BACK TO SCHOOL FUN GUIDE: 25 things around Dayton to excite college students

An underground event and performance space located in the Dayton Arcade is inviting the public to listen to local artists in a new event series called “After the Levitt" (PHOTO COURTESY: GREG THIELEN).

Credit: Submitted Photo

Credit: Submitted Photo

An underground event and performance space located in the Dayton Arcade is inviting the public to listen to local artists in a new event series called “After the Levitt" (PHOTO COURTESY: GREG THIELEN).

From the University of Dayton to Wright State University, classes are in session. But college doesn’t have to be all about the books. When it’s time for a break, here are 25 fun things to do around the region.

1. TWO SOCIAL 🎮🍸

DETAILS: From axe throwing to a gaming wall with Super Smash Bros., Two Social is an ideal hangout spot in the Miami Valley. Grab a drink from their full-service bar and play a board game or take your best shot at bocce ball.

LOCATION: 123 E. Third Street, Dayton

MORE INFORMATION: www.2socialdayton.com | Facebook | Instagram

From axe throwing to a gaming wall with Super Smash Bros., Two Social is an ideal hangout spot in the Miami Valley. Grab a drink from their full-service bar and play a board game or take your best shot at bocce ball.

Credit: Staff

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Credit: Staff

2. NOW AND ZEN DIY STUDIO 🌿🎁

DETAILS: Now and Zen DIY Studio is a place where you can create your own natural works of art. Guests can stop in during their “walk-in hours” to create their own air plant, fern or succulent terrarium.

The studio also has crystals, Zen gardens, gifts and plants available for purchase.

LOCATION: 121 E. Third Street, Dayton

MORE INFORMATION: www.shopnowandzen.com | Facebook | Instagram

Now and Zen DIY Studio, located at 121 E. Third Street in Dayton, is a place where you can create your own natural works of art.

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3. THE OREGON DISTRICT 🎶🍹

DETAILS: From live music to food and drinks, The Oregon District is the perfect destination for a night out. Dance the night away at Newcom’s or grab a Dayton inspired gift at Heart Mercantile.

The Oregon District is a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) which allows guests 21+ to purchase an alcoholic beverage served in a branded cup and enjoy that beverage outdoors within the designated area. Those interested in purchasing a DORA drink can find a DORA sticker on the entrances of participating vendors.

Some bars/restaurants in the Oregon District require guests to be 21+ with a valid ID. For example, Blind Bob’s requires patrons to be 21+ when there are shows after 8 p.m. The best way to double check requirements is to call the bar/restaurant.

LOCATION: E. Fifth Street, Dayton

MORE INFORMATION: www.theoregondistrict.org | Facebook | Instagram

The Oregon District is a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) which allows guests 21+ to purchase an alcoholic beverage served in a branded cup and enjoy that beverage outdoors, within the designated area. TOM GILLIAM/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

4. WILEY’S COMEDY CLUB 🎙🤣

DETAILS: Dayton’s first and Ohio’s oldest comedy club is sure to bring you some great laughs. Wiley’s Comedy Club features a variety of comedians from national touring acts to local performers. Shows are typically Friday, Saturday and occasionally Sunday.

Guests must be 18 or older with a valid ID. Tickets are available online or by calling 937-224-JOKE.

LOCATION: 101 Pine Street, Dayton

MORE INFORMATION: www.wileyscomedy.com | Facebook | Instagram

Wiley’s Comedy Club features a variety of comedians from nationally touring to local.

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5. YELLOW CAB TAVERN 🎙🍺

DETAILS: The Yellow Cab Tavern is a place for people to hang out and grab a beer while listening to live music, attending a food truck rally or viewing an art show. The tavern also has karaoke or trivia throughout the week.

