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Hello VCU Fans!
So, you’re coming to Dayton and you’re thinking, “What is there to do in Dayton?†I’ve lived in Dayton since graduating from UD in 1995. It’s a legit question.
You’re only going to be in town for a short time before moving on to Round 2 in another location, so here’s some help from a “local.â€
Try to stay in the city. The Marriott and the Courtyard are the closest to UD Arena. There is also a Crowne Plaza and a Double Tree downtown that are only a couple miles from the arena. Personally, I don’t recommend the Double Tree. Although downtown, there’s not much around it. The Courtyard is only a couple years old, and it’s across the street from UD Arena, but I think the teams will be staying there, so getting a room will probably be difficult. The Marriott is somewhat isolated, but only because UD has bought all of the land around it and hasn’t developed it yet. The Crowne Plaza is OK as a hotel, but the location is best for dining and entertainment. If a Bed and Breakfast is more your style, there are also a couple located in the Oregon Historic District. Actually, the B&Bs are your best bet for price, quality, service, location, and owner charm. OK, I’m a little biased since my wife and I own the B&Bs. Check us out at http://www.innport.com.
Where to go and what to eat is easy. If you just want fast food, there are a variety of places on Brown Street near the University of Dayton campus. If you want some local flavor or nicer than fast food, you need to go to the Oregon Arts District. This is where the Crowne Plaza has the advantage. It’s only a block away. The Oregon Arts District is the primary Arts and Entertainment District in Dayton. It’s a 4 block long street (Fifth Street) in the historic area of downtown lined with galleries, restaurants, taverns, and shops. Everything is locally owned. You won’t find any franchise businesses. No Applebee’s. No Friday’s. No Olive Garden. You can find information about the Oregon Arts District on http://www.oregonartsdistrict.com, or on Facebook. If you look on Facebook, you will find a couple listings. There is one for the business district and one for the residential area (Oregon Historic District Society).
As a resident, here are my favorites.
For a burger and a brew, go to Blind Bob’s. Bob, the owner is legally blind. He used to work the door checking IDs until he had that “you don’t feel 21 incident.†Of course, that’s a joke, but it’s Bob’s joke, so it’s OK. Besides the burgers, Blind Bob’s is also known for their pickle soup. They also have a variety of craft beers on tap and by the bottle.
How about pizza? Oregon Express is the place. They have a variety of specialty pizzas. The added bonus is that Monday thru Wednesday is 25% off on specialty pizzas. Oregon Express (or O.E. as we call it) has also updated their beer and wine selections.
Want Thai food? Thai9 is known as one of, if not the best, Thai and Sushi restaurants in southwest Ohio. That includes Cincinnati and Columbus. They come to Dayton for Thai food. Yes, I did say sushi. They bring it in fresh daily. Thai food can be a little spicy, so you have the option to order on a 0 to 9 spicy scale. If you’re a little crazy and don’t have to travel the next day, you can even go above 9 for “thai spicy.†Dinner entrees are in the $12 - $15 range.
If you are looking for something a little up-scale and trendy, SideBar is the place to be and be seen. Hand crafted drinks. Small plate dinning. It’s like someone plucked a small club from downtown Chicago and dropped it in Dayton. Actually, the owner is from Chicago and brought SideBar with him.
Italian means Franco’s Italian Ristorante. Franco got off the boat from Italy many years ago and has been at the same location since 1976. Pasta, pizza, and wine. It’s authentic Italian.
Jay’s is the place to go for seafood (not sushi). They fly it in fresh daily. Ask anyone in the area where to go for seafood, and they will send you to Jay’s. I have a good friend who grew up in Florida. He’s a bit of a seafood snob. He likes Jay’s.
No entertainment district is complete without an Irish Pub. The Oregon District has the Dublin Pub. Excellent food and Perfect Pints. You can usually catch up on the latest happenings in the Ireland Sports world. They post the sports pages from an Irish newspaper in the men’s room. Sorry ladies, I don’t know what is in your room.
For a little eclectic flare, the Trolley Stop is the place to go. If it’s warm (please get warm. I’m sick of cold, snow, and rain), they have the best patio in the district. It has a feel of New Orleans on a summer day.
Lucky’s Tap Room is the newest option. I can’t comment, because I haven’t been in town since it opened. I do know the owner. He’s a good guy and has a good plan. Lots of beers on tap and TVs on the walls. It should be the closest thing to a sports bar in the district.
So there you have it from a local. There are some other places, but those are my personal favorites. You can find more information on most places with a Google or Facebook search, but I hope I’ve given you a good starting point.
Welcome to Dayton. We’ve hosted the opening round game since it emerged and we are looking forward to kicking off this year’s tournament. As we like to say, the Road to the Final Four starts with the First Four in Dayton. We love our college hoops. UD Arena is a great place to play and watch a game. And the Oregon Arts District is a great place to get your pre-game meal and to host your post game celebration.
Safe Travel to all and maybe I’ll see you at UD Arena or in the Oregon Arts District.
