21 Things To Do In Dayton, Ohio

If Dayton, Ohio hasn’t been on your travel radar yet, it should be. This city in southern Ohio has everything from a vibrant arts and culture scene to amazing parks with vast bike paths, trails, and a ton for families with kids. There is something for everyone from museums to distilleries and so much more in between. Yes, I’m a native Daytonian, but I haven’t lived there in years and the city has really stunned me in recent years when we head back for a month to see what’s going on. Looking for all of the things to do in Dayton, Ohio? Check out the list below.

Dayton, Ohio is an awesome place to visit as a tourist and definitely a great place to have grown up. There are some fun things to do for everyone in the family from young to old. Here are 21 things you need to do in Dayton, Ohio.

• What to know about Dayton, Ohio
• Where to stay in Dayton, Ohio
• Things to do in Dayton, Ohio

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What to know about Dayton, Ohio

Dayton, Ohio is the sixth largest city in the state and is the ‘Birthplace of Aviation’. It also has the moniker ‘Gem City’ and has been the center of industry, trade, and transport for years. It became an official city in 1841 and was named after Jonathan Dayton, an American Revolutionary War captain who signed the Constitution. With everything from culture and arts to industry, there is a lot to see and do for people of all ages.

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Where to stay in Dayton, Ohio

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Things to do in Dayton, Ohio

1. The Wright Patterson Air Force Base

Home to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Base, this museum is massive and has one of the world’s largest collections with nearly 400 missiles and aircraft on display. Highlights include the only surviving XB-70 Valkyrie B-36, Blokscar, the B-29 Superfortress, which was responsible for dropping the atomic bomb in WWII. This museum could take you an entire week to see everything.

I saw this museum so many times when I was young, I was a bit over it… until I went back as an adult and introduced it to my husband. I quickly realized there was even more to see and learn than I ever remembered. It’s a hugely cool place to visit and on top of that, it’s FREE!

• Address: 1100 Spaatz Street, Dayton, Ohio
• Hours: Every day: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day)
• Admission: FREE
• Website: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

2. The Pine Club Steakhouse

Founded in 1947, The Pine Club has a classic steak house menu. Onion rings have gone on every single entrée for 72 years and in 2015, the Food Network called The Pine Club the #2 steakhouse in the country. The New York Times’ Style Magazine named it one of “10 of the World’s Greatest Old Dining Institutions” and they are right. It’s a must eat. BUT, make a note that they don’t take credit cards or reservations so make sure to rock up with cash ready for a wait. Of course, you can enjoy that wait around the central bar so it’s still enjoyable. This is a spot I visit every time I am back because it is absolutely one of the best restaurants in Dayton and delicious!

• Address: 1926 Brown Street, Dayton, Ohio
• Hours: Monday – Thursday: 4:00pm ~ 10:00pm; Friday & Saturday: 4:00pm ~ 11:00pm; Closed Sundays
• Website: https://thepineclub.com/

3. The Carillon Historical Park

This 65 acre park is not only beautiful due to the abundance of nature, but it contains a series of educational centers to learn about the history of Dayton. The collection of buildings in the park includes the oldest building in Dayton, a heritage school house, a 19th century stone cottage, and more. There’s also a space to learn about all of the inventions that were produced right in the Gem City. Did you know the first Frigidaire refrigerator was invented here? This is a great spot to take kids and show them historical spaces, learn, and then frolic in the park. Learn more about all that you can do at the Carillon Historical Park.

Did you know: The Carillon Bells in the park are transformed into a 200 foot tall Tree of Light from the end of November until Christmas each year. It is said to be Ohio’s largest Christmas tree of light installation. Don’t miss it if you visit Dayton, Ohio in the winter.

• Address: 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, Ohio
• Hours: The grassy field is always open, but if you want to enter the open air museum hours are as follows: Monday – Saturday: 9:30am ~ 5:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm ~ 5:00pm

4. The Carillon Brewery

Located in the Carillon Historical Park, this brewery produces some of the sourest beer I’ve ever had.. and it is good! The Carillon Brewing Company is the first licensed production brewery in a museum and the entire brewery is a replication of a brewery straight out of the 1850s. It’s a unique and delicious experience. Another must eat spot in Dayton, Ohio, it’s family friendly and has delicious food everyone can enjoy. Learn more about visiting the Carillon Brewing Co.

• Address: 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, Ohio 45409
• Hours: Monday ~ Saturday: 9:30am – 10:00pm (Food Service 11:00am – 9:00pm); Sunday: 11:00am – 10:00pm

5. Street Art

Every time I’ve gone home in recent years, I’ve really enjoyed how colorful the downtown city has become. While there were always some very colorful spots, there are even more now and there seems to be new street art added all of the time. Don’t miss the super colorful street art murals and buildings in downtown Dayton. You should definitely take the time to do a street art scavenger hunt in the city. Check out our guide to murals and street art in Dayton, Ohio with addresses if you want to go on a hunt.

