCory building, Oh! Wow is a STEM-focused, interactive children's center. It draws thousands of families each year and consistently has new and interesting hands-on exhibits which will 'wow' both the young and old alike. To that end, Oh Wow! also offers different adult-themed events like the popular Science Of Brewing. Bonus recommendation: After your visit, be sure to take the kiddies for a treat at Touch Of The Moon Candy Saloon and/or One Hot Cookie, both within a block. Photo by: Oh Wow!

There are a few local food items that Youngstown can claim as its own. Brier Hill pizza is one of them. The pizza gets its name from the city's Brier Hill neighborhood which was once considered the 'Little Italy' of Youngstown. Like many Rust Belt neighborhoods, Brier Hill has seen better days. However, two legacies that have survived the times include the annual Brier Hill Italian Festival and Brier Hill pizza. A simple recipe consisting of red sauce, red/green peppers and Romano cheese, it was a pizza that many early southern Italian immigrants could make in their own backyards. Many years later, it has become a source of pride for a city that takes food very seriously. There's lots of great places in Youngstown that sell their own version of this style of pizza. However, for the real deal, you need to get a pie at St. Anthony's church in the old neighborhood itself. It's served every Friday but make sure to call no later than 11am to place an order. It's still that popular.

The Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) is the region's public transportation provider. In addition to providing much needed transportation to those who rely on it for work, school, shopping or to just get around town (ridership of over 1 million annually), it's also a very affordable and interesting way to see a good bit of the city and the surrounding townships unfiltered. Purchase an all-day pass for $3.00 at the main terminal in downtown Youngstown, jump on any bus and go for a ride. Additional suggestion: Take the bus from downtown Youngstown to Courthouse Square in downtown Warren and have lunch at Sunrise Inn (considered my many to be the best pizza in the Mahoning Valley) and grab a coffee a block away at the original Mocha House. A great round-trip.

Cassese's MVR is arguably the most popular and well known restaurant in the Youngstown area. Located in the Smoky Hollow neighborhood just east of Youngstown State University, MVR opened its doors in 1927 and hasn't looked back since. The restaurant offers generous portions of Italian cuisine at an affordable price in a family-friendly environment. While busy any day of the week, it's the place to go before or after a YSU sporting event. One of the more popular dishes is the Tressel Tortellini, named after former YSU and Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel (now YSU president). MVR is also known for its large outdoor bocce court area which features an outdoor dining area and a patio bar. During the summer, it's a popular place for league games as well as casual group play. Bonus recommendations: book a reservation to the New York City-styled Roberto's Italian Ristorante in downtown, order the meatballs and/or the Anancini di Roso from V2 Wine Bar Trattoria, and sample Scarsella's red sauce which some believe is the best in the area.

How many cities offer a 34-acre, forest-like city park built in the 1880s located in a historic district only one mile from their downtown and two blocks from their university? Youngstown, Ohio does. Wick Park is the crown jewel of the Wick Park neighborhood. It gets its name from James Wick who was an early industrialist. He and his family's original hunting cabin still stands in the neighborhood as does a number of other notable historic structures including the home of John 'Bone Setter' Reese and Stambaugh Auditorium. On the eastern portion of the is the most diverse contiguous collection of churches in the city. And block south of the park on the corner of Elm & Baldwin is Cultivate Cafe, a co-op restaurant owned between area farmers and producers that belong to the Lake-to-River Co-op. It strives to offer the community a healthier, local food option. Also, each Saturday morning from spring through fall, the Northside Farmers Market operates across the street. You can also grab a great coffee drink at Culturehouse and some gourmet mac n' cheese at the Elm Street Diner.

