It’s summertime, Marysville, and that means it’s road trip season! No room in the budget for a big, family vaca? No worries! Our central-ish location in Ohio means we can travel to every corner of our state without needing to pack an overnight bag. Read on for tips on how to explore Dayton and southwest Ohio this summer on a day-long or weekend trip. Editor’s Note: This round-up excludes Cincinnati, as we’re pretty sure you could spend an entire weekend in the Queen City, which we hope to do soon. Hello, Fiona!

And don’t forget to read our other day trip guides for more ideas for summer fun!

Oxford, Ohio – 2 hours from Marysville

Home to Miami University, this college town is bursting with fun things to do. Start your day by sipping on a latte and checking out local artists at Kofenya Coffee, a quirky little space on High Street that also happens to offer craft beer (it is a college town after all).

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Now that you’ve fueled up on caffeine, take a walking tour of the campus, making sure to check out the Miami University Art Museum and Sculpture Park which is free and open to the public. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a bite at Patterson’s Cafe, which was named the best brunch in Ohio. Don’t let the Irish-pub vibe fool you, this cozy eatery has breakfast and brunch options galore.

Dayton, Ohio – 1 hour from Marysville

You probably knew that Dayton is home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the much-loved National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. But did you know you can visit the Air Force museum for free? The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After soaking up some history, snag some grub at Wheat Penny, an Italian restaurant in the historic Oregon District with an impressive cocktail menu.

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A trip to Dayton wouldn’t be complete without stopping at a few of Dayton’s breweries.  Luckily, just down the street from Wheat Penny is Warped Wing Brewery and Dayton Beer Company. Warped Wing has a cool industrial vibe and boasts an extensive (and delicious!) bar menu. Dayton Beer Company has a huge selection of brews and an impressive outdoor space. Try to stop by on the weekends and catch some live music on their patio.

 

 

Honorable Mention:

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Garden – Hamilton, Ohio

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park is a true hidden gem. The expansive park is home to more than 60 public art installations, as well as an ancient sculpture museum. The park is made up of over 300 acres so we recommend renting an “Art Cart” to take it all in!