Dayton, Ohio is known as the birthplace of aviation.  In their Dayton, Ohio, bicycle shop Wilbur and Orville Wright, self-trained in the science and art of aviation, researched and built the world's first power-driven, heavier-than-air machine capable of free, controlled, and sustained flight. The Wrights perfected their invention during 1904 and 1905 in their hometown of Dayton before launching it at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.   Wilbur and Orville's original laboratory has been moved to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan, but Dayton Aviation Heritage Park with its Wright Brothers Aviation Center and Wright Cycle Company Building continues to pay tribute to their monumental achievement.

Another native son, Paul Laurence Dunbar, is equally honored within the National Historical Park.  This gifted and prolific writer produced a body of work that included novels, plays, short stories, lyrics, and over 400 published poems. His writings, which reflected much of the African American experience in America, contributed to a growing social consciousness and cultural identity for African Americans in the United States

Many original buildings still stand in one of the city's first communities, now known as Dayton’s Oregon Historic District. This 12-block area is bordered by 5th Street, Wayne Avenue, US 35, and Patterson Boulevard. Christmas tours of the district take place the first Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of December; Spring garden tours are available, by reservation,  in late May and June.

Dayton was first surveyed for settlement in November, 1795.  Today, Dayton is home to more than 830 technology companies, to Wright Patterson Air Force Base, and is known as an educational and cultural center.

Courthouse Square is the venue for many local events such as concerts and impromptu entertainment.  At 130 Riverside Dr. is the Ohio Korean War Memorial and Veterans Walkway. Downtown Dayton features Metroparks' RiverScape, an attractively landscaped park with gardens and reflecting pools. In winter visitors can skate on an outdoor ice-skating rink, enjoy festive light displays and other family activities

Dayton is home to the University of Dayton, known worldwide for its academic excellence.  Ohio’s largest private university has an enrollment of over 10,000 students.  Well known alumni include the late columnist Erma Bombeck, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Chuck Noll, and ESPN anchor Dan Patrick. 

The cultural and creative spirit of the city is apparent in performances of the Dayton Opera and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra at the Benjamin and Marian Shuster Performing Arts Center.  The Victoria Theatre presents a Broadway Series, and dance is offered by Dayton Ballet and the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. 

Downtown Dayton is the place to be for winter holiday fun!  The excitement begins on the day after Thanksgiving with the 2005 Grande Illumination on Court House Square.  This is followed by the month-long Dayton Holiday Festival, an annual celebration within the community for over 30 years.  Other Dayton annual events include the Ohio Folk Festival held in Carillon Historical Park each May and extremely popular Dayton Vectren Air Show. 

Population:  166,179

Elevation:  740 feet

Time Zone:  Dayton is in the Eastern Time zone.  When it is noon in New York City, it is also noon in Dayton, Ohio, and   it is 9:00 AM in California.   Daylight saving time is observed from April through October. 

Average Temperatures:

When to Visit:  Winters are cold and summers are pleasantly warm in this region.  Winter precipitation is usually light, and comes in the form of snow rather than freezing rain.  Clear skies and lots of sunshine are a welcome feature of the weather year round in the Miami Valley of Ohio in which Dayton is located.

Holidays Observed: 

New Year's Day Jan. 1

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 3rd Mon. in Jan.

Washington-Lincoln Day 3rd Mon. in Feb.

Memorial Day last Mon. in May

Independence Day July 4

Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.

Columbus Day  2^nd Monday in October

Veterans Day  Nopvember 11

Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec. 24 and 25

New Year's Eve Dec. 31

Dayton International Airport

I-70 West, Exit #32

Dayton, OH

937-454-8200    

Miami Valley Regional Transit Authority (RTA)

22 South Main St.,

Dayton, OH

United States Air Force Museum

Springfield Pike

Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

(937) 255-3286  

The museum features some 300 aircraft and missiles over an area of more than 17 acres of indoor exhibit space.  The displays reflect the history of aviation from the days of the Wright Brothers to the present age.  An IMAX Theater presents space exploration and aviation films.

Wright-Patterson AFB

1250 Kittyhawk Center

Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

(937) 255-6321  

Huffman Prairie Flying Field is at gate 12A on the Base.  This is the field used by the Wright brothers for test flying and perfecting their planes.  A re-creation of their 1905 hangar and their catapult launch device are on the site. 

