More than 350 aircraft and spacecraft, along with rockets and thousands of historical objects: the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force offers a sweeping view of aviation history. Beyond the museum exhibits, the Air Park brings together additional themes—from aircraft displays and a World War II 8th Air Force control tower to Nissen huts and a playground.
Aviation History and Discoveries
The Wright brothers appear in several different contexts. The Wright Cycle Company Fourth Shop tells the story of bicycles and features interactive exhibits about how cycling and flying are connected. At Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, a six-unit park in and around Dayton, the lives and achievements of Wilbur and Orville Wright are highlighted alongside those of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar.
A museum featuring the Wright Cycle Company building and Wright Hall tells the story of the Wright brothers and displays the original 1905 Wright Flyer III. It is considered the world’s first practical airplane and is a National Historic Landmark. Hawthorn Hill in Dayton offers another perspective on the family: Wilbur and Orville Wright designed the building with help from the Dayton architectural firm Schenck and Williams; it was completed in 1914.
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery also brings together several ways to explore. Its Ice Age Lobby features life-size mammal replicas, interactive exhibits and an immersive prehistoric cave. It also offers interactive learning experiences in the natural sciences. The museum makes collections in anthropology, geology, paleontology and biology available for exhibitions, education and research. Its subjects thus range from an engaging encounter with prehistory to a variety of scientific collection areas.
Art and History in Dayton
At the Dayton Art Institute, architecture, collections and events come together. The building, significant for its architecture and history, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The collection spans 5,000 years of art history and includes Oceanic, Asian, European and American art and crafts. The program includes concerts, activities for families and teens, classes and social events. Depending on your interests, a visit can therefore extend beyond the collection to include a program.
Carillon Historical Park is a 65-acre open-air history museum and the main site of Dayton History. Carillon is also designated as the official historical organization for Montgomery County. At the Deeds Carillon, music rings out outdoors every 15 minutes each day; mini-concerts featuring three to five pieces are scheduled for noon, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Since performance times may change, it’s a good idea to check the schedule before your visit.
Gardens, Trails and Special Encounters
At the Children’s Discovery Garden in Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, children can explore habitats and imaginatively designed gardens with adult companions. The garden combines nature observation and designed spaces in a shared experience. Conservation Corner is located in Cox Arboretum: this seven-acre area preserves habitats including tallgrass prairie, shrubland and wetlands. A wildlife observation shelter is another feature of the area, which also serves as a place for environmental education.
For trails grouped by length and setting, Cox Arboretum offers two different options: about 2.5 miles through woods and meadows, plus an additional mile of paved paths through landscaped gardens. RiverScape MetroPark sits at the center of a regional network of more than 300 miles of paved, car-free trails. These are two different scales for getting outdoors—a trail system within the arboretum and a larger trail network in the Dayton region. Eastwood MetroPark is accessible on RTA bus route 11; check the current route before setting out.
Aullwood Audubon offers another unusual discovery: three giant wooden trolls named Bo, Bodil and Bibbi, created by artist Thomas Dambo. Here, nature is represented not only by habitats and trails, but also by these artist-created figures.
Annual Events
The Montgomery County Fair is an annual festival celebrating agriculture, community and patriotism, and has been held for more than 170 years. The event brings together several themes rather than focusing on just one area of interest. Since dates may change, check the dates for the year of your trip in advance.
Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience takes place annually on the first weekend in October, along the North Country National Scenic Trail and the Buckeye Trail. If you’re planning to attend the festival, confirm the dates for the current year before your trip. This lets you plan around the specific event dates.
Explore more destinations: Miamisburg, Centerville, Vandalia, Dayton, Moraine, Englewood, Brookville, Huber Heights, Germantown.
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