Check out this Dayton weekend itinerary for things to do on a trip to Dayton, Ohio!
Since living in Ohio, I’ve fallen in love with the Dayton area. There are so many things to do, lots of good food to eat, and there always seems to be a festival going on. If you’re visiting the Dayton area, check out this Dayton weekend itinerary with ideas of things to do, see, eat, and drink. For even more ideas of things to do in the Dayton area, check out the other posts in my Gem City Sunday series.
FRIDAY
Be sure to come to Dayton with an appetite, because there are lots of good restaurants to check out while you’re here. Start your Dayton weekend with dinner at Wheat Penny. Wheat Penny is a local Italian restaurant that’s known for their pizzas, but they have so many other delicious things on the menu. Plus, they offer several gluten-free options. I always enjoy trying some of their daily specials, but my favorite thing on the menu is their focaccia bread appetizer with homemade ricotta.
After dinner, be sure to check out Crafted & Cured for some drinks. If you’re still feeling snacky, they have the best cheese and charcuterie boards in town. They also have 60 beers, ciders, and meads on tap, some of which rotate in and out.
If you’re not ready for your night to end, you can enjoy some of the area’s breweries on a brewery hop or you can see if there’s live music playing at any of the local bars. Two of my favorites are Yellow Cab Tavern and The Trolley Stop.
Wheat Penny
515 Wayne Avenue
Dayton, OH 45410
Crafted & Cured
531 Wayne Avenue
Dayton, OH 45410
SATURDAY
Start your morning with brunch at Lily’s Bistro. Lily’s Bistro is a local restaurant serving American food located in the historic Oregon District. They have a rotating menu, with many items procured from local farmers, and they often feature farm-to-table and organic options. Because they have a rotating menu, I can’t recommend any specific dishes, but I will say that I’ve never been disappointed at a Lily’s Bistro brunch. They also have a full bar, so you can enjoy some of your favorite brunch beverages while you dine.
Since you’re already in the Oregon District, you may as well wander in and out of some of the shops and see what the Oregon District has to offer. The Oregon District is a historic neighborhood in Dayton that spans about 12 blocks. Most of the block feature beautiful, historic homes. Fifth Street is where many of the Oregon District’s restaurants, bars, and businesses reside, but there are also other businesses scattered throughout the neighborhood. You can find some eclectic shops, including Bonnett’s Book Store, Neon Theater, and Heart Mercantile, one of my favorite local stores. For a full list of businesses, you can check out the Oregon District website.
Wandering the streets of the Oregon District is sure to work up an appetite. For lunch, stop by Old Scratch and enjoy some delicious pizza. I love pizza, but Old Scratch is just a step beyond all of the pizza I’ve had in Ohio. My favorites are the pizzas with white sauce, especially the Sophie Mae and the Shroom.
Depending on the time of year you’re visiting, there are many ways for you to fill an afternoon in Dayton. A few options would be:
— Go to 2nd Street Market. 2nd Street Market is open year-round, but their outdoor farmers market is only open from June to October. At 2nd Street Market, you can wander through the numerous vendors, some of which let you enjoy samples. On Saturdays, they have live music from 10 am-1 pm. There are also several vendors that serve a hot lunch, so if you haven’t eaten lunch yet, 2nd Street Market is a great place to check out some local food choices.
— Go to the Air Force Museum. This is an incredible experience for both adults and kids. There’s so much to see, and they often hold events there as well.
— Enjoy a Dayton Dragons baseball game. I’ve been to two Dragons games, and I had a great time at both. Even though I’m not super into baseball, and the Dragons are not a good team, the energy in the stands is just so much fun. They also have all of the food you come to enjoy at a baseball game, plus some extra local favorites.
— Check out a local festival. One thing I love about Dayton is that there are always a number of different festivals going on throughout the year. Before your visit, check to see if there are any festivals going on. They literally have a festival for everything.
— See a matinee show at the Schuster Center. I love seeing live shows, and I’m so happy that the Schuster Center brings so many shows that I’ve never had the opportunity to see before. Depending on what time of year you’re visiting, there’s sure to be something going on. Check out their website for a full schedule.
