Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
Booty Swing is back and bringing the jazzy and sensual side of the holiday season!
This live band burlesque show will be taking place in the big ballroom of the The Brightside on Thursday, December 21st.
Come see The High Standards play live music with this lovely burlesque cast!
Doors open at 7pm. Must be 21+ to attend.
Enjoy an hour long Goat Yoga class filled with laughter, smiles and hilarious goat antics! Be sure to bring along your sense of humor and your phone to take lots of great pictures. We are located of the lower level of The Fairfield Commons Mall near Round One. For your comfort, be sure to wear a hoodie or sweatshirt.
Step into the realm of aviation history as we embark on a captivating journey through the Wright Brothers National Museum. Home to the iconic pioneers of flight, Orville and Wilbur Wright, this museum offers a glimpse into the extraordinary lives and groundbreaking innovations that shaped the course of aviation forever. Aviation enthusiasts and history lovers alike can revel in the extraordinary tales behind the artifacts.
Nestled within the confines of the museum lies an unparalleled treasure trove for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Interestingly enough, through all his hard work with elements like grease and oil, it was hard to find Orville Wright in disarray. Visitors can marvel at Orville Wright’s impeccably preserved tuxedo and distinctive suede Stetson shoes. This display not only showcases Orville’s commitment to sartorial elegance but also provides a glimpse into his meticulous attention to personal appearance.
Additionally, the museum showcases the artifacts of the Wright brothers’ father, Bishop Milton Wright, including his spectacles, canes, and a 1668 Holy Bible, emphasizing the familial roots of the Wright brothers’ achievements in aviation. Their mother, Susan Catherine Koerner Wright, is often credited for their mechanical prowess, which is why her hand-knit cape, tools from her father, John Gottlieb Koerner, and tintypes showcasing her parents, John and Catherine Freyer, are on display.
Skilled not only in aviation but also in photography, the Wright Brothers obtained a Korona V camera, using it to capture their iconic first flight photo. Orville set up the camera, and John T. Daniels, a member of the U.S. Life Saving Service Station, took the historic snapshot by squeezing the bulb – a moment that marked Daniels’ inaugural venture into photography. Stroll through the museum and find it as well as other fascinating artifacts illuminating the lives of the famous Daytonian Brothers.
2. The Museum Houses the 1905 Wright Flyer III
In 1946, the vision for Carillon Historical Park, a museum celebrating the region’s influential role in transportation history, was unveiled by Dayton industrialist Edward Deeds. The Wright brothers were slated to be featured prominently, and Deeds initially proposed constructing a replica of their 1903 Wright Flyer. However, Orville suggested a different approach, advocating for the restoration and display of the 1905 Wright Flyer III, which he considered their most significant aircraft. This particular flyer, recognized as the world’s first practical airplane, had the capability to perform figure eights, land, and take off again—an achievement that distinguished it from earlier models.
Why did it need restoration? Later on in 1905, the Wright brothers disassembled the plane and placed it in storage until the spring of 1908. During this period, they modified the aircraft to accommodate two individuals—a pilot and a passenger. It was then transported to Kitty Hawk, where they conducted the inaugural passenger flight with their mechanic Charlie Furnas as the passenger. Unfortunately, Wilbur encountered a crash on the same day, leading them to disassemble parts of and abandon the aircraft at Kitty Hawk, with only the engine returning to Dayton. For three years the plane suffered from vandalism and exposure to the elements until the remaining parts were stored in a small museum in Pittsfield, MA. Orville’s reconstruction would then begin in 1947.
The 1905 Wright Flyer III has since been deemed a National Historic Landmark- the only airplane to ever be designated as so. Although Orville Wright passed away before the opening of Carillon Park in 1950, he played a role in the design of Wright Hall, where the Flyer resides.
3. An Original Wright Bicycle is a Rare Sight to See
The first portion of the museum replicates Orville and Wilbur’s original bicycle shop. Yes, that’s correct, the brothers were involved with more than one form of transportation. In 1938, with Orville Wright’s approval, Henry Ford acquired the original Wright brothers’ bicycle shop building from 1127 W. Third Street. The historic structure was then moved to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan, where it stands today. Carillon Park’s cycle shop faithfully replicates the appearance of the Wright brothers’ store during the crucial period between mid-October to mid-December 1901.
In 1896, the Wright brothers initiated the production of their own bicycle brand, starting with the Van Cleve model. Named after their paternal great-great grandmother, Catherine Benham Van Cleve Thompson, the Wrights manufactured and sold a total of 95 Van Cleve bicycles. Today, only four are known to exist, with two preserved at Carillon Historical Park, ensuring the enduring legacy of the pioneering aviators.
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As you explore the exhibits and delve into the story of the Wright brothers, you’ll not only witness their contributions to aviation but also discover the family ties, meticulous craftsmanship, and innovative spirit that define their enduring legacy. The John W. Berry Wright Brothers National Museum stands as a testament to the indelible mark left by Orville and Wilbur Wright on the world of aviation in hope to ensure that their groundbreaking achievements continue to inspire generations to come.
