Finding fun family entertainment options on a budget can be challenging. Thankfully, Dayton is home to lots of parks, museums, and theaters that will keep everyone entertained without breaking the bank. Here are our picks for fun things to do around Dayton for $10 or less.
Cox Arboretum
If you love being outside, check out the Cox Arboretum. A visit to Cox offers the opportunity to connect with the natural world and unwind. The Arboretum is a huge park with multiple natural areas, including perennial gardens, water features, and fields of irises.
The Arboretum's Tree Tower is 65 feet high and made from one giant Douglas fir tree. Kids and kids-at-heart will enjoy climbing up the tower to get a bird's-eye view of the grounds and surrounding area. Run with your kids through Bell's Children's Maze, a twisting, turning maze made of 1,175 boxwoods.
The Arboretum is also home to 2.5 miles of walking trails that take you through both meadows and woodlands. The gardens also provide one mile of paved pathways. If you are feeling more adventurous, check out the forested trails throughout the 100 acres of the Ruth Cummings Mead Woodland.
One of the most popular spots at the Arboretum is the Butterfly House. The Butterfly House showcases live moths and butterflies native to the Dayton area. Exhibits display these fascinating creatures in various stages of metamorphoses. Tours of the Butterfly House are self-guided. Knowledgeable volunteers can talk with you about butterflies Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. during July and August.
The Cox Arboretum is on Springboro Pike. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. from April through October and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from November to March. Admission and parking are always free.
Image via Flickr by Gisela A.
Dixie Twin Drive-In
Take the kids back in time at the Dixie Twin Drive-In. This blast from the past has two big screens and shows two movies per screen, per night. The drive-in is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from April through mid-August. Movies are only shown on Friday and Saturday from late August to October. The Dixie Twin also has a full-service concession stand with traditional drive-in treats such as popcorn, slushies, funnel cakes, hot pretzels, and candy.
The Dixie Twin is on North Dixie Drive. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 5 through 12, and kids under 4 are free.
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world. With over 350 planes, space vehicles, and missiles on display, the museum takes you through the history of flight from the Wright brothers to the current day.
Visit the Space Gallery and walk through a space crew training area as well as replica NASA shuttles. Check out satellites from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. The Presidential Gallery displays aircraft used by our presidents, including retired Air Force One planes. The Research and Development Gallery showcases cutting-edge flight and space travel technology.
After visiting the galleries, take a walk through the outside Air Park. Dozens of aircraft are on display, as well as a WWII-era control tower. There is also a large plane-themed playground for the little ones to enjoy.
You can find the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Spaatz Street of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is always free.
Image via Flickr by Krlis.
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park
The Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park is home to several historic Dayton sites. Visit Carillon Historical Park and explore 65 acres of exhibits detailing the history of Dayton and the Wright brothers' first airplane. You can also tour the Wright brother's original bicycle shop. Visit Huffman Prairie Flying Field, where the Wright brothers first took flight.
The park is also home to the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site. Once home to the famed African-American poet, this site includes exhibits on the life and work of Paul Laurence Dunbar.
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park is on South Williams Street. Operating hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Tours are self-guided. During the summer months, the park offers ranger-guided tours that last 30 to 60 minutes. Admission is free.
The Neon
The Neon is an independent theater that showcases unique movies you won't see anywhere else. From educational films to quirky art pieces, The Neon is a great alternative to the standard movie theater. The Neon is on East Fifth Street. Tickets are $10 for evening shows, $8 for matinees, and only $6 on Tuesday.
Dayton Art Institute
If you have a large group of 10 or more, the Dayton Art Institute is a great way to experience art on a budget. With over 27,000 art objects on display, the Dayton Art Institute has pieces that span almost 5,000 years of art history.
The Outdoor Sculpture Garden is home to large-scale pieces, including the Dayton fixture Leo the Lion. The Lange Family Experiencenter is a great place for families and friends to experience art together. Exhibits at the Experiencenter include the Art Place play area and Shimmering Madness, a piece covered in thousands of jellybeans. The museum is also home to European masterpieces, glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly, African masks, Native American art, and over 1,000 photographs.
The Dayton Art Institute is on Belmonte Park North in Dayton. Current hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission for groups of 10 or more is $10; kids aged 7 to 17 are $5; children under 6 are free. Seniors and active members of the military always pay $10.
There you have it! These are White Allen Chevrolet's top pics for fun Dayton activities for $10 or less. What do you think? Did we miss any of your favorites? If you have a budget-friendly activity your family loves, contact us and let us know; we will add it to our list.