Dayton bucket list for 2019 grads: Dozens of things to do before leaving for college, jobs

Hey, new high school graduates, are you leaving the Dayton area for college, a job or the military? It might dawn on you that there’s a lot of the Miami Valley you haven’t seen yet.

Here are dozens of summer adventures to consider before you leave the Gem City … or even if you’re staying.

Dayton food

Eat the Dayton area’s famous food for a whole day. Start with a doughnut from Bill’s in Centerville or a pretzel from Smales in Dayton. Marion’s or Cassano’s pizza with some Mikesells potato chips on the side make a good lunch. And depending on your budget, pick an end of Brown Street for dinner — Zombie Dogz or the Pine Club. Esther Price Chocolates make the perfect dessert.

RELATED: Seven foods that just scream “Dayton!”

The great outdoors

** Hike the Gorge. The prettiest 2-mile stretch of the Little Miami State and National Scenic River, east of John Bryan State Park, is a must-do summer adventure. It’s the perfect example of post-glacial canyon cutting and offers the most rad views for hikers. Did we mention, it’s free?

** Get out and paddle. The Miami Valley has plenty to offer when it comes to water festivities. Grab some friends and enjoy the thrill of canoeing, kayaking and rafting (and check out our guide to paddling for tips on where to go, including the RiverScape River Run).

BEST OF DAYTON: Winners in outdoors and recreation

** MetroParks everywhere. Hitting up the Dayton area’s 19 MetroParks could keep you pretty busy all summer. Visit the Children’s Discovery Garden at Wegerzyn Gardens, or take a walk and some beautiful pics with your best friends at Cox Arboretum (including the butterfly house). Stare pensively out at the Great Miami River while rocking back and forth on the bench swings at RiverScape, and visit the farm at Carriage Hill. Here are more than 20 ways to experience all our MetroParks have to offer.

** Get on your bike and ride. Dayton has an abundance of bike trails for all ages and experience levels. Rent a bike from Link Dayton and tour the downtown Dayton area.

Festivals and entertainment

** Enjoy all things strawberry: While the strawberry donuts might be the main attraction at the Troy Strawberry Festival (this weekend!), don’t miss out on all the fun activities, including a softball tournament, 10K race, live music, food vendors and more!

** Yellow Springs Street Fair. This is a day full of hoopla and shenanigans filled with music, food and street performers on June 8.

** The Celtic Festival. The festival of festivals (July 26-28) should be on everyone’s list of events to attend. Experience the luck of the Irish and immerse your senses in the rich Celtic heritage. Pro tip: Don’t miss the performance by headliners and area favorite Gaelic Storm!

RELATED: Find your Dayton festival from our huge list

** Don’t miss the county fairs. Support your local county fair and immerse yourself in funnel cakes, livestock shows and the heat of the summer. Montgomery (July 8), Warren County (July 15) and Greene County (July 28) start early, while Miami, Darke and others aren’t until mid-August.

** Catch some national acts at our local music centers. Enjoy outdoor summer concerts at the Fraze Pavilion in Kettering, the Rose Music Center in Huber Heights or the brand new Levitt Pavilion in downtown Dayton.

** Catch a Dayton Dragons game. Whether you’re a sports nut or not, there is plenty for everyone to enjoy at a Dragons game. Here’s a guide to making the most of it. Don’t forget to have your picture taken with Heater and Gem!

Local landmarks

** See aviation history: The National Museum of the United States Air Force has some pretty amazing planes that you’ll want to see with your own eyes, from the Wright 1909 Military Flyer to the modern Stealth Bomber. There’s space exploration history, too. Somehow, all of that is free.

** Be a kid again at the Boonshoft. No matter your age, the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is going to steal your heart. Check out animals up close, watch an array of laser shows, see yourself in a heat image camera and take part in presentations.

FULL CALENDAR: Things to do in the Dayton area

** View Dayton from above. Woodland Cemetery offers a view like no other, and a chance to visit the famous Daytonians who are buried here. Lookout Columbarium stands at the highest point in the city and is the ultimate spot for sightseers. Fun Fact: the queen of Dayton’s Red Light District is buried there, as are the Wright Brothers, Paul Laurence Dunbar and Erma Bombeck. This one is also free.

** Travel back in time at Sunwatch Indian Village. Step back in time to about 800 years ago and see how the Fort Ancient Indians lived, at this quiet, peaceful site. You’ll get to see reconstructed structures and villages, found artifacts and more.

Credit: Chris Stewart

Credit: Chris Stewart

More and more and more

There are so many more Dayton-special options that we can’t even name them all.

Learn Dayton’s history at Carillon Historical Park, or a particular piece of that history (the Wright Brothers) at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. Enjoy some ice cream, animals and mini-golf at Young’s Jersey Dairy. Spend a day in the Oregon District, eating, shopping and hearing a little music. Or find something totally random and possibly bizarre while shopping at Mendelsons Liquidation Outlet.

Get out and enjoy!

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