This post originally appeared on the Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau web page.
Dayton History
1000 Carillon Blvd
Dayton, OH 45409
(937) 293-2841
Hours:
9:30am – 5:00pm Monday through Saturday
12:00pm – 5:00pm on Sunday
Admission: $14 per adult (ages 18-59), $12 per senior, $10 per child (3 –17), Children age 2 and under and Dayton History members are FREE
Members must present their ID with their membership card during every visit.
Visited Dayton’s newest wine bar, Joui (pronounced Joy) Wine yesterday for a liquid lunch with a friend. Located in the Fire Blocks on Third street, it makes an impression the minute you enter. My guest declared she loved it from first look.
Owner Lauren Gay, the former general manager of Sueno, wanted to put her sommelier talents to work, curating a downtown wine bar and retail spot, something she feels has been missing since The Wine Gallery closed. When describing her new place she shares that “the atmosphere is first and foremost fun. Wine is often times pretentious and stuffy, and it doesn’t have to be. I want the space to reflect the kind of explorative, relaxed approach that I take to wine. The space is bright, and will be full of light colors, flowing shapes, plants, and art. I want it to be a comfortable place for people to bring their laptop and work, grab a light snack, or have a pre-dinner drink. I want it to be a place of comfort and pleasure.”
We were there to take advantage of their liquid lunch and started with the Airmail and the Spiced Apple Bellini.
Then to decide on a snack:
We decided to share the cheese plate:
Along the back end are racks of wine to purchase and their kitchen area.
Overall for our first visit we liked it. We dropped about $40 on 2 drinks and our snack, pre-tip. The service was very attentive and we have no doubt others will find joy here.
117 E. Third St
Dayton, Oh 45402
(937) 813-1186
Thursday – Sunday
11am – 9pm
This Thursday, December 21st, one day after her 39th birthday, Kat’s friends are hosting a music bingo benefit, raffle, and celebration of Kat’s life at Trolley Stop, 530 E 5th Street, in Dayton’s historic Oregon District.
To know Kat is to know her love of all things wolves, so her friends are donating 100% of funds raised to Wolf Creek Habitat, a Brookville, Indiana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that cares for wolves that may not have otherwise survived in the wild. Kat always wanted to visit Wolf Creek and raising funds for them is a way to honor her wish.
Raffle and 50/50 ticket sales run from 5-9 pm. As always, bingo is free to play, with the option to purchase extra bingo sheets for each round. Attendees are encouraged to bring cash as electronic payment is not available.
Where: Trolley Stop, 530 E 5th Street in Dayton’s historic Oregon District
When: Thursday, December 21. Raffle & 50/50 ticket sales run from 5 to 9 pm. Extra bingo sheet sales begin at 7 pm. Raffle & 50/50 winners will be drawn after bingo at around 10 pm.
Cost: Free to play music bingo with the option to purchase extra bingo sheets.
Even if you don’t win, be sure to patronize these businesses and tell the peeps you love them 
Get ready for the sizzling showdown every burger lover has been anticipating all year. Burger enthusiasts have the opportunity to fight it out in TJ Chumps’ 5th Annual Battle Of The Burgers. Rumor has it that this year’s battle is going to be the juiciest one yet! From inventive twists on American classics, to seemingly outrageous new concepts, no burger is safe from the Miami Valley’s innovative and delicious ideas. This competition not only gives participants the chance to compete, but also to vote on the ultimate TJ Chumps burger champion of 2023.
The rules are simple and no topping is off limits, as long as it’s edible, of course. Fried cheese curds? Sure, why not. Ghost peppers? Bring the pain. Marinara and noodles? Buon appetito! So break out the kitchen apron, get the creative burger juices flowing, and flex your culinary muscles to become 2023’s burger champ!
The only thing more exciting than the competition is the winning prize that comes with it which includes a mouthwatering $500 TJ Chumps gift card, and the winning recipe earns a spot on our menu throughout February.
So, embrace the challenge, flaunt your “bragging rights,” and submit your unique burger masterpiece starting December 15th through December 31st. Live voting for the top 4 burgers kicks off from January 5th to January 14th, with the triumphant burger recipe set to be unveiled on January 19th. Let the Battle Of The Burgers begin!
Do you have what it takes to make the ultimate TJ Chumps burger? For more information, visit TJChumps.com/battle.
Church’s Chicken is celebrating the 2023 holiday season by offering a free Fried Chicken Holiday Ornament with the purchase of any family meal for a limited time.
To take advantage of the offer, simply purchase any family meal on the Church’s app or in-restaurant. It should also be noted that the offer is available at participating locations while supplies last.
The ornament itself is basically a realistic drumstick about the size of a chicken wing drumette.
Birders, or aspiring birders, are encouraged to join GCP&T Naturalist, Jared Merriman, in search of the different bird species that call the Indian Mound Reserve home, or that migrate to this area during the year.
