Ready for a day trip or weekend getaway? Choose to explore one of these three cities along the Great Miami Riverway. From water activities and outdoor adventures to brewery visits and coffee shop hangs, fill your Great Miami Riverway passport with dozens of activities this summer. Here’s a selection of some of the most popular things to do along the Riverway in Dayton, Troy, and Hamilton.

Dayton

Visit Sunwatch Indian Village and Archeological Park

SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park is an educational center for archaeology and Native American culture. Visit the gardens or choose an educational tour to learn more about the 800-year-old village.

Play at the Riverscape MetroPark

Cycle the trails, play in the interactive fountain, and walk the inventor’s walk to find the inventor’s sculpture at Riverscape Metropark. The park is located in the center of the 300-mile paved trail network. Bring your own two wheels or rent from nearby RiverScape Rentals on weekends throughout the summer.

Have dinner or lunch at one of the restaurants in the Oregon District

Begin with a trip to Press. The roasters of Wood Burl Coffee offer a minimalist coffee shop space and delicious lattes, too. For lunch, Lily’s Bistro is a local favorite that serves eclectic American cuisine along with cocktails, beer, and wine. Opt for authentic Thai food for dinner at Thai 9 or go for some of the sushi and sashimi dishes.

Troy

Shop along historic downtown

Start your food tour at Winans Chocolates and Coffee with a cup of coffee and stroll local shops like Pachamama Market and Towne Valley Gifts. Looking for a unique place to grab lunch, treats, and artisanal foods? Haren’s Market has lunch specials, desserts, wine by-the-bottle, and charcuterie boards. Nearby, Bakehouse Bread and Cookie Company makes artisan breads, cookies, and pastries to cap off your day of fun.

Enjoy dinner at Smith’s Boathouse overlooking the Great Miami RIver

A newer addition to the Great Miami, Smiths’ Boathouse Restaurant is perched on the bank of the Great Miami River and serves steaks, seafood items, and seasonal offerings. Sit on the patio and watch the kayakers float by.

Walk the trails and visit beautiful waterfalls of Charleston Falls Preserve

Charleston Falls Preserve is the most visited park in Miami County for good reason. Named for its waterfall, it’s often referred to as “Miniature Niagara” due to its similar rock structure and 37-foot cascade into the Great Miami River. The park also has more than 200 acres of prairies and forests, great for hiking and spotting rare foliage like wild columbine, walking fern, and purple cliff brake.

Hamilton

Take a tour of the murals in Hamilton

An ode to the city’s name, there’s an Alexander Hamilton mural next door to True West Coffee, plus the musical mural downtown, and iconic Miami-Erie Canal mural too. Take the day to spot them all.

Enjoy a live concert at RiversEdge at Marcum Park

RiversEdge Park & Amphitheater is home to concerts and events along the banks of the river. Check out the website for their summer schedule.

Step back in time at Henry’s Candy Store

Satisfy your sweet tooth and relive your childhood memories of going to an old-fashioned candy store at Henry’s. The family-owned business sells most varieties by the pound and novelty candies like gummy bears in almost any flavor you can imagine.

Stop by Pinball Garage for pinball and craft beer on draft

Choose from a 30-draft beer list and dozens of bottles and cans at Pinball Garage. True to its name, there’s more than 30 pinball machines, plus other arcade games like Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros too.