Discover the Unexpected in 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!
It's March Madness in Destination Dayton! Check out all of the basketball action happening this month, from the NCAA® First Four® to the Ohio High School Athletic Association boys and girls state basketball championships! Dayton offers basketball fans plenty of dining and hotel options, as well as things to do in between games.
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 contests.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fun Fact: UD Arena has hosted more NCAA® Tournaments than any other venue in the nation! There's no denying it, Dayton is a basketball mecca! March is here and that means…
March is Women's History Month, and there's no better place to celebrate than Dayton, Ohio! Known for its rich history of innovation and resilience, Dayton has been shaped by…
We're welcoming 2026 in a big way - mark your calendars for a year brimming with sporting excitement, artistic brilliance, captivating theatrical experiences, aviation milestones, and…
Destination Dayton is excited and honored to offer the first of several guest blogs from noted meetings industry expert Joan Eisenstodt. Joan is a pioneer and a trendsetter in the meeting…
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…
In 2025, we celebrate the 122nd anniversary of the Wright brothers' first powered flight on December 17, 1903. Orville and Wilbur are legendary innovators here in Dayton and all around…
If you think aviation history is just about the Wright brothers, think again. Dayton, Ohio—the birthplace of flight—is home to the National Museum of the U.S. Air…
