& Jefferson County!
Gas prices may be rising, but you can save money and mileage by staying close to home in eastern Ohio where you will be surprised by the many attractions, events and activities in and near Steubenville!
One of the oldest cities in Ohio, Steubenville boasts historic churches, a frontier fort, 22 larger-than life murals depicting the area’s heritage and the Ohio River Scenic Byway Visitor Center.
Be sure to plan a visit in June – the month of community festivities. Beginning June 1st, First Fridays on Fourth is an evening street fair featuring food trucks, breweries, live music, artisans and local performers. Every First Friday through November, North Fourth Street is closed from 7-10pm to offer a celebration of culture and the arts.
Mark your calendar for Ohio Valley Frontier Days on June 2 & 3 when Historic Fort Steuben swarms with soldier, settler, surveyor and Native American reenactors who vividly bring the early American frontier to life. Music, games, dance, crafts and food add to the fun. Enjoy music by Ohio Artist of the Year Steve Free, try your hand at the Tomahawk Toss, visit the archaeology dig, sit inside a tipi or let your little ones take a pony ride. Located on its original site overlooking the Ohio River, Historic Fort Steuben is a reconstructed 18th century military fort with displays and artifacts in all its eight buildings. The adjacent First Federal Land Office is also open for tours as an example of a 19th century home office. The fort is open daily through October. Find more details about the Fort and its events at www.oldfortsteuben.com.
From June 12 to 15, the city celebrates all things Greek at the annual Holy Trinity Greek Food Festival on S. 4th Street. Don’t let the title fool you – there’s more than food at this festival. Music, dancing, tours of the church and an outdoor Taverna add to the delicious treats offered here. Take a stroll through downtown Steubenville to visit the unique shops: Adam’s Antiques, the Antique Warehouse, Drosselmeyer’s Nutcracker Shoppe, Steubenville Popcorn Company, Leonardo’s Coffee Shop and Bookmarx Bookstore.
Steubenville is the hometown of iconic crooner Dean Martin and his life and music is remembered every year at the Dean Martin Festival at the Spot Bar (June 14-16) culminating in the Dean Martin Hometown Celebration on North 4th Street (June 16). The Dino Dash 5K, live entertainment and impersonators, a swing dance and a Dean Martin Memorabilia Museum are just some of the activities to honor the city’s native son.
Often called “The City of Murals”, Steubenville has 22 artful presentations of important as well as everyday events and people of the city’s history that are painted on buildings throughout the downtown. A self-guided tour can be obtained at the Visitor Center. One of the most photographed is an enormous mural of Dean Martin along with some of his Rat Pack buddies. Another features Abraham Lincoln with his Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and telegrapher David Homer Bates (both from Steubenville).
Music fills the air on Thursday evenings through the summer in Steubenville. The Fort Steuben Summer Concert Series offers a variety of genres each week in the Berkman Amphitheater at 6:30pm. Bring a blanket and picnic basket to enjoy free concerts by the Ohio River.
A ride in the country is a pleasant addition to your itinerary. It’s only a few minutes down St. Rt. 7 along the Ohio River before you find rolling green hills and rural back roads. Of particular historic interest is the village of Mount Pleasant, heavily involved with the Underground Railroad and the anti-slavery activities in the 19th century. The village contains a National Historic District which includes the Friends (Quakers) Yearly Meeting House, built in 1814, and the Free Labor Store, which refused to sell products made by slave labor. An annual open house and garden tour is held there the first weekend in August.
After strolling the quaint streets of Mount Pleasant, you should be ready for a hearty meal at the nearby Farm Restaurant in Adena which features delicious food as well as charming décor. Or maybe you would like to stop by Black Sheep Vineyard to enjoy a glass of their hand-crafted wine in a cozy country setting.
Are you looking to camp out for a week or two? Check out Austin Lake RV Park & Cabins, just 20 minutes from downtown Steubenville. The 1300-acre park with an 80-acre lake offers camping, cabins, hiking trails, pontoon rentals, kayaking, fishing, hiking and picnicking as well as planned activities all summer.
For more information on these, other attractions, dining and lodging in Steubenville and Jefferson County, visit www.visitsteubenville.com or call 866-301-1787.
