Go Out, Have Fun & Enjoy Dayton in a Sober-Friendly Environment
There is plenty of fun to be had in recovery. Some of these activities can be enjoyed for free, but make sure to look for discounts and coupons to save money for those that aren’t free.
Here is a list of sober-friendly things to do in Dayton. Click on the links below for more details and let us know if there is an alcohol-free option we should add to the list.
Adventure
- Scene 75 Entertainment Center: Bring your family and friends to this fun center with 150 arcade games, 14 amazing attractions and more.
- The Magic Castle: Have fun playing over 70 action-packed arcade games, playing mini golf, practicing your batting skills in the batting cages, and more.
- Adventure Reef Water Park: This water park is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and features fun, fast slides, pools, water playgrounds, and plenty of lounge seating.
- Kennedy Park Pickleball Courts: Challenge your family or friends to a fun game of pickleball on one of this park’s 12 courts.
- Land of Illusion: There’s fun for all ages at Land of Illusion with water slides, a variety of yard games, paddleboarding, and seasonal events.
- Great Escape Game Dayton: Work together with friends or family to find your way out of the bank vault, mummy tomb, science lab, and other escape rooms.
- Laser Web: Explore the world of virtual reality, compete in a game of laser tag, or try fun arcade games at Laser Web.
Arts & Music
- The Dayton Art Institute: Attend an event, such as a ballet performance, or wander throughout the museum halls to admire various artworks that tell different stories.
- Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center: This venue hosts many breath-taking, entertaining performances from orchestras, ballets, comedy shows, musicals, and more.
- Victoria Theatre: Showcasing entertaining performances since 1866, the Victoria Theatre has a variety of shows from comedy, magic, informative speakers, musicals, and plays.
- Black Box Improv: As Dayton’s home for improv comedy and music with 4 nights of shows a week, these fully improvised shows are sure to entertain you.
- The Neon: This movie theatre is dedicated to community-based, mission-driven, culturally educational cinema.
Food & Restaurants
- 2nd Street Market: Explore different vendors at this market filled with local growers, bakers, culinary specialists, and artisans.
- **Jimmie’s Ladder 11: Opened by owner Jimmie Brandell across the street from a historic 1892 firehouse, this restaurant serves delicious meals and provides a welcoming, family-friendly environment.
- **Lily’s Dayton: Try out this tropical-inspired, budget-conscious restaurant that serves a mix of Polynesian and Southern dishes.
- **Wheat Penny Oven: Providing a wide variety of appetizers, sandwiches, pastas, mocktails, and more, this restaurant has something everyone will enjoy.
- **Butter Café: Looking for new breakfast or brunch place? Stop in at the Butter Café, which serves delicious omelets, pancakes, smoothies, sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and more.
Museums
- National Museum of the Air Force: For just over 100 years, this museum has motivated, educated, and inspired youth interest in the United States Air Force (USAF) and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). It is the world’s largest military aviation museum.
- Boonshoft Museum of Discovery: Do you want to learn about the world and its universe? Boonshoft has several archaeology, space, dinosaur, and other science exhibits to explore.
- America’s Packard Museum: Visit the largest collection of Packard cars and artifacts, preserved to teach present and future generations about the history of Packard cars.
- SunWatch Indian Village: Discover this historical American Indian village and archaeological park along the banks of the Great Miami River.
Parks & Outdoors
- RiverScape MetroPark: This lively park on the banks of the Great Miami River offers a place for people who live downtown to connect with nature, whether its biking, walking, or picnicking.
- Eastwood MetroPark: Check out this hub of outdoor recreation with a variety of water and land activities.
- Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark: Explore beautiful gardens with diverse plant combinations and venture into woodlands including the Marie Aull Nature Trail or the Swamp Forest Boardwalk.
- John Bryan State Park: This park has spectacular views of the gorge, a National Natural Landmark and includes beautiful campgrounds and many activities like boating, disc golf, hiking, fishing, and picnicking.
- Wesleyan MetroPark: Located on Wolf Creek, this park is the site of Adventure Central, a program that emphasizes nature and science. It is also a great area for hiking, fishing, cycling, winter sports, geocatching, and more.
BrightView wants to help connect people in recovery and help them enjoy life without drugs and alcohol. Contact us at 833.510.HELP for more information.