How Dayton Changed the World!

Inventions from Dayton have literally changed the world! In fact, at the turn of the 20th century, Dayton had more patents per capita than any other city in the nation and one-sixth of the nation’s corporate executives had spent a portion of their career at legendary Dayton company, National Cash Register (NCR). The airplane. The self-starting ignition for the automobile. The ice-cube tray, and pop-top can. Yep, they were invented in Dayton. Visit Dayton and catch our innovative spirit!

Before You Get Started, Be Sure to Download the FREE Visit Dayton App

Day 1

Carillon Historical Park
Dayton History's Carillon Historical Park is a 65-acre open-air history museum that serves as the main campus for Dayton History. It contains over 30 historic buildings and interactive exhibits telling Dayton's history of innovation and technology and the history of its residents from 1796 to present.

Time: 2-3 hours

Wright Brothers National Museum
While visiting Carillon Historical Park, make sure to stop and explore the National Museum of the Wright Brothers; see the original Wright Flyer III, the only airplane designated a National Historic Landmark.

Time: 30-45 minutes

Culp's Cafe
After viewing some spectacular sights, enjoy lunch on the grounds of Carillon Historical Park. Culp's Cafe serves soup, salads and sandwiches, ice cream and sodas.

Kettering Education Center & Carousel of Innovation
Continue your exploration of Carillon Historical Park. Be amazed by the dozens of ornate NCR cash registers, and interactive shows in the Kettering Education Center and take a ride on the Carousel of Innovation!

Carillon Brewing Company
Before leaving Carillon Historical Park make sure to stop at Carillon Brewing Company where you can grab a bite or a nice cool beer. Savor foods that tell the stories of Dayton’s earliest immigrants that shaped the historic brewing industry—English, Germans, Irish.

Hawthorn Hill
From Carillon Historical Park, take a short drive to Hawthorn Hill, the Wright family mansion. Tours take place on Wednesdays & Saturdays: 10:00am & 12:30pm.

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
Continue on with your exploration of How Dayton Changed the World at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park’s free Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center & Wright Cycle Shop.

Time: 1-2 hours

Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum
Finish the day out at Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum. Here you will find the memorial and graves of infamous Wilbur and Orville Wright, as well as Dayton native Paul Laurence Dunbar. Walk all the way to the top of the cemetery and enjoy a beautiful view of the Dayton skyline.

Day 2

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Bask in all this Dayton and innovation at the FREE National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is the world’s largest and oldest military aviation museum featuring over 340+ aerospace vehicles.

Time: 1.5-3 hours

National Aviation Hall of Fame
While visiting the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force make sure to stop into the National Aviation Hall of Fame where you will find a century of flight history honoring world-famous pilots and space travelers.

Wright B Flyer
Take off for the Wright B Flyer, where you can take an actual flight in a Wright Brothers reproduced airplane. This is an opportunity you won't want to miss! Call ahead for opening status.

Time: 1-1.5 hours

Huffman Prairie Flying Field
Take a short drive to experience the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center and see where the Wright Brothers perfected flight! Call ahead for opening status.

Engineers Club of Dayton
Dine at the Dayton Engineers Club, where inventors like the Wrights and Kettering (electric car starter and many patents) brainstormed and ate.

Inventors River Walk
After dinner, make your way down the river on the Inventors River Walk and celebrates Dayton's history of invention, against a backdrop of sweeping views of the Great Miami River.