Located on the YSU campus, the Ward-Beecher Planetarium is one of Youngstown's lesser-known but very interesting places for quality entertainment. The 145 seat venue uses a $490K Chronos star projector on its 40-foot diameter dome to offer free public programs of the cosmic variety nearly every weekend (and has for over 40 years). Evening programs are geared for general audiences while Saturday afternoons are normally intended for families and children. However, sometimes they mix things up (check out this rock n' roll laser show). Whether you're 8 or 80, you'll enjoy the planetarium. And you're likely to learn something, too. Photo by: YoungstownLive.com

This is one of the few recommendations that isn't in the city but it would be inexcusable not to include it on this list. Way out in the pastures on the periphery of the Mahoning Valley sits one of the largest and finest farmers markets in the state of Ohio. The 10,000 square-foot White House Fruit Farm offers a wide variety of fresh, quality produce and excellent baked goods. While just about everything at White House is outstanding, there's one item in particular that stands out: homemade blueberry doughnuts. These things are so good that the New York Giants football team ate 120 of them before their 2012 Super Bowl appearance (by the way, they won - just sayin'). White House might be off the beaten path in relation to the other 49 recommendations but it's well worth the drive. Pick a warm summer day and head out to the country via State Route 62. Bonus recommendation: While out that way, check out Haus Apple Orchard & Cider Mill for some great fresh cider donuts than give White House a run for their money. They also host the region's only sauerkraut festival (Krautfest).

If one were to rank the recommendations on this list, this one would certainly be near the top. Founded in 1945 by the wife of a gas station owner on the South Side (where the ice cream was originally sold), Handel's Ice Cream has grown to gain national and international recognition over the years for its fresh, high-quality ingredients and silky smooth quality. In fact, Handel's has been recognized as one of the top ice cream shops in the country by USA Today, Discovery Channel and Chocolatier Magazine and National Geographic named it to their “10 Best of Everything” list as one of the top 10 ice creams in the world. You really can't go wrong with any item or flavor at Handel's. However, their classic is Chocolate Pecan. Start there. You won't be disappointed. Bonus recommendation: get your scoop at the original stand near the intersection of Market Street & Midlothian Boulevard on the South Side.

The Mahoning River spans 113 miles and runs through five counties in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Once upon a time, it was so polluted that it never froze during the winter. That's because the steel mills that lined it used it as a cooling and dumping mechanism for its raw product. Fast forward several decades later and while there's still parts of the river that have issues, most of it is suitable for recreation like kayaking. In fact, the Trumbull Canoe Trails Kayak Club holds an annual event in August at downtown Youngstown's B&O Banquet Hall in which a good portion of the river is covered. This is a good opportunity to take your trek. Bonus recommendation: join the Friends Of The Mahoning River at their annual Riverfest event in June for some Mighty Mahoning education, advocacy and fun (and also some guided kayaking).

Located on Belmont Ave in the downtown area, Charlie Staples BBQ is probably the most well known BBQ joint in the city. Staples' 'cup of love' recipe has been sold on the same corner since the late 1930's when Bill Robinson operated a stand there. Charlie bought the recipe off of Bill in 1974 and ran his own place in the same location for years. Eventually, he and his wife moved to Houston to pursue another business venture and turned over operations to his business partner Carl and his wife Emma. When Emma died, Staples closed for a brief period until Charlie moved back, bought a 1,500 square foot factory on the same corner and converted it to the beautiful restaurant it is today. Recommendations: 'Firehouse' chili, the 'Big Bertha' baked potato and, of course, some ribs and/or chicken. Photo by: The Vindicator

The Rocky Ridge Neighbors began a collaboration with Mill Creek MetroParks in 2012 to tap the trees in the Charles S. Robinson Maple Grove, located to the west of the Wick Recreation Area. The maple grove, named after a former Mill Creek park commissioner, was planted in 1951. The Neighbors had the idea of tapping the trees and distributing the syrup proceeds to the park as well as other projects that will benefit the surrounding area. In 2014, the Neighbors unveiled the Rocky Ridge Sugar House. Located in the grove, the site houses all syrup production. Mill Creek Maple Syrup is a project that the Rocky Ridge Neighbors take great pride in and one that promotes community involvement. Syrup collection occurs during February and March and is later sold in the spring at Fellows Riverside Gardens. It's a highly desired annual commodity. So, be sure to get your bottle as soon as the sales are announced. Photo by: Business Journal

