Location: Dayton
Top Things to do in Dayton
Top 10 Free Things to do in Dayton, Ohio (OH)
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. Esther Price Fine Chocolates
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By kathygplus3
A classic and annual place to order our favorite chocolates - whether on-line or lucky enough to be able to go in. A great place for any chocolate lover. For a unique and tasty sweet and salty item, check out the chocolate covered potato chips.
3. 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.
4. 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!
5. The Century Bar
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
Reviewed By 961daleh
After a pleasant relaxing drive you turn a corner and suddenly go back in time. It's very moving to stand on one of the spots where important history was made. This field and launch rail are a definite must see.
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.
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