Beyond the Obvious in Dayton: Parks, food and local favorites
Curious about what you'll do when you live in Dayton? If you like the idea of cycling along river trails, getting artsy in hidden galleries, and are daring enough to try ax throwing downtown, Dayton is calling you home! This list of fun things to do will take you from aviation museums to underground speakeasies and give you a full taste of Dayton's vibrant midwestern charm.
Heather, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Heather has lived in Ohio for 36 years, minus a brief three-year stint in Kentucky (thanks, parents). Born in Appalachian southeastern Ohio, she later moved to the city and spent years wondering where all the cows went and why everyone was suddenly in such a darn hurry. She's adapted...mostly. That culture shock taught her Ohio doesn't get enough credit for its range of flat farmland, Amish hills, and mini mountains all crammed into one state. When she's not writing copy while binging true crime podcasts, she's hunting down a "bubble" from Jackson County (if you know, you know) or stealing the last slice of pie from her husband at So Pizza in Miamisburg. She's telling you about So Pizza with reluctance, because long lines would ruin everything. At Snappy Scout, Heather writes Ohio guides that don't waste your time and occasionally drops puns that may or may not land. You've been warned.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Will You Do in Dayton?
From weekend adventures to iconic road trips, here's how locals spend their time off.
on a Saturday with perfect weather
RiverScape MetroPark where the Five Rivers Fountain of Lights sprays 2,500 gallons of water per minute.
when the gals come to town for the weekend
Oregon District for high-gravity cocktails and shops that smell like 19th-century mahogany.
dude hangout
DK Effect for vintage arcade cabinets, local drafts, and a heavy dose of 1980s nostalgia.
rainy dreary day
National Museum of the US Air Force because 19 acres of indoor hangars can hide you from any storm. Also, it's free!
intellectually stimulating
Wright Brothers National Museum to see the actual bicycle shop where modern physics was wrestled into submission.
artsy
Dayton Art Institute where the 1930s Italian Renaissance architecture is as much a draw as the 20,000 objects inside.
outdoorsy
Five Rivers MetroParks offering 340 miles of connected paved trails for the serious cyclist.
with your dog
Deeds Point Dog Park for skyline views while your pet ignores the scenery.
family oriented
Boonshoft Museum where a planetarium sits ten feet away from a live sloth.
you have to see this
Carillon Historical Park to stand next to the 1905 Wright Flyer III, a designated National Historic Landmark.
on a budget
Second Street Market to browse local honey and artisanal bread inside a 1911 E.M. Beckel freight house.
for sports fans
Dayton Dragons games at Day Air Ballpark, holder of the longest sell-out streak in professional sports history.
My Favorite Local Spot in Dayton
TJ Chumps. The club sandwiches are solid, the patio is massive, and their desserts are the size of my head.
— Heather Taylor
Ohio Local Expert
Ready to See If Dayton Fits You?
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