Iron and steel production played such a significant role in the evolution of Youngstown that the city actually has an entire museum dedicated to the life and times of this era. Located on W. Wood Street in downtown and designed by renowned architect Michael Graves, the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry & Labor (referred to as the 'Steel Museum' by locals) is an impressive, three-story exhibit/archive/library which one really must visit to appreciate. By the time you are done with a tour, you'll have a very good understanding (and appreciation) for the blood, sweat and steel that went into making Youngstown one of the great industrial powerhouses of the 20th century. The facility also has a large community room in which lectures and programs are held regularly throughout the year. Follow the museum on Facebook here to stay updated. Bonus: head to the east side to check the Tod Engine Heritage Park in June or September for one of their biannual tours. A very interesting and impressive grassroots project.

Youngstown has several notable races which feature great routes and draw big crowds. The Youngstown Peace Race is the longest running race in the city (1975) and was inspired by the notion of bringing together runners from around the world as a symbol of unity. The 10k course includes Mill Creek Metroparks and finishes in downtown Youngstown. The Panerathon began in 2010 has quickly become the most well attended race in the region. The race begins at the Covelli Centre, winds around Lake Glacier in Mill Creek MetroParks and finishes back at the starting line. The Green Cathedral Half Marathon & 5K was organized in 2013 and features a great route held entirely within the park itself. The Youngstown Marathon takes you through the entirety of Mill Creek MetroParks as well as a pass through downtown. Any one of these races is a good way to see some of the best parts of the city in a fun and healthy manner.

Like wedding soup, the cookie table is a regional phenomenon with a strong tradition (and debatable origin) that borders on obsession for many folks in the Valley. In fact, entire weddings can be judged on the quality, variety and presentation of one's cookie table. We'll leave it to others to judge whether that's healthy or not, however, the point is that Youngstown doesn't mess around when it comes to this tasty tradition. To that end, the community hosts an annual event dedicated exclusively to the cookie table. Titled 'Cookie Table & Cocktails', it's held around the first week in February at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Dozens of professional and amateur bakers produce thousands of cookies for attendees to sample. Award categories include fun and interesting titles such as 'Best Unexpected Ingredient' and 'Best Twist On An Old Tradition'. It's a great community event that you'll only find in Youngstown and the proceeds go to the Mahoning Valley Historical Society. Put a few extra hours in at the gym that week and make plans to attend. It's worth it. Bonus recommendations: Go to the Mahoning Valley Pizza Cook-Off to sample some of the area's more notable pizza places.

Most of the recommendations to this point have been food and fun. However, an important part of the Youngstown experience is hands-on community involvement. While there's plenty of projects and activities that take place throughout the city each year, there's a few that serve as good opportunities to get your hands dirty. One would be Youngstown Streetscape, an annual event held the first Saturday after Memorial Day where hundreds of volunteers from all over the region gather in downtown Youngstown to help beautify the area. A second opportunity is the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation's monthly community workday events. At least one Saturday each month, YNDC gathers volunteers, residents and community organizations to conduct a hands-on project in different neighborhoods throughout the city. Both events are well organized and are always has room for an extra volunteer. Roll up your sleeves and help the good folks trying to make a physical difference in the city.

Lots of communities have flea markets and Youngstown is no exception. Located on the East Side at the city border on US-422, the Four Season's Flea & Farm Market is a year-round bonanza of all-things flea featuring 200 indoor vendors, 13 outdoor isles and 3 open-air pavilions. The 100-acre property originally served as an airport. In fact, the market's website still proudly proclaims that it was the 'largest airport between Cleveland and Pittsburgh until 1951!' In the warmer months, there's a pretty good farmers market presence and plenty of popular food vendors. Bonus recommendation: if you head to Four Seasons, stop at nearby City Limits restaurant for, arguably, the best breakfast in the city (not to mention the largest portions). Any omelette on the menu will leave you satisfied. Double bonus recommendation: Check out the The Amish Marketplace on South Ave in Boardman which is the only indoor Amish market in the state of Ohio.

