Location: Dayton
Top Things to do in Dayton
- 1. National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
- 2. Carillon Historical Park
- 3. Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center
- 4. America's Packard Museum - The Citizens Motorcar Co.
- 5. Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum
- 6. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
- 7. Dayton Art Institute
- 8. The Wright Cycle Company Complex
- 9. National Aviation Hall of Fame
- 10. Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
The 10 Best Things to Do in Dayton, United States
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 U.S. Air Force
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By LMS0305 - Memphis, Tennessee
The museum is MASSIVE, and there are more planes, military equipment and uniforms, and war artifacts to count. To try to read everything would take hours! The best part about the museum is admission is free! You will definitely get good exercise just walking throughout the space, but prepare for long walks for small kids and those with mobility challenges (I believe there are strollers and scooters available in the lobby) There are several planes in hangar 4, including a few Air Force One, that can be walked through, but the spaces are very narrow, which I can see problematic for larger or older individuals. There are opportunities for flight simulators geared towards older children and adults. My two toddlers (ages 4 and 3) had a great time seeing all the planes, but I wish there were more interactive exhibits/exhibits children could sit in, that would entertain smaller kids. Def recommend for Dayton visitors and history buffs!
2. Carillon Historical Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 730 reviews
Reviewed By Brent H - Dover, Delaware
Going in the middle of the week was a good choice. I got a personal walk around inside the transportation museum and the Wright museum. Both of these are well worth the visit, not to mention everything else on the grounds. There are some historical artifacts that you cannot see anywhere else as they literally don't exist. The grounds are lovely and I would love to come back when the weather is nice. The staff is excellent as well. I haven't been to a museum where the docents were that helpful in a long time. As an added bonus a young bald eagle pair has just established a nest above the Wright museum and you can see them flying around or sitting in the trees. Very neat experience.
3. Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 303 reviews
Reviewed By Nan A - NYC, United States
A beautiful place to see a Broadway play. It has comfortable seating, and parking nearby. Shows are always wonderful.
4. America's Packard Museum - The Citizens Motorcar Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 225 reviews
Reviewed By John N
The museum is housed in a 100 year old 3 story Packard dealership. An adjoining building holds more Packard's and a fine research library. Early Packard's were the luxury cars of their time. This museum has examples of Packard's from the 1930's to the end of their rein in the late 50's when purchased by Studebaker. The outer rim of the building contain advertising, documents, pictures, accessories, engines, etc. Packard was very involved with the war effort with engines that powered planes and PT boats. The cars were used for military brass. View the video in the research library. The museum contains a hearse that was used in the 'Godfather' movie along with a car owned by Perry Como. The docents are knowledgeable and friendly. Admission is reasonable and parking is on the street. If you love beautiful cars this is well worth a visit.
5. Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 189 reviews
Reviewed By M S - Dayton, Ohio
We took the mystery, mayhem, and murder tour with a group of friends and really enjoyed the day. The tour started in daylight but ended in the dark. It was a free tour and they provided lanterns and a volunteer guide. She did a great job and shared a lot of great history. Would like to visit again to see more.
6. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
This is the location of the Wright brothers Wright Cycle Company building plus other related historical aviation sites.
Reviewed By warrenville111 - Warrenville, IL
On a Sunday morning in October, we visited the Wright Cycle Company and Visitor Center (minus the Cycle Company - it was not open). The visitor center was very nice. We enjoyed learning about the history of Wilbur and Orville Wright - Kitty Hawk - and flight. When looking at the NPS website, I didn't quite understand the layout of all of the places to visit - but based upon the brochure they had...there are 7:
1 Wright Cycle Company and Visitor Center
2 Paul Laurence Dunbar House State Memorial
3 Wright Company Factory
4 Wright Brothers Aviation Center
5 Hawthorne Hill
6. Huffman Prairie Flying Field
7. Huffman Prairie Interpretive Center.
We visited 1, 6, and 7 (1 and 7 being the visitor center). The Huffman Prairie Flying field was more of a visitor center of the later years...where the Wright Cycle Company Visitor center was about the earlier years. We enjoyed both visitor centers - rangers at both were informative and helpful.
7. Dayton Art Institute
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 350 reviews
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 Insitute is committed to enriching lives and serving the community by creating meaningful experiences with art.
Reviewed By 956chantalw - Dayton, Ohio
Dayton Ohio has so many things to justify its immense pride.. from the inventors, the true pioneers of dreams come true, the doers and the supporters; one of our treasures here in Dayton is its Art Institute home of numerous students and artists who became well known and gems filling the galleries at any given time... you never know what will smile at every turn! want a surprise?.. come look for yourself and find it.
8. The Wright Cycle Company Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
Reviewed By Paul S - Marion
This site, like many NPS historic sites, is actually a reproduction of the building that the Wright Brothers once worked in. Most people don't realize that business was much more fluid a hundred years ago, as many shops didn't all just line up in strip malls or even stay at the same location. If I remember my history correctly, the Wrights ran their bike/printing/'research shop out of at least three different locations, and this was not the one they were at when they developed the wright flyer. Henry Ford bought that building and moved it lock, stock ,and barrel to his Greenfield Village complex in Dearborn, Michigan.This still is a very important site because their work here helped to start them on the path to Kitty Hawk. This was the only site on the Aviation Heritage trail I had not been to but when we arrived had to be content with looking through the first floor windows because it was closed due to the government shutdown.
9. National Aviation Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By jbwhitehouse - Dallas, Texas
This is inside the Air Force Museum near the Bob Hope exhibit. A number of interactive and static displays. Kids had fun.
10. Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 365 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 dianaschnuth - Toledo, Ohio
As an adult, I was captivated by the interactive exhibits, the bird feeders hanging just outside the windows, and the detailed but simply-worded explanations of nature and science. My five-year-old son would have stayed in the Tower all day, though, climbing up net ropes and sliding down twisty slides.
Apart from the Tower, my son's favorite part was the planetarium show we watched, Flying Monsters, which was about pterosaurs. It was about 40 minutes long, and it was produced in such a way that it held my child's attention and mine. We both learned new things, too (which is saying a lot for my dino-loving kid).
We only had a couple of hours here, but I suspect that we'll come back the next time we're in town.
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