Top Flight Fun in Dayton
Nowhere else in the world but Dayton can you see the collection of amazing artifacts, experience the authentic sites, and learn the complete and compelling story of the Wilbur and Orville Wright and the invention of manned, powered flight. We've laid out some ideas to help you plan your trip in Dayton, the Birthplace of Aviation and So Much More!
Day 1
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
Begin your Top-Flight Fun at the only required Wilbear Passport stop: the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park’s free Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center & Wright Cycle Shop. Call ahead for the latest opening schedules.
Historic Home of Paul Laurence Dunbar
Collect a stamp at the historic home of Paul Laurence Dunbar, a childhood friend of Orville and Wilbur Wright and the first internationally recognized African American poet and writer. Call ahead for the opening status.
Carillon Historical Park
Carillon Historical Park is a 65-acre open-air history museum that serves as the main campus for Dayton History. You will learn about the countless ways Dayton changed the world! While here, be sure to visit the Wright Brothers National Museum, located on the grounds of the park.
Wright Brothers National Museum
The museum has more Wright artifacts on display than any other place in the world, including the original 1905 Wright Flyer III—the only airplane designated a National Historic Landmark.
Culp's Cafe
Enjoy lunch on the grounds of Carillon Historical Park. Culp's Cafe serves soup, salads and sandwiches, ice cream and sodas.
Carillon Brewing Company
Visit the only working brewery on the grounds of a museum in the nation. See how Dayton’s earliest immigrants - English, Germans, Irish - brewed beer. Enjoy a pint or a cold drink and some delicious food!
Hawthorn Hill
From Carillon Historical Park, take a short drive to Hawthorn Hill, the Wright family mansion and get another Wilbear Aviator Teddy Bear passport stamp. Call ahead for tour days, and times (typically Wednesdays and Saturdays).
Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum
Get a stamp at the beautiful, serene, and hilly Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum, the final resting grounds of the Wright family, Paul Laurence Dunbar and many other famous Daytonians.
Wright B Flyer
Take off for the Wright B Flyer, where you can take an actual flight in a Wright Brothers look-alike airplane. This was the Wright brothers' first mass-produced aircraft. Get another stamp! Open Tuesday, Thursday and, Saturday 9am- 12:30pm. Call ahead to schedule a flight $.
Dinner
You will find friendly dining options abound at Austin Landing and the Dayton Mall area, adjacent to the Wright B Flyer.
Day 2
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
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. A passport stamp location!
Valkyrie Café
The Valkyrie Café is on the 2nd floor above the Air Force Museum Store. Selections range from salads to pizza and everything in between. Seating capacity is currently limited to 120.
National Aviation Hall of Fame
Get your passport stamped at the National Aviation Hall of Fame which recognizes aviation pioneers. It is located inside the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
Huffman Prairie Flying Field
Take a short drive to experience the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park Hufman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center and obtain another stamp. 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.
Congratulations!
You’ve collected over 8 stamps and earned your Wilbear Wright Aviator Teddy Bear! You may pick it up in person at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, or please mail your completed passport to:
“Wilbear Wright” c/o Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
16 S. Williams St.
Dayton, OH 45402
