Discover the Unexpected
Welcome to Dayton, Ohio
Discover the Unexpected in Destination Dayton, Ohio, the Birthplace of Aviation! Dayton and Montgomery County offer big-city amenities with Midwestern charm and affordability. Dayton is home to the Wright Brothers, the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™, the world’s largest and oldest military aviation museum and the state’s most-visited free tourist attraction!
Summer is here, with Dragons baseball, the CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show, outdoor adventures in our Five Rivers MetroParks, visits to Ohio's first Buc-ee's, and America 250 celebrations in Dayton & Montgomery County! Download the FREE Destination Dayton App to explore everything Dayton has to offer.
Dayton Events
Jun
14
Iconic Starfighters: Rivals of the Silver Screen
- National Museum of the US Air Force
- Jun 14, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
Jun
20
FiveStar Comic Con - Dayton
- Dayton Convention Center
- Jun 20, 2026 - Jun 21, 2026
Enter To Win Contest & Giveaways
Discover the Unexpected in Dayton, Ohio! We regularly hold a variety of contests, offering concert and event tickets, travel packages, and more. Follow the link for our latest contest - a chance to win a pair of passes to the Carillon Park Rail Festival!
Destination Dayton's Tourism Academy
Get ready to embark on an exciting journey to become a proud ambassador for Dayton and Montgomery County! Sign up for the FREE Destination Dayton Tourism Academy today.
Earn Your Own Wilbear Wright Aviator Teddy
Explore the Greater Dayton area's amazing, authentic aviation sites! Collect stamps from 8 of 17 aviation sites in order to have your very own Wilbear Wright Aviator Teddy Bear "air-mailed"…
Get to Know Destination Dayton
Schuster Center
The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center provides a world-class facility for the best in local, national and international performing artists.
Learn MoreLevitt Pavillion
Levitt Pavilion Dayton brings people of all ages and backgrounds together in downtown Dayton to experience free high-caliber concerts and celebrate a shared sense of community.
Learn MoreDayton Convention Center
The Dayton Convention Center is the region's premier mid-sized event facility conveniently located right in the heart of downtown Dayton. An exciting $45 million dollar renovation project was completed in June 2025.
Learn MoreDayton International Airport
Located near the “Crossroads of the America,” Interstates 70 and 75, the Dayton International Airport provides air service to meet the needs of travelers to and from Southwest Ohio. It is the airport's mission to contribute to the prosperity of Southwest Ohio by connecting it to the rest of the world through the aviation system.
Learn MoreCox Arboretum
Cox Arboretum is a beautiful 189-acre park that includes hiking trails through forests, meadows, ponds, and the Zorniger Education Center. Families will delight in the native Butterfly House, open during summer.
Learn MoreUD Arena
University of Dayton Arena (commonly known as UD Arena) is a 13,435-seat multi-purpose arena located in Dayton, Ohio. It is home to the University of Dayton Flyers basketball teams. Since 2001, it has been the birthplace of "March Madness®," kicking off the NCAA® Men's Basketball Tournament with the First Four games.
Learn MoreEastwood MetroPark
Eastwood MetroPark's 185-acre lake and access to the Mad River provides an ample setting for a variety of water sports, while on-land features include biking and hiking trails, picnic shelters and a playground. It is one of 25 facilities encompassing Five Rivers MetroParks.
Learn MoreBoonshoft Museum of Discovery
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is the premier regional provider of interactive science learning experiences that enrich the lives of children and adults, enhance the quality of life in our community, and promote a broad understanding of the world.
Learn MoreNational Museum of the United States Air Force
The FREE National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™ is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum and a must-see in Dayton, with nearly 1 million annual visitors. The museum features more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space.
Learn MoreAmerica's Packard Museum
For more than 30 years, America's Packard Museum has been at the forefront of Packard historical preservation and education. Located in an original Packard dealership building, America’s Packard Museum houses the largest collection of Packard automobiles and memorabilia anywhere in the world, with cars from 1903 to 1956.
Learn MoreCarillon Historical Park
Carillon Historical Park is a 65-acre open-air history museum that serves as the main campus for Dayton History. It shares the amazing stories of how Dayton changed the world! The museum properties of Dayton History - Carillon Historical Park, along with Hawthorn Hill and the Patterson Homestead - are ready to take you on a spectacular journey through Dayton's innovative history.
Learn MoreWright Brothers National Museum
The John W. Berry, Sr. Wright Brothers National Museum has more Wright artifacts on display than any other place in the world, including the 1905 Wright Flyer III: the only airplane designated a National Historic Landmark, the first practical flying machine, and what the Wright brothers considered their most important aircraft.
Learn MoreOregon Historic District
The Oregon District is located in the heart of downtown Dayton and is home to unique shops, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and the Historic Oregon District neighborhood.
