A Fun Guide to Diverse Experiences in Dayton, Ohio

This blog post is sponsored by Destination Dayton. All opinions and recommendations are my own.

From sipping craft brews at Alematic Artisan Ales to savoring Caribbean oxtails at Soca within West Social Tap & Table, the birthplace of aviation (Dayton, Ohio) is no stranger to making new discoveries, and you shouldn’t be either.

Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway from Columbus, Ohio, or visiting Dayton for the first time, this guide will help provide you with a diverse experience during your time in the city.

First, we started our day exploring The Arcade, a one-of-a-kind innovation center focused on building community and inspiration. Architecturally, it was built between 1902 and 1904, and consists of nine interconnected buildings topped by the most beautiful glass-domed rotunda.

From there, we were guided by our tour guide, Charlynda Scales, who is a co-founder of 6888 Kitchen Incubator, through this amazing, historic building. Her foundation, in particular, is dedicated to empowering food entrepreneurs by providing them state-of-the-art facilities, access to capital, and mentorship.

During our tour, we were able to learn more about the history of the building and its tenants, while also experiencing the latest renovations that foster a learning and co-working environment. The Hub at the Dayton Arcade is a one-of-a-kind joint venture between the The Entrepreneurs Center and the University of Dayton, designed to drive new venture creation and social innovation.

As a daughter and wife of UD alumni grads, it was inspiring to see the Women of UD wall, while also seeing retro and modern spaces that were created for classroom-style learning.

Every staircase and hallway with original hardwood floors was stunning. The building also had indoor and outdoor seating, along with soft, natural light peaking in from every corner. I was obsessed. To be around that much history all the time has to be energizing–because that’s exactly how I felt.

After our building tour, we were able to learn more about Six Triple Eight (“6888”), along with ordering a chicken wing dinner and smash burger from one of its entrepreneurs, “Side Piece,” which is run by Chef Briana and her partner.

The incubator’s goal is community-driven and provides resources to help businesses grow and graduate from the program within three years. As a serial entrepreneur, it’s hard not to be inspired by the work Charlynda and her team are doing. It’s even more impressive, knowing Charlynda is also an author, mother, and veteran. So, if you’re ever in Dayton, and want to know the pulse of what’s happening, request a tour from her or someone on her team.

Next, we headed to our hotel, Fairfield Inn & Suites Dayton. We quickly checked-in to our room, freshened up a bit and then made our way to Huber Heights for a happy hour at Alematic Artisan Ales(part of the extensive Dayton Ale Trail). We thought we’d be here for an hour or so, but we actually ended up grabbing a deck of cards and playing rummy for a few hours.

The bar staff was attentive, and the tables started filling up around eight o’clock, which was fun because as more locals started to pour in, you got a real feel of the space. The brewery is also connected to a coffeehouse, called B Side Coffee Bar, which looked very cutesy, fun, and demure. Also, their brunch menu looked amazing!

After a tough and very close loss at cards, my sister and I headed to West Social Tap & Table to grab dinner. We were pleasantly surprised that it was a food hall with a beautiful mural of famous poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, who was painted near the entry way. The space welcomes you with a centralized bar and several restaurants within it.

We ended up ordering from Soca, which offered a robust Caribbean menu. We had freshly made oxtail and catfish and waited around 20 minutes for it to come out. It was a great space to people watch and sing along to 90s R&B. I loved it. After we ate our food, we left and noticed the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center (designated as a national landmark and part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park) right across the street.

Although it was closed by the time we finished our tour at The Arcade, I will definitely be back to explore this museum in the future. My recommendation: do better than me and visit this museum when you arrive and then grab food and drinks at West Social Tap & Table right after.

For day two, we started our day visiting the “Land of Funk Mural,” located on a wall on Stone Street, near the edge of downtown and the Oregon District. In the morning, this area is extremely peaceful, easy to find free parking, and walkable. The 21-panel mural features several Dayton Funk bands like The Ohio Players, Faze-O, Heatwave, and Sun and Slave.

Each of the murals offer pops of color, fun geometric shapes, and unique artistry. By complete coincidence, my red shirt was electrifying against some of the mural backdrops, which made for a perfect Instagram moment. This experience is ideal for a quick, impromptu photoshoot with friends.

After our visit to the mural, we grabbed coffee from, Wholly Grounds, a Black-owned business, where I sipped the most delicious bonfire cappuccino that I wish could transport back to Columbus with me. It was rich with foam that tasted exactly like toasted marshmallows. The interior had several Thomas Edison light bulbs hanging from the ceiling and gave the vibes of an old carriage house turned into a space for community.

Overall, with Dayton being a little more than an hour drive from where I live, I’m disappointed I haven’t made the trip more often, especially with having family in town. But with this most recent experience, it has definitely solidified more recurring visits from me in the future.

If you’re ready to make this experience your own, or need more information on what to do, eat and see in the city, check out Destination Dayton for more ideas. Happy travels!