Dayton ranked top 5 deadliest city in US: report

[Natural510]

Wright-Dunbar, just over the bridge from downtown, is a major bright spot on the West Side. Last I checked, the store fronts on the W. 3rd strip are 100% occupied and the West Social food market (CoHatch-style restaurant & bar co-op space) has been a major boon since it opened last year. Hopefully the revitalization spreads further west.

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by Natural510

Wright-Dunbar, just over the bridge from downtown, is a major bright spot on the West Side. Last I checked, the store fronts on the W. 3rd strip are 100% occupied and the West Social food market (CoHatch-style restaurant & bar co-op space) has been a major boon since it opened last year. Hopefully the revitalization spreads further west.

Thats really encouraging to hear. That area was dead as a door nail back in 2008 when I first moved to Dayton. Hopefully that indicates genuine development and population increase from the city's core.

[Creo]

Hi, everyone.

I'm native to Chicagoland, and though I think I visited Dayton for a few hours as a child during a tour of campuses for an older sibling, I've never truly visited the city. Dayton has come up enough times in recent trips and readings that I have it on my list in 2024 to visit. I am especially interested in museums and architecture. I don't know if any of you have current info about areas to visit vs. avoid, but I would be interested in getting informed about the city. I am not overly fearful myself, but I do know that there are differences between mostly safe spots, in-between spots, and no-go zones.

1 I prefer staying within city limits while traveling to cities, and I'll likely be driving down from Illinois. Which area(s) might be good for an Airbnb/hotel? A bonus would be if I could jog on the streets or on a trail near accommodation.

2 Which spots have nice architecture but are best avoided? I have been to sketchy areas around the world, not because I seek them out but because it just happens at times. Therefore, I don't mind places that are a bit rough, but I don't want to walk down a street that is the worst of the worst.

3 Is there a festival/event in Dayton that would make for an ideal time of year to visit?

Thanks for any feedback.

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by Creo

Hi, everyone.

I'm native to Chicagoland, and though I think I visited Dayton for a few hours as a child during a tour of campuses for an older sibling, I've never truly visited the city. Dayton has come up enough times in recent trips and readings that I have it on my list in 2024 to visit. I am especially interested in museums and architecture. I don't know if any of you have current info about areas to visit vs. avoid, but I would be interested in getting informed about the city. I am not overly fearful myself, but I do know that there are differences between mostly safe spots, in-between spots, and no-go zones.

1 I prefer staying within city limits while traveling to cities, and I'll likely be driving down from Illinois. Which area(s) might be good for an Airbnb/hotel? A bonus would be if I could jog on the streets or on a trail near accommodation.

2 Which spots have nice architecture but are best avoided? I have been to sketchy areas around the world, not because I seek them out but because it just happens at times. Therefore, I don't mind places that are a bit rough, but I don't want to walk down a street that is the worst of the worst.

3 Is there a festival/event in Dayton that would make for an ideal time of year to visit?

Thanks for any feedback.

Im a bit out of touch on Dayton's current state. Meaning some places have changed for better or worse since I left. I would check out downtown, Oregon District, Southpark, St Anne's Hill, Huffman Historic Distric, (Old North Dayton -- Amber Rose restaraunt only for Eastern European food) McPherson Town, Grandview, and Five Oaks. Your mileage may vary on some of the more ghetto east end neighborhoods as well as the west side. You will notice the dilipadated housed and vacant lots in the more ghetto areas, which are plentous. Also Wright-Dunbar along third street. Cox Arboreuteum and Wergezyn Gardens are cool. Check out the downtown river walk area and theres miles of paved bicycle trails. The real no-go areas are over in the far west side and the neighborhoods along north main (Santa Clara) but it becomes obvious because of the lack of actual things worth seeing and abandonment. Out further along West Third takes a serious dive as many areas along Gettysburg Ave. Also, on the east end--Twin Towers sucks and plenty of areas along east third and east fifth street. Trust me, you will know when you leave a historic distric and hit the hood. Macfarlane and Five Points have cool architecture as well.

Air BnB aroound Oregon, Southpark, Downtown, St Annes, Huffman maybe...around University of Dayton perhaps...really most any neighborhood I mentioned to visit.

[Natural510]

Five Oaks & Grandview I’d be careful about staying but would be okay to visit/drive during the day. Otherwise Tom named the best neighborhoods. Oregon has the most going on, though more hangout spots (breweries, restaurants) have opened up alongWayne Ave, East Third on the outskirts of Oregon & Downtown that used to be mostly industrial. Wright Dunbar is the upscale AA neighborhood and has the West Social food hall, which has Philippine food and probably the only Trinidadian restaurant in Ohio. 2nd Street market is worth checking out on the weekend too.

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by Natural510

Five Oaks & Grandview I’d be careful about staying but would be okay to visit/drive during the day.

Yes!! And thanks for the clarification as I really didnt mean to include them on the airbnb list. Particularly Five Oaks, got a lot of rough patches there for sure and especially at night.

[woxyroxme]

The best area in Dayton is the Grafton Hill neighborhood, where the Masonic temple and Dayton Art Institute are. The homes are all well preserved and can be pricey. I did do a lot of partying in the Oregon District during my misspent youth.

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by woxyroxme

The best area in Dayton is the Grafton Hill neighborhood, where the Masonic temple and Dayton Art Institute are. The homes are all well preserved and can be pricey. I did do a lot of partying in the Oregon District during my misspent youth.

Oh...Ive staggered along many many nights....The Century Bar was great too..

[Creo]

Thanks for the tips. I'll keep doing some research!