Dayton Ohio Travel Guide
Dayton, Ohio is a vibrant city teeming with rich aviation history, captivating natural beauty, dynamic sporting culture, and lively community events. Home to about 140,000 residents, with more than 800,000 in the greater Dayton area, it houses the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base with the world’s largest military aviation museum. It's here that the world-renowned Wright Brothers called home, leaving a legacy that can still be explored in their preserved bicycle shop-turned-museum. For those drawn to the outdoors, the city offers a stunning array of parks, such as Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, Cox Arboretum, and Grotto Gardens, each providing a peaceful refuge within the urban environment. Sports fans will find a passionate community rallied around teams like the Dayton Dragons (baseball) and Dayton Dutch Lions FC (soccer). Adding to its vibrant culture, Dayton hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, including the Dayton Celtic Festival, Dayton Blues Festival, and the Dayton Art Institute Oktoberfest, ensuring a year-round schedule of excitement and entertainment for its residents and visitors alike. Whether you're a history buff, nature enthusiast, sports fanatic, or a festival-goer, Dayton, Ohio has something to offer everyone.
Quick Facts
- Official website: https://www.daytonohio.gov
- Location: Eastern Ohio, 54 miles north of Cincinnati and 70 miles west of Columbus.
- How to get to Dayton:
- By car:
- From Indianapolis, take I-70 east (about 2 hours by car, 3 hours by bus)
- From Cincinnati, take I-75 north (about 1 hour by car, 4 hours by bus)
- From Columbus, take I-70 west (about 1 hour by car)
- By bus:
- From Indianapolis, about 3 hours via Greyhound
- From Cincinnati, about 4 hours via Greyhound
- From Columbus, about 2 to 2.5 hours via FlixBus or Greyhound
- By plane: Dayton International Airport (DAY) has direct flights from several cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, New York, Washington DC, and Philadelphia.
- By car:
Historic Dayton Ohio
The city of Dayton, Ohio has a history that dates back to its establishment on April 1, 1796. It was named after Jonathan Dayton, an American Revolutionary War captain and a signer of the U.S. Constitution, who owned much of the land where the city now stands. Over time, the city transformed from its early settler roots into a bustling hub of industry, commerce, and innovation.
The city's location along the Miami Erie Canal, combined with its prime railroad links, proved highly beneficial for its expansion during the 19th century, particularly in the realm of manufacturing. Companies such as the National Cash Register (NCR) found a home in Dayton, and renowned inventors like Charles F. Kettering, a pivotal character in the auto industry who founded Delco.
As the 20th century dawned, Dayton gained global recognition due to Orville and Wilbur Wright, local residents who engineered the first successful flight of a powered aircraft that was heavier than air. The bicycle shop on West Third Street, where this groundbreaking achievement was realized, now forms a distinguished section of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.
During the Second World War, Dayton held a vital position in the country's defense strategy. It was home to the Dayton Project, a classified section of the broader Manhattan Project, which was dedicated to producing polonium for triggering atomic bombs. After the war, two nearby installations known for their war-time research and logistical contributions, Patterson Field and Wright Field, merged in 1948 to form the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Carillon Historical Park
This park has a collection of historic buildings and exhibits that showcase the history of Dayton. It includes the Wright Brothers National Museum, the Paul Laurence Dunbar House, and the Carillon Brewing Company
Hawthorn Hill
This is the former home of Orville Wright and is now a museum that showcases the life and work of the Wright Brothers
Mound Cold War Discovery Center
This museum showcases the history of the Cold War and its impact on Dayton
Patterson Homestead
This is a historic house museum that showcases life in Dayton during the 19th century
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
This park includes the Visitor Center, the Parachute Museum, the restored Wright Brother’s Cycle Shop, and the Dayton Walk.
Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum
This cemetery is the final resting place of the Wright Brothers, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Erma Bombeck
Things to Do in Dayton, Ohio
The National Museum of the United States Air Force
Visit The National Museum of the United States Air Force - the largest military aviation museum in the world. And it's free.
Cox Arboretum
Walk thought 174 acres of gardens and nature at Cox Arboretum
Wegerzyn Gardens
Get gardening ideas and walk though nature in the 88 acre Wegerzyn Gardens
Grotto Gardens
See the beautiful and historic Grotto Gardens at the Dayton VA Medical Center
Woodland Cemetery
See a fantastic view of downtown Dayton from the overlook at Woodland Cemetary
Dayton Dragons
Go to a Dayton Dragons baseball at the Day Air Park in downtown Dayton. The dragons are a minor league baseball team and an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
Location and Transportation
- Dayton is located in Eastern Ohio, 54 miles north of Cincinnati and 70 miles west of Columbus.
- Dayton lies at the intersection of I-70 that goes east to Columbus and west to Indianapolis, and I-75 that goes north to Toledo and south to Cincinnati
- Local bus service is provided by RTA
- Dayton International Airport (DAY) has direct flights from several cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, New York, Washington DC, and Philadelphia.
Dayton Hotels
Downtown Dayton Hotels
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Dayton. Located downtown across the street from the baseball stadium.
- AC Hotel by Marriott Dayton. Located downtown next to the baseball stadium.
- Hotel Ardent Dayton Downtown, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. New Hotel, taking reservations from January 15, 2024
- Inn Port Lodging. Historic guesthouse in downtown Dayton.