Java entrepreneurs are popping up all across Youngstown. With breakfast, lunch, and baked goods to boot, these locales offer a quick stop or a longer hangout opportunity. Most of them are roasting their own beans, a great "made in Youngstown" gift. Shown above is Joe Maxx Coffee Company, housed within a renovated building on the Youngstown Business Incubator campus on Federal Street. Just between campus and downtown, grab an affogado or a 'Dirty Monkey' from Stone Fruit ... or a fritatta or waffle at Pressed. Just north of campus, check out the roasting machine at Culture House Coffee Company along Elm Street, and don't forget to take the hidden back path hallway to the upstairs start-up businesses which include sewing services and local pottery.

Established in 1974 in a garage on West Federal Street, Jimmy's Italian Specialties started out as Italian gift shop selling imported glassware and dishes. Over time, the store gradually added food. It has since grown into an award-winning specialty food retailer offering an expansive array of imported Italian groceries, homemade breads, cakes, cookies & pastries. It also has one of the largest selections of Italian deli meats and cheeses in the area, all cut fresh to order. Jimmy's is also one of the best places for lunch in the area. In fact, their lunch crowd is so busy that they added a 7,400 square-foot addition for their 40th anniversary. Stop by Jimmy's for a hot cup of coffee, a fresh sandwich and a homemade cannoli. It's an Italian trifecta that won't disappoint. Bonus: Lariccia's and Tringheses' Cornersburg Italian Specialities for more Italian goods; Santisi's Wholesale Foods on Mahoning Ave for some of the best (and most reasonably priced) local deli selections in the city; and Ghossains Bakery for the absolute best in Mediterranean food. Double bonus: be sure to pick up some DiRusso's Hot Sausage at any local retailer in the area. It's an iconic local sausage produced in the heart of the city. Photo by: The Vindicator

Rip's is a throwback bar from the days when molten steel was still being poured along 42 miles of the Mahoning River. It was founded in 1933 in nearby Struthers by George Repasky (nickname: Rip), moved to its current location in 1958 and is currently and was run by George's granddaughter Marilyn and her husband Don until their retirement in 2018 (and reopened under new management in 2019). Their signature dish is the 'Hunky Platter' which features homemade halushki, pirogi and stuffed cabbage and is sold every Thursday. It's one of the few places in the Valley where you can get a combo such as this year-round. Enjoy this ethnic comfort food at this 80+-year-old tradition on Youngstown-Poland Road in Struthers. Photo By: Vindicator

There's a few places in Youngstown that you can still visit and be immediately struck with a sense of Youngstown of yesteryear. The Golden Dawn is one of them. The non-descript restaurant tucked away on Logan Ave is a throwback to the days of shot-and-beer neighborhood bar-restaurants during Youngstown's industrial heyday (video). It's been a popular stop for locals as much as it is for national media or top politicos passing through town. Nothing about the Dawn has changed: the decor, the food options or the people. Owned and operated since inception by the Naples family (now singularly owned by Johnny Naples), the staff still wears classic white button-down shirts, black ties and black pants just like they did in 1934 when the joint first opened. The menu is simple comfort food and there's nothing on it that will change your life. But it is pretty good, definitely affordable and the atmosphere is great. And that's why folks continue to come since the 30s. Their signature sandwich is the 'Jumbo Chop Steak' which is kind of like a Salisbury steak on two pieces of white bread (get it with 'the works'). Their pizza is also very popular. Of course, no trip to the Dawn would be complete without a frosty schooner of beer. When in Youngstown, do as the Youngstown-Americans do and go to the Golden Dawn.

