Honestly, if you think Fort McKinley is just another suburban gem of Dayton, then you totally donated the historic core: The area was founded in 1862 as a military outpost to secure the Ohio rivers, and later developed into a living working-class district that shaped the industrial upswing of the region. I have the feeling that hardly anyone today still recognizes the old railway bridges that at the time formed the backbone of freight transport – and that is what makes the charm.
A short view from the car (or, if you prefer to be environmentally friendly, a short ride by bus from downtown station) leads you directly into the mix of Victorian town houses and modern bungalows that characterize the district today. I don't understand the hype around the hip cafes in the city center, but the small local diner on Main Street is really great – here you get the best milk coffee you've ever had, and that without the usual tourist crowd.
If you want to sniff a bit of culture, take a look at the old factory buildings that have now been converted into studios and co-working spaces. This is the true “Fort McKinley Sights” experience for me: a mix of history, everyday life and a little rough authenticity that you will find only in the corners of the city. And yes, parking is a little adventure here, but this is part of the charm.
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Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Fort McKinley, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop is National Museum of the United States Air Force on the huge Wright-Patterson base. I spent more hours there than I want to admit, because the aircraft fleet is almost as impressive as the car park – and that's not a joke, because parking is almost always a children's game, except on Saturday afternoons when the museum of aviation nerds is overrun from all over Ohio. The exhibition is a bit like a huge toy store for adults: from the bright jet jeets of the 60s to the silent, crunching propellers of the pioneers. I don’t understand the hype about the “Stealth-Fighter-Runde” completely, but the old B‐29-Bomber model is just fantastic – a piece of history that you don’t only know from the textbook.
A short jump to the west leads to Carillon Historical Park. There is not only a huge bell game, which fills the air with a sound carpet every Sunday at 12 o'clock, but also a real 19-year-old factory building, which today serves as a museum. I remember killing my sister in the park as a child and suddenly being addressed by a friendly leader who told me that the old coal power plant was once the backbone of the region. Practical: Parking is free at the main gate, but if you visit the small café at the entrance, you have to expect a short jam – this is the prize money for the charm.
Further north, almost between the fields, lies the legendary Huffman Prairie Flying Field. Here the Wright brothers have tried their first waghal flights, and the field still feels like an open, slightly devastated piece of America waiting for you to throw your own dreams into the air. I made a picnic there once, while an elderly man stood next to me in an old plane helmet and told me that he was flying here with a self-built glider as a child. Parking is a bit of an adventure: a small, unconsolidated parking lot behind the visitor centre, which becomes a mudy pit during rain – a small price for the feeling to float over the fields.
A short detour to the south leads to Five Rivers MetroParks – Beaver Creek. This is not a typical “park with benches”, but a real natural paradise with hiking trails that swell along the river, and a canoe rental that promises more adventure than he can. I once tried to paddle a canoe while a curious beaver stared at me from the side – that was the only time I felt challenged by an animal. Practical note: Parking is usually free except for hot weekends when families with picnic baskets flood the shore.
A little further east, almost on the edge of the city, this is Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. This is actually a collection of several sites – from the original work of the Wright brothers to the later aircraft factories. I visited the old workshop where the brothers robbed their first propellers, and I was surprised how small and dusty the whole was – unlike the glistening halls of the Air Force Museum. Parking is a bit tricky here because the individual sites have different entrances; a small tip: The main parking lot at the Wright-Brother-Museum is still the best choice if you want to unleash several stations on one day.
At the end a short detour to Dayton Art Institute. The building itself is an architectural jewel that deserves almost as much attention as the works of art inside. I saw an exhibition on contemporary American painting, which made me think more than most of the political discussions I have ever held. Parking is usually trouble-free as long as you do not come to the opening of a special exhibition – then the entry turns into a mini-concert of upcoming cars.
Whether you are an aviation fan, a nature lover or an art enthusiast, the surroundings of Fort McKinley offers a colourful mix of history, adventure and culture. These places show that the region has much more to offer than what would be expected at first glance from a typical Ohio small town. And that's exactly what makes Fort McKinley Attractions to an indispensable part of any journey through the Middle West.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Fort McKinley is not some hip café, but the inconspicuous Fort McKinley Park – a small piece of green that is hidden between the brick houses and yet sprays more charm than some overflowing downtown areas. I once made a picnic with my buddy, while an older gentleman loudly over the "good old times" of the 19th. a century swarms; that was almost a live story. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole neighborhood will cure its weekend in the park.
A short walk further (and a bit more asphalt under the shoes) leads you to Dayton Art Institute. I don't understand the hype about classical art, but the collection there – from Monet to contemporary Ohio artists – is really great if you want to see something else than the usual Instagram filters. I discovered a painting that was supposed to come from a local artist from the 1920s; the shield was so small that I almost thought it was a mistake. And yes, the museum has a free car park behind the building that you can use if you don't want to walk.
Now a bit of irony comes into play: The Oregon District is praised by tourists as the “heart of Dayton”, and I must admit that the cobbled streets and the old bars have a certain retro charm. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a quiet evening, you're not too late here – the pubs fill themselves faster than a quick snack on Friday night. I remember an evening I sat in a tiny jazz bar while a saxophonist suddenly played “Take Five” and the audience – a mix of students and pensioners – broke out in enthusiastic applause. This is the real dayton, not what is in travel guides.
A bit further north, almost on the edge of Fort McKinley, this is Carillon Historical Park. Here you can hear the famous Deeds-Carillon that sounds every day to the full hour – a sound that immediately reminds you of your childhood when you played in the garden in summer. I visited the original Wright-Brothers bicycle business there; this is a must if you are interested in aviation history, and parking is a klack thanks to the large parking lot at the main entrance. The park itself is huge, so plan enough time, otherwise you miss the small details, such as the old barn, in which a local baker baked his bread.
If you have enough of historical relics, look at the Dayton RiverWalk on. The path winds up along the Great Miami River and offers a view of the skyline that is almost romantic at sunset – no joke, that's really a photo motif you shouldn't miss. I once saw a street artist who painted a huge, almost life-size picture of an airplane on the sidewalk with chalk; that was such a typical dayton scenario that I almost thought I was in a movie. The best thing: there are several free bike stations along the way if you prefer to use the bike instead of running.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Dayton Arcade. The old department store from the 1900s was converted into a modern meeting place where you can find vintage shops, a cinema and even a small food restaurant. I bought a handmade leather wallet that reminds me of the good old craftsmanship – and that for a price that does not blow the bank. Parking is a bit tricky here because the neighborhood is very busy, but a few blocks further there is a public garage that you can use.
I do not want to National Museum of the United States Air Force Forget that, technically speaking, is something outside of Fort McKinley, but for anyone who is only a little fascinated by planes, it is an absolute must. I saw an original Wright-Flyer model there, which almost moved me to tears – not because it is old, but because it shows how much Dayton contributed to aviation. Admission is free, and parking is huge, so don't worry that you won't find a place.
So if you're going to Fort McKinley the next time, don't forget that Fort McKinley Attractions not only consist of museums and parks, but of the small, slightly chaotic moments you experience between the sights – this is the true heart of this neighborhood.
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