DAYTON — The fun doesn’t have to stop with just an afternoon or evening at the ballpark. Here are some top picks for pregame or postgame activities near Fifth Third Field to round out your Dragons experience this summer.

For the family

• RiverScape MetroPark, 111 E. Monument Ave., (937) 274-0126, www.riverscape.org.

Just a hop, skip and a short jump from the ballpark, RiverScape MetroPark offers family activities such as paddleboating, live music, and a cool fountain to play in on a hot day.

Take a hike! Multiple hiking and biking trails intersect at RiverScape. Take a walk or ride along the riverfront. You might even catch the Five Rivers Fountain of Lights geyser going off. Visit http://www.mvrpc.org/tr/bikeMap.php for an interactive map of all area trails.

• K12 Gallery, 510 E. Third St., (937) 461-5149

An art gallery especially for school-age kids. This gallery offers 16 different exhibits every year plus classes and demonstrations.

Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Workshops every Saturday at 11 a.m.

• Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, 2600 DeWeese Parkway, (937) 275-7431, www. Boonshoftmuseum.org.

More of an educational playground than a museum, hit the Boonshoft to get out of the summer heat and your kids may never want to leave. Check out the live animal zoo, climbing tower, and planetarium. Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday noon - 5 p.m.

• Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N., (937) 223-5277, www.daytonartinstitute.org.

Rated one of the 10 Best Art Museums for Kids by Child’s Magazine.

Hours: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday Noon-5 p.m.; Closed Monday and Tuesday.

For the foodie

• 2nd Street Market, 600 E. Second St., (937) 228-2088, www.www.metroparks.org.

For those who don’t consider ballpark franks fine dining, head down the street for 40-plus local vendors serving homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and ethnic cuisine. Plus shop for artwork, crafts, gifts and more. Hours: Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Restaurants, restaurants and more restaurants: Downtown Dayton dining options run the gamut from burgers and fast food to fine cuisine and ethnic options. The Downtown Dayton Partnership offers an extensive list of downtown restaurants as well as an interactive map of dining and nightlife options. www.downtowndayton.org.

For the bargain hunter

• Mendelson’s, 340 E. First St., (800)-344-4465, www.meci.com

Fifth Third field hovers in the shadow of this giant liquidation outlet superstore. Find some deals on everything from office furniture, to dishes, to computer components in their more than 1 million square feet of warehouse space. Hours: Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For adults only

• The Neon Movies, 130 E. Fifth St., (937) 224-8452, www.neonmovies.com.

The Neon shows independent and foreign films you can’t see anywhere else in Dayton. Plus their concession stand sells beer, wine and Boston Stoker coffee so you’re not limited to overpriced popcorn and soda.

• Bars and clubs, visit events.activedayton.com for a full list of downtown bars, taverns and dance clubs.
• Oregon District bars and clubs

The bars closest to Fifth Third Field all offer something a bit different within walking distance to the game.

• Brixx Ice Co., 500 E. First St., (937) 222-2257

A sports bar within a baseball’s throw from the actual sporting event. You can hear, and sometimes see, all the big plays from Brixx’s outdoor patio.

• Canal Street Tavern, 308 E. First St., (937) 461-9343

This place rocks with national and local bands on stage every weekend.

• The Southern Belle, 134 N. Patterson Boulevard, (937) 461-4536

The laid-back, neighborhood bar option perfect for a quiet drink and a game of pool.

• Aquarius Night Club, 135 E. Second St., (937) 223-1723

This gay bar has entertainers on stage almost every night of the week, plus an outdoor patio and a dance floor upstairs.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2124 or kwedell@coxohio.com.