Aircraft at the National Museum of the Unites States Air Force.

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National Museum of the US Air Force

Top choice in Ohio

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Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, 6 miles northeast of Dayton, this huuuuge museum has everything from a Wright Brothers 1909 Flyer to a Sopwith Camel (WWI biplane) and the 'Little Boy' type atomic bomb (decommissioned and rendered safe for display) dropped on Hiroshima. The hangars hold miles of planes, rockets and aviation machines. Be sure to visit Building 4 for spacecraft and presidential planes (including the first Air Force One). Plan on three hours overall; aviation buffs should allocate longer.

Buildings 2 and 4 have interactive flight simulators that will blow your mind. Tickets ($8 to $16) are required.

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1. Huffman Prairie Flying Field

2.64 MILES

This peaceful patch of grass looks much as it did in 1904 when the Wright Brothers tested aircraft here. A 1-mile walking trail loops around, marked with…

2. Wright Cycle Company

5.78 MILES

Browse exhibits in the original building where Wilbur and Orville developed bikes and aviation ideas.

3. Carillon Historical Park

6.05 MILES

Highlights in this open-air heritage park include the Wright Brothers National Museum, where you'll see the 1905 Wright Flyer III biplane and a replica of…

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12.86 MILES

You can fish, hike, bike, rock climb, canoe or camp among the limestone cliffs. The scenic highlight is Clifton Gorge, cut by the pretty Little Miami…

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Young's is a working dairy farm with a famous ice-cream shop, the Dairy Store, which many say whips up Ohio's best milkshakes. There are also lots of fun…