Fifteen minutes northeast of Dayton in Greene County, Fairborn hosts not only the Air Force Base, but also Wright State University, and the Nutter Center on its campus hosting events, concerts and shows. WPAFB is headquarters for vast, worldwide logistics systems and is the foremost research and development center in the U.S. Air Force. By many measures, the base is the largest, most diverse and organizationally complex in the Air Force and can be compared to a large industrial park or medium-sized community, all in Fairborn's backyard. Steeped in tradition, Wright-Patterson has been a leader in military aviation development from the time of airplane inventors Wilbur and Orville Wright to today's aerospace age. Nearly all major advances in aviation have their roots at Wright-Patterson or nearby McCook Field. In 1992 the part of the base where the Wrights taught themselves to fly -- a field called Huffman Prairie -- became one of four sites in the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. With all that rich aviation tradition next door, many of Fairborn's residents are affiliated with the base. The wide-open fields near the base are alive with new construction. Farms are slowly disappearing with the addition of golf course communities, and upscale wooded developments. Enterprising people are rediscovering housing stock of renovated farmhouses and modest single-family homes.
Transportation
I-675 is the main artery through Fairborn, with I-70 less than five miles to the north. St. Rt. 444 provides transportation on the western side of town.
Hospitals
Hospitals within a 10-mile radius include Children's Medical Center, Miami Valley Hospital and Soin Medical Center - Kettering Health. Kettering Health Greene Memorial Hospital is in nearby Xenia.
Shopping
Located minutes away in Beavercreek, the Mall at Fairfield Commons contains five department stores and 130 franchise clothing, shoe and specialty store. Strip malls, fast food restaurants and new shops are springing up all over the city. Local merchants provide general merchandise and services conveniently located for residents.
Recreation
Fairborn is the home of the Dayton Bombers professional hockey team. The city of Fairborn's Parks & Recreation Commission maintains thirteen parks, a nature preserve and a bikeway. The 4.2 mile Kauffman Avenue Bikeway is popular with Fairborn citizens for walking, jogging, biking and in-line skating. The parks have several softball/baseball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts and volleyball courts. Hiking is popular at the Cold Springs Nature Preserve's 36 acres of wooded trails. The Fairborn County swimming pool provides swimming and diving opportunities for kids of all ages. The Beavercreek Golf Club is a nearby public golf course, and the private Greene Country Club offers an 18-hole golf course for members.
Lifestyle
Check out these local highlights by area experts!
Explore Nearby Communities
Dayton, OH
Arts & Entertainment
Dayton Cultural Center - Find out news and information on events being held throughout town and on the Dayton scene.
Dayton Playhouse - Become a part of the playhouse tradition and experience the talent and craft of this community theatre.
Schuster Performing Arts Center - Visit the home of Dayton’s Opera, Philharmonic Orchestra and other local performing arts treasures at one of the nation’s most remarkable performing arts centers.
Dayton Ballet - Treat yourself to performances by the second oldest dance company in the country.
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company - The DCDC was founded in 1968 with the belief that dance transcends the boundaries of race and culture.
Dayton Opera - Providing the best in opera experience for over 40 years.
Dayton Theatre Guild - The Theatre Guild’s performances are nearing 400 total productions of live theater. Anyone with a passion for theater is welcome either as a spectator or participant regardless of prior experience.
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra - Inspire your imagination with musical sounds from one of the city’s most distinguished cultural institutions.
Fraze Pavilion - Come and celebrate 16 years of premiere outdoor entertainment held in this 4,300 seat amphitheater.
Muse Machine - This nationally recognized arts education organization serves 70,000 students annually in 13 counties of southwestern Ohio and northern Kentucky.
Nutter Center - Don’t miss an opportunity to visit Ohio’s premier spot for sports, concerts and family events.
Human Race Theatre - In its 20th season the Human Race Theatre Company brings the beauty, drama and excitement of professional live theatre to Dayton and southwestern Ohio.
Victoria Theatre Association - Located in the historic Victoria Theatre, the Victoria Theatre Association is Dayton’s premier arts organization for audiences of all ages.
