Aviation
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Four vast hangars trace aviation from the Wright brothers through presidential aircraft, space flight and stealth technology. Admission is free.
Things to Do & See
Things to do in Dayton
Waterfall trails and canal locks, aviation landmarks and a glass-winged art museum. Here's what to hit first, what locals do on repeat, and what's worth the drive up the valley.
The essentials
Four places that define the city
If you only have a day in Dayton, spend it here.
Outdoors
Five Rivers MetroParks
More than 30 parks connect riverfront paths, forests, prairies and gardens throughout Montgomery County.
Downtown
Great Miami River Trail
A paved regional trail runs beside downtown, RiverScape and the Great Miami River, with easy connections to the wider Miami Valley trail network.
Arts
Dayton Art Institute
A hilltop museum with European, American, Asian and African collections, plus broad views toward downtown.
Discover
Hikes, museums and free things to do
Filter by category and distance from downtown Dayton.
8 spots match
Museums · Wright-Patterson Open
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Historic aircraft and aviation stories across four hangars.
★ 4.9 · 7 mi
Outdoors · Downtown Open
RiverScape MetroPark
Riverfront fountains, gardens, events and seasonal ice skating.
★ 4.7 · 0.3 mi
Outdoors · East Dayton Open
Eastwood MetroPark
Lake, river access, paddling and paved trails minutes from downtown.
★ 4.7 · 4 mi
Family · North Dayton Open
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
Hands-on science, natural history and a compact zoo for families.
★ 4.6 · 4 mi
Museums · Grafton Hill Open
Dayton Art Institute
Global art collections in a landmark hilltop building.
★ 4.7 · 1 mi
Photo awaiting a verified source
Arts · Downtown Open
Dayton Live
Broadway tours, concerts and performances at downtown theaters.
★ 4.7 · 0.4 mi
Free · Wright-Dunbar Open
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
Explore the stories of the Wright brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar.
★ 4.8 · 2 mi
Photo awaiting a verified source
Free · Downtown Open
2nd Street Market
Local food vendors, growers and makers in a historic freight house.
★ 4.6 · 0.8 mi
Keep exploring
More Dayton city guides
Pair sights with meals, neighborhoods and events for a full itinerary.
Restaurants
Eat & Drink in Dayton
Chef-driven kitchens, drive-in burgers, riverfront breweries and local breakfast spots.
Areas
Dayton Neighborhoods
From walkable Oregon District to quiet valley streets and family-friendly suburbs.
Calendar
Dayton Events
The Air Force Marathon, Dayton Porchfest, RiverScape concerts and year-round farmers markets.