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.

This is part of the Wright Brothers national historic part. It's very close to Wright Patterson…read moreAir Force Base. There's a couple placards there and a replica of the building that was there and the tripod that they used to use to launch the planes.

Beautiful, centrally-located Clark County park. TONS of history here, and it comes to LIFE every…read moreLabor Day weekend for the Fair at New Boston. If you haven't attended, it's definitely worth checking out... There are "settler" and native American encampments and re-enactments all weekend, along with tons to see, do, buy, taste and experience... Wonderful for all ages!! Closest I could compare it to would be the Renaissance Faire south of us, though of course, it's a whole different piece of history. Check out the park during the festival, or other events scheduled year-round. A great local resource!!

Some of my fondest childhood memories can be traced back to George Rogers Clark Park over 60…read moreyears ago when my dad would take my younger brother and I fishing, walking Bobo our beagle,bicycle riding , or picnicking. Fond memories. Today over 60 years latter when I visit Springfield, I like to return to the park. I like to bring friends and family to share my love of this beautiful wooded area. I highly recommend George Rogers Clark Park.

This statue is located in front of the Main Branch of the Dayton Public Library. It is a nice…read morestatue that sits upon a pedestal and overlooks Cooper Park. The statue was dedicated in 1910 and is in great shape considering its age. They must do periodic maintenance on it. It does have the green tint to it like the Statue of Liberty that is caused by oxidation. The statue is standing on a stone pedestal high above the park. The sculpture depicts President Mckinley wearing a suit and long overcoat, with his right hand resting on an American flag which is draped over banded arrows and is left arm raised directly out in front of him, as if he is hailing. McKinley was an Ohio native and eventually became the Governor of the state and 25th president of the United States. He also served as an Ohio representative in Congress and a soldier in the Union Army. The bronze plaque on the pedestal reads as follows: To The Memory of William McKinley born Jan. 29th, 1843 died Sept. 14th, 1901 soldier in the Army of the Union representative in Congress Governor of Ohio President of the United States statesman, patriot, martyr a Christian gentleman whose sublime faith in his last moments was a crowning glory of a virtuous life this monument is a tribute by the Citizens of Dayton and the Children of its Schools "Nearer My God to Thee" It is interesting to note that over 11,000 local school children donated the $4,000 needed to build the statue. Metered street parking is available on the streets suroounding the park that the statue is located. The parking is free after 6PM and on weekends. This is a nice piece of Dayton history and a nice spot to visit. However, as with most sculptures that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a very long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. You may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip. I would start with Cooper Park, which it is located in, the Military Memorial or RiverScape MetroPark to make a half to full day of your excursion.

There was a covered bridge not too far from my childhood home, which probably contributes to my…read moreaffinity for these structures. So recently I took a short tour of covered bridges in this part of Ohio. This one is not too far from Xenia but is a little off the beaten path. It still is used for vehicle traffic (one way at a time) and is in good shape (as you can see from photos).There is a small spot to pull off on the side of the road so you can check this out, but really only space for one or two cars. But to me, it was worth the effort to check this one out. It's over a nice little creek in a shaded area, so this makes the visit a little more pleasant.

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.

I have a long history with Dayton, since my cousins lived there when I was a kid. Been going to…read morethe USAF museum since the first big buildings opened, and have watched the expansions every decade or so. But there is a lot more to Dayton. Yes, Wright-Patt is central to the city, but Delco, NCR, the universities, and more add to the culture and economy. There's a decent food scene. I discover more hidden gems on every trip. There are several good breweries. The city has had some down times, but is coming back strong. The base helps, and other draws like the amazing Art Institute, Carillon Park, the Packard Museum (in an old dealership) and more. Some pretty impressive parks and trails that I have just barely begun to explore. Not far from Cinci and Columbus, and Miami in Oxford, Dayton is worth the hour or so drive. Spend a day, have some fun, eat something good.

