Location: Dayton
Top Things to do in Dayton
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10 Things to do in Dayton That You Shouldn't Miss
It was in a small bicycle shop in Dayton that the Wright brothers imagined their aerodynamic principles and created their first gliders. The so-called "birthplace of aviation" remembers its lofty past with the National Museum of the U. S. Air Force and the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. SunWatch Indian Village and Archaeological Park offers a glimpse at an earlier history of the area. Dayton's vibrant arts and cultural scenes boast numerous museums, theaters and galleries.
Restaurants in Dayton
1. National Museum of the US Air Force
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,908 reviews
Reviewed By I6851YTnickg - Chesterfield, United Kingdom
Fantastic museum, great staff, had a great day here, taking tours, using the cinema and flight simulators and looking at the great collection of aircraft on display here. It has the best collection of US aircraft ive ever seen, where else can you go and see a B36 peacemaker, a B2 spirit and a B58 hustler in the same room! Dont miss this place, its worth the flight to the US to visit this place! If you've never been go!
2. Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 381 reviews
Reviewed By mcatlett2018
The Schuster is a beautiful Performing Arts Center from its glass enclosed Wintergarden to its star filled ceiling in the auditorium. The acustics are first class no matter where you are seated. I have been a season ticket holder for the Broadway Series and the Philharmonic Superpops Series, plus special events since it opened, and have enjoyed every performance.
3. Carillon Historical Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 940 reviews
Reviewed By JaneanPhillips - Kettering, United States
This is a must-see in the Dayton area, for everyone young and old. This museum is filled with historical artifacts, featuring the first flight Wright flyer, the Wright Bros cycle shop, other historical buildings that have been relocated there, massive amounts of inventions and their inventors all unique to Dayton. The gift shop offers many unique gifts, including purses, etc, made from pop tops.
4. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
This is the location of the Wright brothers Wright Cycle Company building plus other related historical aviation sites.
Reviewed By FrankD834 - South Bend, United States
This area includes the Visitor Center, the Parachute Museum, the retored Wright Brother's Cycle Shop, the Dayton Walk of Fame, and the location of the Wright Brother's Family Home. The Dunbar house is also part of it, nut is located less than a mile away. I checked all of it out. The Cycle Shop Tour is good, but the information is the same as what's in the short movie they show for the most part. It is interesting just to be in the actual building and interesting how they found that it even existed. The location of the Wright's house is a lot with a porch. The actual house had been moved to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI many years ago by Henry Ford. The Walk of Fame is more of a City of Dayton thing, but interesting. I did not go into the Dunbar House, but did stop and look around. It's in great shape. The Parachute Museum is one room, but has some interesting exhibits. The Visitor Center itself has a Wright Flyer, a good movie about the the brothers, interesting exhibits, and a mock up of a period store, and their print shop is also upstairs. I spent a few hours here and enjoyed all of it. The Wright Cycle Shop is now checked off my Bucket List of places I wanted to see.
5. Dayton Art Institute
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 407 reviews
The DAI is open and current museum hours are Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon - 5 p.m. When planning a visit, we encourage you to check our website to confirm current museum hours & status. Founded in 1919, The Dayton Art Institute is one of the region’s premier fine arts museums. In addition to exhibiting outstanding special exhibitions and impressive collections of art from throughout the world, the museum is renowned for education programming that includes an array of offerings for diverse audiences. The Dayton Art Institute is committed to enriching lives and serving the community by creating meaningful experiences with art.
Reviewed By DannoActon
Was honored to attend the Dayton Area Bd of Realtors 2020 induction at Dayton Art Institute. As a first time visitor, I was amazed at a fantastic collection in a beautiful building. Dayton Art Institute is truly an Ohio treasure. I gladly recommend Dayton Art as a venue for your next upscale event. Staffing was great, food very good. DAI staffers easily handled a crowd of 200 for a played dinner. Hats off to the Dayton Art Bd & staffers for a wonderful evening. 1/09/2020
6. 2nd Street Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Local growers, bakers, culinary specialists, and artisans fill this charming historic freight house. Reminiscent of European markets, it's alive with vendors, people and activity during market hours year-round.
Reviewed By patriciaskis
Terrific morning destination for coffee and crepes--enclosed venue for any type weather. Lovely bread, pottery, olive oil, vegetables, cheese, food vendors, and alpaca wool items; plus, flowers from The Flowerman!, of course! Jazz combo playing--just delightful!
7. Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 415 reviews
The Boonshoft Museum is the premier destination for family learning in the Miami Valley. It is a natural history museum, science center, children's museum, planetarium, observatory and zoo!
Reviewed By Silviavont - Sao Paulo, Brazil
A variety of learning experiences, including hands-on activities. We visited the planetarium and the hall of universe, we played at the water table, we tested the sustainable house, we browsed through different cultures, we rested on a cute "tree house", we marvelled at "Science on a Sphere". There is a souvenir shop that also sell some snacks.
8. America's Packard Museum - The Citizens Motorcar Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 292 reviews
Reviewed By mykotse - Glendale, United States
A very historical place which is definitely worth the trip! The building was an original Packard dealership built in 1917. Has most of the original fixtures including the sales and service manager’s offices. The service department even has the original lubrication reel hoses hanging from the ceiling, and of course some very rare Packard... we loved it!
9. Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 238 reviews
Reviewed By 710kylec - Interlachen, United States
Full of history. Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is the final resting place of the Wright Brothers, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Erma Bombeck, as well as Medal of Honor recipients, the Gypsy Queen, and most important to me, my uncle. It is a beautiful place to visit.
10. The Wright Cycle Company Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 252 reviews
Reviewed By gatoreed - Metairie, United States
Visiting friends and decided to do a bit of sightseeing. Being a flier, the Dayton Aviation Heritage Hoover Block was of interest to me. The building, run by the National Park Service, is full of displays and information about the Wright Brothers. I joined a tour led by Ranger Robert Petersen. This is a 45 minute walking tour around the neighborhood where the Wright Brothers grew up. The Ranger new his material, in depth. He new the history of the neighborhood, Dayton, and was well spoken. Highly recommend a tour with him. This is a great stop if you are an aviation buff or with family interested in how flying started. What a surprise! This has been on my list of things to see for 5 years. Imagine my surprise when I am introduced to a modern, organized, 3-story building on South Williams Street which features the life and times of the Wright brothers (including their 3rd bike shop/aircraft invention workshop). The guides were well-informed and very friendly.
