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Carillon Historical Park, Dayton, OH

Photo: Csnoke, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

MuseumsHistory BuffFamily Favorite

Carillon Historical Park

1000 Carillon Blvd · Dayton, OH

Why you should go…

Carillon Historical Park is a 65-acre open-air museum telling the story of Dayton's inventions, from airplanes to cash registers. You can see the 1905 Wright Flyer III, described as the first practical airplane, then walk through an early settlement area with buildings dating from 1796, including Newcom Tavern. A 151-foot carillon with 57 bells rises over the grounds, a narrow-gauge railroad pulls a train on a loop around the park, and Carillon Brewing Co serves food on site.

  • #open-air museum
  • #wright brothers
  • #history museum
  • #carillon
  • #historic buildings

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Carillon Historical Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

    Free

    National park sites across Dayton tracing the Wright brothers' work, starting at their bicycle shop neighborhood.

    1.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    Iconic

    National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

    Free

    Walk through four huge hangars holding more than 360 aircraft and missiles, from Wright brothers artifacts to Air Force One.

    5.8 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Miami County, OH

    Free

    A western Ohio county along the Great Miami River, anchored by Troy's historic square and Piqua's canal history.

    21 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Ohio Caverns

    Under $25

    Ohio's largest and most colorful cave system, with guided walking tours near West Liberty.

    44 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Armstrong Air & Space Museum

    Under $25

    See Neil Armstrong's Gemini VIII spacecraft, spacesuits and an Apollo 11 moon rock in his Ohio hometown.

    58 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    COSI

    $25–$50

    Hands-on science museum on the Scioto riverfront with a planetarium, a dinosaur gallery and themed exhibit halls.

    65 mi awayMore like this