Dayton area
Around Dayton area
Photo: Blervis · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Ohio · 1.1M people
Dayton area
Locals say Miami Valley · “Gem City”, “Birthplace of Aviation”
Where aviation took flight and the river runs through it.
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Welcome to the Miami Valley! From the Oregon District's buzz to the peaceful river trails, there's always something to explore. Whether you're here for the Air Force Museum or a Dragons game, you'll find a friendly community that loves its rivers, its pizza, and its hometown pride.
Clubs for Dayton area
No clubs for Dayton area yet.
The room
Dayton area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Dayton's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Dayton. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Dayton area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- National Museum of the U.S. Air Force World's largest military aviation museum.
- Five Rivers MetroParks Network of parks and trails along five rivers.
- Great Miami Riverway Scenic river corridor for biking and paddling.
- Day Air Ballpark Home of the Dayton Dragons minor league baseball team.
- University of Dayton campus Private university known for basketball and a lively campus.
- Carillon Historical Park Open-air museum with historic buildings and a carillon.
- Outdoors Bike the Great Miami Riverway
- Outdoors Hike at Glen Helen Nature Preserve
- With kids Visit the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
- With kids Explore the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
- Evenings Bar-hop in the Oregon District
- Evenings Catch a show at the Schuster Center
- Locals love Pizza parlors
- Locals love MetroParks trails
Through the year
- Dayton Air Show July Major aviation air show at Dayton International Airport.
- Troy Strawberry Festival June Strawberry-themed food and craft festival in Troy.
- Montgomery County Fair July County fair with rides, livestock, and local exhibits.
- Dayton Music Festival August Multi-venue music festival featuring local and national acts.
- RiverScape Summer Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts at RiverScape MetroPark.
Dayton has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, winters are cold with snow, and spring and fall are mild and pleasant. Best: Late spring and early fall are the most pleasant times to be out.
Talk like a local
- “Gem City”
- Nickname for Dayton, the Gem City.
- “the Oregon”
- The Oregon District.
- “the Air Force Museum”
- National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
- “U-D”
- University of Dayton.
Getaways
- Cincinnati Big-city attractions, zoo, and riverfront.
- Springfield Historic architecture and the Westcott House.
- Yellow Springs Quirky village with art, trails, and Glen Helen Nature Preserve.
- Caesar Creek State Park Lake for boating, fishing, and hiking.
Local flavour
Teams
- Dayton Flyers NCAA Division I
- Wright State Raiders NCAA Division I
- Dayton Dragons High-A Central (MiLB)
Eat and drink
- Dayton-style pizza Thin, crispy crust, sweet sauce, square-cut
- Buckeye candy Peanut butter fudge dipped in chocolate, a state favourite
- Marion's Piazza Local pizza chain known for its Dayton-style pies
Where people go
- Oregon District Historic district with nightlife, dining, and boutiques
- National Museum of the U.S. Air Force At Wright-Patterson AFB, the world's largest military aviation museum
- Five Rivers MetroParks Network of riverfront parks and trails
- Great Miami Riverway Paved bike and pedestrian trail system along the river
- Day Air Ballpark Home of the Dayton Dragons, a minor league baseball team
- University of Dayton campus Collegiate atmosphere, landmark buildings, and green spaces
Heritage and traditions
The Miami Valley is proud of its legacy of invention and aviation, from the Wright brothers to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, and its resilient, community-minded spirit.
This time of year in Dayton area
- Oktoberfest at the Dayton Art Institute October October German food and beer.
- Dayton Art Institute's Oktoberfest October German food, beer, and music in October.
Say it like a local: “Zeen-yuh” — pronunciation of Xenia
Festivals
- Dayton Celtic Festival June Music, dance, and culture in June.
- Dayton African American Cultural Festival August Celebrates African American heritage in August.
- Dayton Jewish Film Festival Spring Films and discussions in spring.
- Dayton Art Institute's Oktoberfest October German food, beer, and music in October.
- Miamisburg Starving Artists Show June Arts and crafts in June.
Landmarks with a story
- Wright Brothers National Museum Part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, includes the Wright Cycle Company building.
- Paul Laurence Dunbar House Home of the poet, now a state memorial.
- SunWatch Indian Village Archaeological site of a Fort Ancient culture.
- Miamisburg Mound One of the largest conical burial mounds in Ohio.
- Woodland Cemetery Burial place of the Wright brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar.
- Schuster Center Performing arts center, home to the Dayton Philharmonic.
Food traditions
- Friday fish fries at Catholic parishes during Lent A longstanding tradition in the area's many Catholic churches.
- Church picnics in summer Community gatherings with fried chicken and homemade pies.
- Apple picking and cider at local orchards in the fall A seasonal favorite in the Miami Valley's farm country.
- German bratwurst and sauerkraut at Oktoberfest Reflecting the region's German heritage.
- Soul food traditions from the African American community Churches and community events often feature soul food.
Music and arts
- Dayton indie rock scene Guided by Voices and The Breeders emerged from here.
- Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Professional orchestra performing at the Schuster Center.
- Dayton Opera Professional opera company.
- Dayton Ballet Professional ballet company.
A little history
- 1903 Wright brothers make first powered flight
- 1913 Great Dayton Flood prompts flood control innovations
- 1884 John H. Patterson founds NCR, earning Dayton the nickname 'Cash Register City'
- 1995 Dayton Peace Accords signed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
- 1940s Dayton Project contributes to the Manhattan Project
Rivalries
- Dayton Flyers vs. Xavier Musketeers College basketball rivalry between UD and Xavier.
- Wright State Raiders vs. Dayton Flyers Cross-town college basketball games.
- Game day NCAA First Four at UD Arena
- Game day Air Force Marathon
- Outdoors Visit Huffman Prairie Flying Field
- Outdoors Walk the Wright Brothers' bike path
- With kids Visit the Dayton Art Institute's Family Sundays
- With kids See the Wright Brothers' bicycle shop
People in the Miami Valley speak with a neutral Midland American accent. They say 'pop' for soda, 'you guys' for plural you, and may use 'ope' as a polite interjection. Local pronunciations include 'Zeen-yuh' for Xenia and 'Miami-sburg' with a short 'a'.
Only here
- The Wright brothers' bicycle shop and Huffman Prairie where they practiced flight.
- The Dayton Peace Accords signed at Wright-Patterson.
- The Miamisburg Mound, a 65-foot-tall conical mound.
- The Dayton Dragons' sellout streak since 2000.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers and cold winters; pack layers.
- Learn to say 'Xenia' as 'Zeen-yuh' and 'Miamisburg' with a short 'a'.
- The Oregon District is the go-to for nightlife and dining.
- The bike trails are extensive; consider biking to work.
- The Air Force base is a major employer; many events are tied to it.
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Areas in Dayton area
Nearby
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Dayton-Springfield-Kettering, OH CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.