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City of Dayton

The Gem City

All modesty aside, Dayton is among the most underrated cities in the United States. It's a hidden gem rich in history, culture and recreation.

A mid-sized city in southwestern Ohio, Dayton teems with imagination, innovation and world-class arts and culture. As the "Birthplace of Aviation," Dayton’s brightest and bravest have always pushed society forward, inventing the airplane, the cash register, the electric car starter, modern refrigeration and the bar code scanner — to name just a few.

Regardless of your interests, there's always something fun to do on and around campus.

Things to Do
Take in the Arts and Culture Scene

View an indy flick at The Neon. Explore the Dayton Art Institute and The Contemporary Dayton, or experience concerts, plays and Broadway musicals at the Schuster Performing Arts Center. Enjoy the sounds of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and Dayton Opera. Or watch the nationally-recognized Dayton Contemporary Dance Company or Dayton Ballet — the nation's second oldest ballet company. Be sure to attend one of the UD arts and culture programs, many of which are open to the public.

Explore the Many Museums and Historical Sites

From history and aviation to innovation and excitement, you'll find a variety of landmarks, museums and attractions to fit your interests. Explore the Dayton International Peace Museum, SunWatch Village, Carillon Historical Park or Paul Laurence Dunbar House. Or take off with the story of flight at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. After all, Dayton is where the Wright Brothers and aviation were born.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

The Miami Valley has more than 300 miles of hiking and water trails, where you can kayak, fish, paddleboard and swim. Camp, bike, hike, backpack, garden, ice skate, volunteer and try new experiences at one of the 18 parks in the Five Rivers MetroParks system.

Catch a Game

Root, root, root for the Dayton Dragons, the local minor league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. That is, if you can get tickets — the Dragons have sold out every game since 2000, the longest sellout streak in North American sports history. If you need a fix for MLB baseball, NFL football, NHL hockey or MLS soccer, Cincinnati and Columbus are just an hour away.