As many times as Ive been coming to Dayton for family in my relatively new marriage of 4 years, it…read moreis nice to start going to places that my wife has never been to despite growing up in this area. The Wright Brothers constructed a launch pad for their aircraft and managed to circle this field for up-to 30 minutes. The site adjacent is now a gun range, and an airport where aeronautical engineering has become classified. However, it's pretty amazing to come here and soak up the history. The flowers and fields are also beautiful, but don't go around picking them. That will get you fined.

This site is officially part of the air force base but also a part of the National Parks system…read more It is where aviation literally took off - where they tested flyers and trained future pilots. One of the signs says it is the world's first airport and I liked that description. It is a beautiful meadow filled with a wide variety of wild flowers. There is a parking area with a trail, or you can follow the road to get to where the majority of the placards with historic information are located. (although there isn't really a place to park in that area). The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is that it can really use some TLC. The signage is a bit faded and the replica structure could use some tidying up and some pieces painted or replaced.

I've been to a number of similar national monuments including the President Taft home not terribly…read morefar away in Cincinnati. The National Park Service has done a fabulous job of keeping to the structure of the home and still managing to tell the story of a great man. At a time when the nation and the military was still divided along racial lines, Charles Young graduated from the US Military Academy (the third African-American to do so). He was the first black US National Park superintendent and the first black man to achieve the rank of colonel in the US Army. And in fact was the highest-ranking black officer in the Army until his death in 1922. In 1894, he was assigned to Wilberforce College here, one of the Historically Black Colleges, to lead the new military sciences department. When the Spanish-American War broke out, he was promoted to major and commanded the 9th Ohio Infantry Regiment. He went on to serve as the superintendent of Sequoia and General Grant national parks. The museum goes into much depth for Young's 1912 assignment as military attaché to Liberia, the first African-American to hold that post. However when the United States was to enter World War I, he was removed from service due to a "medical issue." In 1919, Young was reassigned as military attaché to Liberia. There is a lot going on here including a short film, a number of exhibits and memorabilia. And it's free. Stop by if you're near Xenia. [Review 1321 of 2024 - 242 in Ohio - 22344 overall]

The Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument recently went through a multi-year renovation…read morebefore reopening the house, Youngsholm, to the public. This building was the home of Brigadier General Charles Young, whose story is fascinating. He was one of the first African American graduates of West Point and had a storied military career, which intersected very closely with the history of the National Park Service itself, as it turns out the army used to be responsible for maintenance of the national parks in their early years. This is how Young became the first African American national park superintendent - out at Sequoia. All of this information and more were introduced to visitors here. There is a good introduction film, "A Triumph of Tragedy: The Life of Charles Young," shown in an upstairs room. The lower floor has a couple of rooms full of displays on both Charles Young's life and the Buffalo Soldiers, of whom Young served as their commander. There is a small gift shop in a back room, as well. The rangers are very friendly and helpful. They were offering a program during our visit, and the hosting ranger was really great with the kids who were participating. Parking is available in a lot to the side of the house. Hopefully, they'll continue to grow this site!

We were in downtown Dayton for our USAF Reunion for three nights. In addition to our dinner…read morefunctions we had group trips to the National Museum of the United States Air Force and other highlights around the city. Overall it was a fun and worthwhile experience. People at the places we visited were friendly including at our hotel. On the negative side, there were a lot of street closures and detours when trying to get around the city. Some were due to construction but also street closures because of festivals and outdoor activities that were happening. But, other than dealing with the heavy traffic created by the closures, my GPS (and dead reckoning wherever closures were not reflected) got me where I wanted to go. We spent a lot of our time in reunion activities but did get out to see some of what Dayton has to offer.

It's very much a suburban place, I wouldn't call it a big city center, but it is an epicenter and…read morethey do a good job of bringing it into the forefront.