Located on Belmont Ave in Liberty Township, Kravitz Deli is the oldest deli in the Youngstown area and the only Jewish delicatessen between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Kravitz ranks near the top of local legendary restaurants. The deli was founded in 1939 on the North Side by Rose Kravitz and moved to its current location in 1970 at which point it also became a full-service restaurant and bakery. Their foods are baked fresh each day and it's evident in anything you order - from soups to sandwiches or their famous kiffel pasties. However, what Kravitz is likely most well-known for is their corned beef. To that end, a dish you really must try is their corned beef hash. It's arguably one of if not the single best breakfast dishes in the area. If you're a vegetarian, try the South Side omelette (get it with Munster cheese and douce it with hot sauce). Check out this video with owner Jack Kravitz and his mother Rose shortly before her passing.

If you haven't figured it out by now, the greatest asset the Mahoning Valley possesses is its sense of community. This is likely no better reflected than in its many annual community festivals. In the city, a few notable ones include: Simply Slavic Heritage Festival, Our Lady Of Mt. Carmel Italian Festival, Greater Youngstown Italian Festival, Brier Hill Italian Festival, Greek Summerfest, YSU Summer Festival Of The Arts and the Latino Heritage Festival. Most of these festivals are held in and around the downtown area. Some are smaller while others are quite large but all will give you a good sense of the local community flavor (literally). However, the mother of all annual festivals in the Valley is the Canfield Fair. Established in 1846, the six-day extravaganza features 350 acres of vendors, activities and national musical acts. It is the largest county fair in Ohio with an average annual attendance of 380,000 people. The fair is a major regional community event and is something you should probably attend at least once.

If golf is your thing, Youngstown is a place to be. The area has more nationally ranked public courses in the region than any other part of country and is ranked #4 in the entire U.S. in quality. For real. These courses were developed back in the day when steel was king, money flowed like hot metal and golf courses became the playgrounds for business elite. Steel is now gone but the courses remain. The advantage of this is that with so many courses, most are super affordable despite their superior quality. Perhaps the best course in the area is the Donald Ross-designed South Course at Mill Creek MetroParks which has been ranked by Golfweek Magazine as one of 'America's 30 Best Municipal Courses'. But there's plenty of other great courses to check out as well. Download this guide by Youngstown Live, pick a course and hit the links. Also, if ball golf isn't your thing, try some disc golf. The area is home to numerous courses, leagues and tournaments. Follow the Mahoning Valley Disc Golf Association for info and updates. Photo By: Mill Creek MetroParks

This recommendation is a sensitive one because pirogi quality - like pizza or the cookie table - is a serious thing in Youngstown. So, making a specific recommendation comes with it the possibility of the threat of violence. That being said, most will agree that Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church and St. Stanislaus produce some of the best and most notable pirogi in Youngstown. St. Stan's serves their pirogi Friday's between September and June while Holy Trinity serves year-round (also on Fridays). Here's a pair of great videos on Holy Trinity and St. Stan's pirogi making processes. Bonus: Each church welcomes volunteers to help them prepare the pirogi each week. Contact them to ask how you can help. That's, like, major Youngstown cultural bonus points.

The Covelli Centre is the area's premier entertainment venue. Built in 2004 and located in downtown Youngstown on the former site of Republic Steel, Covelli is home to the Youngstown Phantoms amateur hockey team (which has sent a number of players to the NHL over the years) as well as some pretty big shows. For family fun in the summer, the center hosts a free outdoor movie series each Monday evening on the front lawn. Also, in 2019, the city cut the ribbon on a new riverfront park and amphitheater. The venue features space for 4,500 people plus a community festival row area under the Market Street Bridge. Photo By: Covelli Centre

Youngstown loves sports. It really loves football. And Youngstown State is the home team. YSU football has a storied tradition, producing NFL greats such as Ron Jaworski and Jeff Wilkins as well as elite coaching talent such as Jim Tressel who won 4 national championships in the 1990s (not to mention one at Ohio State in 2002 and is now university President). Home games are played on campus at Stamabugh Stadium and tailgating is an event in and of itself. (YSU is consistently recognized as having some of the best tailgating in all of FCS football). Arguably, the best regular season game to catch each year is the annual homecoming game in which many alumni, friends and family return to reunite. The festivities include a parade on Fifth Ave which passes by the tailgating lots and the stadium. Because the Youngstown area is a relatively smaller one, YSU games have an atmosphere something like that of a huge high school football game but with top level college talent. It's a community experience.

