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Dayton is a city in southwest Ohio on the Great Miami River, best known as the birthplace of aviation. Founded in 1796, it grew into a busy canal and manufacturing town, and in the late 1800s Orville and Wilbur Wright ran a bicycle shop here, where they designed and built the airplanes that led to the first powered flight in 1903. They perfected their flying machines at Huffman Prairie, just outside the city.
Dayton was once one of the most inventive cities in America, producing the cash register, the electric car starter and the pop-top can. Today it has about 135,000 residents and a revived downtown with the Oregon District's restored 1800s streets full of bars and restaurants, minor league baseball at Day Air Ballpark, and the Levitt Pavilion and Schuster Center for concerts and performances.
Aviation is still the main draw. The National Museum of the United States Air Force, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, is the largest military aviation museum in the world and free to visit. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park includes the Wright Cycle Company and Huffman Prairie Flying Field, and Carillon Historical Park displays the Wright Flyer III. The Dayton Art Institute and Woodland Cemetery round out the city's landmarks.
The world's largest military aviation museum, with more than 350 aircraft and missiles in huge hangars, including presidential planes, a B-2 bomber, space vehicles and early Wright aircraft. Admission is free. Plan a full day, wear comfortable shoes and start in the earliest galleries.
An art museum in an Italian Renaissance-style building on a hill overlooking downtown, with collections spanning ancient, Asian, European and American art. Its grand staircase and cloister are lovely. Admission to the permanent collection is free; allow two hours.
A science and natural history museum for families, with live animals, a planetarium, dinosaur and Egyptian exhibits and hands-on science displays. It is a favorite with kids. Allow a few hours and check the planetarium show schedule.
A national park honoring the Wright brothers and poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, with sites including the Wright Cycle Company shop and the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center in West Dayton. Rangers explain how the brothers invented the airplane. Admission is free; start at the interpretive center.
The field where the Wright brothers perfected their flying machine in 1904 and 1905, now part of the national historical park on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. A replica hangar and catapult stand on the prairie. A nearby interpretive center explains the history.
The home of poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, one of the first nationally acclaimed African American writers, preserved with his belongings and part of the national historical park. Guided tours show how he lived and worked. Check opening days before you go.
A 65-acre history park with more than 30 buildings and exhibits on Dayton's inventions, including the original 1905 Wright Flyer III, plus a giant carillon tower, a brewery and a vintage carousel. Allow half a day, and try the brewery's food.
One of the oldest garden cemeteries in the US, founded in 1841, where the Wright brothers, Paul Laurence Dunbar and Erma Bombeck are buried. Its rolling hills and old trees are beautiful, and a lookout offers a view of downtown. Walk or drive the roads.
Dayton's oldest neighborhood, with restored 19th-century homes and a lively main street of bars, restaurants, cafes and shops on Fifth Street. It is the city's favorite nightlife area. Stroll the side streets to see the historic homes, then stay for dinner.
A downtown park on the Great Miami River with fountains, an ice rink in winter, a bike hub and the RiverScape River Run with whitewater for kayaking. It hosts concerts and festivals. Rent a bike or watch paddlers, especially on warm evenings.
Dayton's main performing arts center, with a striking glass atrium and a large hall hosting the Dayton Philharmonic, Dayton Opera, Dayton Ballet and touring Broadway shows. It is downtown near restaurants. Book seats ahead for Broadway tours.
Home of the Dayton Dragons, a Cincinnati Reds minor league team famous for selling out games for many years, with a lively family atmosphere and between-innings entertainment. It is downtown near the Oregon District. Buy tickets early, as games often sell out.
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