The sixth largest city in Ohio, Dayton is a fun weekend destination. I enjoyed a diverse choice of museums, attractions, beautiful parks and a vibrant performing arts scene.
Need a Midwest getaway packed with aviation history, outdoor trails, and cultural gems? Head to Dayton! Known as the “Birthplace of Aviation,” Dayton offers a dynamic mix of innovation, museums, parks, and performing arts. Whether you're exploring flight history, enjoying a bike ride along the river, or catching a show downtown, Dayton delivers fun and discovery for all ages.
Dayton, OH Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Bike the Great Miami River Trail – Ride or walk along more than 75 scenic miles of riverside paths through parks and historic neighborhoods.
- For History Buffs: Visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force – Explore the world’s largest military aviation museum with historic aircraft, space exhibits, and presidential planes.
- For Shoppers: Browse the 2nd Street Market – A lively indoor farmers market offering handmade goods, produce, and locally prepared foods.
- For Couples: Stroll the Dayton Art Institute – Peruse elegant galleries of American and European art in a hilltop Italian Renaissance–style building.
- For Families: Learn and play at Carillon Historical Park – Interactive exhibits on Dayton inventions, plus a carousel and full-scale Wright Brothers plane replica.
Best Time to Visit Dayton, OH
The best time to visit Dayton is spring through fall (April–October), when festivals, outdoor markets, and bike trails come alive. Fall offers mild weather and colorful foliage, while summer is packed with family-friendly events and outdoor concerts.
How to Get to Dayton, OH
- If you are traveling by car: Dayton is located at the junction of I-70 and I-75, about 1 hour from Columbus and Cincinnati.
- By Air: Dayton International Airport (DAY) is about 15 minutes north of downtown with flights to several U.S. cities.
- By Bus: Greyhound and Megabus serve the Dayton area, with regional transit connections downtown.
Where to Stay in Dayton, OH
- Marriott at the University of Dayton – Comfortable, modern hotel near the river and downtown attractions with on-site dining and a pool.
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Dayton – A newer hotel with great amenities just steps from the Oregon District and Riverscape MetroPark.
- Hotel Ardent – Stylish boutique hotel downtown offering upscale accommodations in a restored historic building.
Best Things to Do in Dayton, OH
1. Dayton Art Institute
The Dayton Art Institute is a museum of fine art located in downtown Dayton. The museum was founded in 1919, and in 1930 the building it currently resides in was built specifically to house the collection. The museum was modeled after a famous Italian Renaissance structure in Rome, and it features detailed architecture and immaculate grounds. The collection itself is comprised of over 20,000 pieces dating 5,000 years apart. The Institute is home to permanent displays such as 17th-century Baroque pieces, a variety of Asian work, 18th- and 19th-century American pieces, and a variety of contemporary art. The Dayton Art Institute is one of the best things to do in Dayton, Ohio. Throughout the year, the Institute plays host to a series of short term or traveling exhibits.
456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, Phone: 937-223-4278
2. National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is located at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and it is the official museum of the United States Air Force. The museum contains one of the world’s largest collections, including nearly 400 missiles and aircraft on display. The museum’s collection features notable pieces of technological or historical significance, including a variety of memorabilia. The museum’s highlights include the only surviving XB-70 Valkyrie B-36s, and Blokscar, the B-29 Superfortress, which in the Second World War was responsible for dropping the atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. Permanent exhibits include a presidential aircraft section, a display of uniforms and other clothing, and a collection of information on the pioneers of flight, among other compelling displays.
1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, Ohio, Phone: 937-255-3286
3. Carillon Historical Park
Carillon Historical Park is a 65-acre urban green space that is home to several historic structures and interpretive displays on the history of the city of Dayton and its earliest residents. The park contains a series of educational centers, including the Kettering Family Education Center, the Wright Brother’ Aviation Center, a center of Settlement exhibits, which includes the oldest building in Dayton, a heritage school house, an 19th century stone cottage. If you are wondering what to do in Dayton, Ohio with kids, this is a great place to visit. Additionally, a center for invention and industry is on site, and it features locally developed inventions, including the first Frigidaire refrigerator, a 1930’s print shop, an automobile electric system, and the liberty aircraft engine.
4. Dayton Dragons Baseball
The Dragons are Dayton’s local minor league baseball team, who call the Fifth Third Field their home base. The Dragons are a local favorite and currently hold the record for setting the most consecutive sold out professional games – over 800. Tickets to watch the Dragons play are considered a hot commodity, and the games are festive, high energy, and customer oriented. The field the team plays at, the Fifth Third Field, is also a common site of the Midwest league All-Star Games.
220 North Patterson Blvd, Dayton, Ohio, Phone: 937-228-BATS
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
5. Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is Dayton’s local children’s museum. Science is the emphasis of the museum, and its permanent collection includes a large natural history collection, a live animal sanctuary, an aquarium, planetarium, and the museum’s sister site, SunWach Indian Village. The expansive campus is unique to Dayton, offering the only facilities of its kind in the city. The museum’s permanent exhibits include highlights such as an Egyptian mummy, an interactive solar system tour, a 68-inch suspended globe that illustrates a variety of global dynamics including animal migrations and current air traffic. Other displays include a tidal pool with live seawater creatures, a fully enclosed tree house, and a zoo, which includes creatures native to the state of Ohio.