6. Belle of Dayton Distillery

The Dayton area, like many cities in the US, used to have plenty in the way of distilleries and breweries up until the prohibition, or to be more exact, up until six months BEFORE the Prohibition Era. Actually, Ohio went dry before other states in the Union due to the influence of the state’s temperance movement.

After prohibition ended, distilling just didn’t come back as big as breweries and that is one thing you’ll learn as you sit and sip on the concoctions of the LaSelle brothers. Not only does Belle of Dayton produce high quality spirits but they do so while embracing the area’s past of innovation and production. Learn more about our tasting at Belle of Dayton.

• Address: 122 Van Buren Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402, USA
• Tasting Room Hours: Thursday 12:00pm ~ 5:00pm; Friday 12:00pm ~ 5:00pm;  Saturday 5:00pm ~9:00pm
• Website: www.belleofdayton.com

7. Victoria Theatre

One of my favorite things to do when I was younger was to head downtown to the historic and beautiful Victoria Theatre. I still remember the first time I saw Dancing In The Rain shown there. When we came out, it was raining and we literally danced down the road singing the songs from the flick. The theater has 300 live performances every year performed by local groups as well as international tours. This is a very romantic experience to have in the city of Dayton.

• Address: 138 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio
• Website: https://www.daytonlive.org/venues/victoria-theatre/

8. Oregon Historical District

Whether you’re looking for a fun night out, some cool thrift stores and record stores, or a strip of restaurants, you’ll find all of that here along the original brick streets of the Oregon District. Step on to this central historic neighborhood with buildings from the 1820s to the 1910s. This is a fun area to hang out in from day into night. If you want to find the shops and restaurants, head to East Fifth Street between South Patterson Boulevard and Wayne Avenue.

• Website:http://www.oregondistrict.org/

9. “Land of Funk” Stone Street Murals

This 21 panel mural is dedicated to Dayton’s musical legacy. Under lead artist Morris Howard, the murals honor local bands from the funk era including the Ohio Players, Heatwave, Lakeside, Slave, Faze-O, Sun, and Zapp featuring Roger Troutman. This is just a start to some of the awesome street art that you can find downtown these days. Located on Stone Street between South Patterson and South Jefferson, take a short walk and relive the hey-day of funk in Dayton, Ohio.

10. The Arcade

Closed for most of my life, I was ecstatic to be able to walk into the Dayton Arcade when it reopened. Built between 1902 and 1904, step into this complex that features a gorgeous glass-topped rotunda. Originally home to shopping and restaurants, it was shuttered for 30 years and almost destroyed until the community got together to fight and save the space. This is a beautiful compliment to the historic downtown of Dayton.

• Address: 35 West Fourth Street, Dayton, Ohio
• Hours: The rotunda is currently open during events only so check their calendar to visit.
• Website: https://www.arcadedayton.com/

11. The Five Rivers Metro Parks

The Five Rivers Metro Parks is a gigantic parks system with almost 16,000 acres of green space and public facilities. The parks are so huge that every Daytonian lives within 10 minutes of a park. Created in 1963, the parks have seen an amazing transformation in the past couple of decades and are on a mission to protect “Greater Dayton’s natural heritage and to inspire appreciation and understanding of the treasures through nature-based outdoor recreation and educational opportunities and experiences.” If you visit Dayton, you will not be far from a park so make sure you go out and enjoy them.

12. The Neon Theater

This unique art-house cinema is where you want to go to see those foreign, documentary, or independent films. They show the films that big boxes won’t. It’s a vibe.

• Address: 130 East Fifth Street, Dayton, Ohio
• Hours: Check the website for showtimes.
• Website: https://www.neonmovies.com/

13. Dayton Art Institute

This museum of fine art was founded in 1919. The building it is currently housed in was opened in 1930 and was constructed to model a famous Italian Renaissance structure. The collection inside has over 20,000 pieces. The museum is beautiful and the collection is inspiring. There is also a great children’s area at the Dayton Art Institute as well so after perusing the pieces upstairs, take the kids downstairs so they can touch, create, and be inspired too. Learn more about the Dayton Art Institute here.

• Address: 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton, Ohio
• Hours: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 11:00am ~ 5:00pm; Thursday: 11:00am ~ 8:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm ~ 5:00pm
• Website: https://www.daytonartinstitute.org/

14. Dayton Dragons Baseball

If you’re into baseball.. or even if you’re not, you’ll want to get in on the Dayton Dragons action. The local minor league baseball team, the Dragons hold a record for having the most consecutive sold out professional games – with over 1,385. To say they’re loved is an understatement. You might even have a bit of trouble getting a ticket. But you should still try. You can see them at the Fifth Third Field.