I think the idea of this place is cool, but it really needs some money put into it. I'm glad we…read morewent on a Free day because I would have been upset to pay an entrance fee for what is there. There is a super small inside gallery area. A bunch of exhibits were covered so you couldn't see them. The outside is a small village with two structures. It was cool to go in and see you those looked like. There are plaques with what is around the circle area and you can either scan the QR code to get that information or borrow one of their books to learn about it. I think that's pretty cool. I think there is massive room for improvement and making things just look nicer. I think those in charge could learn a lot from how the Great Council State Park was done. Lots of room for more hands and interactive things to keep the kids interesting in learning about our past. This could also spell more revenue from schools for Field Trips.

Not much to see. Wasn't impressed with the whole area. The Indian huts were the most interesting…read morething about the whole place.

On a Friday morning that was already starting to feel hot, this was a pleasant walk through the…read moresun-shared trees in this absolutely beautiful park-like cemetery. Among others, I found the final resting places of the Wright Brothers with their family, and first Lieutenant Patterson, after whom the Wright-Patterson Air Force base are named, along with Charles Kettering (as in the Dayton suburb Kettering), and humor writer Erma Bombeck. The grounds are immaculate, the markers are thoughtfully maintained and the whole place feels like a quiet blend of history and reflection that rewards anyone who takes the time to wander. Climbing towards the upper ridge gives you one of the best surprises here, a clear view of the Dayton skyline rising in the distance through the trees, which adds a nice sense of place to the visit. Woodland Cemetery is large enough to explore without feeling overwhelming, and the mix of shade, rolling hills, and historic figures makes it a genuinely enjoyable stop whether you're here for local history or just a peaceful walk. [Review 971 of 2026 - 347 in Ohio - 26150 overall]

My lovey wife's parents are buried here at Woodland so we go 6-8x a year just to check in on them,…read moreput up wreaths and stop by on birthdays and such. The place is very lovely especially during the Fall as the colors from the trees is simply incredible. The roadways in the 'big money' (yes, this is what i refer to the original section as.) have been getting worse as we have been checking in. My favorite spot is on top of the hill where there's a stunning view of Downtown Dayton. Word to the wise, if you're there in your car inside the facility and it's getting close to them closing the gates. Maybe plan on leaving like 15-20mins before they close? Otherwise, you'll have this creepy white pickup truck follow g you around. I know they need you out, but they have learned not to come up and politely ask, they just sit and watch from afar. If you're in to history? Look up the tours in their website. They are incredible. Always informative and you get a ton of stories about the background of some of the folks who are buried here.

Feels really dated and run-down here, so this place is due for a face lift. The area is not as well…read moremanicured as I would expect for an AFB. I checked out the DFAC briefly but it felt really dim and sad in there so I left. I would be interested in checking out the other amenities at this base. Security forces at the entrance seem standard.

This Museum had it all. The history of Aviation and space. The beginning of space travel too. Great…read moreplace if you have children who are wanting to be be engineers or pilots or love Aircraft. It is a National Museum and free and it will take about 4 to 5 hours to see it all. There is nothing to compare to this place exceptional Museum except the Smithsonian.

Located in the core of Clifton, this marker tells the tale of a town that has been bypassed by…read moretechnology and development. It's still a nice place and I do suggest a visit. The marker reads, "This historic village was a hub for early Ohio industry and travel. The natural geography of the area provided ideal conditions for the establishment of a variety of mills. Col. Robert Patterson, an ancestor of the founder of National Cash Register in Dayton, John Patterson, chose Clifton for the site of a woolen mill, which furnished material for the American army during the War of 1812. Davis Mill, established in 1802 and in operation today as Clifton Mill, produced meal and flour for Civil War troops. A major stop on the stagecoach trail, "The Accommodation Line," which ran from Springfield to Cincinnati from 1827 to 1840, the village bustled with the commotion of travelers. The once flourishing industry of Clifton faded as railroad traffic bypassed the village and manufacturers left the area." It was erected in 2002 by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, The Village of Clifton, and The Ohio Historical Society. It is marker number 5-29. [Review 1324 of 2024 - 244 in Ohio - 22347 overall]

Nice place to stop at and look around. It's a covered bridge - what you see is what you get. You…read morecan't drive through it but there's places to nearby to park. Has plaque that talks about the history of it.