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Take a trip to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and you’ll find the official museum of the United States Air Force, filled with the most Air Force memorabilia in the country. Full-sized aircraft, missiles, and authentic equipment spanning the history of the U.S. Air Force. A very humbling experience for all walks of life.
Address: 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, OH 45431
Also Read: Top 10 Best Science Museums in the US
If you're traveling with little ones, don't miss Dayton's awesome children's museum. Here, kids can play while actually learning a lot about science and nature. Inside is a combination of the aquarium, a planetarium, and a zoo. Everyone will have fun getting up close and personal with animals at the sanctuary or the tidal pool, where sting rays and fish swim right past you.
Address: 2600 Deweese Pkwy, Dayton, OH 45414
If you have an eye for art, the Dayton Art Institute is conveniently located downtown and easily identifiable by its classic Renaissance architecture. The museum itself is beautifully ornate, with over 20,000 individual pieces of work on display, spanning over 5,000 years of history.
Address: 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH 45405
Haven’t gotten your fill of aviation museums, Dayton has another great collection of history, paying tribute to the Wright Brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar. Everyone knows who the Wright Brothers are, the men who successfully built the first plane to be able to take off and land safely. Paul Laurence Dunbar is a bit less known, but he is no less talented when it comes to his writing abilities; an author who wrote many famous plays, books, and poems. This park houses multiple museums, as well as a replica of the Wright Brother’s first flyer.
Address: 22 S Williams St, Dayton, OH 45402
This park is filled with all sorts of interesting history and information about the height of industrial and transportation accomplishments. Dayton played a major role in innovating and pushing America’s industrialization. The Carillon Historical Park was the lovechild of Edith and Edward Deeds, who sought to preserve the city’s fascinating and inspiring history with a large collection of artifacts and documents detailing its history.
From the Dayton Philharmonic to the Dayton Ballet and the Dayton Opera, whatever entertainment for the night that you happen to visit, you’re in for a treat. This theater has some fantastic acoustics and interior design. Comfort is the rule here, even after the show is over, as you’ll find easily accessible restaurants and a winter garden for you to observe.
Address: 1 W 2nd St, Dayton, OH 45402
You don’t have to visit Detroit to see a glimpse into the past of the automotive industry. Packard automobiles aren’t household names like Ford, GM, or Chrysler, but they have plenty of important and fascinating history relevant to 20th-century America. If you’re a car lover or history buff, this is a must-stop attraction in Dayton, Ohio.
Address: 420 S Ludlow St, Dayton, OH 45402
Musicians have their Halls of Fame; it’s only fair that America’s rock stars of aviation get their own. In the Hall of Fame Learning Center, visitors can learn the rich history of the United States Air Force, American space pioneers, and the accomplishments of all the creative architects who put man into the skies and beyond. The Hall of Fame isn’t just a celebration of aviation history; it continually adds names to that list every year, with 2017 welcoming Air Force pilot Robert J. Gilliland, astronaut Scott Carpenter, turbojet engine inventor Frank Whittle, and NASA’s Charles Bolden.
Address: 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, OH 45431
Part ancient archaeological site, part Native American village, and part museum, but all extremely important American history. SunWatch is a well-preserved display of how Native Americans lived over 600 years ago. Visitors will get a first-hand look at the cultural and functional nature of Native life; there are gardens, prairies, and homes reconstructed to be exactly how they were hundreds of years ago.
Address: 2301 W River Rd, Dayton, OH 45417
The Wright Brothers didn’t just up and build a flying airplane out of nowhere; they applied their expertise to building bicycles that they built in the 1890s. They actually were good at building bikes, too, if you can believe it. It helped them fund their future flight experiments. The Wright Cycle Company Complex connects with the Hoover Block and an Aviation Trail Visitor Museum, so there’s plenty to see and do here for a whole day if you wish.
Address: 22 S Williams St, Dayton, OH 45402