— If you like the outdoors, rent a canoe or kayak at Bellbrook Canoe Rental, check out the “beach” at Buck Creek State Park, or go on one of the many hiking trails in Dayton.
For dinner, stop by Corner Kitchen in the Oregon District. It’s a little fancy (but not too fancy), so you may want to freshen up and put on something nice for dinner. Corner Kitchen is an American restaurant aptly named for its location on the corner of Wayne Avenue and 5th Street. Their menu rotates seasonally, depending on the freshest ingredients they can get their hands on. My favorite thing on their menu is the mussels. The way they’re prepared changes seasonally, but so far, I haven’t been disappointed in any of them.
If you want to enjoy some after dinner drinks, you can head over the Van Buren Room. The Van Buren Room has a speak-easy vibe and serves cocktails using the spirits made at the Belle of Dayton Distillery, located on the same property. I always feel extra snazzy when I get to enjoy a drink here, and they’ve all been tasty. Kyle and I also use Dayton Vodka at home for our own cocktails.
Lily’s Bistro
329 E 5th Street
Dayton, OH 45402
Oregon Historic District
Between Patterson Blvd. and Wayne Ave.
Dayton, OH
Old Scratch
812 S Patterson Boulevard
Dayton, OH 45402
Corner Kitchen
613 E 5th Street
Dayton, OH 45402
Van Buren Room
122 Van Buren Street
Dayton, OH 45402
SUNDAY
Take a day trip to Yellow Springs! Yellow Springs is a small town outside of Dayton. It’s about a 20-minute drive, depending on where in Dayton you’re traveling from. Fun fact: Dave Chappelle grew up and still lives there. He’s been spotted out and about by residents and visitors.
Start your day with a quick breakfast at Emporium Wines & Underdog Cafe. They have a small menu with hot and cold items. It’s perfect for a quick bite. If you’re a wine-o, you can also check out their extensive wine collection. If you like books, they have a small reading area full of shelves with books ranging to and from almost every genre. There’s a piano in the corner, and on our visit, people were allowed to go up and play whatever they wanted for as long as they wanted, so we also got to enjoy some beautiful piano music while we ate.
After breakfast, make your way over to Glen Helen Nature Preserve. Prepare yourself for a gorgeous hike. The only thing I don’t like about Glen Helen is that their trails aren’t labeled, but no matter what path you take, you’re sure to enjoy it. If you want a map, you can stop by the Visitors Center to pick one up. They also have a Trailside Museum where you can meet some little critters, do some bird-watching, and learn a little bit more about some of the animals you may encounter on your hike. During the colder months, they have the fire going and serve hot beverages. Another stop on your hike should be the Raptor Center where you can learn about some of the exotic birds the organization has saved.
The next stop on your tour of Yellow Springs is Young’s Jersey Dairy. There are all sorts of things to do here for both kids and adults. If you’re hungry, you can enjoy lunch at one of their two restaurants. For dessert, you, of course, have to try some of their homemade ice cream, made from the milk of the cows on the farm. They have a small indoor/outdoor petting zoo where you can visit with and feed goats, sheep, and pigs, and there are cows that you can watch get milked in the evenings. They also have two mini golf courses, batting cages, a driving range, and various rides for kids, and there are lots of different events throughout the year, especially during the fall.
Emporium Wines & Underdog Cafe
233 Xenia Avenue
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
937.767.7077
Glen Helen Nature Preserve
405 Corry Street
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
Young’s Jersey Dairy
6880 Springfield Xenia Road
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
For even more things to do in the Dayton area, check out the rest of the posts in my Gem City Sunday series!
Where’s your favorite place to take a weekend trip?
Gem City Sunday is a series where I share blog posts about some of my favorite things in Dayton, Ohio. Why Dayton is called Gem City is unknown, but I do think this city is a little gem. My boyfriend, Kyle and I moved to Dayton during the summer of 2018, and the city found a way into our hearts. Check back on Sundays for new Gem City Sunday posts with topics ranging from my favorite restaurants, festivals to check out, things to do in Dayton, and lots more.
