...to Dayton, Ohio

I think it only fitting that we start this blog in some places we have actually lived. These would be the places we know the best, although maybe not a top destination spot for anyone. But definitely worth a trip if you're driving through!

Honestly, I could write several posts about Dayton (and I probably will). It's hard to summarize all of the things we love about this hidden gem in Ohio. To make it easier, I will start with some sights to see (and eventually I'll get to what to eat, and some seasonal favorite activities!).

So you're in Dayton for a day (or hopefully more), where should you go? What should you see?

If you have young kids, like us, here are some of our favorites:

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

 Good for ages: I would say 10 and under. There are a few things older kids would like but, preschool is the perfect age and early elementary school kids can find a lot to do here too.

Especially if you have an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) reciprocal programs membership somewhere. This museum would qualify for reciprocal benefits. If you're military, don't forget to ask for a military discount on memberships! This museum is affordable and lots of fun, especially during the colder months.

Wegerzyn Garden

 This is one of our favorite Metroparks in the Dayton area! Super close to Boonshoft, so while you're there, you can hop on over to Wegerzyn! It has beautiful gardens, a boardwalk over a swampy area, a sensory garden, a small water feature (open Memorial Day through Labor Day, although the park is open year round), sand tables and a music garden. They have a lot of seasonal activities too so don't forget to check out the calendar. The Dayton Playhouse is also located at the park. They have great community plays (We went to the Little Mermaid last year) and a great experience for kids and adults of all ages!

Carillon Historical Park

This is another spot good for all ages! There is a small fee for admission to the park area and to ride the trains (when they're running) and merry-go-round. It doesn't cost anything to go check out the Bell Tower though (especially around Christmas) and see a beautiful view of Dayton and the river from the hill. The park has a playground area with some awesome slides, a museum where you can see one of the original Wright Flyers, and a lot of information on early aviation. They have some original farmhouses that were moved to the park for preservation. This is a popular field trip location, so make sure if you're visiting during a school day, maybe call ahead and see how busy it will be with kids. There is plenty of room though to walk around, take a picnic lunch, and learn about the history of Dayton.

National Museum of the USAF

People come from far and wide to check out this FREE attraction. We used to take the kids there on rainy or cold days just to walk around. With 4 HUGE hangers of planes and things to see, you can spend hours (or days!) checking out this museum. Walk through famous Air Force One planes, check out the Memphis Belle or Bockscar. For a true aviation fan, check out these planes. There are simulators in the museum for a small cost. There is also an education area with STEAM activities for kids (way in the back next to the Space Shuttle display, it's free).

Kettering Adventure Reef Water Park

 You don't need to drive to Kings Island to enjoy some summer fun in Dayton!
This small water park is great for kids of all ages. It has some bigger slides for the big kids and a fenced in area for the little ones who aren't good swimmers. My kids love the swirling pool and jumping off the high dive at the connected Kettering Rec Center (it's indoors but is opened up to outside during the summer months). It's a steal during twilight hours and a fun evening activity if you don't want to spend your entire day in the water.

Oregon District

On fifth street in downtown Dayton, you will find  a lot of cute little shops and restaurants. Great for a date night or a drink before a show at the Schuster Center or a Dayton Dragons game, this is the place to be! It can be family friendly during the day and beautiful to walk through in the spring/summer/fall. I'll do another post on food but there will be a couple spots from the Oregon District on this list. Warning: stay where it's obviously touristy/well kept.

It was really hard to keep this list small, there really is even more to do in Dayton! Don't forget to check out any of the metroparks (they're all fantastic! Sugarcreek and Carriage Hill were runner ups for this post!). Also, there are a ton of parks and splash pads for younger kids. I could also do an entire post just on our favorite playground areas. There is a lot of entertainment you can check out at the Victorian Theater or Schuster Center. And there is always something fun going on late spring-late fall (sorry, not so much in winter!). For older kids, they might enjoy the Art Institute, although it wasn't a favorite for my younger kids.