Located on Salt Springs Road in the Steelton neighborhood, Molly's is a popular place to chow down on some super affordable food in a throwback atmosphere. Many items are homemade and quite tasty such as homemade hot sausage sandwiches (served with Iorda Park cut french fries), wedding soup and pasta sauces. The wings are also popular but what really brings a crowd is Molly's Friday fish dinners. The Youngstown Maennerchor - established in 1863 and located in the Mahoning Commons neighborhood - also offers a hearty Friday fish dinner as well. At either location, you'll leave feeling quite full and you'll have help contribute to the further existence of some long standing neighborhood institutions.

There's several great places to watch live music in Youngstown. Since 1975, Cedars has served as a hub for Youngstown's independent music scene. It was a staple of downtown for many years, however, moved to a new space on Steel Steel in 2013. The staff are longtime locals who know their clientele, the city and what's hip. Suzie's Dogs & Drafts in downtown Youngstown - modeled after Happy Dog in Cleveland - opened in 2014 and quickly became another popular venue for local music (plus other fun things like trivia and video game nights, Lit Youngstown book readings, City Club forums and other unique events and fundraisers). Last but not least, Westside Bowl is a bowling alley doubling as a music venue. It features two stages - the basement 'trophy room' for smaller gigs and the 'main stage' which is actually built into the bowling area. They also have a kitchen which serves a killer pirogi pizza (just try it). Bonus: As far as music festivals go, Federal Frenzy, Pabstolutely and the Youngstown Jazz & Wine are annual traditions.

Self-described as 'Youngstown's Second Greatest Wonder' (it's unclear what's first...it might be the very question itself), Star Supply Bargain Outlet is a quirky closeout bargain warehouse located on Mahoning Ave just outside of downtown Youngstown. This 'adventure in shopping' at the 'flea market without the fleas' features a 25,000-square-foot array of items ranging from practical to super random. In one aisle, you may find stop lights, a box of hula dancer dashboard ornaments, and some discount paint. In another, it might be a deal on gas masks, some great bar stools and a case of industrial size bolts. Who knows? Every trip is a new adventure. In addition to the interesting selection, the store's signage and general decor ranges from funny to the strikingly abstract. Here's a great video with the founder Richard Rosenthal who explains what Star Supply is all about. Photo By: Star Supply

This is a food recommendation that is somewhat lesser known in comparison to other restaurants in the area, however, it's as Youngstown as it gets. Located on Steel Street, Dubic's Palm Cafe is a true American/Rust Belt success story. George Dubic immigrated from Croatia to Youngstown at age 18 in search of work as a tool-and-dye maker. All was well until 1983 when, at age 30, he received a layoff notice. Seeing the situation as an opportunity rather than a setback, George took a chance and bought a bar on Steel Street which now features some of the best picnic-style spit-roasted lamb, chicken, ham and pork in the city served each and every Saturday. Given that it's first-come-first-serve, folks line up early at this West Side locale to secure a numbered blue ticket for a spot in line (for the popular lamb specifically). Over 800lbs of meat is cooked each Saturday and it's served in waves: chicken, lamb, ham and pork. Orders are carved up on the spot with a table saw at the checkout counter (no exaggeration). George still manages the bar/restaurant along with other family members and is always up for a shot of Slivovitz and a laugh with a new or old friend. Here's a good preview by I Will Shout Youngstown. Bonus: if cooking your own meat is your thing, check out Roscoe's Poultry (across the street from Dubic's), Perfette's and Anglin's (solid city options) or Catullo Prime Meats in Boardman.

Around June 27th of each year, The Mahoning Valley Historical Society, Youngstown Rotary and Youngstown CityScape host a birthday celebration (for Youngstown) and provide a free walking tour of downtown Youngstown starting at the Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center. The event includes a birthday cake, a few words by the Mayor and the tour which focuses on the history of downtown as well as current and future plans for buildings, businesses, projects and events are discussed. Interesting architectural facts are also included. Whether you are new to the area or are a long-time resident, this an excellent way to learn about the general history of the city, the specific history of downtown and what the plans are for the future. The cake is usually pretty good, too.