LOCATION: 700 E. Fourth Street, Dayton

MORE INFORMATION: www.yellowcabtavern.com | Facebook | Instagram

Come Together, a rooftop tribute to The Beatles performed by musicians in Dayton area bands was held on Friday, Aug. 19 and Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022 at Yellow Cab Tavern in downtown Dayton. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

6. THE NEON 🎥🍿

DETAILS: Dayton’s independent, non-profit, art house cinema is a unique spot to watch foreign and indie films, mainstream movies and documentaries. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online.

LOCATION: 130 E. Fifth Street, Dayton

MORE INFORMATION: www.neonmovies.com | Facebook | Instagram

Dayton’s independent, non-profit, art house cinema is a unique spot to watch foreign and indie films, mainstream movies and documentaries. Photo: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

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Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

7. DAYTON ART INSTITUTE 🎨🖼

DETAILS: The Dayton Art Institute features a collection of galleries and exhibitions. According to the museum’s website, their collection spans 5,000 years of art history including American, Ancient American, Asian and European fine and decorative art collections.

College students with a valid ID will receive discounted admission.

LOCATION: 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton

MORE INFO: www.daytonartinstitute.org | Facebook | Instagram

The Dayton Art Institute features a collection of galleries and exhibitions.

Credit: DAYTON ART INSTITUTE

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Credit: DAYTON ART INSTITUTE

8. 2ND STREET MARKET 🥕👩‍🌾

DETAILS: 2nd Street Market has over 40 growers/producers, specialty food vendors/bakers, artisan/general merchandise vendors and restaurants in the former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad freight depot.

From buying local produce to handmade gifts, guests can find something unique while shopping local.

LOCATION: 600 E. Second Street, Dayton

MORE INFO: www.metroparks.org/places-to-go/2nd-street-market | Facebook

Sarah Romaker, from Cincinnati, waits in line for lunch at the 2nd Street Market Friday April 29, 2022. The lunchtime crowds along with the weekend shoppers are back after two years of COVID restrictions. JIM NOELKER/STAFF

Credit: JIM NOELKER

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Credit: JIM NOELKER

9. FIVE RIVERS METROPARKS 🌳🐦

DETAILS: Five Rivers MetroParks is a public park system in the Dayton area featuring a variety of parks, conservation areas and trails. Those who love nature can walk up the tree tower at Cox Arboretum to see some incredible views or visit Wegerzyn Gardens to take some fun photos at their formal gardens.

LOCATION: Nearly 20 parks around the Dayton area (more details about exact location online)

MORE INFO: www.metroparks.org | Facebook | Instagram

Peggy Thompson, left and Laurie Layman take a selfie near the tulip garden at Cox Arboretum Metropark. JIM NOELKER/STAFF

Credit: JIM NOELKER

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Credit: JIM NOELKER

10. SURF DAYTON ☀🌊

DETAILS: The Miami Valley may be a bit far from the ocean, but for those who love to surf Surf Dayton has a lot to offer.

Surf Dayton offers private lessons and group clinics for river surfing as well as river stand-up paddleboarding and flatwater SUP lessons. They also have a retail surf shop and rental/repair services.

LOCATION: Eastwood MetroPark or RiverScape MetroPark in Dayton and Buck Creek State Park in Springfield (more details about exact locations online)

MORE INFO: www.surfdayton.com | Facebook | Instagram

Shannon Thomas, of Surf Dayton, enjoys surfing the Art Wave in downtown Dayton - Contributed

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11. LEVITT PAVILION 🎶🎙

DETAILS: What’s better than sitting outside and listing to live music? The Levitt Pavilion is an outdoor music venue featuring a variety of free concerts all summer long. Guests can bring a lawn chair or blanket, some snacks and drinks and listen to music all evening long.

LOCATION: 134 S. Main Street, Dayton

MORE INFO: www.levittdayton.org | Facebook | Instagram

Lee Rocker, double bassist for the Stray Cats and his band played a free concert at Levitt Pavilion in downtown Dayton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

12. THE TANK - INSPIRED BY CENTERPOINT ENERGY 🎙🎸

DETAILS: The Tank - Inspired by CenterPoint Energy is an underground event and performance space located in the Dayton Arcade. Organizers are inviting the public to listen to local artists in an event series called “After the Levitt.”

