With summer in full swing, now is the perfect time to get out and explore the great outdoors and some incredible aviation heritage sites. A starting point for your next summer adventure is the Great Miami Riverway, which encompasses more than 99 miles of paved trails that connect multiple communities and recreational, historical, and cultural asserts near the river. In fact, it is the nation’s largest paved trail network and was the first National Water Trail designated in Ohio.
The Riverway has multiple themed trails to explore, from a coffee lover’s trail to a shopping trail and our personal favorite- the National Aviation Heritage Area Trail. Take a look at our suggestions on some outdoor Riverway activities paired with amazing nearby aviation heritage sites!
With summer in full swing, now is the perfect time to get out and explore the great outdoors and some incredible aviation heritage sites. A starting point for your next summer adventure is the Great Miami Riverway, which encompasses more than 99 miles of paved trails that connect multiple communities and recreational, historical, and cultural asserts near the river. In fact, it is the nation’s largest paved trail network and was the first National Water Trail designated in Ohio.
The Riverway has multiple themed trails to explore, from a coffee lover’s trail to a shopping trail and our personal favorite- the National Aviation Heritage Area Trail. Take a look at our suggestions on some outdoor Riverway activities paired with amazing nearby aviation heritage sites!
Kayaking at Riverscape MetroPark
237 E Monument Ave
Dayton, OH 45402
If you’ve ever been in Dayton, you have probably admired the breath-taking Five Rivers Fountain of Lights, an installation of five fountains that shoot 200 feet of water over Riverscape MetroPark. But did you know that you can kayak right underneath these fountains in the Great Miami River? Kayak rentals are available on select dates, or you can bring your own vessel to enjoy the river in.
Open In Google MapsDayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park & Aviation Trail Parachute Museum
16 South Williams Street
Dayton, OH 45402
After your kayaking adventure, head to Dayton Aviation National Historical Park’s Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, a quick trip at only one and a half miles from Riverscape. Here, you will learn more about the amazing achievements of the Wright Brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar. In the same Interpretive Center, you can also visit the Aviation Trail Parachute Museum on the second floor to dive deep into the fascinating history of the parachute.
Open In Google MapsSpend the Night in a Floating Tent
409 N Elm St
Troy, OH 45373
Float Troy offers one of the most unique outdoor experiences in the area- to spend a night in a tent floating on the Great Miami River. In fact, this program is currently the only public floating-tent rental experience not only in Ohio but in the entire United States and the world. Each tent holds four people and includes a watercraft to travel from the levee to your tent or explore the river. | Photo: The City of Troy
Open In Google MapsExplore the WACO Air Museum
1865 S Co Rd 25A
Troy, OH 45373
While in Troy, you do not want to miss a stop at the WACO Air Museum, which is less than a ten-minute drive or twenty-minute bicycle ride from the Float Troy launch point. This incredible museum is dedicated to telling the history of the Troy-based WACO Aircraft Company, which was once the largest civil aircraft manufacturer in the country. Here, you can view incredible historic aircraft and even schedule your own aerial tour of Troy in an open cockpit biplane ride. The museum is on the grounds of an active airport with a 2,385-foot runway-if you’re lucky, you might even see the museum’s beloved biplane, “Sunny” taking off to the skies.
Open In Google MapsBike the Great Miami River Recreational Trail
2830 Great Miami River Recreational Trail
Moraine, OH 45439
A large part of the Great Miami Riverway, the Great Miami River Recreational Trail features a paved trail with many gorgeous views of the river, making it the perfect spot for a scenic bike ride. This trail runs through several historic communities, offering plenty of opportunities to stop and explore local attractions. If biking isn’t your thing, walkers and runners are also welcome to use the trail. | Photo: Great Miami Riverway
Open In Google MapsCarillon Historical Park
1000 Carillon Blvd
Dayton, OH 45409
Carillon Historical Park is easily accessible from the trail, making it a perfect destination for your next bike trip. The park features over 30 historic buildings and exhibits, such as the Wright Brothers National Museum, which houses the 1905 Wright Flyer III, the world's first practical airplane. Visitors can also see the Deeds Carillon, the park's iconic 151-foot-tall bell tower and enjoy interactive displays that bring Dayton's heritage to life.
Open In Google MapsHike at Eastwood MetroPark
1385 Harshman Rd
Dayton, OH 45431
Another excellent park on the Great Miami Riverway is Eastwood MetroPark. Eastwood is an excellent spot for a hike, with over 3 miles of wooded and meadow trails available. A section of the Buckeye Trail, a 1,444-mile-long distance hiking trail that loops around Ohio, even runs through the park. | Photo: Eastwood MetroPark
Open In Google MapsNational Museum of the U.S. Air Force & National Aviation Hall of Fame
1100 Spaatz St
Dayton, OH 45433
After your scenic hike, check off a visit to the nearby National Museum of the United States Air Force from your bucket list. This museum is one of the best in the nation for a reason, with over 350 aircraft on display from the early days of human flight to modern aerospace advancements. You can even walk inside the Boeing “Air Force One” plane used by eight presidents, from Kennedy to Clinton, over its 36-year career. While at the museum, you can also check out the inspiring National Aviation Hall of Fame, which honors over 260 innovators in the air and space industry, including Orville and Wilbur Wright, Buzz Aldrin, and Amelia Earhart.
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