As the temperatures rise and the days grow longer, it's time to make the most of the season in Destination Dayton, Ohio's Gem City. Whether you're a local looking for new adventures or an out-of-town visitor seeking the best experiences Dayton has to offer, we've got you covered. From outdoor escapades and cultural outings to family-friendly fun and delicious dining spots, this blog is a go-to resource for discovering 100 incredible things to do in Dayton this summer. Get ready to soak up the sunshine, explore the city's vibrant attractions, and create unforgettable memories in Destination Dayton!

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  1. Go surfing on the Great Miami River!
  2. Don't miss high-flying entertainment at the 50th Anniversary CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show presented by Kroger, June 22 & 23, 2024.
  3. Ride any part of the nation’s largest network of paved trails in Greater Dayton – 350+ miles! 
  4. Enjoy a FREE outdoor concert at the Levitt Pavilion in downtown Dayton.
  5. Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle the day away on the Great Miami River, the Mad River or Eastwood Lake. 
  6. Sing at the top of your lungs at an outdoor concert featuring a favorite band at The Rose Music Center.
  7. Take a narrow gauge train ride around the circumference of Carillon Historical Park. The Choo-Choo will have you saying Woo-Who!
  8. Splash down and cool off at the Kroger Aquatic Center in Huber Heights.
  9. Enjoy a day inside, in air-conditioned “coolness,” as you explore the 350+ aerospace vehicles at the Free National Museum of the U.S Air Force™.
  10. While you're at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™, be sure to visit the National Aviation Hall of Fame and honor aviation heroes!
  11. Quench your thirst along the Dayton Ale Trail while you sample some of Dayton’s finest craft breweries.
  12. Satisfy your pizza craving by enjoying Dayton’s own Marion’s Piazza with several locations!
  13. Get Out and Hike! Check out Five Rivers MetroParks' Adirondack and Buckeye Trails!
  14. Catch a foul ball at Day Air Ballpark watching our beloved hometown team, the Dayton Dragons.
  15. Download the Spin app, find the closest e-scooter and zip around Dayton's streets for a fun time.
  16. Experience the luck of the Irish at the United Irish of Dayton Celtic Festival, July 26-28, 2024.
  17. View the city from the Woodland Cemetery lookout tower as you visit the graves of some of the famous Daytonians buried here.
  18. While Dayton may not have any mountains, you can still get your rock climb on at Urban Krag. 
  19. Looking for a tasty treat to help cool you down? Visit J.D.'s Old Fashioned Frozen Custard, voted Best Ice Cream Parlor, by Dayton.com numerous years.
  20. Learn what local life was like during the 13th century at Sunwatch Indian Village & Archaeological Park.
  21. Shop local produce, baked goods and crafts at 2nd Street Market.
  22. Cruise through automotive history at America's Packard Museum.
  23. Summer doesn't always have to be spent outside. Bask in 5,000 years of art history at the Dayton Art Institute.
  24. Dance the night away at Yellow Cab Tavern's monthly outdoor silent disco.
  25. Find many friendly animals and become a kid again at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.
  26. Take the family to see a double feature at one of the area's drive-in movie theatres, Melody 49 or Dixie Twin.
  27. SELFIE TIME! The Dayton Inspires mural, located in the Oregon District, offers the perfect spot to capture your shimmering smiles.
  28. Commemorate the lives and achievements of Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, and Paul Laurence Dunbar at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.
  29. The larger-than-life Trolls, Bo, Bodil and Bibbi, and their giant troll-sized bird nest await your arrival at Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm. 
  30. Run the Air Force Marathon (open to civilians) on September 20, 2024.
  31. Support the arts - enjoy traditional, diverse, and innovative experiences in ballet, opera, and orchestral music presented by the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance.
  32. Such a decadent dessert must be shared! It's nearly a requirement to pick up a sweet treat at Dayton's own Esther Price Candies.
  33. Rainy day? Catch a movie at the nostalgic Plaza Theatre in Miamisburg or The Neon in downtown Dayton!
  34. Stop and smell the flowers at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark.
  35. Have a 'latte' fun at local coffee shops like Boston Stoker, Gather and Wholly Grounds.
  36. Roll the dice and feel the thrill of gambling on horse racing at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
  37. Prepare for a night of non-stop laughter and unforgettable moments at Wiley's Comedy Club with your closest pals.
  38. Attend one (or all three!) of this year’s AES Ohio Summer in the City events, presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership.
  39. The Contemporary Dayton's eclectic exhibits will inspire your artistic mind.
  40. Looking for something more non-traditional to explore? The International Peace Museum inspires people to work for greater compassion through education. 
  41. Reel in the biggest catch at Eastwood Lake.
  42. If history is your heartthrob, you have to see the Wright Flyer III at the Wright Brothers National Museum which houses more Wright brothers' artifacts than anywhere else in the world.
  43. Feel alive as you sing along to your favorite band playing at the Fraze Pavilion.
  44. Experience serene disc golfing at Helke Park.
  45. Tee off for a round of golf on Montgomery County's beautiful public courses.
  46. Grab a few friends and pedal your way through downtown Dayton with Pedal Wagon.
  47. Drink a cool cocktail or sample a rare bourbon at the Century Bar.
  48. Indulge in an unforgettable picnic experience amidst the breathtaking beauty of Germantown MetroPark.
  49. Unleash your inner champion with an exhilarating game of tennis at the vibrant Jim Nichols Tennis Center.
  50. Toss a frisbee at any number of Montgomery County parks and green spaces!
  51. Seek out birds or butterflies at Cox Arboretum's pollinator gardens.
  52. Buy a big sun hat at BRIM.
  53. Watch the sunset over the river at Deeds Point MetroPark.
  54. Travel back to 1880s farm life and visit the animals at Carriage Hill MetroPark.
  55. Review the Dayton Live schedule and purchase tickets for a future show!
  56. Take a break from the heat and shake, rattle and bowl your way to cool fun at Poelking Lanes South, Roll House and many more local bowling alleys.
