1. Daytonians Know The Best Way To Enjoy Beer is With Friends
One thing Daytonians are really good at is finding great excuses to get together with their neighbors and have a good time. AleFest, amongst many other impressive festivals, is one of those times.
Every year vendors of every shape and size converge on historic Carillon Park to showcase the finest beer styles from around the world in an educational, responsible, and most importantly communal environment.
2. And Warped Wing Brewing Co. Has The Most Inventive Beers Around
Warped Wing Brewing Co. is a craft brewery in the heart of downtown Dayton inspired by Dayton's rich history of innovation and invention. In that spirit, they have transformed the old Buckeye Brass & Iron Foundry into tasting room that is both industrial and inviting.
Their Flyin’ Rye IPA has fans flying high and the Pirogue Black—their twisted take on a Belgian Triple—makes moderation a difficult proposal.
3. People In Dayton Are Fiercely Faithful To The Flyers
The University of Dayton adds a lot of flavor to the culture of Dayton, and likewise the city’s residents contribute a good bit to the atmosphere of university events such as Flyers Men’s Basketball games.
Over 13,000 fans cram the seats and make significant noise to root on their home team. The intensity of the Flyer Faithful has gotten Dayton national attention—the city has played host to the NCAA tournament for more than a decade.
4. And They Take Great Pride In Their Lions
Dayton’s USL men’s professional soccer team, the Dutch Lions have taken the proven philosophies of Dutch soccer and created a rigorous development system to bring the Great Lakes Region a dominating style of professional soccer with the hopes of bolstering the quality of U.S. soccer as a whole.
The result is two-fold. Area youth are exposed to the most challenging, competitive environments to all but guarantee success on the world pitch and local enthusiasts are treated to top-notch professional soccer matches from one of the USL’s most dynamic team.
5. Neon Is Dayton’s Brightest Spot For Movies
One of the true gems of the Gem City is this quaint movie theater, which has been a Dayton staple for generations. There is no better place to catch a flick in this city.
6. These Gems Can Be A Lady’s Dream Or Her Worst Nightmare
The Gem City Rollergirls exemplify the great Daytonian traits that have long brought it’s people succes; strength, competitiveness, athleticism and teamwork. These diverse and dynamic women provide strong role models for the area youth while putting on a great spectacle that anyone from seven to seventy can enjoy.
7. Dayton Isn’t As Far From Oregon As Some Maps Would Have You Think
The Oregon District—an area which is today home to Dayton’s ritzy art and foodie scene—was actually the city’s earliest suburb.
While bricks streets and 19th and early 20th century architecture still remains, cozy neighborhoods real draw is art galleries, pubs and coffee shops.
8. Dayton Error: Does Not Commute
Two of the United States’ busiest freeways, I-70 and I-75, cross paths in Dayton. These roadways serve as major thorough fares for locals and inter-state travels and are the best way to get from one side of town to the other—when they aren’t torn to pieces.
The exchange might as well be called “Orange Barrel Alley” since it’s been under some state of construction for more than a quarter century.
Rush-hour commuters are a snarl of bleating sheep, creeping between home and work and back again. Traffic is so bad, Daytonians are actually happy to get to work.
9. Looking For The Taste Of Latin America In Dayton? El Meson Has You Covered.
Featuring the most authentic Hispanic menu in the greater Dayton Area, El Meson is truly an experience, not just a fancy meal.
Their ceviche is the real deal, combining bright, fresh flavors and the perfect blend of sweet and savory.
And nothing gets more legit than the Paella de Mariscos. There is enough seafood in this dish to make Neptune’s heart sink and the portion is big enough to anchor anyone brave enough to order it to their seat.
10. 2nd Street Market Is 1st Rate Shopping
Consisting of more than 40 local food growers and producers, bakers, artisans and other vendors, the Second Street Market is downtown’s number one destination. The Market gives Daytonians the opportunity to eat and shop locally in a friendly, community atmosphere.
11. Best. Baklava. Ever.
Locals know that when you go to the 2nd Street Market you have to stop at Azra’s to get her amazing baklava. If you die without trying this flaky, sweet and perfect treat you have lived an unfulfilled life.
12. It’s A Good Time To Be A Nurse In Dayton
The healthcare industry proves to be a bright star in the Dayton metro area with many of the top employers firing on all cylinders.
Premier Health Partners is one of the peak employer in town, staffing more than 14,000 workers with Dayton Children’s Medical Center and Grandview Hospital following close behind.
Area students also have access to some of the best programs in the state for nurses and EMT personnel offered at Sinclair and Wright State.
13. Dayton Has a Symbiotic Relationship With The Armed Forces
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is one of the Miami Valley’s leading employers. The city of Dayton and the surrounding area is constantly giving a pat on the back to our troops and showing their appreciation through military discounts and by just taking the time to say “Thank you.”
14. Rue Dumaine Is The Best Place To Get A Meal
There are Dayton dining experiences and then there is an evening at Rue Dumaine. This is fresh French fare executed to perfection in a unique American bistro setting.
The fried oysters and bacon is a flavor fest that transports your taste
buds deep into the South without leaving the midwest. This dish is smokey, sweet and ever so divine.
15. Daytonians Cave During The Dog Days Of Summer
The humid subtropical climate of Dayton brings in hot muggy summers. Temperatures in June, July and August hover in the 90’s with humidity percentages doing the same.
