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Things To Do In Dayton Ohio

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byCindy
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Dayton, Ohio, is known as the home of the Wright Brothers, and there are plenty of things to do in Dayton, Ohio, in Montgomery County. With a rich history, Dayton has museums and archaeological places of interest, as well as lots of outdoor activity centers.

vertical image with a photo of Ohio Caverns, a photo of some air force related items, and a photo of Dayton Art Institute. A white area at the top contains the text Things to Do in Dayton Ohio

About Dayton Ohio

Dayton Ohio is the sixth largest city in the state of Ohio. The oldest surviving building in Dayton is the Newcom Tavern.

The Wright Brothers famously came from Dayton, and although the first flight was in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright Flyer was built in Dayton.

The City of Dayton was incorporated in 1805, and it was named after Jonathan Dayton, who was a captain in the American Revolutionary War and a signatory of the US Constitution.

Dayton today is a popular city with many things to do and places to visit. Here we list some of our favorites.

Map of Things to Do in Dayton Ohio

Cindy’s Insider Ohio Tips!

There are so many fun things to do in and around the Dayton area! My favorites include the Wright-Patterson Air Force Museum and also, Ohio Caverns.

Things to Do in Dayton

vertical photo of the ohio caverns, showing stalagmites and stalactites and beautifully colorful rock formations Photo credit: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com
Photo credit: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Ohio Caverns

This is Ohio’s biggest cavern, and it has an amazing stalactite called The Crystal King. The Caverns offer over 2 miles of walks. They are also the most colorful caverns in the entire United States.

If you manage to visit in the summer months, there are three tours to choose from. If one of your party has limited mobility, then the Limestone Tour will be perfect as it is totally wheelchair-accessible.

One more important point about these amazing caverns is that the temperature stays at a very cool 54°F all year around, so it can get quite chilly in the caverns. It is best to bring some layers of clothes with you.

horizontal image of the Wright Flyer at the Dayton Air Force Museum

National Museum of the US Airforce

This is the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world, it is located at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base. It has four huge hangers that host over 150 planes, displays, and missiles. The museum covers the entire history of aviation from the Wright Brothers to the present day.

Their website is fantastic, and it offers a huge abundance of information. The best thing about this museum is that it is free to enter! What better way is there to spend an entire day?

The museum is also stroller and wheelchair friendly and offers food and drink options as well.

A Short Video Showing Some of The Airforce Museum Displays:

John Bryan State Park

This park has been called ‘The most scenic park in the Western Ohio area’. This park is over 750 acres and has a stunning natural gorge that has been carved out over thousands of years by the Little Miami River. The scenes are amazing, and it brings visitors back again and again.

There is a huge lodge available with a kitchen, plus there are a number of different activities that are available, including fishing, boating, and rock climbing.

There are also two campgrounds and bike trails. The park website has lots of information, including a trail map and a large park map. It should also be noted that well-behaved dogs are very much welcome.

Five Rivers MetroParks

Do you like nature and outdoor activities? Five Rivers MetroParks is the place to be, and it has many activities to choose from. There is every type of trail imaginable in the park, plus several conversation areas, an arboretum, a tree tower, a butterfly house, and a children’s maze. Some of the gardens here are specialist gardens.

Carriage Hill Farm

Carriage Hill Farm offers you the chance to go back to the days of our forefathers. The farm will show how farming was done back in the day, and there are also animals on the farm. There is also an interactive classroom and a horseback riding center.

Riverscape

RiverScape is a nice walk along the Great Miami River, and you can rent a bike if walking is not your thing. The walk has fountains, an ice rink, and a paddle run.

Wegerzyn Gardens

Wegerzyn Gardens offers you gardening and cultivation ideas and the opportunity to be quite hands-on.

There is a walk through the ‘Swamp Forestland’ and several gardens to enjoy as well.

Five Rivers MetroParks is a great place to spend some time with family and friends.

  • Addresses:
    • Cox Arboretum: 6733 Springboro Pike, Dayton, Ohio 45449
    • Carriage Hill Farm: 7800 E. Shull Rd, Dayton, Ohio 45424
    • RiverScape: 237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45402
    • Wegerzyn Gardens: 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45414
  • Phone: 937-275-7275 | Website | Facebook | Instagram
horizontal photo of Sunwatch Indian Village in Dayton

SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park

SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park gives visitors the chance to step back in time as life used to be. The lives of the Native Americans were simpler, and visitors will learn more about how the Native Americans lived.

Visitors can also learn more about archaeology. There are programs available for children, and guided group tours also take place.

If you wish, you can also have an overnight experience in a reconstructed 800-year-old house.

The museum guest center is a must-visit place whilst you are here as it complements your visit in more ways than one. Please go on the website to find out more about tours and programs.

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery science center has a lot to see, do, and learn, with items like Pythons and Astrology. The best thing about this museum is that it is fun. There is also a small zoo that is home to plenty of animals. There is also a tidal pool full of marine life.

Carillon Historical Park

This large open-air museum is over 60 acres. This is the place to learn about the history of Dayton, Ohio. The exhibition is home to one of the oldest trains in the world, early settler buildings, and other artifacts.

