Dayton, Ohio

Driving three hours Northwest of Charleston brings you to Dayton, Ohio, the birthplace of aviation. Dayton is deemed a mid-sized city and is known for imagination, innovation, world-class arts, and culture. Thanks to the Wright Patterson Air Force Base, both aeronautical and astronautical engineering has allowed for many of the technological innovations Dayton is famed for.

Dayton, Ohio is known as the birthplace of aviation.

WHAT TO DO IN DAYTON

The Carillon Historic Park has a fantastic vintage train collection and exhibit.

Since Dayton (birthplace of Orville Wright) is synonymous with aviation, it is only fitting that visiting the Carillon Historical Park is in your travel plans. This 65-acre complex features living history exhibits and museum displays ranging from the Great Flood of 1913 (Ohio’s worst natural disaster) to a National Cash Register Company exhibit. Also, a village of historical 19th-century buildings that have their own stories is scattered throughout the park. One building houses a superb vintage train collection, many of which you can walk through. The most iconic part of Carillon Historical Park houses the Wright brothers’ famous Wright Flyer III, a National Historic Landmark. Inventors and inventions were

The Wright Flyer III is a National Historic Landmark.

abundant in Dayton, so it is only fitting that the park’s one-of-a-kind carousel has seats made from inventions (like the pop top can, the airplane, and cash register), along with decorative horses.

The National Museum of the USAF has a plethora of famous military planes such as this one from the Cold War.

The National Museum of the USAF (United States Air Force) is a must-see. Its vast collection of aircrafts (many from the early 1900’s) is a delight to walk through and see how aviation has changed over the years. There is even a space shuttle exhibit. The National Aviation Hall of Fame is located on the same grounds.

A look at the military uniforms in the National Museum of the USAF.

Visit the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery for kids’ science exhibits and a small zoo.

If performing arts is your niche, Dayton has a plethora of venues including the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center which is the home to the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Opera, and Dayton Ballet. The historic Victoria Theatre welcomes off-Broadway productions, concerts, and summer film series, plus local events.

Those looking for sporting events will be pleased to know that Dayton has a minor league baseball team, the Gem City Rollergirls, NCAA basketball, golf, and rugby.

Last, but not least, Dayton is nationally recognized for its world-class gardens. You can see some of them at Cox Arboretum, which features a butterfly house and edible garden, and the Wegerzyn Gardens, home to a nature trail, the Children’s Discovery Garden, and several formal gardens.

WHERE TO EAT IN DAYTON

A fabulous collection of residential and commercial buildings lies in the Oregon    District part of town. Here, you will find nightclubs, independent restaurants, art galleries, specialty shopping, and pubs housed in 1820 to 1915 historic buildings on brick-lined streets. The architecture (from Greek Revival to Federal and Queen Anne) alone is worth admiring. In 1974, the 12 square block area was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sinfully delicious Deviled Egg of the Day Trio from Lily’s Bistro.

For an upscale dinner, I recommend Lily’s Bistro, serving seasonal eclectic American food and drinks. Start your meal with the trio of deviled-eggs-of-the-day; they are amazing! Lily’s famous Fried Chicken has a devout foodie following and the Shrimp and Grits is another tasty dish worth trying.

Donut Bread Pudding and Shrimp & Grits from Lily’s Bistro at Oregon District.