Dayton CVB

Dayton:Ê City At The Crossroads of America
Is Alive With Culture, Recreation, Education
Air Force Museum, Folk Festival, Air Show Are Among Top Draws

DAYTON, OHIO—Dayton, a city literally at the crossroads of America, offers unique recreational and educational opportunities around every corner.Ê World-famous museums, dozens of unique attractions, professional arts organizations, miles of riverfront, acres of parkland, and a rich and colorful history draw hundreds of thousands visitors to Dayton each year.
Conveniently located at the “Crossroads of America” at the intersection of Interstate 70 and Interstate 75, Dayton is also accessible by nearly 30 daily non-stop jet service flights to Dayton International Airport.Ê Dayton is one of the nation's top ten “90-minute land and air markets,” which means that more than 5.6 million people can reach the city by land or air within just 90 minutes.Ê
Famous as the birthplace of Orville and Wilbur Wright, Dayton superlatives go far beyond aeronautics.Ê World-class museums, historic sites, an impressive array of arts organizations and numerous recreational settings—including everything from forests to prairies to wetlands—have made Dayton one of America's most appealing cities.Ê

Among Dayton's most popular visitor attractions are the following:

Museums

Area museums display everything from aircraft to animals to fine works of art.Ê Among the most popular:
United States Air Force Museum.Ê Each year, more than one million people visit the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world.Ê Exhibits include more than 300 aircraft and missiles, plus Wright Brothers memorabilia, World War II artifacts, the Apollo 15 capsule and Air Force One.ÊÊ Addition of a third hangar which will highlight the cold-war-era is scheduled for completion in 2003.
The National Aviation Hall of Fame is adjacent to the USAF Museum and offers interactive educational exhibits stressing scientific and historical contributions of air and space pioneers.Ê
Dayton Art Institute.ÊÊ The Renaissance-inspired Italian villa, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, showcases permanent and special collections of art from Chinese artifacts to works by American artist Andy Warhol.Ê Highlights of the collection include such paintings as Claude Monet's Waterlilies and Georges Rouault's Madonna Of The Fields.Ê Special exhibitions in 2000 will feature sculpture by Rodin; a centenary Lewis Carroll exhibition; Japanese ceramics from the 1970s; and more.
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.Ê Visitors to the area's premier museum of natural and scientific history can take an Eco-Trek adventure into hot, dry, cold, wet and wooded environments; experiment in the Science Central; and find the Big Dipper in the Caryl D. Philips Space Theater.Ê Other favorites include Nesiur, a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy and Wild Ohio, an indoor zoo complete with snakes, birds, otters and other Ohio creatures.Ê That Kids Playce is an interactive play space for children age five and under with an archaeological dig sandbox, baby garden and miniature versions of SunWatch Indian Village and a pioneer cabin.
The Arts.ÊDayton's diversity of performing and creative arts is unrivaled by any other city of its size.Ê Opera, ballet, contemporary dance, dramatic and comedic theater, musicals, the philharmonic and world-renowned performers all take center stage in Dayton.Ê Among them:
CITYFOLK. For nearly two decades, this innovative traditional and ethnic arts organization has brought to Dayton an assortment of events from around the world and right next door, including the annual CITYFOLK Festival, which usually occurs the third weekend in June on the streets of downtown Dayton.
Dayton Ballet.Ê The nation's second-oldest regional ballet company—which celebrates its 63rdÊ Anniversary Season in 2001—is often known as the “Company of Premieres” since it has produced more than 200 premieres in the past 60 years.
Victoria Theatre Association.Ê For more than 130 years, concerts, dramas, operas and other performing arts have graced the historic Victoria Theater's stage.Ê
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.Ê Continuing the city's reputation for innovation, DCDC has presented cutting-edge choreography and played to packed houses around the country for the past 30 years.

The Arts

Human Race Theater.Ê This company, one of the Miami Valley's professional theater companies, was recently named Ohio's Outstanding Theatre Organization by the Ohio Theatre Alliance.
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.Ê Founded in 1933, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra is the oldest and largest performing arts group in the Miami Valley and performs classical, family and SuperPops concerts.
Dayton Opera Association.Ê Diverse and exciting performances are held throughout the year with music provided by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and artistic support from the Cincinnati Opera.
Dayton Playhouse.Ê Volunteer actors form this community troupe, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year.Ê Comedies, musicals and drama comprise the annual season of performances.

