By Lauren Castle, R.Ph., PharmD
While Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati are all fantastic cities with lots to offer, Dayton, OH has earned its nickname the “Gem City” from an 1845 newspaper article that stated “it may be fairly said that Dayton is the gem of all our interior towns.” It’s got all of the fun of a big city but with way less traffic and crowds!
Dayton is full of rich history, and is home of the Wright Patterson Air Force Base, National Museum of the USAF, Historic Carillon Park, and the Dayton Art Institute. Dayton is centered in the heart of the Miami Valley and is also home to the Five Rivers Metroparks. Swim, fish, kayak, canoe, or even horseback ride through the scenic parks, and then hike, bike, walk, or run your way through the nation’s largest paved trail system that is over 340 miles long!
If you are a sports fan (or even if you aren’t), be sure to bring the whole family to catch a Dayton Dragons game. The Dragons have been one of the most successful franchises in sports history at both the minor and major levels, consecutively selling out every home game since their launch in 2000! If you prefer basketball, everyone’s favorite Cinderella team, the Dayton Flyers, will keep you on your toes at UD Arena.
When I first moved to Dayton in 2011 for an internship, the craft beer movement was just starting to blossom and the first brewery, Dayton Beer Company, was established in 2012. By the time I moved away for a stint in Michigan in 2015, there were 9 breweries! Now that I’m back in Dayton two years later, it seems there’s still room for more and a new one is popping up in every neighborhood.
If you don’t fancy yourself a beer geek, never fear! There are plenty of foodie spots to quench your thirst or your hunger. From farm to table fare at Table 33 and Corner Kitchen, to the best steaks and stewed tomatoes (trust me and try them!) at the Pine Club, you’ll never go hungry here in Dayton. Hopefully this article has piqued your interest but know that we’ve still only scratched the surface of what Dayton has to offer… you’ll have to come visit to get the full effect!