Being a local tourist extends out to one of my favorite destinations, Dayton. Yeah folks, I really…read morejust said Dayton. Now before your brain goes "Air Force Museum, strip clubs and meh food" there are some things I want to share with you about this interesting city. First of all, they have a great craft beer scene here. I can tell you that their brew scene is easily equal to anything that Columbus and Cincinnati is offering up these days. I'm working my way through my bucket list with Carillon Brewing, Toxic Brew, Warped Wing, Eudora Brewing Co. and Dayton Brewing Company all coming to mind. If beer isn't your thing, then I'd recommend The Belle of Dayton Distillery. They make their own rum and vodka and it's a great place to settle in, have a drink and enjoy the local cool spot called The Oregon District. The Oregon District, by the way, is a great urban downtown neighborhood. It's bohemian, trendy, gritty, cosmopolitan and it's a great place to have lunch, dinner and cocktails. It's one of the prime areas to get out of your car and explore all the little shops and boutiques that inhabit the area. Look up some of the reviews and I bet you'll be ready to head over and explore one of the cool spots of this Midwestern city. Now how can we talk about Dayton and not mention Wegerzyn Gardens and The Cox Arboretum? Both are wonderful green spaces that are true gems in this city. For those folks that prefer to get into nature while pedaling over and around, check out the Miami Valley River Trail. With 330 miles of bike trails, it's the largest system in the US. If you're not so much into nature, of course the National Museum Of The United States Air Force is world renowned and visited by people from all over the world. I'm sure some of them also find their way to The Dayton Art Institute, Carillon Historical Park, America's Packard Museum and one of the favorites for the folks with kids and grandkids: The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. And lastly, for the foodies: Check out Dorothy Lane Markets. There's 3 of them and all are worthy of a visit although the Washington Square location on Far Hills is my favorite by far. Just go there and be impressed. So there you have it. Dayton. I'm having a great time exploring the area and I hope you do too. A solid 4 stars.

Also known as Hyde Road Covered Bridge, this is one of the prettiest covered bridges I've ever…read morevisited AND one of the youngest! Built in 2014, it does not span a river, but instead crosses over the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail going between Xenia and Yellow Springs. It's roughly 85 feet in length. The story behind this bridge is that it was named after local engineer and covered bridge lover Richard P. Eastman. Richard fought to save many of the covered bridges in his county and heavily influenced the building of the bike trail the bridge crosses. According to one article, the trail may not have ever happened if it weren't for the efforts of Eastman. He even has the nickname of The Godfather of the Little Miami Scenic Trail which was part of the "Rails to Trails" movement of turning abandoned railway tracks into recreational trails. The article also stated "He was the only county engineer in the state of Ohio who wanted to do a project like this." While the trail is well loved and appreciated today, it required a passionate fighter to get the project underway and completed. Richard was that man, making the bike trail a huge part of his legacy during his years as engineer. Richard died in 2011 at age 91. [SOURCE] https://ysnews.com/news/2014/05/new-bridge-honors-builder-richard-eastman The bridge itself is a gorgeous autumn color with multiple windows, decorative entrances and a cupola! I bet this bridge provides an iconic backdrop in the fall season! The design seems to be a modified version of the Town Lattice Truss building style found in many long standing historic covered bridges. It is said Richard raised his family not too far from this bridge which makes this a touching memorial. What a great legacy! When visiting please note there aren't many places to park, so be respectful of nearby residence and their property. Be brief and don't park on lawns. There are currently no signs that restrict parking to view the bridge, but I'm sure that would change with abuse and carelessness.

Beautiful covered bridge that still is used by traffic (one-way at a time) on Hyde Road. Easily…read moreseen from the trail but a little harder by car. You can drive through it but there's really no place to park your car nearby to admire it. I can understand the frustration of the people on the road because I can imagine how often people were blocking to road to take pictures. I parked in the neighborhood a few blocks away and walked over. The trail is on my list of ones to ride my bike so I hope to see it from a different vantage point soon.