2600 Deweese Pkwy, Dayton, Ohio, Phone: 937-275-7431
6. America's Packard Museum - The Citizens Motorcar Company
America’s Packard Museum is housed in a restored Packard dealership, which displays classic twentieth-century Packards, along with historic memorabilia and artifacts pertaining to the Packard line. It is the world’s only restored Packard museum, and visitors are able to experience the automobiles and learn more about this distinct brand. The museum also hosts annual events and gatherings throughout the year, ranging from high end cocktail parties and galas to laid back speaker presentations and workshops.
420 S Ludlow St, Dayton, Ohio, Phone: 937-226-1710
7. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park is a historical memorial park commemorating three historically significant American figures and their impact on the Miami Valley. Those three individuals are Orville Wright, Wilbur Wright, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. The home of the Wright bothers, both born and raised in Dayton, was destroyed in the 1970s, and the last remaining bicycle shop had been moved to Greenfield Village, Michigan for display. As a result, the city decided to construct a park in their honor, and in the process they also preserved the original home of Ohio born poet Dunbar, a good friend of the Wright brothers. Today, visitors can tour the park, which includes a visitor center, a museum, and several memorials.
16 South Williams Street, Dayton, Ohio, Phone: 937-225-7705
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
8. Victoria Theatre
Located in downtown Dayton, the Victoria Theatre is a historic and grand performing arts venue that presents over 300 live performances every year. Owned and managed by the Victoria Theatre Association, the shows are performed by a diverse collection of actors and groups, both local and globally on tour. Throughout the year, shows that cater to families, children, and adults take place. If you are looking for romantic date night ideas, watch a performance at the Victoria Theatre. The shows include a Broadway Series, star attractions, a family series, discovery series, and a cool films series.
138 N Main St, Dayton, OH 45402, Phone: 937-228-7591
9. Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center
The Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center is a community based center designed to host Dayton’s entertainment and performing arts. The center is owned by the Victoria theatre Association and is located inside of what was formerly Rike’s department store. The Dayton Philharmonic, the Dayton Ballet, and the Dayton Opera all perform at this location, along with a variety of other seasonal and traveling acts. Aside from the arts center, the Center also contains a number of restaurants, a winter garden, and several condos and offices. For a list of upcoming performances, the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center website features an events calendar. If you are looking for things to do in Dayton, Ohio today, watch a performance at the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center.
1 W 2nd St, Dayton, OH 45402, Phone: 937-228-7591
10. National Aviation Hall of Fame
The National Aviation Hall of Fame, located at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s National Museum of the United States Air Force, features an expansive gallery outlining the country’s aviation pioneers with the intention of creating a memorial to honor these individual’s actions and educate and inspire the public. The Hall’s learning center is a comprehensive educational center with seven major sections dedicated to informing the public of the accomplishments of those enshrined and the transformation of aviation history. The seven sections are: the enshrine lab, the history of early flight, the First World War, the Golden Age of Flight, World War Two, Jet Age, and Into Space. In each section, hands-on activities and interpretive information are available for visitors to become more involved with the content.
1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, Ohio, Phone: 937-256-0944
Where to Eat in Dayton, OH
- Wheat Penny Oven and Bar – Creative wood-fired pizzas and craft cocktails in a fun, modern setting.
- Corner Kitchen – Elevated comfort food and seasonal dishes in the Oregon District with great service and flair.
- Taqueria Mixteca – Delicious and authentic Mexican food with handmade tortillas and flavorful tacos.
If you are interested in local events:
- Dayton Air Show (June–July) – Watch thrilling aerobatic performances and explore aircraft displays at this nationally known air show.
- Dayton Celtic Festival (July) – Celebrate Irish and Scottish culture with music, dance, food, and family fun downtown.
- Dayton Art in the City (August) – Art demos, street performances, and interactive creativity across downtown streets and galleries.
If you are looking for unique day trips within 30–60 Minutes of Dayton, Ohio:
- Yellow Springs (30 min) – A colorful village with hiking trails, boutique shops, and the popular Glen Helen Nature Preserve.
- Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (20 min) – Visit more aviation history and the Air Force Museum or base-related landmarks.
- Springfield (30–40 min) – Explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House and the Heritage Center of Clark County.
- John Bryan State Park (30–35 min) – Hike scenic limestone cliffs and trails through a forested gorge along the Little Miami River.
- Caesar Creek State Park (45–60 min) – Enjoy boating, swimming, hiking, and fossil hunting in this expansive nature area.
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
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What is Dayton known for?
- The sixth largest city in Ohio, Dayton is a fun weekend destination, featuring a diverse choice of museums, restaurants, attractions, coffee shops, beautiful parks and a vibrant performing arts scene.
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What are some of the best things to do in Dayton for families?
- Best things to do in Dayton for families include the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, the National Aviation Hall of Fame, SunWatch Indian Village and Aullwood Audubon Center.
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How can visitors reach Dayton?
- You can fly to Dayton International Airport.
At a Glance:
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Pleasant temperatures and beautiful blooms in local parks.
Marriott at the University of Dayton – A comfortable stay with easy access to downtown and the university.
Visit the Dayton Art Institute – Explore impressive art collections and seasonal exhibits.
Summer (June-August) – Warm weather, perfect for outdoor festivals and aviation attractions.
Hotel Ardent Dayton – A stylish boutique hotel in the heart of downtown.
Explore the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force – Discover aviation history and see historic aircraft up close.
Fall (September-November) – Crisp air, fall foliage, and a great time for outdoor activities.
The Oakwood Inn – A charming bed and breakfast in a picturesque neighborhood.
Take a hike at John Bryan State Park – Enjoy scenic trails and autumn colors.
Plan Your Trip