What makes Oakwood sights so special is the way history seems to breathe here not only in dusty plaques, but in every well maintained road. I remember driving over the old railway line for the first time, which in 1850 connected the small village with Dayton – a piece that today is hardly more than a narrow green strip, but still lays the foundation of today's City of Oakwood. The founders, a bunch of ambitious farmers, had the vision of creating an independent township that later developed in the heart of Montgomery County into a flagship model for suburban life.
When you get to Oakwood by train (or, yes, the car, because the I‐70 is practically the lifeline), you can immediately feel that not everything is going according to plan – the city administration loves its old construction rules, but this gives the place a charming, slightly disturbing character. I don't quite understand the hype about the “perfect” school zone, but the lovingly preserved Victorian houses along Oakwood Avenue are really great to see. And while I stroll through the small park, I hear the distant murmuring of the neighbors who plan their barbecue evenings – a sound that makes for me the true heart of Oakwood. Anyone who explores Oakwood quickly discovers that the mix of historical substance and modern suburban idylle provides a rare recipe for authenticity.
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Advantage:
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The first stop I put to every new man's heart is that National Museum of the United States Air Force on the edge of Wright-Patterson. I spent more hours there than I want to admit, because the huge planes almost already generate their own magnetic field. Parking is almost always a children's game as long as you don't come on Saturday night – then the field turns into a battlefield of vans and tourist buses. The exhibition is so extensive that you can easily get the feeling that you are in a huge hangar full of history, and that without entrance.
A short trip to Carillon Historical Park feels like walking through a lively history book. I remember how I admired the old steam locomotive as a child and then suddenly was catapulted by a friendly leader in the 1800s. The park is located a bit south of Oakwood, and parking is almost always free there – a rare comfort in this area. The highlight is of course the huge bell tower replica, which can be seen from almost everywhere in the park.
If you have enough of historical relics, the path continues to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. This is where science meets game, and that's exactly my thing: I've seen an interactive planetarium there that almost left me forget that I had actually been looking for a short visit. The museum is located in the heart of Dayton, and parking is paid, but the places are usually quickly occupied, so better come early.
A small trip to the Five Rivers MetroParks, more precisely to the RiverScape MetroPark, is a must for those looking for a little green in the city. I made a picnic there on a hot summer day, while a street musician played an accordion – no joke, that was almost too idyllic to be true. The park is free, parking is at the edge of the river, and the whole area is perfect for a short walk after lunch.
The Oregon District, the vibrant heart of Dayton, is a place I always like to visit because it offers the perfect mix of old and new. I drank an espresso there in a tiny cafe, while I watched the retro neon lights that brighten the street. Parking is a bit tricky here – most visitors park on the street and hope no one takes their car away. Nevertheless, it is worth it because the bars, restaurants and small boutiques have a real flair that you don't find in any other suburbs.
A short walk leads to the Dayton Art Institute, a museum that I call a "hidden jewel". The collection ranges from classical art to modern sculpture, and I have discovered more than once a painting that completely threw me out of the train. Parking is free of charge at the museum itself, but the places are quickly occupied, so better get early if you want to enjoy the museum in peace.
A little further lies the Huffman Prairie Flying Field, the actual “birth place” of aviation where Wright brothers tested their first flights after the famous Kitty-Hawk experiment. I visited a small visitor centre there and wondered why so many people hardly know the field. Parking is practically always free there, and the field itself offers a wide view over the fields that once housed the first flight tests.
For sports fans, the Dayton Dragons stadium is a surprisingly good place to feel a bit of local enthusiasm. I saw a game where the crowd was louder than some rock concert. Parking is paid at the stadium, but the places are usually well distributed so you don't have to look for a free space long.
Whether you're a history fan, a nature lover or a city explorer, Oakwood's surroundings have something to offer for everyone. The mix of museums, parks and lively districts makes the region a true treasure for travellers who want to see more than just the usual tourist paths. And that's exactly what makes Oakwood Attractions to an indispensable part of any Ohio trip.
This guide invites you to stroll through the narrow streets of Oakwood, lined by Linden, where I feel a bit too much time every time I get past the old city library, and that's exactly what I love about this place.
The Oakwood Public Library is not an ordinary book house. The building is a real Carnegie heritage from the 1910s, and I swear that the dusty shelves still smell like history and the light touch of coffee beans that keep the volunteers in the reading room pushing over the counter again and again. I spent more hours there than I want to admit, because I have buryed myself in the local archives – there are old town plans that show how Oakwood was once a field full of corn. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the weekly reading festival takes place and everyone tries to get a place next to the window.
A short walk leads you to Oakwood Parkthe green heart of the city. Here there is a small lake populated in the summer by ducks who look braver than most tourists. I once made a picnic with my neighbor, and we fought to see if the ducks prefer bread or the overripe cherry from my cake – a real showdown. The park has a well-maintained route that is perfect if you want to season your running track with a little nostalgia. And yes, the playground noise is loud, but this is the sound of a living community.
If you have a little more time, stroll through the Oakwood Historic District. The Victorian houses here are so magnificent that you almost feel like landing in a movie from the 1800s. I don't quite understand the hype about the artful verandes, but the house on the corner, which once belonged to the founder of the city, has a garden that looks like a tulp kaleidoscope in spring. I once experienced a Neighbourhood Coffee-Clatch where the older ladies swung over the “good old times” while the younger visitors secretly took selfies – a charming picture of generations who are fighting over the same street.
Another must is that Oakwood City Hall with its small but impressive watchtower tip. I visited the building once from the inside, because I attended a public meeting, and must admit that the acoustics in the meeting room are almost as good as in a concert hall – which explains why urban policy sometimes acts as a drama. The tower offers a view over the entire city, and if you are lucky, you will see the sunset over the suburbs, which is a bit like a free Instagram filter upgrade.
For those who prefer to experience something craftsmanship, there is Oakwood Community Center. Yoga classes, craft workshops and an improvised jazz concert that has more heart than technology are running here. I took part in a potter's course and created a disastrous vessel that now stands proudly in the hallway of my living room – a perfect souvenir that reminds me every time not everything has to run smoothly in life.
A short detour to Oakwood Farmers Market (which takes place only on Saturdays) is also worthwhile. Fresh strawberries, homemade jam and a stand that allegedly sells the best honey from Ohio – I tried the honey and must admit it was actually better than what I find in the supermarkets. The market is a good place to talk to the locals; they like to talk about the weather that is always a bit too hot for my preference, and about the next city beautification action.
If you're looking for something quieter, take a look at the Oakwood Cemetery. Yes, a cemetery, but not some – here are the founders of the city, and the tombstones tell stories that are otherwise found only in dusty history books. I once made a guided tour with a local historian who explained to me why a certain grave is covered with a oak that is supposed to be over 150 years old. This is the perfect example of how Oakwood landmarks are not only tourist points, but living witnesses of a long, sometimes selfish history.
Finally, if you still have a bit of energy, take a look at the small, but fine Oakwood Art Center. There are changing exhibitions of local artists hanging there, and I discovered a painting that represented Oakwood's skyline in the rain – an image that seemed melancholic and hopeful at the same time. The operators are super friendly and will be happy to give tips on where to get the best ice in the city (Spoiler: this is the ice of “Molly’s Creamery” around the corner).
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