• Address: Fifth Third Field, 220 North Patterson Blvd., Dayton, Ohio
• Website: https://www.milb.com/dayton

15. Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

If you have kids, this is not to be missed. This local science museum has a permanent collection that includes a natural history collection, live animal sanctuary, an aquarium, and planetarium. This space is fun fun fun for all ages but really fun for the kiddos. We visit every time we’re home and it’s always a delight. You can and should go back a few times and make it at different times of the day so you can see different shows in Space Theater.

Did you know: This site started out as the Museum of Natural History in 1893 and is now a sprawling campus of scientific information and knowledge.

• Address: 2600 Deweese Pkwy., Dayton, Ohio
• Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm ~ 5:00pm
• Admission: Adults: $14.50; Children (3-17): $11.50
• Website: https://boonshoft.org/

16. Schuster Performing Arts Center

This community based arts center is owned by the Victoria Theatre Association and is host to the Dayton Philharmonic, the Dayton Ballet, and the Dayton Opera. The center also hosts seasonal and traveling acts. Even if you can’t see a performance, stop in to see the restaurants, winter garden, and take in the architecture. Stay for a performance if you have the time.

• Address: 1 West 2nd Street, Dayton, Ohio
• Website: https://www.daytonlive.org/venues/schuster-center/

17. Aullwood Audubon Center

I had never heard of this spot until a couple years back when I was looking for kid-friendly things to do in Dayton and this popped up on my radar. A great environmental education center devoted to the protection of birds and wildlife in the area, this is a fantastic nature-based stop for adults and the children that you might have with you. There are hands on learning experiences, beautiful trails to walk along, and a lot of animals and birds to enjoy in this 200-acre site.

Did you know: You can visit the Bank Barn on the Aullwood Audubon Center which was built in the German heritage style of the 1800s. Step inside to see horses, goats, pigs, and cows.

• Address: 1000 Aullwood Road, Dayton, Ohio
• Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm; Sunday: 1:00pm ~ 5:00pm (Closed Mondays)
• Website: https://aullwood.audubon.org/

18. SunWatch Indian Village

Another popular elementary school field trip location for locals, SunWatch Indian Village and Archaeological Park is a 3-acre open-air museum with a reconstructed Native American village. After a 20 year excavation of the ancient remains, state officials stepped in to preserve the land and create a place to learn and appreciate the culture and people that called the banks of the Great Miami River home. Opened in 1988, SunWatch is a site that protects and educates on the village that thrived here more than 800 years ago.

• Address: 2301 West River Road, Dayton, Ohio
• Hours: Friday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 4:00pm

19. 2nd Street Market

This public market is the oldest and largest public market in Dayton, Ohio. Since it’s enclosed, it’s able to operate year round and visitors can find local vendors with local produce and products including meats, cheeses, baked goods, and more. Find something to munch on there, or to take away.

• Address: 600 East 2nd Street, Dayton, Ohio
• Hours: Friday & Sunday: 11:00am ~ 3:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am ~ 3:00pm (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day)

20. RiverScape Metro Park

I don’t remember RiverScape being so cool when I was younger, but it sure is now. This is an urban green space right in downtown Dayton that runs along the Great Miami River. You can find fountains with little kids playing in the summers and classes open to all hosted on the boardwalks. There is also bike rental available here and you’ll see a lot of bike enthusiasts down at the park on the weekends as they stop in for a rest at the tables, chairs and benches. In the winter, RiverScape is also home to a huge ice rink that is 70 feet by 150 feet. Take a picturesque skate this winter.

Did you know: Dayton, Ohio is super bike friendly and the streets are connected to the country’s largest network of paved, off-street bike trails. The Great Miami River Recreation Trail is a continuous 77-mile riverfront trail that travels through historic communities and street art. Dayton is super popular with bike enthusiasts for a reason.

• Address: 111 East Monument Ave, Dayton, Ohio
• Hours: Year round: 8:00am ~ 10:00pm

21. Wegerzyn Gardens Metro Park

Another spot I didn’t even know about until having a kid and looking for fun places to take her, the Wegerzyn Gardens are beautiful! A part of the Dayton Metro Parks, Wegerzyn has ten formal gardens including a fantastic children’s discovery garden, meadows, and flora and fauna from different ecosystems. It’s a great learning opportunity but just great place to take a walk as well.

• Address: 1301 East Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton, Ohio
• Hours: April – October: 8:00am ~ 10:00pm; November – March: 8:00am ~ 8:00pm (Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day)

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With these 21 things to do in Dayton, Ohio, at the very least you’ll be able to enjoy a fantastic weekend in the area. Should you stop in to Dayton the next time you’re driving through? Yes yes yes!

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