  57. Drive yourself crazy by visiting the British Transportation Museum.
  58. Dine in a former railcar at Culp's Café at Carillon Historical Park.
  59. Fly a kite on the beautiful wide-open space in front of the Carillon Bell Tower at Carillon Historical Park.
  60. 'Check-out' the books at any of the Dayton Metro Library branches.
  61. Test your diving skills and perfect your front flip at area community pools such as Cassel Hills in Vandalia, Washington Township Recreation Center and more!
  62. Choose your favorite ball color and perfect your putting skills at Adventure Golf.
  63. Shop til you drop at the Town & Country Shopping Center, Shops of Oakwood and Cross Pointe Center.
  64. Chase an ice cream truck and order up all of your childhood favorites.
  65. Remember the 8,182 American men and women declared missing in action at the Korean War Memorial and All Veterans Walkway. (130 Riverside Drive)
  66. Explore the Dayton VA Grotto Gardens, an oasis of blooming flowers, sparkling water and interesting historic structures.
  67. Featuring 100 artists from around the county, Art on the Commons is a fine arts and crafts festival at Lincoln Park Civic Commons in Kettering that is worthy of soaking up some sunshine on August 11, 2024.
  68. See cars from the early 1900s as well as the classics at Concours D'Elegance, September 21 at Carillon Historical Park.
  69. Join in on the fun of the PRIDE parade and festival May 31 and June 1.
  70. Get hands on experiences at a working farm: The Learning Tree Farm
  71. Observe a 65-foot-tall mound, one of the largest conical mounds in eastern North America at Miamisburg Mound State Memorial.
  72. Support amateur and youth soccer tournaments throughout Montgomery County like the adidas Warrior Memorial Day Classic.
  73. Spend the day listening to the crack of the bat, while watching or participating in softball at Art Van Atta Park, Kettering Field Complex or Yankee Park.
  74. Check out the Sycamore Tree, at Aullwood Garden MetroPark, that was here when Christopher Columbus first landed in America!
  75. Look for the Bald Eagles at or near Carillon Historical Park (Wilma and Orv had one hatchling this year!)
  76. The new emerging sport: pickleball. Test your hand at it at Dayton Sports Complex.
  77. Visit the site of the first NFL game at Triangle Park.
  78. Get YOUR Gemütlichkeit on at Germanfest Picnic, August 9-11, 2024.
  79. Uplift the communal family through activities that promote culture, art, education and health awareness at the African American Cultural Festival, August 17-18, 2024.
  80. Indulge in authentic Latin food, dancing and traditions at the Hispanic Heritage Festival, September 21, 2024.
  81. This self-guided tour is "the bomb". Explore Dayton's Oppenheimer Connections to learn about the city's involvement with the Manhattan Project.
  82. Car nut? See up to 500 cars of all years, makes and models at the monthly "Dayton Cars & Coffee" meetups happening April - October at Austin Landing.
  83. Sample a homemade pretzel at Smales Bakery - a Dayton tradition since 1906.
  84. Take in breathtaking rooftop views at The Foundry while eating delicious wood-fired food, on top of the AC Hotel.
  85. Explore Victorian architecture while walking through historic Dayton neighborhoods like South Park, St. Anne's Hill and Five Oaks.
  86. Test your bicycling skills at Dayton Bike Yard.
  87. See the infamous "Witch Tower"/"Frankenstein's Castle" while hiking Hills & Dales MetroPark.
  88. Earn a WilBEAR Wright teddy bear on the Dayton Aviation Trail.
  89. Create your own 'donut trail' by visiting local shops like Jim's, Bill's and Duck Donuts.
  90. Explore the vibrant local visual arts scene at Front Street Galleries.
  91. Ready for a timeless steakhouse experience? Visit The Pine Club!
  92. Renting a scooter isn't your thing? Try out the Link Bicycles instead. 
  93. Sip coffee with kitties at the Gem City Catfe!
  94. Take the kids for an art class at K12 Gallery & Tejas.
  95. Become a Junior Ranger at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.
  96. Jump as high as you can at Get-Air trampoline park in Huber Heights.
  97. Read poetry and tour the home of famous poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar at the Paul Laurence Dunbar House.
  98. Visit Huffman Prairie Flying Field to witness for yourself the grounds where the Wright brothers "really learned to fly."
  99. Treat yourself to a well-deserved, luxurious spa day at Square One Salon and Spa or 937 Salon and Spa.
  100. Customize your day of fun at Scene75. Play arcade games, volleyball, mini bowling, ride go-carts, an indoor carousel or roller coaster.

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Embrace the warmth of the season, immerse yourself in the city's boundless charm, and prepare to create cherished memories that will inspire you long after the summer sun sets. To help plan all of your Dayton adventures and for hundreds of other ideas, don't forget to request a FREE Destination Dayton Visitors Guide and download the Visit Dayton app!