Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Dayton Oh Hotel?
 

Where is the best place to stay? We want to visit the Museum. Anything else in Dayton to visit? Thank you.

Tours are available of the Wright Brothers home in Oakwood. You need to check however, as last I knew the hours were spotty.

There is a small, but pretty park along the river with a Carillon. There are some interesting buildings there including a reproduction of the Wright bicycle shop.

The Dayton Art Institute is a nice place, as much or maybe more for its striking appearance and architecture as it is for the collections.

The Oregon District is a fairly interesting area of restored homes and shops and restaurants.

Don't miss one of the great steakhouses in the country, The Pine Club on Brown Street near University of Dayton. No reservations and no credit cards. President Bush (the senior, not George W.) once ate there and waited in the car nearly an hour while a secret service man held for his place in line (or at the bar, I'm not sure which) -- they make no exceptions about the no reservations deal.

As to where to stay, there is a nice Marriott near the Carillon Park I mentioned and also close to the Pine Club. It's on Patterson Blvd. That's my first choice. There really is no reason to stay near the Air Force Museum as there isn't much else there.

Patrick has hit the high points. In the summer, see the Dayton Dragons (www.daytondragons.com) if you like baseball. The stadium is near the new park that follows the river - www.riverscape.org - it's a fun walk and always pretty busy when the weather is nice. Downtown Dayton also has the new Schuster center for cultural events - www.schustercenter.org

hearing about the Dayton Art Institute reminds me of a very funny incident.

A few years ago, the institute had a modern sculpture contest. One entry was a beautifully shaped hour glass figureof interesting design done in metal, or so it was said to be. Unfortunately after a few days on exhbition, some of the metallic paint began to flake off. One missing flake lead to another and soon the substructure began to appear and it was white with a decided enamal like finish. Finally, someone removed quite a bit of the metallic finish and found a whalebone corset.

The Air Force Museum is interesting.
And if you are there in the late spring or summer, Dayton has a good complex of public golf courses. I used to play there regularly at the Kitty-Hawk-Eagle complex.

Thanks to all. What does the Best Western right by the Air Base look like? It's rated 3* and gives breakfast. With six of us that's a positive. There's also a Comfort Inn close and has breakfast. Any comment? Or would the Marriot still be a better choice?

How long are you going to be there? If just an overnight then I suppose the places you mention would be fine, but again there's no reason to stay there and commute otherwise. If you're going to be there a couple of nights, I'd opt for someplace else.

Patrick
I just made reservations for 2 rooms at the Marriot as they have no family suites. However, each room is 75.00, adjoining, and includes breadfast. A good deal. Thanks alot!

what is the weather like in the winter and early spring in Dayton>
We are looking to go but was concerned about the weather

Thanks

Melissa

Melissa-It could be 60 one day and 30 the next. Hard to predict the weather. Today it's supposed to be 60 here in cental ohio, Monday 30 again. One thing for sure is we get our fair share of rain. I would plan on coming but keep checking weather.com, dress in layers and bring an umbrella. IMO, Sept. and Oct. is the best weather in Ohio.

Glad the Marriot is working for you. I'm always amazed when I get great rates there. Unless they have some conference going on, they really offer great savings for a nice hotel. One thing I found out, if the huge breakfast buffet is included do it and pick through. I'm not into a lot of breakfast, so first day ordered OJ, coffee, and an English muffin instead. It cost me about $10 with tax and tip. The buffet was free.

Question- is there a museum and a airforce base or are they the same?

Melissa

The museum is at the air force base, and it is a very good museum of "flight".