Guests are able to purchase drinks and snacks at the bar with all proceeds going back into getting more local artists in the space.

LOCATION: 39 W. Fourth Street, Dayton

MORE INFO: www.cultureworks.org | Facebook | Instagram

An underground event and performance space located in the Dayton Arcade is inviting the public to listen to local artists in a new event series called “After the Levitt" (PHOTO COURTESY: GREG THIELEN).

Credit: Submitted Photo

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Credit: Submitted Photo

13. SCHUSTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 🎭🎤

DETAILS: The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center features a variety of local, national and international entertainment. Enjoy a night out on Broadway courtesy of Dayton Live. The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, consisting of Dayton Ballet, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and Dayton Opera, particularly offers $5 tickets to their assortment of diverse shows.

LOCATION: Second and Main Streets, Dayton

MORE INFO: www.daytonlive.org and www.daytonperformingarts.org | Facebook | Instagram

The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center features a variety of local, national and international entertainment.

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14. DAY AIR BALLPARK ⚾💚

DETAILS: There are a few home games left in the Dayton Dragons season. The minor league baseball team plays at Day Air Ballpark in downtown Dayton. Guests can grab a bite to eat at the ballpark or visit one of the local establishments surrounding the park.

Single game tickets can be purchased online.

LOCATION: 220 N. Patterson Boulevard, Dayton

MORE INFO: www.milb.com/dayton | Facebook | Instagram

There are a few home games left in the Dayton Dragons’ season.

Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

15. DAYTON ALE TRAIL 🍺🍸

DETAILS: The 2022 Dayton Ale Trail is one way of exploring the area’s craft beer community. Passports featuring 31 local breweries are available at the Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth Street in Dayton.

Participants have the full calendar year to visit each participating brewery and get a stamp with a purchase at each brewery. Once the passport is filled, participants present theirs at the Yellow Cab Tavern to redeem a prize. The prize is a 16-ounce stainless steel pint glass inscribed with the Dayton Ale Trail logo and year.

LOCATION: 31 breweries in the Miami Valley (more details about exact locations online)

MORE INFO: www.daytoncvb.com/things-to-do/dayton-ale-trail/

Passports for the 2022 Dayton Ale Trail are available to be picked-up at all participating breweries. The 2022 prize is a 16-ounce stainless steel pint glass inscribed with the Dayton Ale Trail logo and year.

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED

16. CARILLON HISTORICAL PARK 🦅📖

DETAILS: Carillon Historical Park is a 65-acre museum all about the history of Dayton. From a fully operational 1930s letterpress print shop to The James F. Dicke Family Transportation Center, guests can learn the many stories of how Dayton changed the world.

LOCATION: 1000 Carillon Boulevard, Dayton

MORE INFO: www.daytonhistory.org | Facebook | Instagram

Carillon Historical Park has a beautiful display of antique cash registers made by NCR and National Cash Register in Dayton. MARSHALL GORBY\STAFF

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17. WOODLAND CEMETERY AND ARBORETUM 🌳🌲

DETAILS: Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is one of the five oldest rural garden cemeteries in the United States. There are more than 3,000 trees on the grounds to shelter thousands of gravesites, which include a who’s who of Dayton’s historic past.

The highest point in Dayton is at the cemetery’s Look Out Point.

LOCATION: 118 Woodland Avenue, Dayton

MORE INFO: www.woodlandcemetery.org | Facebook

The highest point in Dayton is at Lookout Point in Woodland Cemetery.

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18. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE ✈💙

DETAILS: The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is the world’s largest military aviation museum. According to its website, the museum features more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles along with thousands of artifacts.

The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week with free admission and parking.

