'''Dayton''' is a city of 166,179 in Southwest Ohio. It is the center of the Dayton-Springfield-Greenville, Ohio metro area with a 2006 population of 1,085,094.

Understand

Dayton is known as the ''Gem City'' and it's no wonder. In addition to being the birthplace of aviation (the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, lived here and perfected their design for the first practical aircraft). It is also home to one of the few multi-site National Parks in the U.S.- the '''Dayton Aviation Heritage Park'''. There's plenty to do and see in the region - the city itself or the many unique suburbs that surround.

Climate

Dayton has a humid continental climate, which means, like the rest of Ohio, sees four very distinct seasons. ;Winter : Winters can vary from mild to very cold. Snowfall isn't excessive, however, it's possible and certainly not unheard of that snow can fall at a rate that will cause havoc with traffic. ;Spring : Springtime is often cool, with cold and warm days sprinkled throughout the period. Storms during this period may produce tornadoes. ;Summer : Summers are characteristically hot and humid. While the thermometer may read one number in the summer, it will often feel hotter due to the humidity. ;Autumn : Autumn in Dayton and Southwest Ohio is usually cool, but temperatures can spike as high as the 90's (__F) with a sucker punch of humidity. Storms seem to increase during this period too, which, due to the fluctuation of temperatures can produce extremely dangerous storms with the potential of producing tornadoes late into the year.

Get in

By plane

  • <listing name="James M. Cox Dayton International Airport" alt="" address="3600 Terminal Drive" directions="Located in the town of Vandalia" phone="+1-(937)-454-8200" url="http://www.daytonairport.com/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">James M. Cox Dayton International Airport (DAY, KDAY) is in the northern part of the metropolitan area.
  • Nonstop service is available from Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Newark, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Tampa, Toronto and Washington, D.C. (IAD and DCA). Dayton is the nation's number one 90-minute air market, meaning the city can be reached in 90 minutes or less by 55 percent of the population. A surprising and very nice feature is free wifi, which can be accessed under the name of "public" in the airport. There is no public bus service going to the airport at this time.</listing>

    By car

  • '''Interstates 70 and 75''', major cross-country routes, meet just north of Dayton near the airport, making Dayton easily accessible by car from almost anywhere in the region.
  • *I-75 runs from north to south through downtown Dayton. Dayton is less than one hour from Cincinnati and about two and a half hours from Toledo on this road.
  • *I-70 runs east to west across the northern part of the Dayton area. To the west, Indianapolis is about two hours away; to the east, Columbus is about one hour away.
  • '''U.S. 35''' is another important expressway, providing access primarily from places to the east and southeast. The road has been improved to a limited-access freeway as far east as Chillicothe, making Charleston, West Virginia only 4 hours away to the south and east.
  • By bus

  • <see name = "Greyhound" address = "111 East Fifth Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-224-1608" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.greyhound.com" hours = "Ticket office and station is open daily from 5:30 - 23:30.

    Get around

    Travel in the region is easy by car and you can move from the urban city to the rural county in minutes. The '''greater dayton regional transit authority [http://www.greaterdaytonrta.org/]''' has a number of convenient bus routes (including electric trolley bus service) within Montgomery County if that's your pleasure, but in general, travel by automobile offers the best flexibility. Traffic and congestion is rarely an issue.

    See

    Aviation

  • <see name = "Wright Patterson Air Force Base" address = "Address" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-257-1111" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.wpafb.af.mil/" hours = ". Wright Patt is a significant part of the local economy with some 23,000 employees and a reason behind most tourism, boasting the '''National Museum of the U. S. Air Force''' and the Huffman Prairie Flying Field where the Wright Brothers perfected their flying skills in 1904-05. Wright Patterson is also rumored to be the resting place of a supposed UFO that crashed in Roswell,

    Do

    Performing arts

  • <see name = "Dayton Opera" address = "North Main Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-228-3630" email= "info@daytonopera.org" fax = "+1-(937)-449-5068" url = "http://www.daytonopera.org/" hours = ". Tickets sales are managed by Ticket Center Stage.
  • <see name = "Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra" address = "109 North Main Street" directions = "Performance Place at the Schuster Center" phone = "+1-(937)-228-3630" email= "Info@DaytonPhilharmonic.com" fax = "+1-(937)-449-5068" url = "http://www.daytonphilharmonic.com/" hours = ". Tickets sales are managed by Ticket Center Stage.
  • <see name = "Dayton Ballet" address = "" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-228-3630" email= "" fax = "+1-(937)-449-5068" url = "http://www.daytonballet.org/" hours = ". The Ballet performs at two locations so be sure to call and find out where the performance will be held. Tickets sales are managed by Ticket Center Stage.
  • <see name = "Human Race Theatre Company" address = " 126 North Main Street" directions = "The Loft Theatre" phone = "+1-(937)-228-3630" email= "" fax = "+1-(937)-449-5068" url = "http://www.humanracetheatre.org/" hours = ".
  • Encore Theater Company. TC. ttp://www.encoretheatercompany.com. ETC performs in various locations in Downtown Dayton, including: The Mathile Theatre in the Schuster Center, The rooftop of the Firefly Building(123 Webster St.), The Litehouse Town Home(123 Patterson). Encore Theater Company's mission is to perform new or rarely performed works of musical theater.

