Dayton in a day

If you're willing to drive about an hour, there are two fun indoor places we've been to in Dayton.
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is a science museum that feels more like a children's museum. The place just keeps going on and on. On the first floor, there's a baby play area for wee ones, plus a water play area and a huge climbing structure for older kids. Upstairs, there's a treehouse that overlooks the woods, a play grocery store, and even a small zoo. You could easily spend two or three hours here. Do pack lunch; there's a small eating area with vending machines, but no hot food. Admission is $8.50 for adults and $7 for kids 2-12. It's free if you're a member of the Cincinnati Museum Center.
WHAT: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
WHEN: 9-5 Mon-Fri; 11-5 Sat; 12-5 Sun.
WHERE: Take 73E out of Oxford and follow it for about 17 miles until you hit OH-4. Merge onto OH-4 North. Turn right onto 14th Ave/MLK JR. Way. Turn slight right to follow OH-122 E. Merge onto I-75N toward dayton. Go about 21 miles. Take 75 North and exit on the Wagner Ford (Exit 57 B). Then take a left onto Wagner Ford. Go right (north) on N. Dixie, then turn left onto Siebenthaler. Take a left onto Ridge Ave. and then a right onto DeWeese Pkwy. The museum is on the right at 2600 DeWeese Parkway.
CONTACT: 937-275-7431

While you're in Dayton, you might check out the National Museum of the US Air Force. If your kid is airplane crazy, this is the place to be. There are buildings and more buildings full of planes (more than 400 "aerospace vehicles"), from really old to futuristic. However, there are also signs everywhere warning visitors to refrain from touching anything, because the oil on your fingers might DESTROY the planes. Keeping your kids' little fingers off the exhibits gets stressful after a while, but there are two or three planes they can actually climb into. And there's lots of room to run around. Admission is free.
WHAT: National Museum of the US Air Force
WHEN: 9-5, 7 days a week
WHERE: Visitors traveling from the south on I-75 (see directions above) should exit at I-675 North (exit 43). Travel to Exit 15 (Col. Glenn Hwy). As you exit, stay in the extreme right-hand lane. At the end of the exit, turn right at the traffic light (Col. Glenn Hwy). Travel to the third traffic light (Harshman Road/Wright Brothers Parkway) and turn right. Exit at Springfield Pike; turn right at the end of the exit ramp. The entrance to the museum is on the right. The museum's address is 1100 Spaatz Street, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433.
CONTACT: (937) 255-3286