Boutique Hotels in Dayton, OH

Dayton is a city rich in history, from its role as the birthplace of aviation to the Wright Brothers' boyhood home. Dayton also offers great shopping and dining options, including unique antique malls and vintage clothing stores. Visitors can spend the day exploring downtown or head outside for an exciting bike ride on one of the hundreds of miles of trails throughout the region.

Contrary to popular belief, aviation did not start in North Carolina. In the early 1900s, Dayton was home to the Wright brothers. They started experimenting with flight and eventually built a plane that could fly. Their success led them to create an airplane company in Dayton called the Wright Company, which later became known as the Wright-Martin Aircraft Corporation after a company merger (now known as Lockheed Martin). Be sure to retrace this aviation history when staying at a boutique hotel in Dayton.

Dayton is also known as the birthplace of aviation because it houses many aviation museums and activities. An open air history museum, the Carillon Historical Park houses the Wright brothers’ first practical airplane, the 1905 Wright Flyer III, Orville Wright’s last major project before he died on January 30, 1948.

Located just fifteen minutes outside Dayton, near many boutique hotels in Dayton, is the National Museum of the United States Air Force. With more than 200 aircraft on display including B-17 Flying Fortress bombers and F-15 Eagle jet fighters, it also offers interactive exhibits and free rides on simulators. You can also get up close and person with restored planes like Cessna 182s, a Piper J-3 Cub (which was used by Amelia Earhart in her solo flights) and a Grumman Goose seaplane. This museum also offers educational programs for kids ages 3-12 that include tours of airplanes up close with discussions about how airplanes work. When you book a room at the best Dayton boutique hotels, you’ll be within easy access of all of these popular stops.

As you tour the local historic sites, you'll learn about the region's fascinating history while staying at boutique hotels in Dayton. The National Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum features displays and artifacts from Dayton’s rich aviation history. The Wright Cycle Company building is now a museum featuring one of the world’s largest collections of Wright brothers memorabilia. The Wright-Dunbar House (the Wright-Dunbar Village) is also open for tours, giving visitors an opportunity to see where Orville and Wilbur spent their youth growing up in Dayton.

If you're looking for an outdoor activity while staying at a boutique hotel in Dayton, there are hundreds of miles of bike trails in the region. There are many options for all skill levels. Whether you want to cycle through a nature preserve, down a river path or over a bridge, Dayton has it!

Biking is a great way to explore the city and get exercise at the same time—and it's one of our favorite ways to spend an afternoon in Dayton. Discover all this and more when you book your stay at boutique hotels in Dayton.

Don’t forget to check out our hotels nearby in Columbus and Cincinnati.