Museums & Attractions
Attractions List from Dayton Convention and Visitors Bureau
Wright Patterson Air Force Museum - Visit the world’s largest and oldest military aviation museum for FREE.
Dayton Air Show - Enjoy a day full of aviation fun held every July.
RiverScape - As one of the Five Rivers MetroParks, Riverscape is dedicated to protecting and inspiring appreciation in Dayton’s natural heritage.
Dayton Art Institute - Visit the art institute often to enjoy world-class special exhibitions, educational programs, special events and their diverse permanent collection.
Dayton Visual Arts Center - The Visual Arts Center is a group of artists and art lovers who believe that a vital visuals arts community is essential to the life of the community.
Fifth Street Gallery - Home to Stivers School for the Arts which offers programs in music, dance, theater, and visual arts as well as quality academics for grades 7-12.
High Street Gallery - This historic gallery is the site of many art shows held either privately or by the Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors.
K12 Gallery for Young People - The K12 gallery, a vibrant organization aimed toward stretching the creative minds of Dayton’s youth, provides them with a true sense of community belonging and respect.
Rutledge Gallery - Located in downtown Dayton, the Rutledge Gallery features an assortment of diverse, original art by talented artists in all mediums.
Sunwatch Indian Village />Archaeological Park - A partially-reconstructed American Indian Village which occupied the Middle Ohio River Valley between about AD 1000 and AD 1650; and the Heilman-Kettering Interpretive Center featuring exhibits with artifacts recovered from the site.
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery - Children and adults can explore the wonders of the world with a live animal zoo, the region’s only Planetarium, interactive science and technology exhibits, and more under one roof!
Sports & Recreation
Sports
Dayton Dragons - Visit Day Air Park Ballpark and watch the baseball stars of tomorrow as they play on this minor league team for the Cincinnati Reds.
University of Dayton Athletics - Ranked among the top 10 in the academic performance of athletes in the country, the university’s Flyer teams win both on the field and in the classroom.
Wright State University Athletics - These NCAA Division I student-athletes post outstanding successes in the classroom with almost half honored each year with academic recognition.
Parks and Recreation
U.S. Air Force Museum - The National Museum of the United States Air Force, located near Dayton, Ohio, is the largest and oldest military aviation museum in the world.
Five Rivers Metro Parks - MetroParks is leading the protection and stewardship of Greater Dayton’s open spaces and natural heritage through conservation efforts, recreation and education.
Woodland Arboretum and Cemetery - Founded in 1841 the Woodland Cemetery is one of America’s first and most historic cemeteries.
Carillon Historical Park - Carillon Historical Park celebrates the history of invention, transportation, and pioneer life in Dayton and the Miami Valley.
Dayton Aviation Heritage - Stop by and hear the stories of Orville and Wilbur Wright. Whatever your time frame - Dayton Aviation is sure to have something for you to see and do.
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery - Visit a museum full of interactive science learning that enriches the lives of both children and adults.
The Packard Museum - Come and see the world's only restored Packard Dealership operating as a museum, and only full-time museum dedicated exclusively to the products and philosophies of the Packard Motor Car Company.
Business & Media
Business Organizations
www.daytonregion.com - Find out everything you need to know about starting, growing or moving a business to the Dayton area.
Dayton Chamber Of Commerce - This 5 Star Accredited Chamber represents over 3,000 organizations in the Dayton region and provides advice on starting and growing business.
Dayton Convention And Visitors Bureau - See what Dayton’s big city amenities, midwestern charm and hospitality have to offer.
Newspapers
Dayton Daily News - Follow all of the news in Dayton either in black and white or on the web.
Radio & TV
WHIO - TV - Dayton Daily News reports bulletins and broadcasts each and every day in its newspapers, cable TV and the internet.
WKEF - TV - Dayton’s source for news, weather, traffic, sports, entertainment and more.
WDTN - TV - Get your news from the only station awarded the Edward R. Murrow award for Overall Excellence for the past two consecutive years.
WMMX 107.7 - Dayton’s best source for modern music and news on the radio.
Weather Channel (Dayton) - Provides the greater Dayton area with up to the minute weather reports and severe weather updates.