Jeff Gonya
Self Proclaimed Unofficial Promoter
of Dayton and the Oregon Arts District
So, you’re coming to Dayton and you’re thinking, “What is there to do in Dayton?†I’ve lived in Dayton since graduating from UD in 1995. It’s a legit question.
You’re only going to be in town for a short time before moving on to Round 2 in another location, so here’s some help from a “local.â€
Try to stay in the city. The Marriott and the Courtyard are the closest to UD Arena. There is also a Crowne Plaza and a Double Tree downtown that are only a couple miles from the arena. Personally, I don’t recommend the Double Tree. Although downtown, there’s not much around it. The Courtyard is only a couple years old, and it’s across the street from UD Arena, but I think the teams will be staying there, so getting a room will probably be difficult. The Marriott is somewhat isolated, but only because UD has bought all of the land around it and hasn’t developed it yet. The Crowne Plaza is OK as a hotel, but the location is best for dining and entertainment. If a Bed and Breakfast is more your style, there are also a couple located in the Oregon Historic District. Actually, the B&Bs are your best bet for price, quality, service, location, and owner charm. OK, I’m a little biased since my wife and I own the B&Bs. Check us out at http://www.innport.com.
Where to go and what to eat is easy. If you just want fast food, there are a variety of places on Brown Street near the University of Dayton campus. If you want some local flavor or nicer than fast food, you need to go to the Oregon Arts District. This is where the Crowne Plaza has the advantage. It’s only a block away. The Oregon Arts District is the primary Arts and Entertainment District in Dayton. It’s a 4 block long street (Fifth Street) in the historic area of downtown lined with galleries, restaurants, taverns, and shops. Everything is locally owned. You won’t find any franchise businesses. No Applebee’s. No Friday’s. No Olive Garden. You can find information about the Oregon Arts District on http://www.oregonartsdistrict.com, or on Facebook. If you look on Facebook, you will find a couple listings. There is one for the business district and one for the residential area (Oregon Historic District Society).
As a resident, here are my favorites.
For a burger and a brew, go to Blind Bob’s. Bob, the owner is legally blind. He used to work the door checking IDs until he had that “you don’t feel 21 incident.†Of course, that’s a joke, but it’s Bob’s joke, so it’s OK. Besides the burgers, Blind Bob’s is also known for their pickle soup. They also have a variety of craft beers on tap and by the bottle.
How about pizza? Oregon Express is the place. They have a variety of specialty pizzas. The added bonus is that Monday thru Wednesday is 25% off on specialty pizzas. Oregon Express (or O.E. as we call it) has also updated their beer and wine selections.
Want Thai food? Thai9 is known as one of, if not the best, Thai and Sushi restaurants in southwest Ohio. That includes Cincinnati and Columbus. They come to Dayton for Thai food. Yes, I did say sushi. They bring it in fresh daily. Thai food can be a little spicy, so you have the option to order on a 0 to 9 spicy scale. If you’re a little crazy and don’t have to travel the next day, you can even go above 9 for “thai spicy.†Dinner entrees are in the $12 - $15 range.
If you are looking for something a little up-scale and trendy, SideBar is the place to be and be seen. Hand crafted drinks. Small plate dinning. It’s like someone plucked a small club from downtown Chicago and dropped it in Dayton. Actually, the owner is from Chicago and brought SideBar with him.
Italian means Franco’s Italian Ristorante. Franco got off the boat from Italy many years ago and has been at the same location since 1976. Pasta, pizza, and wine. It’s authentic Italian.
Jay’s is the place to go for seafood (not sushi). They fly it in fresh daily. Ask anyone in the area where to go for seafood, and they will send you to Jay’s. I have a good friend who grew up in Florida. He’s a bit of a seafood snob. He likes Jay’s.
No entertainment district is complete without an Irish Pub. The Oregon District has the Dublin Pub. Excellent food and Perfect Pints. You can usually catch up on the latest happenings in the Ireland Sports world. They post the sports pages from an Irish newspaper in the men’s room. Sorry ladies, I don’t know what is in your room.
For a little eclectic flare, the Trolley Stop is the place to go. If it’s warm (please get warm. I’m sick of cold, snow, and rain), they have the best patio in the district. It has a feel of New Orleans on a summer day.
Lucky’s Tap Room is the newest option. I can’t comment, because I haven’t been in town since it opened. I do know the owner. He’s a good guy and has a good plan. Lots of beers on tap and TVs on the walls. It should be the closest thing to a sports bar in the district.
So there you have it from a local. There are some other places, but those are my personal favorites. You can find more information on most places with a Google or Facebook search, but I hope I’ve given you a good starting point.
Welcome to Dayton. We’ve hosted the opening round game since it emerged and we are looking forward to kicking off this year’s tournament. As we like to say, the Road to the Final Four starts with the First Four in Dayton. We love our college hoops. UD Arena is a great place to play and watch a game. And the Oregon Arts District is a great place to get your pre-game meal and to host your post game celebration.
Safe Travel to all and maybe I’ll see you at UD Arena or in the Oregon Arts District.
Jeff Gonya
Self Proclaimed Unofficial Promoter
of Dayton and the Oregon Arts District