LOCATION: 1100 Spaatz Street, Dayton (located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base)

MORE INFO: www.nationalmuseum.af.mil | Facebook

Front view of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by MSgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

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19. DIXIE TWIN DRIVE-IN 🎬🍿

DETAILS: The Dixie Twin Drive-In Theater features two screens of “first-run” movies. Watch a movie in your car or bring a radio and lawn chairs to watch outside.

Gates open an hour before the movie starts. The drive-in season runs until the end of October.

LOCATION: 620 N. Dixie Drive, Dayton

MORE INFO: www.dixietwin.com | Facebook

Dixie Twin Drive-In Theatre. TY GREENLEES / STAFF

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20. SCENE75 ENTERTAINEMENT CENTER 🎢⛳

DETAILS: Scene75 Dayton features 14 attractions, 150 arcade games, two bars and a restaurant. From indoor go-karts to laser tag and mini-golf, the entertainment center is filled with fun for all ages.

Scene75 does not have an admission fee. Instead, guests load money onto a Scene75 Game Card to swipe at games and attractions in order to play.

LOCATION: 6196 Poe Avenue, Dayton

MORE INFO: www.scene75.com/dayton | Facebook | Instagram

Underwater themed nine hole mini golf course. Contributed Photo by Alexis Larsen

Credit: HANDOUT

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Credit: HANDOUT

21. YELLOW SPRINGS 🎨🌲

DETAILS: The village of Yellow Springs is known as one of “America’s Coolest Small Towns,” according to Budget Travel. From visiting one of the many local shops to getting a bite to eat at a local restaurant, there is much to do in this colorful, laidback village. Visitors can even venture out of the downtown area and hike at Glen Helen or grab an ice cream cone at Young’s Jersey Dairy.

For more of what Yellow Springs has to offer, visit the village’s website.

LOCATION: Downtown Yellow Springs

MORE INFO: www.yellowspringsohio.org | Facebook | Instagram

Weclome to Yellow Springs. MARSHALL GORBY\STAFF

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22. ROUND1 🎳🎱

DETAILS: Round1 is an entertainment facility located at The Mall at Fairfield Commons. It features a variety of activities for all ages including bowling, karaoke, billiards and arcade games. Guests can also purchase beer, wine or food.

LOCATION: 2727 Fairfield Commons Boulevard, Beavercreek

MORE INFO: www.round1usa.com

Round1 Entertainment at The Mall at Fairfield Commons offers dining, bowling, arcade games, billiards, karaoke and more.

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23. WILD AXE THROWING 🪓🎯

DETAILS: Experience the thrill of throwing an axe at a target at Wild Axe Throwing. All you have to do is book one of its 11 lanes with up to six throwers. Guests will also have access to a variety of pinball machines and a bar.

LOCATION: 3251 Seajay Drive, Beavercreek

MORE INFO: www.wildaxethrowing.com | Facebook | Instagram

Experience the thrill of throwing an axe at a target at Wild Axe Throwing in Beavercreek. The facility has 11 lanes of axe throwing.

Credit: Contributed

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Credit: Contributed

24. FREEDOM FLY FITNESS ♥💙

DETAILS: Have you ever wanted to fly? Now’s your chance at Freedom Fly Fitness, a low impact, high intensity workout.

Freedom Fly Fitness features 45-minute classes that range from level one to level three. Level one teaches the basics. Level two adds weights and leg bands and level three intensifies.

LOCATION: 976 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Dayton

MORE INFO: www.freedomflyfitness.com | Facebook | Twitter

Freedom Fly Fitness is a bungee fitness gym offering low impact, high intensity workouts.

Credit: Natalie Jones

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Credit: Natalie Jones

25. YELLOW ROSE NIGHTCLUB 🎶🍸

DETAILS: The Yellow Rose Nightclub is your destination for country music and line dancing on Friday and Saturday nights. The music switches after midnight to popular dancing songs.

The nightclub is open to those 18+ with a valid ID.

LOCATION: 854 Watertower Lane, Dayton

MORE INFO: Facebook | Instagram

If you would like your business added to this list, send information to natalie.jones@coxinc.com.

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