GROW WITH SARAH GRACE

I was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio and although I may say I hate it and am eternally glad I left for college and never looked back, that place made me who I am and is home to some pretty amazing places. If you ever find yourself in Dayton for some bizarre reason, I have made a short version of a list of great local places you should try. From food to dessert to activities, this list has got you covered! Of course, there are many other places that are worth a try but for now, I’ll offer just a few. 

FOOD:

Marion’s Piazza

This pizza place is a classic for my family and the Dayton area in general. Offered only in Dayton, Ohio, this pizza place has several locations but they all offer the same delicious square cut pizza. Growing up, my go-to was a sausage, mushroom and black olive pizza because I loved how their sausage was like little bits and pieces. Since then, I no longer eat meat and love to get just mushrooms and black olives. It’s a Sommers tradition to go here every Christmas Eve.  

Skyline Chili  

This restaurant was founded first in Cincinnati, Ohio but has spread to many other Ohio cities so I guess this is more of an Ohio staple. The place offers hot dogs with chili and cheese, need I say more? No but really, the atmosphere is half the experience as it always feels like home and you are always welcome. They offer oyster crackers as a little appetizer and your food will come faster than you can finish them. Before I gave up meat, my favorite thing was the Skyline Chili dip (cream cheese, chili and cheese = delicious!) but it was only found at select skyline chilis so if you’re in the mood for it, ask if they offer it! It comes with a bowl of chips and is great to share with the table.   

Meadowlark Restaurant

I discovered this restaurant right around the pandemic but wish I knew about it sooner. My aunt took me out to lunch here because she knew they had a good variety of vegetarian options and she was right! I got the black bean burger and if I’m being completely honest, I’m not the hugest fan of black bean burgers but theirs was great! The restaurant is nestled away and is a great place to meet some old high school friends and enjoy some drinks and delicious food.

Amber Rose Restaurant  

It took me 21 years to finally eat at Amber Rose after hearing many good things about it from my family. Found near downtown Dayton, this European Restaurant offers food that is close to my heart, Polish cuisine. My Babci and mother used to go to this place when I was in my Polish Dance practices down the street and they finally let me join them. Offering pierogies, potato pancakes, cabbage rolls and so many other options, this place is one Dayton’s best kept secrets. 

Franco’s Ristorante Italiano

This Italian restaurant is owned by a family I went to high school with and although that might make my opinion biased, it is a delicious place! This was a go-to for high school dance dinners and it offers great pasta. I love Italian food and am quite picky on finding good restaurants but Franco’s doesn’t disappoint! The service is great as well and the restaurant is cute. If the weather permits, you can take a seat outside on the patio with some twinkle lights lighting up your experience.

TREATS:

Jet Freeze 

Iconic to the Sommers family, this ice cream shop is a great place to catch-up with some old friends or enjoy a sweet, cold treat after a long sporting event. Whatever it may be, this soft serve shop is worth a try! They offer a blueberry and strawberry soft serve along with classics like chocolate and vanilla. Usually, around certain holidays or seasons, they offer a unique flavor of soft serve like for fall, they are offering pumpkin! I always get their version of a Dairy Queen Blizzard with chocolate soft serve, Oreos and M&M’s.

The Sweet Retreat

This ice cream shop is a newer addition to Dayton and owned by an alumni from my old high school. The pink and green painted building offers very many different soft serve flavors from watermelon to a classic chocolate. You will for sure find something you like here! I’ve been there a few times since it’s opened and I’ve never been disappointed. Try something new and get a unique flavor!

Bill’s Donuts   

This donut shop is located in the town of Centerville and is very well-known. Open 24 hours, Bill’s Donuts offers a great hanging spot for those late nights out with friends. I’m going to be completely honest with you, the first time I ever had Bill’s, I was in high school and I tried what I thought was a long john donut (one of my favorites) and turns out there was peanut butter in it. It tasted fine once I got over the shock factor so make sure you read signs and order what you know is in it! If you ask anyone in Dayton, I’m sure you are going to get many positive things said about this late night donut shop.

ACTIVITIES:

Carillon Historical Park

This park was a go-to for my grade school when it came to field trips and I loved going. I remember vividly an old school classroom and we reenacted what school was like back in the olden days. Along with this, they have some other great historical events documented through buildings and a museum indoors. Around Christmas time, the Carillon tower lights up and mimics the appearance of a tree. This park is perfect for any season! 

The Wright Cycle Company Complex  

If you aren’t from Dayton or North Carolina, you won’t understand the struggle but Dayton is the birthplace of Aviation! At the Wright Cycle Company Complex, you can see the journey of the brothers who created aviation from their bicycle shop to the first flight. Although the flight may have happened in Kitty Hawk, the plans were created in Dayton and you can see all the details at this historical place. If you are into aviation and planes (like me) this is a great place to witness some amazing history! If you are truly interested in the Wright Brothers and love a creepy vibe, you can visit their gravesites at Woodland Cemetery which is home to many other famous Daytonians like Nelly Bly, Celia Cruz and Irving Berlin (to name a few).

National Museum of the USAF

This is another classic field trip for my grade school and is another great place if you are into aviation! People from all over the United States come to visit this museum. I remember playing the license plate game in the parking lot and finding some gems like Alaska. Although I haven’t been back in years, the museum offers a great experience and has many activities and exhibits to keep you entertained. I truly believe this museum helped form my love for planes and aviation!

Dayton, Ohio is home to many other amazing local businesses and perhaps is worthy of a “Bucket List Part 2” (coming soon). Overall, the place I may call my “hellhole”, does have some amazing things and will always be my home as my family still lives here. Dayton made me who I am today and these places are what I grew up on!