Dayton Art Institute

456 Belmonte Park North

Dayton, OH

(937)223-5277

The galleries are housed in an Italian Renaissance building and are extensive.  There is a collection of African, American, Asian, and European art as well as photography, sculpture, furniture, and decorative art.  The Experiencenter presents family oriented, participatory thematic shows.  Guided tours are available.

Carillon Historical Park

1000 Carillon Boulevard

Dayton, OH  45409

(937) 293-2841

Open April thru Oct.

Tues.-Sat. 9:30am-5pm

Admission charged.

Carillon Historical Park's mission is to celebrate and preserve the history of the Miami Valley and illustrate how it leads to the future. The Park is a 65-acre outdoor museum with 24 exhibit buildings and structures, and is the site of the 57-bell Deeds Carillon, Ohio's largest. The highlight of the collections is the 1905 Wright Flyer III, the world's first practical airplane, and a National Historic Landmark.

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

2600 Deweese Parkway

Dayton, OH  45414

(937) 275-7431

9am - 5pm

Admission charged

This museum invites exploration of the wonders of the world by combining play and learning. Interactive exhibits cover an area of covers 90,000 square fee.  It contains a science theater, labs, and a three story climbing tower.  There is also a child friendly village.  A small zoo houses animal species native to Ohio.  Planetarium and light shows are also featured. 

Sunwatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park

2301 West River Road

Dayton, OH  45418

(937) 268-8199

Tues.-Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. noon-5pm

Admission charged

SunWatch currently combines experimental archaeological research, including the reconstruction of the Fort Ancient structures in their original 13th century locations, with an interpretive center that exhibits many of the artifacts that have been recovered from the site. There is also a picnic shelter and picnic tables overlooking the village and are available for visitors to relax.

Aullwood Audobon Center and Farm

1000 Aullwood Road

Dayton, OH  45490

(937) 890-7360

Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 12-5pm, closed school holidays

Admission charged.

This environmentally based education center, wildlife sanctuary, and organic farm contains woods, streams, ponds, prairies, meadows, and hiking trails.  Hands-on exhibits educate visitors about southwestern Ohio’s plant and animal life.  Livestock are humanely tended and present another valuable lesson in the care and management of farm animals.  

Carriage Hill Metropark and Farm

Highway I-70, Exit 38, 1 mile north on State Road 201, then .5 miles on E. Shull Road. 

(937) 879-0461

Mon-Fri:  10-5; Saturday; Sunday:  1-5.  Admission charged.

This is an 1880s working farm with draft horses, vegetable gardening and preserving of food, and a video presentation and interactive exhibits for the whole family.

Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial

219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar Street

Dayton, OH

(937) 224-7061

Mon-Sat:  9:30-4:30.  Sunday:  12:30-4:30.  Admission charged.

The restored former home of poet, novelist, and civil rights advocate Paul Laurence Dunbar contains many of his personal belongings dating from the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. 

Mid January

Miami Valley Home Improvement Show

Dayton Hara Arena

1001 Shiloh Springs Road

Dayton, OH  45415

(937) 278-4776

Established in 1982, this is the largest home show in the Dayton area.   Offers exhibits, seminars and "Ask-An-Expert" sessions on all aspects of home improvement.  Landscaped exhibits, model room additions, and much more.

Early-Mid March

Dayton Home and Garden Show

Dayton Convention Center

22 East Fifth Street

Dayton, OH  45402

(888) 823-7469

Fri and Sat 10 am - 9 pm, Sun 10 am - 6 pm

Admission charged.

Since 1996, this annual event has annually featured over 250 exhibitors displaying and selling home and garden products and accessories. Exhibits of professionally landscaped gardens offer audiences the latest ideas for home and garden.

May

Ohio Folk Festival

Held annually at Carillon Historical Park, the festival celebrates our American heritage with period costumes, reenactments, food, and entertainment. 

Memorial Day weekend

Concert at the Town Greene

Carillon Historical Park

1000 Carillon Boulevard

Dayton, OH  45409

(937) 293-2841

Free.  Bring family, friends and a blanket or lawn chair to celebrate music and history each Memorial Day weekend as the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra presents a patriotic performance on Carillon Historical Park's Town Green. Rain date is Monday.

June

Summerfest at SunWatch Indian Village

Native American history and culture come to life with music, dancing, and storytelling at this summertime favorite event.