    Festivals

  • <do name = "Dayton Air Show" address = "3800 Wright Drive" directions = "North of Dayton, in the town of Vandalia" phone = "+1-(937)-898-5901" email= "info@daytonairshow.com" fax = "+1-(937)-898-5121" url = "http://www.vectrendaytonairshow.com/" hours = ". The 2008 air show will be held on July 19 & 20, 2008. The US Navy Blue Angels will perform at the air show.
  • <do name = "Greek Festival" address = "The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 500 Belmonte Park North" directions = "Next to the Dayton Art Institute" phone = "Church office:+1-(937)-224-0601" email= "info@daytongreekfestival.com" fax = "" url = "http://www.daytongreekfestival.com/" hours = ". For more info, visit [http://www.daytongreekfestival.com/]

    Sports and Recreation

  • <see name = "Dayton Dragons" address = "220 North Patterson Blvd." directions = "Fifth Third Field" phone = "+1-(937)-228-2287" email= "dragons@daytondragons.com" fax = "+1-(937)-228-2284" url = "" hours = "Box office hour: Monday - Friday: 10AM - 5PM (open until 9PM on game days), Saturday - Sunday: Noon - 4PM (closed on non game days). Dayton is also home to the Minor League Baseball '''Dayton Dragons''', a Cincinnati Red's farm team that plays in a beautiful stadium downtown and abuts the new Riverfront development. Catch the laser light show during the summer months!
  • The new '''Riverscape''' is beautifully landscaped and hosts cultural events weekly during the summer. During the winter, there is an outdoor ice rink set up with skate rental available.
  • The '''Bikeway''' runs through downtown Dayton, following the river and offers a nice recreational activity for the family.
  • Learn

  • <see name = "University of Dayton" address = "300 College Park" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-229-1000" email= "info@udayton.edu" fax = "" url = "http://www.udayton.edu/" hours = ".
  • <see name = "Wright State University" address = "3640 Colonel Glenn Highway" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-775-3333" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.wright.edu/" hours = ".
  • <see name = "ITT Technical Institute - Dayton" address = "3325 Stop Eight Road" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-454-2267" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.itt-tech.edu/" hours = ".
  • <see name = "Southwestern College - Dayton" address = "111 West First Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-224-0061" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.swcollege.net/" hours = ". Southwestern College is a computer & health care training college.
  • <see name = "National College - Dayton" address = "1837 Woodman Center Drive" directions = "Located in the town of Kettering" phone = "+1-(937)-299-9450" email= "" fax = "" url = "" hours = ". National College is a health care training college.

    Buy

  • <buy name = "Dayton Mall" address = "2700 Miamisburg-Centerville Road" directions = "Near the I-75/I-675 interchange in Miami Township." phone = "+1-(937)-433-9833" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.daytonmall.net/" hours = ".
  • <buy name = "Mall at Fairfield Commons" address = "2727 Fairfield Commons" directions = "In Bevercreek" phone = "+1-(937)-427-4300" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.mallatfairfieldcommons.com/" hours = ".
  • The '''Oregon District''' [http://www.oregondistrict.org] in downtown Dayton features small craft shops and interesting resale stores.
  • <buy name = "Mendelson's Liquidation Outlet" address = "340 E. First St." url = "http://www.mendelsons.com/the_story.html. A giant industrial salvage shop; imagine a Jawa sandcrawler parked in downtown Dayton. If you can walk through Mendelson's without saying, "MY robot will have THIS!", then you are already dead.

    Eat

  • Marion's Piazza. 443 North Dixie Drive. 37-277-6553. ttp://www.marionspizza.com/. teakhouse. This unique and delicious style of pizza, intensely popular with the locals, has been a part of Dayton traditions for over 40 years, and is a must try for anyone visiting the area.