Things to see here include:

  • Early Settlement Area
  • Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing & Entrepreneurship
  • History on the Hill & Moraine Trails
  • The James F. Dicke Family Transportation Center
  • Wright Brothers National Museum

The park also has some other types of activities, events, and programs. Please check the website for more details.

Piatt Castle

There were originally two castles built by brothers and owned by the Piatt family until 2022, when Mac-O-Chee Castle was sold at auction. The new owners are currently converting the castle to luxury accommodation.

Mac-A-Cheek Castle has been around for over 100 years. The castle offers the chance for visitors to learn more about the Piatt family. There are Native American artifacts on show that have an abundance of history attached to them.

horizontal photo of a goat at a fence in front of the Young's Jersey Dairy building. Photo credit: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com
Photo credit: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Young’s Jersey Dairy

Young’s Jersey Dairy is well known in the Ohio area for all the different types of fun and games on offer. There is a great activities center, golf range, batting cages, mini-golf, barrel ride, and a sack ride.

The farm also has lots of seasonal events on offer, and if you would like to know how ice cream is made, then they will show you!

Schuster Center

The Schuster Center is a fantastic Arts Center and is a local landmark in Dayton as it shares a 16-story tower. The heart of the venue is the 2,300-seat Mead Theatre.

There is a bar, a 6-story glass atrium with palm trees, and a smaller 150-seat theater.

Many shows take place here, including music bands, orchestras, ballet, musical theater, tribute acts, and much more.

We recommend that you check out the website to discover which shows are on offer when you plan to visit.

horizontal photo of the Dayton Art Institute building

Dayton Art Institute

The Dayton Art Institute is based in a historic building that has long been admired for its stunning architecture. The Art Institute has an array of wonderful exhibits that will warm the soul of the most ardent art lover.

This institute also encourages young children to get involved and become interested in art. The museum offers different exhibits that may require a nominal charge, and wheelchairs are on offer free of charge.

Guided tours are available, providing visitors complete an advanced registration form. The tour is quite in-depth and is highly recommended. Lectures and concerts also take place, and these are advertised on the website.

We traveled four hours to Dayton see the two van Goghs on loan at the DAI: our first visit to Dayton. We did not have high expectations for the rest of the museum, but we were wrong. The museum has wonderful collections that are presented beautifully. We had limited time to spend and felt that we short-changed ourselves by not allowing ourselves more time. The museum is beautiful inside and out.

Kathela (TripAdvisor)
horizontal photo of some baseball balls and gloves

Dayton Dragons Baseball

The team is a Class-A team, so they attract large crowds. The average attendance for a game at this ballpark is over 8,000. The food and drinks are great, the sight-line from the seats is also very good, and Heeter, the mascot, loves a bit of fun.

During the season, there may be a fireworks display and some other fun events as well. For certain games, there may be a discount available on the ticket price. Please check out their website for more details.

Places to Stay in Dayton

If you are planning on staying for a few days in Dayton, here are some hotels that are in the area:

Let’s Visit Dayton Ohio!

Have you found your way to Dayton yet? Which was your favorite place? We’d love to know what you think about the area! Let us know by commenting below.

You may also like to visit other cities in Ohio, such as Athens, Lancaster, and Chillicothe.

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at [email protected], and we can get it updated.

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Cindy Gordon, the owner of VisitOhioToday.com, is a passionate Ohioan with a deep love for her state's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Her mission is to showcase Ohio's hidden gems and major tourist attractions through her website, offering visitors a comprehensive guide to all the wonders the Buckeye State has to offer. With a wealth of experience as a seasoned small business owner in the media industry, Cindy also manages four other websites in the food space, demonstrating her commitment to sharing her expertise and enthusiasm with a wider audience. Through her dedication, Cindy has become a trusted source for anyone looking to explore Ohio's diverse and vibrant offerings.

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4 Comments

  1. Doe!
    The Wright Brothers first flight was from Kill Devil Hill in North Carolina – not California!
    I live in the UK

    Reply

    1. Hi Derek, Thanks for catching that typo! We have fixed that! I appreciate your kindness in letting us know so we could fix that! 🙂

      Reply

  2. First, the downtown theatre scene isn’t just the Schuster Center. DaytonLive encompasses The Victoria Theatre, The Mead Theatre inside the Schuster Center, The Loft Theatre inside the Metropolitan Arts Center where the Human Race Theatre Company performs, the Arts Annex which is used by many groups, and the Arts Garage. Performances include Broadway tours, family and children’s shows, productions by the Dayton Arts Alliance (Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Ballet, and Dayton Opera), a varity of musical groups, local productions, performances for school groups, Comedians, and more. Tickets are available at daytonlive.org. That is the only true ticket website.

    Second, besides these options, Mayhem & Mystery Interactive Theatre LLC performs mystery dinner theatre shows at the Spaghetti Warehouse in Downtown Dayton at 36 W. 5th Street. Performances are Monday evenings, except holidays, with additional dates added one Friday a month. A three-course dinner plus the interactive show is $39.95 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Spaghetti Warehouse at 937-461-3913.

    Reply

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