The sweltering heat keeps people retreating indoors and makes air conditioning a commodity at places like movie theaters and malls.
16. And No Museum In The Nation Is Hotter Than USAFB
Forget the fact that the giant hangars at the USAFB are air-conditioned; they’re jam packed with some of the finest gems of the nation’s and area’s storied history in flight.
Featuring the world’s largest collection of aeronautical memorabilia the is literally a lifetime worth of discoveries to be had. Tack on the IMAX theater and we are talking a regular hotspot of activity.
17. Woe To Those Spending The Winter In Dayton
In Dayton, winter isn’t always snow angels and hot cocoa … a lot of times it’s a downright chore. Think a driveway full of snow by the time you’ve shoveled to one end or snarled traffic and no one talks about what salt can do to a car.
Frigid weather is the norm in the region from December through February and locals can expect to see an average of 25-inches of snow a season. Winter is for the timid but it’s completely manageable with the right attitude, good boots and a scraper for your car.
18. There Is Only One Steakhouse In Dayton, And It’s The Pine Club
Every Daytonian is a member of the Pine Club. The steakhouse has long been a Dayton staple and has earned itself national renown through an excellent atmosphere and an a-one attention to detail that equates to one of the best steak dinners in the entire U.S.
Presidents dine here, and they can take some home if they want because the Pine Club sells their steaks and dressings by the case. It’s impossible to find someone in town who doesn’t have a fond memory of a meal or ten at the PIne Club. No matter your favorite cut, this is THE place for top tier dining in Dayton.
19. Daytonians Have Been Biking For A Long, Long Time
Get on your bike and ride because the Dayton metro area features over 300 miles of bike trails connecting the surrounding communities and giving cyclists access to the wonders of the Miami Valley and beyond.
This unfettered access to safe and scenic bikeways and the storied history of the bicycle in Dayton has given rise to some of the more seasoned bikers in the nation.
20. You Don’t Have To Be Italian To Party At Dayton’s Italian Festival
Daytonians have been celebrating the areas best in authentic homemade Italian dishes, family fun and Italian heritage for nearly 40 years at the annual Italian Fall Festa. Combining the best of good drink, great food and community connectivity, this is one of the premier events in Dayton.
21. Dayton Loves Them Dragons
Dayton is head-over-heals for their professional baseball team. The area is known for its support for their hometown heroes but in 2011 they put the proof in the history books. That year the Dayton Dragons, the minor-league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, broke the all-time record in professional sports for consecutive sell-out games, spanning over a decade of successful minor league baseball.
22. The Art Is In “The Heart Of It All”
Dayton has long been known for its aerospace and manufacturing industries, but it is garnering attention with an attractive arts scene.
Amongst Dayton’s notable art centers are the Dayton Art Institute and the Oregon District. DAI is free to the public, host events year round and is instrumental in maintaining the institutional side of the Dayton art scene.
On the ground-swell side, the Oregon District harbors a large portion of Dayton’s artists and bohemians and builds the Dayton cultural climate through events, and by supporting local artists.
23. Dayton Takes “30 Minutes Or Less Or Your Pizza Is Free” Very Seriously
Much has been said about Dayton’s role in the birth of aviation, but another contribution to the fabric of the modern world is often overlooked—the “Heat Wave,” Domino’s Pizza’s first insulated pizza carrier. Researchers at the University of Dayton helped develop the space-age material that is used to keep pizzas warm throughout their transported.
The three-stage material has applications like keeping refrigerated vaccines cooled while delivering them in third world countries, but here in our world, Domino’s drivers can slow down a bit.
24. It Isn't A Summer In Dayton Unless You See Someone In A Kilt
Every summer the downtown riverfront is transformed into a Celtic landscape bringing Daytonians the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Irish, Scottish and British heritages. Music, drink and food overflow and an estimated 80,000 people take part in the three day festival sharing in the rich Celtic culture and history.
25. Roost Is Where Daytonians Do Italian
How does one distract from the most fabulous ravioli imaginable? Roost does it by surrounding them with mushroom crusted scallops.
Daytonians voted Roost Modern Italian their number one pick for area dining according to a 2011 poll by the Dayton Business Journal. The restaurant offers a modern take on classic Italian dishes, while also presenting a comfortable, high quality dining setting in famous Oregon District.
26. Dayton Knows How To Spice Up Night Life
Urban Nights is Dayton’s way of showcasing its amplitude of attractions through a bi-annual downtown street party and open house.
Once in the spring, and then again in the fall, more than 30,000 Daytonians pack the streets to take advantage of downtown's dining, nightlife, art, music, retail and urban living options. More than 100 businesses, art galleries and restaurants open their doors to the public, many offering special discounts, to encourage the community to get active and support being active locally.
27. Dayton Does Bacon Better
Leaning on Dayton’s eclectic heritage, The Amber Rose Restaurant and Catering specializes in homemade cuisine that takes tastebuds on a whirlwind tour of the exotic Eastern European dreams.
Their bacon and cheddar pierogies are worth writing home about, but you haven’t lived until you’ve tried their twist on pork Schnitzel. The Hunter is pork loin with a crispy pretzel crustsautéed to a golden brown. Topped with spicy smooth Dijoncream sauce and served with killer house ‘kraut and the perfect portion of potato pancakes. 
