Downtown Dayton has set about revitalizing itself by adding different amenities such as Schuster Center for the Performing Arts; Day Air Ballpark – home of the Dayton Dragons; Riverscape – a beautifully landscaped performing venue; as well as a pedestrian and bike friendly starting point that leads to hundreds of miles of bike paths and trails. Additionally, lots of housing has been added such as townhouses, lofts and rental options.If urban is your interest, downtown Dayton is where its at with restaurants, entertainment, brew pubs, banks and other retail options – and all within walking distance. More than 300 performances occur in downtown Dayton every year.
Downtown Dayton has a wide variety of housing including market-rate apartments, condos, lofts and traditional townhouses. And there is more coming. From converted buildings to newly constructed condominiums, there is a wide variety of housing options. Over 2,000 people live in the urban core of Downtown Dayton, and more options are on the drawing board. Additionally, there are eight historic districts located along the edge of the city.
Transportation
RTA runs a full-service public trolley and diesel bus service throughout the area with it hub is located downtown. A major multiyear reworking of I-75 through downtown Dayton has just about been completed. I-75 takes one quickly to all the suburban areas of Dayton. Cincinnati and Columbus are only an hour away by highway. Dayton International Airport has hundreds of flights and connections and has been recently refurbished. Dayton has a regional reputation for low competitive fares. Dayton has invested heavily in rebuilding of roads, sidewalks and bridges throughout the city, but especially in the downtown area. For those who enjoy cycling, Link, a bike-share program, is available or ride your personal bike via many city bike lanes.
Hospitals
Highly rated Miami Valley Hospital and related Premier Health are located at the edge of downtown Dayton, offering a full range of services. Grandview Hospital is just a short distance to the north with its wide range of hospital and healthcare services. Southview and Children’s Hospitals also serve the region.
Shopping
Downtown Dayton has had in influx of new restaurants and shops literally “pop up” over the last several years. It has sponsored a “pop up” shop program that overs favorable retail spaces to prospective retail entrepreneurs. This has led to a variety of different shops to open up. A number of these shops have continued with permanent leases. Downtown Dayton features the Second Street Public Market which carries fresh produce, wines, pottery and craft items. Mendelson’s Liquidation Outlet offers everything from used industrial parts to furniture, clothes and other surplus goods. The downtown area has many art shops, a jewelry store, small convenience store, a wine gallery as well as a drug store. It is a 15-minute drive to the Dayton Mall which offers many national brand stores. The Greene is located 20 minutes away in Beavercreek with over 75 fine retail stores including the Apple store and Nordstrom’s Rack.
Recreation
The Oregon District on Fifth Street is a popular destination with a combination of restaurants, bars and shops. The area features popular brew pubs and a micro distiller. The downtown main library offers a striking architectural exterior as well as media-innovative facility unlike anything else in Southern Ohio. Those interested in the arts attend events at the state-of-the art performance center (Schuster Center). The historic Victoria Theatre features musical, theater and Broadway shows. Dayton also features its own Philharmonic orchestra, opera and ballet.
Lifestyle
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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.