Learn MoreAullwood Audobon
Aullwood Audubon teaches, leads and inspires people to preserve, protect and enjoy nature, farming and the environment. Aullwood offers both children and adults the opportunity to experience and appreciate the world through experience-based education.
Learn MoreDayton Dragons Baseball
The Dayton Dragons are the High-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 66-game home schedule at beautiful Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District in downtown Dayton. The Dragons hold the record for the longest sellout streak in North American professional sports!
Learn MoreFraze Pavilion
The Fraze Pavilion features mainstream artists of all genres. The 4,300-seat amphitheater hosts terrace, orchestra and lawn seating.
Learn MoreDayton Mall
Dayton Mall is the largest super-regional mall in the Dayton-Springfield metropolitan area, located in Miami Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. The mall has 120+ shopping and dining options
Learn MoreAustin Landing
Austin Landing offers an exceptional collection of entertainment, shopping, and dining. From fresh groceries and home goods to unique gifts and local service providers, Austin Landing is the ultimate “go-to” hub for in the Cincinnati-Dayton corridor.
Learn MoreDayton Art Institute
Founded in 1919, the Dayton Art Institute is one of the region’s premier fine arts museums. In addition to exhibiting outstanding special exhibitions and impressive collections of art from throughout the world, the museum is renowned for education programming that includes an array of offerings for diverse audiences.
Learn MoreRose Music Center
The Stuart & Mimi Rose Music Center at The Heights is a 4,200 seat, fully covered, outdoor amphitheater located in The Heights development of Huber Heights, Ohio.
Learn MoreRiverScape MetroPark
RiverScape MetroPark is among Dayton's most popular venues and features kayak and bicycle rentals, a bike hub including showers and restrooms, an ice rink, gardens, reflecting pools, concessions, a plaza, a fountain and splash pad, the Five Rivers Fountain of Lights, plus the Dayton Inventors River Walk.
Learn MoreDayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
The Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park is made up of multiple sites that are sure to inspire: the Wright Dunbar Interpretive Center, the Wright Cycle Co. Bike Shop and Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center and the Wright Brothers Hill-Wright Brothers Memorial, Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site and the Wright Brothers National Museum at Carillon Historical Park.
Learn MoreDestination Dayton Blog & Insiders guide
Pride is More than a Celebration
- 3 min read
As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers, and in turn, May flowers herald the arrival of June and its vibrant Pride flags. June is a month dedicated to celebrating the historic…
Dayton Air Show Brings U.S. Navy Blue Angels, High-Flying Fun to Dayton
- 5 min read
Get ready to look up, because one of the region’s most epic summer traditions is about to take flight! The annual CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show, presented by Kroger, is set to…
Celebrate Juneteenth in Dayton
- 5 min read
This month, Dayton will join cities around the country in celebrating Juneteenth with a wide range of community events. America's second independence day and the nation's newest…
11 Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day in Dayton, Ohio
- 4 min read
Father's Day is Sunday, June 21 - show that special man in your life how much you appreciate his support, guidance, and friendship! Spend the day together celebrating love and life…
5 Ways to Celebrate America 250 in Dayton, Ohio
- 4 min read
In 2026, the United States is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This nationwide celebration invites communities like Dayton, Ohio to…
Bicycling Through Dayton
- 4 min read
Dayton is a cyclists’ dream come true, offering the nation’s largest network of paved trails – 350+ miles! Come for a visit to Dayton to explore these beautiful trails…
5 Places to See Outdoor Summer Concerts in Dayton
- 5 min read
May brings the start of summer concert season, and Dayton has some outstanding outdoor concert venues! The Rose Music Center at the Heights in Huber Heights, Fraze Pavilion in Kettering…
30 Must-Try Dayton Restaurants: A Culinary Journey
- 17 min read
Dayton is a hidden gem for food enthusiasts, boasting a vibrant culinary scene that reflects the city's rich history and diverse culture. Whether you're a local resident or just…
Community Ambassador Celebration & Awards Breakfast
Each year, Destination Dayton recognizes outstanding event/meeting planners who were instrumental in bringing their organization’s event to Dayton/Montgomery County over the past year. Meeting and event planners are the key decision makers when it comes to selecting a destination or site for a group’s convention or event. These individuals are presented with an official leather flight jacket from Dayton, the Birthplace of Aviation, at our annual Community Ambassador Celebration & Awards Breakfast. Thank you to our many sponsors who help make the Awards Breakfast possible!
Presenting Host Sponsor
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Gold Sponsors








Dayton North









Silver Sponsors



Austin Landing



Hold Your Next Meeting or Event in Dayton!
Learn why Dayton – the birthplace of aviation, home to the Wright brothers, and so much more – is the “Wright” choice for your next meeting or event!