When it comes to recreation, there are few things more Rust Belt than bowling. The oldest bowling alleys in the nation are in Milwaukee and Detroit and the Professional Bowling Association was founded in Akron. During the height of the industrial age when the middle class was strong, bowling was a fun and affordable year-round activity for co-workers and their families. At one point, Youngstown had 14 bowling alleys but now only has one remaining within the city limits. However, it's pretty solid. Aside from being an awesome music venue (see above), Westside Bowl is a popular spot and features specialty grub such as their award-winning signature pirogi pizza which fuses two of the best ethnic foods into one delicious meal. Bonus: check out State Street Billiards & Bowling in downtown Struthers which was featured in the Academy Award-winning film, The Deer Hunter.

We'll leave this review to I Will Shout Youngstown: "La Huasteca opened (in 2018) at 2328 Mahoning Ave. This place has got some legit food. We're talking tortas, sopes, aqua frescas, in addition to the standard fare you find at many mexican restaurants. For the proteins, you have a wide array of choices including marinated beef, pork with pineapple (pastor), beef tongue (lengua), chorizo, and chicken. Adding to the mix on weekends are soups like Menudo and Pozole, and regional specialties as some of the employees are from El Salvador. " The author of IWSY is a real foodie. So, you know it's quality when he writes a review like this.

Tucked away in the back of the Draught House (downtown's best dive bar) is a small kitchen and a tiny restaurant titled Space Kat which serves up some of the best central Texas-style BBQ this side of the Mason-Dixon line. Don't let the size of the place fool you - you would likely have to wait over an hour for this quality BBQ in Austin, TX. And that's no exaggeration because that's where chef and owner Jack Zizzo learned his BBQ skills, having been trained and mentored by a pit master who was the right-hand-man of barbecue legend Aaron Franklin. If you love BBQ, consider yourself very fortunate to have such easy access to this quality of meat.

Several times a year, some of the area's best artists from across the Valley gather to sell a gala of interesting crafts, art, food and other unique gifts. One of the longer-standing events is the Artists Of The Rust Belt which is held at the B&O Station Banquet Hall, Youngstown's beautifully repurposed train station. The Ward Bakery Building is a former bakery-turned-artist colony and opens to the public a few times a year for its Artists of The Mahoning Commons event. It's a raw and super cool venue (and also within walking distance of Lake Glacier in Mill Creek MetroPark). One of the most regular and popular events is the Youngstown Flea which started in 2016 and operates one Saturday a month in the late Spring through Fall (and at DeYor for an AWESOME holiday event). Bonus: American Holiday Fine Arts & Craft Show at the Butler as well as West Side resident and nationally known comic artist and writer Chris Yambar's annual 'Lawn Con' event.

Each year after Thanksgiving, Youngstown holds its annual Holiday Parade on West Federal Street. Parade participants from across the Valley march down Youngstown's main street and are introduced at the main stage in Central Square. Photos with Santa are available at 20 Federal Place, Oh Wow! Children's Center and the Tyler History Center offer free admission, the super awesome Holiday Flea event takes place at DeYor, and there is free musical entertainment (as well as free chestnuts roasting on an open fire). Following the parade, the city lights the Christmas Tree in Central Square and the lighting display throughout downtown. It's a fun family event that draws thousands and will make you feel like you're in a city twice the size of Youngstown that magical evening.

Located in Struthers, The Elmton began as a family-run, neighborhood bar and restaurant in 1945 and has remained so ever since. The restaurant features two very popular food items which draws folks from all over the Valley: its pizza and broasted chicken. The pizza uses a green pepper-based sauce and a blend of cheeses (and lots of it) which gives it a delicious, greasy, dense texture. The dough is made fresh each morning at 4:30am. It's definitely unique and some consider it the best pizza in the region. Broasted chicken involves pressure cooking chicken in oil from the inside out and was a novelty back in the 1950s. This dish also comes with broasted french fries. Very tasty. In addition to the pizza and chicken, The Elmton offers a full menu with lots of other popular items such as gyros and cheese ravioli dinners. 95% of the menu is $8 or less.

