When we drove 19 hours up to explore western Ohio, I was certain that Cincinnati would be my favorite part of the trip. Cincinnati is well known for their amazing murals, their flying pigs, Fiona the Hippo, and of course their chili spaghetti. While I did enjoy my time in Cincinnati, to my surprise my favorite city that we explored in western Ohio was actually Dayton!
I had my doubts about Dayton, due to the fact that nobody I have met has actually told me anything good about this city. So I went in thinking it was probably going to be a bust, but after our visit I couldn’t help but extend our stay for one more day!
This town has SO much to offer! There were tons of museums, gardens all around, animal interactions, farms, living history, ICE CREAM, waterfalls, plenty of hikes, and this list could just go on and on! In short, there are so many things to do in Dayton, Ohio that you could be here for a whole week and never get bored!
Fun Things To Do In Dayton, Ohio:
Find The Troll At Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
One of the most popular things to do in Dayton, Ohio is visit their MetroParks! I know, going to a park doesn’t exactly scream take me there, but wait until I tell you about these parks! Dayton has 18 Metroparks and these are not your everyday parks!
Within these 18 Metroparks you can horseback ride, visit a historical living farm, hike, play disc golf, watch a fountain show, walk through gardens, paddleboard, and so much more! Each of these parks is unique and worth the visit.
Being that we have 4 kids, our favorite MetroPark was Wegerzyn Gardens! This park is a garden, a hiking trail, a splash pad, an outdoor music experience, and so more! This garden had something for everyone. I loved the beautiful flower gardens, dad loved the boardwalk hike in the woods, and my kids loved the Children’s play garden.
As soon as we walked into this garden we found giant mystical creatures and animals made out of bushes! Our favorite was the troll! There was a cave for the kids to explore and water running and splashing around the outside of the cave for a splash pad experience of sorts. Throughout our walk we also played musical instruments, sat in a canoe, and pretended to be chicks in a giant birds nest! There was so much at this park for the whole family to enjoy!
Location: 1301 E Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton, OH 45414
Play at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
You would not believe this museum! I don’t even know how to categorize this museum because of all the things it offers! It starts off as a science museum, becomes a children’s museum, then merges into a nature center, and some how ends up being a zoo! All of that in one museum!
We decided to visit the Boonshoft Museum originally because with our AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) membership we could go for free, so we thought why not! I had no idea we were walking into such an interactive and fun museum. The entire museum is based on educating kids, so each activity teaches kids a concept through fun!
While we were here we recycled toy trash in a giant recycle truck, harvested a play garden, made play pizza at a play restaurant, raced cars, measured our arm length to a bat, played vet for the day, and built towns with Legos. Right in the middle of the building is a playground like structure for kids to climb and slide down! Who needs elevators and stairs, when you have tunnels and climbing nets, am I right!?
The reason this museum is free for AZA members is because this museum also has a mini zoo connected to it. Now you won’t find tigers and giraffes here, but you will find a variety of rodents, reptiles, birds, and fish to admire. Our favorite was the otters!
Location: 2600 Deweese Pkwy, Dayton, OH 45414
Eat Fried Cheese Curds and Pet Cows at Young’s Jersey Dairy
When I picture Ohio in my head I picture lush green hills surrounding a red barn and dotted with dairy cows. Drive from one end of Ohio to the next and tell me you won’t leave with that image in your head as well. This area is well known for its high density of dairy farms, so it just seems fitting to stop and enjoy one of them.
This Jersey Dairy really is a giant red barn, but instead of finding cows in it, you will find a mini dairy store and a restaurant. The ice cream is fresh and homemade, and dare I might add, DELICIOUS! I let my kids each pick a flavor, and I got Chocolate Peanut Butter. My husband doesn’t like sweets and he even thought the ice cream was amazing.
Besides ice cream another dairy essential you have to try is the fried cheese curds. You can not be in this section of America and not eat fried cheese curds! It is an essential! This fried cheese curds were out of this world delicious!
Shopping, eating, riding a carousel, and adorable photo ops are all fun; but lets get to the main event! You can come to a dairy farm and eat the dairy, but you can not leave without saying thank you to the pretty ladies that provided those delicious treats. Yes my friend, it is cow pettin time! Right next to the restaurant is a large white barn that houses tons of goats, calves, and cattle just waiting to be pet and loved!
Location: 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs, OH 45387
Find the trolls at Aullwood Audubon
All over the world there is a new form of art that popping up, each piece unique and telling a story. Trolls are taking over the world! Now I am not talking about the cute little pink ones, with tall hair that sing and hug. I am talking giant wooden trolls made from scraps and recyclable materials.
Thomas Dambo, the Danish artist, has been building hundreds of this trolls all over the world and Dayton, Ohio has 3 of them!! Aullwood Audubon is home to 3 of these giant wooden trolls, Bodil, Bo, and Bibbi. You can hike to each and to their nest that they built for the ‘eggs’ that fell from the sky.
The hikes are easy and the trolls are amazing, but that is not all there is to do here. Aullwood Audubon not only has 3 trolls, but it also has a really interactive nature center as well as a working farm. On this farm we found hogs, turkeys, and horses ready to give a ride! 3 fun activities all for the price of one.
Location: 1000 Aullwood Rd, Dayton, OH 45414
Enjoy the view of Historic Clifton Mill
One of the icons of the Dayton, Ohio area is the Historic Clifton Mill. This gorgeous, large, red wooden mill is built onto the rushing water of the Little Miami River. While this gorgeous red mill is most popular during Christmas time with its incredible lights, it is still a gorgeous view all year long. We just stopped by for the view, but this is also a great spot to catch a bite to eat.
Location: 75 Water St, Clifton, OH 45316
Visit Indian Mounds Reserve Falls
Not all hikes have to be long to get you somewhere amazing. Just under Clifton, right outside Dayton is the Indian Mounds Reserve. Just a short, short walk to an overlook you will find a gorgeous waterfall. I don’t even think I would qualify this as a hike, because it is that short. While you can not get super close to the falls there are plenty of different angles you can take to enjoy the view, including a bridge that takes you over the roaring river!
Location:
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Other Fun Things To Do Nearby:
Cincinnati Zoo- Watch as the famous Fiona the Hippo plays around with her baby brother.
Everybody’s Treehouse- Take a short walk to a really beautiful treehouse in the woods.
Cincinnati Children’s Discovery Center- Play inside a flying pig playground.
Skyline Chili- Eat at a Cincinnati favorite, spaghetti and chili!
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