History

Dayton natives Orville and Wilbur Wright set the stage for the city's rich aviation heritage, but Dayton's place in history includes much more than just aeronautics.Ê The region's rich heritage dates back hundreds of years, and is celebrated and recreated at a number of attractions throughout the county.
SunWatch Indian Village.Ê Journey back more than 800 years to see replicas of the Fort Ancient Indians' village's houses and gardens and learn how they charted time based on the positions of the sun.Ê Hear Native American storytelling and authentic music at SunWatch Summerfest and other annual festivals.
Miamisburg Mound State Memorial.Ê Travel even further back in time to the era of the pre-historic Adena Indians at the largest conical burial mound in Ohio.Ê The mound's 116 steps take you to the summit where you can view the surrounding park.
Carillon Historical Park.Ê This 65-acre park is an important repository of local history with more than 20 historical exhibits related to industrial development, transportation and settlement of the Miami Valley.Ê The 1905 Wright Flyer III—one of two existing planes built and flown by the Wright Brothers—is housed here and is a National Historical Landmark.Ê Other exhibits include a 1930s print shop and Dayton's oldest building.Ê Enjoy a refreshing beverage and delicious sandwich in the new Culp's CafŽ located on the Park grounds.
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.Ê Established in 1992, the Park includes four sites throughout the city of Dayton that honor the legacy of three Miami Valley citizens who were childhood friends:Ê Orville Wright, Wilbur Wright and Paul Laurence Dunbar, a gifted African-American writer who achieved international acclaim.Ê The park encompasses the Wright Cycle Shop, Dunbar House State Memorial, the Wright Flyer III, and Huffman Prairie Flying Field.
Wright Cycle Company.Ê It was here—in the structure where the Wright Brothers' printing and bicycle businesses were housed under the same roof—that the pair first became actively interested in flying.Ê The building is the third site of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and a National Historic Landmark.
Woodland Cemetery.Ê The ornate headstones provide an interesting look into Dayton's history.Ê Some of the city's leading citizens lie here, including Paul Laurence Dunbar and Orville and Wilbur Wright.

Festivals.Ê

Throughout the year, Dayton is alive with festivals that celebrate art, music, culture and history and showcase the skill of everyone from artists to aerial acrobats.Ê Among them (a sampling):Ê
The Ohio Folk Festival (May).Ê Held annually at Carillon Historical Park, the festival celebrates our American heritage with crafts, costumes, re-enactments, food and entertainment.
CITYFOLK Festival (June).Ê The streets of downtown Dayton come alive during this three-day festival of music, dance and crafts by local and world-renowned artists.
United States Air & Trade Show (July).Ê Nearly 100,000 people turn out ever summer for the not-to-be-missed aerial feats and static displays of military and civilian aircraft.
Summerfest at SunWatch Indian Village (June).Ê American Indian history and culture come to life with music, dancing, storytelling, jewelry and crafts at this summertime favorite.
Oktoberfest at the Dayton Art Institute (September).Ê Live music, great food and a wide selection of beers highlight this weekend-long festival that includes artisans selling stained glass, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, leather goods and more.

Nature
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Lakes, ponds, rivers, prairies, woodlands, ravines, grasslands and parks are home to wildlife and the site for recreation and education throughout Montgomery County.Ê Ê
Five Rivers MetroParks.Ê In its 35 years of operation, Five Rivers MetroParks has developed a nationally-renowned system of public parks, scenic river corridors and natural pathways.Ê Dayton's 20 MetroParks cover more than 10,000 acres and offer year-round recreation, education and conservation.Ê Among them:
Carriage Hill MetroPark & Farm.Ê Inside the 900-acre park is a historical farm where household chores and farming are performed as they were 100 years ago.Ê Hiking, biking, fishing, picnicking and horseback riding are available seasonally; winter sports such as cross-country skiing and sledding are permitted in designated areas.Ê
Cox Arboretum and Gardens MetroPark.Ê The 159-acre park includes nine specialty gardens, from the sweet-scented herb garden to the colorful wildflower garden; 1.5 miles of trails through woodlands and open meadows; classes, workshops and guided tours.
Aullwood Garden MetroPark.Ê This 32-acre rural estate of early 20th century Dayton industrialist John Aull and his wife Marie has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.Ê The gardens were designed by Marie Aull to portray the romantic naturalized style of landscape design favored in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; the rustic Aullwood House is an early 20th century American arts and crafts design.
Aullwood Audubon Center & Farm.Ê Listen to the sounds of crickets and critters among the park's marshes, ponds, streams, prairies and woods.Ê Or identify dozens of birds at the city's most established sanctuary.Ê Experience rural living at the farm with candle-dipping November through Christmas and maple syrup-making mid-January-February.
RiverScape.Ê Located in downtown Dayton on the banks of the Miami River, RiverScape is Dayton's newest attraction.Ê Marvel at some of the fabulous inventions that came out of Dayton as you walk along the Inventors Walkway, rent a themed paddle-boat and make your way up and down the River, or simply watch in awe as the world's largest river-based fountains and laser light show dances before your eyes.Ê In the winter and ice-rink beckons you to frolic outside.
Wegerzyn Horticultural Center.Ê The center, near the scenic Stillwater River, features the Marie Aull Trail and Stillwater Gardens, which include the Federal,Ê English, Victorian and Children's gardens.Ê A boardwalk connects the formal gardens to the woods, allowing nature lovers to view fish and nesting ducks when the woods flood.

For a full listing of cultural, recreational and educational activities in the area, please contact the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-221-8235 or www.daytoncvb.com.ÊÊ The Bureau, an independent non-profit organization funded by a county-wide customer hotel/motel bed tax, markets Dayton as a site for conventions, group meetings, trade shows, motorcoach tours and the leisure traveler.