  • The Chop House. ttp://www.thechophouse.com. teakhouse.
  • House of Thai. 230 Seajay Dr. Beavercreek. cross street from Beaver Valley Mall and Lofino. 1-(937)-429-2236. ttp://www.house-of-thai.com/index.htm. unch: Monday - Friday11:00 - 15:00; Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 17:00 - 21:00, Friday: 17:00 - 21:30, Saturday: 12:00 - 9:30, Sunday: 11:00 - 9:30, price = Lunch $7.65 Dinner price="$10-15. Excellent and most authentic Thai restaurant in the Fairborn - Xenia - Beavercreek area. Traditional Pad Thai, curry dishes and lot of Thai specialties. Sushi is also available.
  • <eat name = "Thai 9" address = "11 Brown Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-222-3227" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.thai9restaurant.com/" hours = "Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:30 - 14:30; Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 17:00 - 21:30, Friday - Saturday: 17:00 - 22:00. A trendy Thai restaurant on the West end of the Oregon District featuring traditional Thai specialties and sushi. Free parking.
  • <eat name = "Milano's" address = "1820 Brown Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-222-7072" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.milanossubs.com/" hours = ". A popular restaurant on Brown Street immediately to the West of the UD campus featuring pizza and baked subs. Mixed crowd during the day, becomes a college bar after 9. Also frequented by more affluent suburban families and professionals. Newly renovated interior features sleek, "modern" design while still being fairly warm in atmosphere.
  • <eat name = "Madison's Bistro" address = "5531 Far Hills Ave" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-435-7080" email= "info@madisonsbistro.com" fax = "" url = "http://www.madisonsbistro.com/" hours = ". A family owned, family run Greek/American restaurant bringing over 25 years of experience to the Dayton restaurant scene. Madison's Bistro is a member of the Dayton Independent Restaurants, a group of locally owned, independent restaurants in the Dayton area. (http://www.madisonsbistro.com/)

    Drink

  • <see name = "Canal Street Tavern" address = "308 East First Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-461-9343" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.canalstreettavern.com/" hours = ". Hole-in-the-wall bar that hosts bands and concerts. The place does not accept credit cards nor does it have an ATM so be prepared.
  • <drink name = "Dublin Pub" address = "300 Wayne Avenue" directions = "Oregon District" phone = "+1-(937)-224-7822" email= "info@dubpub.com " fax = "" url = "http://www.dubpub.com" hours = ". On the far eastern end of the Oregon District. Serves traditional Irish food with some flair and claims to be the #1 seller of Irish whiskey in Ohio.
  • <drink name = "The Trolley Stop" address = "530 East Fifth Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-461-1101" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.trolleystopdayton.com//" hours = ". Also on the far eastern end of the Oregon District. A relaxed bar featuring live local music most days of the week, with a comfortable patio outdoors and a party house available for rental.
  • <drink name = "Boston's Bistro" address = "7500 N Main Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-937-461-1002" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.bostonsbistro.com//" hours = ". Fifteen minutes north of downtown, this specialty microbrew bar offers unique hard to find beers from Stone, Bell's, etc. which can be found nowhere else in the region.
  • <drink name = "The Crowne Plaza Stars' Lounge" address = "33 East Fifth Street" directions = "One block west of the Oregon District in the Crowne Plaza Hotel. " phone = "+1-(937)-224-7822" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/DAYCC/dining" hours = ". Features live jazz on weekends and cocktails.
  • <drink name = "The Fieldhouse" address = "1126 Brown Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-461-2111" email= "" fax = "" url = "" hours = ". A classic college bar popular with University of Dayton. Specialty is the Fishbowl, a large concoction of assorted liquors in many flavors for sharing. Collectible pint glass refill specials on Thursday nights feature catchy slogans.
  • <drink name = "Flanagan's" address = "101 E Stewart" directions = "" phone = "+1-(937)-228-5776" email= "" fax = "" url = "" hours = "Daily 11 - 2:30. A UD bar with a more mature atmosphere frequented by students, alumni, and locals. Well known for their St. Patrick's Day party.
  • South Park Tavern. 301 Wayne Ave. 37-586-9526. ttp://www.southparktavern.com. A friendly neighborhood bar & pizza place (serving Pizza Factory pizzas & calzones). The staff of SPT have been expanding their service over the past year to include a large bar featuring 18 taps, many craft beers & micro-brews, a great outdoor patio space, and live music. A popular location for Historic South Park neighbors to gather on the weekends.
  • Bargos Grill and Tap. 151 Brown St. 937) 449-0971. A UD bar with a ton of TVs, pool table, patio, and the best chicken tenders in the area. There is also another location in Centerville.

    Sleep

    Budget

  • Comfort Inn Dayton Hotel. 125 Miller Lane. 1-(937)-890-9995. 1-(937)-890-9995. otel.

  • Comfort Inn Dayton Hotel. 305 North Main Street. ocated in the vicinity of Hara Arena, Jam Cox International Airport, U.S. Air Force Museum, University of Dayton and Wright Patterson Museum. . 1-(937)-836-9400. 1-(937)-832-9712. otel. Heated indoor pool and continental breakfast included.

