Destination Dayton

Author: Teresa Conley
Date of Trip: October 2015

Our family weekend getaway was to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. They offer free parking and admission. There are signs along the way directing you, so it was super easy to find. Parking lot is adequate but it gets busy early, so to get a good spot you have to get there early. We parked farther away but enjoyed the walk thru the Memorial Park to the main Museum. They also have a generous handicap parking area in front.

After going thru security, you enter the lobby and Gift shop, which is awesome. Usual gift shop stuff plus display of an old motorcycle. Lots of space stuff. I could have spent a lot more time there alone.

The museum goes thru the different wars and events in American and World history as it relates to aviation and space travel. There is of course, a lot of walking but there are stations offering free wheel chairs or scooters to use. You just have to fill out a form.

It’s pretty amazing to see the planes up close. You can’t go inside, but still amazing. There are some that are set up for kids or the young at heart to see what it was like to sit in the cockpit or take a walk thru. And they have a couple simulator rides. I think they were $7pp.
There is an IMAX size theater. We didn’t stay for the movies, but maybe next time.

After the Museum we went to Young’s Dairy for lunch. It’s in Yellow Springs, about a 20-30 minute drive. They are having a fall festival right now. Parking is free.

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There is a petting zoo, lots of things for the kids to climb on a burn some energy. There’s a small pumpkin lot and for a fee you can pick your own pumpkin from their field. This includes a wagon ride out to the field.

If you are brave enough, there is a Corn Maze. Small fee for this also.

The property has 2 restaurants. The one we went to has the famous ice cream. Food is burgers, chicken, soups. But the deserts are why everyone comes here! They have weekly seasonal flavors and trusty favorites. Think Graeters or Ben and Jerry’s caliber ice cream. Sundae’s, waffle cones, pints. Too much to choose from.

When you enter there are two lines. And on the weekends they are packed, but they move quickly. And the seating inside varies from 4 seat tables to long farm table seating at least 20. Outside there are tables that line the entrance. When we were there the temperature was in the 40’s but the line was out the door and people were eating inside and out.

It was the perfect family weekend getaway!