Mid-July

Vectren Dayton Air Show

Dayton International Airport

Dayton, OH

(937) 898-5901  

Nearly 100,000 people turn out every summer to view the aerial displays of military and civilian aircraft. The Air Force Thunderbirds, the elite U.S. Army Golden Knight Parachute Team, and award winning acrobatic pilots are among the star attractions.  The show provides displays of aircraft for spectator viewing, from the beginning of flight to modern jet aircraft.  Also featured:  the Kids Hangar program for young children, Students Open to Aviation Research (SOAR), a program promoting aviation to underprivileged children, and Aerospace Adventures (A2) providing interactive, hands-on activities including full-scale flight simulators.

Late August-Early September

Montgomery County Fair

Montgomery County Fairgrounds

1043 South Main Street

Dayton, OH  45409

(937) 224-1619

Since 1854, this annual event has featured fun for the entire family including  exhibits, livestock, children's activities, entertainment, rides, music, and a wide variety of food and attractions.

Late September

Octoberfest at the Dayton Art Institute

Live music, traditional German food, and a wide variety of beers are featured.  Local artisans display pottery, jewelry, leather goods, and crafts. 

Late October

Corvette Car Show

Montgomery County Fairgrounds

1043 South Main Street

Dayton, OH  45409

(937) 224-1619

Step back in time through the history of the incomparable corvette.

Late November

National Holiday Gift Show

Dayton Hara Arena

1001 Shiloh Springs Road

Dayton, OH  45415

(937) 278-4776

Fri and Sat 10 am - 6 pm, Sun 12 pm - 5 pm

A tradition since1982, the show has become a Miami Valley holiday tradition. Hundreds of exhibitors offer a huge assortment of  seasonal crafts, artwork, collectibles, ceramics, and personalized items. Santa is on hand to add to the festivities.

Early December

Flea-N-Tique

Montgomery County Fairgrounds

1043 South Main Street

Dayton, OH  45409

(937) 224-1619

A wide array of antiques, collectibles, and household items. Held in the Coliseum.

Arts and Entertainment

Ohio Performing Arts Institute

36 1/2 N. Center St.

Springfield, OH

(937) 324-7444  

Dayton Ballet

140 North Main Street

Dayton, OH

(937) 449-5060  

Dayton Playhouse, Inc

Dayton, OH

(937)333-SHOW            

Dayton Art Institute

456 Belmonte Park N

Dayton, OH

937–223–5277  

Sports

Dayton Bombers - Hockey

Ervin J. Nutter Center

Dayton, OH

(937) 775-4747  

Dayton Dragons - Baseball

Fifth Third Field

Dayton, OH

(937) 228-BATS (2287)  

Parks

For information about area parks contact

Five Rivers Metroparks,

1375 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, OH 45414

937-275-7275.

Gateway Sports Park

103 Gateway Drive

Dayton, OH  45404

1(937) 224-7529

Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sunday 12pm-8pm

This is a multi-sport recreation facility that includes a golf driving range and 27,000 square feet of sports recreation space.

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

2600 Deweese Parkway

Dayton, OH  45414

(937) 275-7431

9am - 5pm

Admission charged

This museum invites exploration of the wonders of the world by combining play and learning. Interactive exhibits cover an area of covers 90,000 square fee.  It contains a science theater, labs, and a three story climbing tower.  There is also a child friendly village.  A small zoo houses animal species native to Ohio.  Planetarium and light shows are also featured. 

Sunwatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park

2301 West River Road

Dayton, OH  45418

(937) 268-8199

Tues.-Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. noon-5pm

Admission charged

SunWatch currently combines experimental archaeological research, including the reconstruction of the Fort Ancient structures in their original 13th century locations, with an interpretive center that exhibits many of the artifacts that have been recovered from the site. There is also a picnic shelter and picnic tables overlooking the village and are available for visitors to relax.

Aullwood Audobon Center and Farm

1000 Aullwood Road

Dayton, OH  45490

(937) 890-7360

Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 12-5pm, closed school holidays

Admission charged.

This environmentally based education center, wildlife sanctuary, and organic farm contains woods, streams, ponds, prairies, meadows, and hiking trails.  Hands-on exhibits educate visitors about southwestern Ohio’s plant and animal life.  Livestock are humanely tended and present another valuable lesson in the care and management of farm animals.  

Carriage Hill Metropark and Farm

Highway I-70, Exit 38, 1 mile north on State Road 201, then .5 miles on E. Shull Road. 

(937) 879-0461

Mon-Fri:  10-5; Saturday; Sunday:  1-5. 

This is an 1880s working farm with draft horses, vegetable gardening and preserving of food, and a video presentation and interactive exhibits for the whole family.