Dayton Attractions
The Feminisms and Rhetorics Conference Schedule is packed with events. Still, we encourage conference participants to explore the vibrant historical, cultural, and natural offerings of the Dayton region! Below are some of our recommended places to go and attractions to see, as schedules permit.
Select a type of attraction below to view recommended options.
Museums & Historical Spots
Dayton International Peace Museum | 208 W. Monument Ave., Dayton, OH 45402
Commemorating Dayton’s history in peace & social justice movements, including the signing of the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords ending the Bosnian War, the museum offers exhibits and educational programs on social justice issues, international peace work, and nonviolent conflict resolution. Open Wednesday through Sunday.
Paul Laurence Dunbar House | 219 N Paul Laurence Dunbar St, Dayton, OH 45402
Home and museum of acclaimed Dayton poet Paul Laurence Dunbar.
National Aviation Heritage Area | 16 South Williams St. Dayton, OH 45402
Featuring the Bicycle Company owned & operated by Orville & Wilbur Wright, this National Park area commemorates the history and innovation in aerospace technology that gave rise to modern aviation. Complete with interactive exhibits and historical displays.
National Museum of the United States Air Force | 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, OH 45431
Located adjacent to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, this national museum features exhibits on the history of aviation and the USAF. Admission is free.
Dayton Woman’s Club | 225 N Ludlow St, Dayton, OH 45402
Home to the cultural, civic, and literary activities of Dayton Women for 100 years, the club offers weekly lunches and teas which are open to the public.
Dayton Metro Library’s Women’s Suffrage Archive | 215 East 3rd St. Dayton, OH 45402
An archival collection featuring thousands of items on the Dayton region and national Women’s Suffrage Association & League of Women Voters. Materials span the 1860’s to the 1980’s. Contact the FemRhets conference organizers to arrange a visit with the library’s special collections staff.
SunWatch Indian Village & Archaeological Site | 2301 W River Rd, Dayton, OH 45417
Administered by the National Park Service and listed on the National Historic Register, SunWatch Indian Village is an educational center and working archaeological site advancing Native American culture & heritage.
Harriet Beecher Stowe House | 2950 Gilbert Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45206
Located 45 minutes south of Dayton, the Harriet Beecher Stowe house offers historical resources on the antislavery movement in Cincinnati, Ohio. Open daily for tours.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center | 50 E Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
The premier history museum of the underground railroad and antislavery movements in Ohio, located 45 minutes south of Dayton.
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Carillon Historical Park | 1000 Carillon Blvd, Dayton, OH 45409
Featuring exhibits & displays on the history of technological innovation in Dayton, Ohio from the late 18th century to the present. Historic brewery on-site.
Hills & Dales Metropark | 2655 S Patterson Blvd, Kettering, OH 45409
Part of the 19 Dayton MetroParks, Hills & Dales offers excellent walking, hiking, & running trails located close to the UD River Campus. Open from dawn to dusk daily.
Wegerzyn Gardens | 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, OH 45414
Park of the 19 Dayton MetroParks, Wegerzyn Gardens offers lush botanical gardens, a children’s gardening area, and paved trails for biking, running, and walking.
RiverScape | 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH 45402
Excellent outdoor meeting & picnic spot featuring paved trails along the Great Miami River, kayak & canoe rentals, and a seasonal ice rink.
Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum | 118 Woodland Ave, Dayton, OH 45409
Located next to the UD campus, Woodland Cemetery is one of the nation’s oldest garden cemeteries with many notable burials, including; the Wright Brothers, poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, Erma Bombeck, John H. Patterson & George Mead. Tours based on special topics are offered monthly.
Visual & Performing Arts
Schuster Center for the Performing Arts | 1 W 2nd St, Dayton, OH 45402
Dayton’s premier performing arts venue, featuring a 2300-seat theater and home to the Dayton Arts Alliance.
Victoria Theater | 138 N Main St, Dayton, OH
Downtown Dayton’s restored 19th century performance space, featuring local performers, a film series, and touring theater companies.
Dayton Performing Arts Alliance | 126 N Main St, Dayton, OH 45402
Home to the Dayton Ballet, Dayton Opera, and Dayton Philharmonic.
Human Race Theatre Company | 126 N Main St, Dayton, OH 45402
Dayton’s professional theatre company, performing innovative pieces and original works.
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company | 840 Germantown St, Dayton, OH 45402
A world-renowned & award-winning contemporary dance company rooted in African-American experience and movement.
The Neon | 130 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402
Independent cinema featuring art films, documentaries, & mainstream films. Home to the Dayton LGBT and Jewish Film Festivals.
Black Box Improv | 518 E 3rd St, Dayton, OH 45402
Local improvisational theatre company with weekly shows & classes.
Dayton Visual Arts Center | 118 N Jefferson St, Dayton, OH 45402
Contemporary art gallery in downtown Dayton.
Dayton Art Institute | 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH 45405
The venue for our Thursday evening event, DAI is Dayton’s premier art museum, also featuring a popular children’s art makerspace.
Unique Spots
Proto Build Bar | 534 E 1st St, Dayton, OH 45402
Part makerspace, part coffeeshop, part pub, this technology experience center offers everything from 3D printing to soldering classes.
2nd Street Market | 600 E 2nd St, Dayton, OH 45402
Downtown Dayton’s year-round farmer’s market, offering indoor & outdoor vendors and a food court from local restaurants. Open 11am – 3pm Thursday through Saturday.
DK Effect | 1600 E 3rd St, Dayton, OH 45403
A “brewcade” featuring classic arcade games & craft beers.
Canal Street Arcade & Deli | 308 E 1st St, Dayton, OH 45402
Delicious deli fare with classic arcade games.
Young’s Jersey Dairy | 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs, OH 45387
Family fun with a farm petting zoo, miniature golf, and ice cream & cheese shop from the on-site dairy.
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery | 2600 Deweese Pkwy, Dayton, OH 45414
A children’s science experience and learning center, the Boonshoft Museum houses experimental play stations, a planetarium, and zoo.