The Gem City Staycation

Staycations have, up until now, been an unexplored option for our family. Our rationale has been that unfinished projects and to-do lists will haunt us if we try to vacation at home. And, as Dayton natives, my husband and I thought we knew all that Dayton had to offer. Much to our pleasant surprise, however, there are several hidden treasures in the Gem City to make even the Dayton native’s week a memorable experience.

For our first staycation, we plan to make an itinerary to follow – roughly based on the suggestions below. That way the to-do lists don’t sabotage our time off. Please add any staycation suggestions you might have in the comments to help us all plan the perfect Gem City Staycation.

DAY ONE: Get outside and play as a family.

Whether you enjoy nature play or more traditional playground equipment, the Dayton area is teeming with outdoor options that upstage the playgrounds of my youth.

• Outdoor Play at Five Rivers Metroparks 
  This park system has ten locations offering unstructured nature play for kids (and adults) to explore and use their imaginations. Pack a lunch and go for a hike after, as most of the locations offer hiking trails as well.
• Owen’s Place 
  Located in Beavercreek, this park is universally accessible and created to meet a full range of needs. The facility features a shadow play area and Tree House Village with boardwalks and cabins.
• Orchardly Park 
  Nestled in an Oakwood neighborhood, this park has a playground, sand area, splashpad, basketball court, tennis court, and a small ball diamond. The shelter and shade offer a nice respite for a packed lunch.

DAY TWO: Be an explorer.

Find some of the unique pockets of the city that ignite the curious scientist or treasure hunter.

• Geocaching 
  Not just a thing of the past, geocaching is an actual treasure hunt using GPS-enabled devices. Caches can be found anywhere in the area using this website or by downloading the app.
• Caesar Creek Fossil Study 
  Visit the Caesar Creek Lake Spillway to search for fossils. You can declare a family challenge to find the more difficult to find fossils such as the cephalopods and the trilobite. Make sure you check out the Visitor Center first for guidelines on proper fossil study etiquette.
• Boonshoft Museum of Discovery 
  A well-known but well-loved gem, Boonshoft can provide hours of entertainment and education for the whole family.
• Sunwatch Village
  Travel back in time to visit the reconstructed American Indian village and explore an ancient culture.

DAY THREE: Do something active.

The Gem city offers a variety of activities that will keep the whole family moving.

• John Bryan State Park
  Go for a hike in this 752-acre park. If you have time, visit Clifton Gorge, where stories are told of Daniel Boone making a legendary leap across the Gorge to escape the Shawnee.
• Miami Valley Trails 
  Choose a trail from over 340 miles in the Miami Valley and go for a bike ride.
• Urban Krag 
  Who would have thought 10,000 square feet of climbing terrain would be located in the heart of the Oregon District? But this local rock-climbing facility offers just that and accommodates beginners (starting at age 4) to advanced climbers.

DAY FOUR: Explore Downtown Dayton.

• The Flyer 
  Riding RTA’s free shuttle is a fun novelty for the kids and another way to experience the city as a tourist. It runs from the University of Dayton all the way to Riverscape on Monument Ave; you can catch a ride from one of the stops every ten minutes.
• Riverscape 
  In addition to hosting concerts and festivals, explore other amenities at the downtown park, such as bike rentals, the Dayton Inventors River Walk, and interactive fountains in the Festival Plaza.
• The Dayton Art Institute
  Despite seemingly geared towards adults, DAI has an interactive art gallery, The Lange Family Experiencenter, for all ages. The activities and design of the space change with DAI’s exhibits.
• Second Street Market
  Your kids may not care that this space resembles a European market, but you can enjoy the lively atmosphere while offering even your pickiest eaters a lunch option from the market’s varied eateries.

DAY FIVE: Get down on the farm.

There are a number of educational farms open to the public, and each one of them has unique opportunities for fun.

• Learning Tree Farm
  This working farm offers hands-on learning experiences for families to dive in and literally get their hands dirty. Drop-in visitors are welcome anytime to visit the animals and walk through the farm garden.
• Carriage Hill
  This historical farm features farm life in the 1880’s, complete with a blacksmith, woodshop, and a working barn. The park also offers horse rides on certain days.
• Youngs Dairy 
  Youngs has a working dairy farm open to the public, where you can watch the cows being milked daily and feed/pet goats. Don’t leave without eating some of their famous ice cream.

What are some of your favorite staycation ideas
in the Dayton area?