Location: Dayton
Top Things to do in Dayton
10 Nature & Parks 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. Smith Gardens
2. 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.
3. RiverScape MetroPark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
This popular park, found along the Great Miami River in the heart of Downtown Dayton, is a hub of activities for all ages -- from concerts and community events to bike rentals. Beautiful floral plantings, hanging baskets and fountains make RiverScape the Miami Valley's favorite community gathering place. Always open.
Reviewed By camperinvestigator - Michigan, United States
Very beautiful park. Visited in a snow storm and it was beautiful with the snow falling and the lights in the trees and all the people skating on the ice rink. A beautiful stroll on a winter night.
4. Mad River Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
5. Carriage Hill MetroPark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Farm life in the 1880s comes alive at Carriage Hill MetroPark. Visitor Center exhibits start the journey back in time while demonstrations, reconstructed and historical buildings, and even period farm animals paint the picture. There are also acres of natural beauty to enjoy and a horseback riding center.
Reviewed By larrymV4930GQ
OK? So here is the deal. I was a chaperone for my kids 4th grade class here. It is a great place! Worth a trip. Now, for the other shoe. I grew up on an 800 acre farm. We got there around noon after lunch and Carriage Hill was very quiet. That is not how it is in the morning. Roosters start crowing at around 4:30AM. Cows mooing to be milked. The chickens are wanting me to out my eggs in the egg basket, Do not even get me started on the pigs! What I am saying is that this is a fantastic place to visit. I have never met another person who grew up on a farm and liked it. Do not read this to your kids. I did not even tell this to mine. Would I go back? Yes. To Carriage Hill not my grandmas.
6. Learning Tree Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
7. 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.
8. Aullwood Audubon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Aullwood inspires, teaches, and involves! Aullwood is an environmental education center in western Ohio. As an Audubon Center of the National Audubon Society, our goal is to promote the protection of birds, other wildlife and the habitats on which they depend. Aullwood offers both children and adults the opportunity to experience and appreciate the world through experience-based education. Discover our woods, streams, ponds, prairies, meadows, Marie S. Aull Education Center, Charity A. Krueger Farm Discovery Center and working sustainable farm.
9. Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Stroll through formal gardens and the delightful Children's Discovery Garden. Every season has something special to offer. Home gardeners will find a wealth of design ideas, wonderful plants, and cultivation techniques suitable for the Miami Valley. Also walk the Marie Aull Nature Trail and Swamp Forest Boardwalk and discover the scenic Stillwater River corridor.
Reviewed By LibLady56 - Ohio, United States
We visited this location at the end of fall during Covid, so the flowers and foliage wasn't abundant, nor were the people and educational opportunities. I plan to go back in the spring when flowers are in full bloom. Many people use this location for special photo ops (senior pics, family shots, or weddings)
