Nestled just east of Dayton, Greene County truly has the best of both worlds.
Dayton’s metropolitan influence, combined with small-town comforts thanks to villages such as Yellow Springs and Clifton, make for an ideal day trip just an hour away.
Xenia
Xenia functions as the county seat, but it’s so much more than a governmental center. The city is affectionately known as the “Bicycle Capital of the Midwest.”
Historically a railroad hub, Xenia now boasts some of the best trails around. The Ohio-to-Erie Trail, Creekside Trail, Little Miami Scenic Trail, Xenia-Jamestown Connector Trail and Prairie Grass Trail meet at Xenia Station, a replica of the city’s 19th century brick railroad station.
An array of antique stores, boutiques and other small businesses populate downtown, where Main and Detroit streets intersect. Some of these beloved spots include Rusty NChippy’s Vintage Boutique, Fox Antiques & Such, Blue Jacket Books and T. Lane Designs.
Beavercreek
Between the Mall at Fairfield Commons and the Greene Town Center, there are more than 250 shops, restaurants and department stores in Beavercreek, making it the ultimate shopping destination.
The Mall at Fairfield Commons is more or less your traditional indoor mall, making it ideal for Ohio’s temperamental seasons. The Greene, however, functions more like a small town with an outdoor space that spans more than 72 acres. Some people have even chosen to live in the Greene’s luxury apartments and townhomes.
Yellow Springs
The village of Yellow Springs is known for a thriving arts community unlike any other in the state.
Murals, yarn bombs and buskers can be seen all throughout Yellow Springs’ downtown center. An array of summertime festivals, such as the Yellow Springs Street Fair in June and Cyclops Fest in September, makes the small town a destination for artistic types from all over.
Independent stores such as Dark Star Books & Comics (be sure to say hello to the store’s resident cat, Mr. Eko), La Llama Place (Latin American crafts and décor) and Toxic Beauty Records (a vinyl record collector’s paradise) serve as ideal stops after visits to the larger shopping malls in Beavercreek. After you’ve worked up an appetite, stop at Young’s Jersey Dairy for its famous homemade ice cream
And, of course, a trip to Yellow Springs isn’t complete without a visit to Glen Helen Nature Preserve and John Bryan State Park. So pack your hiking shoes and be prepared to be wowed by a trailside museum, a raptor center and more than 1,000 acres of unbeatable views.
Clifton
The Historic Clifton Mill was built in 1802 by former Revolutionary War soldier Owen Davis. Strategically built to absorb power from the Little Miami River, it is one of the largest water-powered grist mills in the world.
Today, the mill has a country store, which sells a variety of pancake mixes and flours, and a restaurant that provides hot meals as well as baked goods, such as pies and cookies. After Thanksgiving and through New Year’s Day, the mill, gorge, trees, riverbanks and bridges are illuminated with more than 3.5 million lights.
Aviation
Greene County is steeped in aviation history.
In 1904, Wilbur and Orville Wright flew their first airplane in Huffman Prairie, which is located on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and near the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The museum – which contains a variety of aircraft, including the Douglas C-54 Skymaster used by President Roosevelt during World War II – is a point of pride for the county and attracts tourists and aviation enthusiasts from all over.
The museum plans to open its new 224,000-square-foot hangar on June 8, which will provide space for the Presidential Aircraft, Research and Development, and Space and Global Reach galleries.
For more information, visit Greene County.
Hannah Bealer is an editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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