What will we find? Join us to find out…
It is ok if you don’t have binoculars to participate, we will have limited sets to loan out.
‘Twas The Night Before Christmas And We’re HOME ALONE! by Patti Frankhouser Celek, mashes two holiday favorites into a delightful “tail” of pets discovering the many different ways humans celebrate the holidays including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Las Posadas. Directed by Gina Kleesattel and presented December 14-17, 2023 in Blair Hall Theatre.
Geared toward children of all ages, this one-act comedy promotes “rescuing” each other and being kind ALL YEAR THROUGH! Families and groups can celebrate together with lively special effects, music,
and perhaps a visitor in red!
Dewey’s Pizza brought back a holiday favorite, the Yukon Cornelius pizza. The pizza is topped with olive oil, minced garlic, mozzarella, white cheddar, seasoned Yukon Gold Potatoes, red onion and bacon. It’s finished with green onions and a drizzle of lemon-chive sour cream.
Some might recognize the pizza’s name, which is shared with the loveable Arctic prospector who befriends Rudolph in the 1964 television special, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. The recipe itself, though, came from a company-wide Recipe Remix contest hosted by Dewey’s Pizza in 2015.
The limited-edition pizza will be available at all 24 Dewey’s locations until Jan. 10. You can find your nearest location here.
Dewey’s Pizza says the Yukon Cornelius is best fresh of of the oven. For those that want to order carryout, the pizza chain encourages customers to try Dewey’s Take & Slice version — an unsliced, fully cooked pizza that can be reheated at home.
So it seems the rumors are true. The Springboro China Cottage will close down on 12/31/23. The following notice has been shared via social media with their customers:
The good news is they say they will be building a new space, but no new location has been identified yet.
The response from customers has already showed much support for the business:
Gwyn Apple Rotramel: 
the food and the bar are the best as well as the staff.
Lonnie Todd: Hate to hear this! My favorite Chinese restaurant!
Alexis Ward: Thanks for sharing. We will have to make sure to go get some chine cottage before it is gone
You don’t have to be a patient at Kettering Medical Center to get this famed carrot cake. People have been talking about it for years:
“Here it is folks, the famous carrot cake making hospital stays bearable. There are no words to describe how delish this cake is!”
“Would you believe I faked a total knee replacement, in fact my second one, just to be able to eat a piece of carrot cake at one of Kettering Health’s hospitals? Beyond yummy!”
“Came here for some carrot cake and figured we might as well have a baby too.”
So we set out to find out more about this cake legend from Michael Leibold ,Executive Pastry Chef who’s run the bakery at Kettering Medical Center for over eighteen years. He was originally brought in to take the bakery more upscale after stints at The Cincinnatian Hotel and Truffles Cafe and Catering.
When he added the carrot cake to the patients menu. the demand for it just blew up. Last year they served over 60,000 slices to patients. Their bakery has 5 staff members and Leibold calls it “the biggest unknown baker in the Miami Valley.”
People from the community began ordering their carrot cakes. You can pickup a slice in the cafeteria for $4.50 or with 48 hours notice order an entire cake, which feeds 16 people for $26. To order call the main hospital number (937) 298-4331 and then ask for the bakery (extension 55121) to place your order. You’ll then pick it up from the cafeteria in the basement of the hospital on Southern Blvd in Kettering, or you can arrange to pick it up at one of their other facilities.
Chef Leibold shares that make about 42 cakes each day. When served in the hospital they are single layers with no nuts, but when sold through the bakery they are double layered 9 inch cakes decorated with cream cheese icing and ground pecans. Chef also suggests you check out their other treats, like pies, specialty breads, and cookies. They will even decorate cakes.
Swing by your nearest Old Scratch Pizza this Saturday, December 16, and treat yourself to an unbeatable BOGO Gift Card Extravaganza!
When you purchase up to $50 in gift cards, theyre giving you an equal value gift card for FREE. Dayton Dining has posted about a lot of restaurant offering bonus cards when you buy a gift card this time of year, but this is the most generous offer we’ve seen in a long time. Matter of fact, we plan on buying a couple for ourselves to use, and not actually as gifts.
Gift cards can be used at any Old Scratch location, and guess what? They never expire! Available in-store for one day only, so mark your calendars. Minimum purchase is $25. See you there!
Locations:
812 S Patterson Blvd Dayton, OH 45402
440 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Centerville, OH 45458
2450 Dayton Xenia Road, Beavercreek, OH 45434
and coming in 2024
19 East Race Street, Troy OH 454373
After a fight that left history’s most famous reindeer with a broken red nose, Blitzen is forced into a series of anger management therapy sessions by Kringle Enterprises. Tasked with finding the cause of this violent outburst, his therapist Dr. Arbor hopes to help him understand what led to this moment and if he can save his job on the reindeer squad. Instead, she hears what really happened on that foggy Christmas Eve. You won’t look at The North Pole the same way again in this hilarious and unexpected ride!