  • Econo Lodge South Dayton Hotel. 140 Edwin C. Moses Blvd. ocated across from University of Dayton Arena. 1-(937)-223-0166" fax=+1-(937)-223-7600". otel.

  • Quality Inn South Dayton Hotel. 944 Miamisburg Centerville. 1-(937)-435-1550. 1-(937)-438-1878. otel. Minutes away from Downtown Dayton, Convention Center, University of Dayton and near restaurants and shopping malls. Outdoor pool and a free continental breakfast.

  • Sleep Inn & Suites Dayton Hotel. 277 Yankee Street. 1-(937)-425-7400. 1-(937)-425-7410. otel.

  • Sleep Inn & Suites Dayton, I-75 Hotel. 277 Yankee Street. ocated in the heart of South Dayton Central Business District at Interstate 75 and Interstate 675.. 1-(937)-425 7400. 1-(937)-425 7410. otel.

  • Motel 6 Dayton North. 130 Miller Lane. 1-(937)-898-3606. 1-(937)-890-3898. ttp://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=0603. otel.

    Mid-range

  • '''Best Western Executive Hotel''', 2401 Needmore Road, ''+1 937'' 278-5711, Toll-free: ''+1 888'' 492-7141, Fax: ''+1 937'' 278-6048, [http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=36125].
  • '''Courtyard Dayton North''', 7087 Miller Lane, ''+1 937'' 890-6112, Fax: ''+1 937'' 890-6112, [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/DAYCN].
  • '''Fairfield Inn Dayton North''', 6960 Miller Lane, ''+1 937'' 898-1120, Fax: ''+1 937'' 898-0727, [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/DAYFI].
  • '''Fairfield Inn Dayton South''', 8035 Washington Village Drive, ''+1 937'' 428-7736, Fax: ''+1 937'' 428-7736, [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/DAYSF].
  • '''Holiday Inn''', I-75 & Wagner Ford Rd, ''+1 937'' 278-4871, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/dayno].
  • '''Residence Inn Dayton North''', 7070 Poe Avenue, ''+1 937'' 898-7764, Fax: ''+1 937'' 890-5891, [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/DAYNN].
  • '''SpringHill Suites Dayton South/Miamisburg''', 7305 Springboro Pike, ''+1 937'' 432-9277, Fax: ''+1 937'' 432-9366, [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/DAYSH].
  • Splurge

  • '''Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites''', 2455 Dryden Road, ''+1 937'' 294-1471, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/dayso].
  • '''Crowne Plaza Hotel''', 33 East Fifth Street, ''+1 937'' 224-0800, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hd/daycc].
  • '''Dayton Marriott''', 1414 S. Patterson Boulevard, ''+1 937'' 223-1000, Toll-free: ''+1 800'' 450-8625, Fax: ''+1 937'' 223-7853, [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/DAYOH].
  • '''Drury Inn''', 6616 Miller Lane (Butler Township), ''+1 937'' 454-5200, [http://www.druryhotels.com/properties/daytonnorth.cfm].
  • Get out

  • '''Caesar Creek State Park''', northeast corner of Warren County, I-71 exit 45, Route 73 west, southeast of Dayton. 285 campsites, electrical hook-ups. The campground offers showers, flush toilets, pet camping, horseman's camp with 30 sites, two camper cabins, one cedar cabin, 2,830-acre lake, unlimited horsepower, boating, water skiing, five launch ramps, forty-three miles of hiking trails, men, thirty-one miles of bridle trail, horsemen's camp, five-mile mountain bike trail, 3.5 -mile novice trail, hunting, fishing, picnic areas, tables, grills, drinking water, nine picnic shelters, day lodge, a meeting room, kitchen, outdoor tables, grills, 1,300-foot beach, concession area, changing booths, nature center, naturalist programs year round, pioneer village with 15 historic buildings depicting life in early 1800s. Playground equipment, basketball court, games and sports equipment.
  • Cute shops abound within walking distance in historic '''Centerville''' [http://www.heartofcenterville.com], a nearby suburb of Dayton. It also has the largest collection of historic stone houses in the US.
  • Visit nearby college town '''Oxford''', home of ''Public Ivy'' Miami University, about 45 minutes southwest.
  • The nearby community of '''Yellow Springs''' is highly recommended, offering a unique and eclectic downtown shopping experience and great outdoor recreation.
  • Both '''Cincinnati''' and '''Columbus''' are roughly an hour from Dayton.
  • Huffman MetroPark (http://www.metroparks.org/Parks/Huffman/Home.aspx) has about 10 miles of mountain bike trail. Terrain is pretty varied, especially for this part of Ohio. Some pretty rough sections (clearly marked), if you're into that, and a lot of easy stuff, too. Excellent trail maps and markers. You will not get lost.