Like most All-American towns, Youngstown loves a good hot dog shop. Jib Jab (Girard), Jay's Famous (Boardman) and the Warren Hot Dog Shoppe are three popular spots which opened shortly after World War II and serve up a simple menu of dogs, burgers, fries and the like. Jib Jab and Warren have more of a restaurant-type atmosphere while Jay's is smaller but offers wall-to-wall decor of notable locals. There's no frills here but that's kind of the point and why each place draws huge crowds from across the region daily. Bonus: if you're looking for a creative hot dog experience, try Suzie's Dogs & Drafts in downtown Youngstown which features nearly 50 different toppings (and burgers). Also, just a few storefronts down in the Knox Building is The Federal which features hand-crafted, award-winning hamburgers that are worth going out of your way to try.

Believe it or not but the Mahoning Valley has one of the largest beer and wine distributors in the entire world and it's located on South Ave in Boardman. With over 1,300 craft beers and 1,000 wines (and counting), Vintage Estate has just about everything you could possibly want when it comes to a quality adult beverage. Owner Phil Reda took a chance and opened the business after his cell phone company was bought out by AT&T in 2008. In addition to bottle purchases, Vintage offers a tasting room, flat bread pizzas and an all-around great atmosphere for the curious to the aficionado. Check out this video on the place. Bonus recommendation: check out Imbibe (and Ryes) in downtown Youngstown for a great selection of custom martinis, craft beers and high-end whiskeys. A&C Beverage (downtown) also offers a great variety of spirits and other products. Photo By: Vintage Estates

Since 1953, Plaza Donuts has been the area's staple when it comes to a good local donut and a bottomless cup coffee. Founded by brothers Berkeley and Irv Frumpkin in Akron (and under new ownership by Amy Spencer and her husband), the headquarters and main bakery is now located on Belmont Ave in Liberty. Nearly 35 varieties are offered with their cream stick being the most popular option. Each Plaza venue is a coffee bar/diner-style layout reminiscent of the era in which the franchise was founded. For less than $5, you'll be fully satisfied. Take a break from the chains and give this local a try. Photo By: Plaza Donuts

Craft beers have been all the rage in cities and communities across the nation and Youngstown has not missed out on the trend. Once upon a time (specifically before prohibition), Youngstown had over a half-dozen local breweries. Today, there are just a few but they are good. Penguin City Beer is the no-frills local staple. Founded by Richard Bernacki and Aspasia Lyras, the beer is brewed at the B&O Station and everything about it screams Youngstown - from its label colors (which represent the old red from YSU, teal from the interior of steel worker jackets, and a schooner as a tip of the cap to Golden Dawn) to its slogan: "Tough Times Don't Last. Tough Cities Do." Noble Creature Cask House is a small batch independent brewery with a focus on barrel aged sours, fine lagers, ales, and kombucha. brewery and taproom is located in a former brick church built in 1923 in the old Smoky Hollow neighborhood of Youngstown on the east side of Youngstown State University and right behind the Youngstown public library. Bonus: make the trek to downtown Warren for Modern Methods Brewing Company, the city's first brewery since 1890. Photo By: Business Journal

Established in 1919 by local industrialist and philanthropist Joseph G. Butler, 'The Butler' was the first museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to American art. It's known worldwide as 'America's Museum' and is, without question, a crown jewel of the local area. The gallery features over 20,000 works of art spanning three centuries. In recent years, the museum has expanded significantly, adding a cafe, a digital art gallery and the acquisition of adjacent First Christian Church. Over 100,000 people visit the Butler each year. Bonus recommendation: check out the annual Area Artists exhibition which features the best artists within a 40 mile radius. Bonus: Visit the Soap Gallery in downtown Youngstown for cool local exhibits and great community events and fundraisers.