Xenia, OH Area Attractions

The availability and safety of an outstanding network of scenic walking and bicycling trails has led to Xenia’s designation as one of “America’s 10 Fittest Cities for Women,” by Health Magazine.  The American Hiking Society has named Xenia a Charter Member of the Trail Town USA Hall of Fame and a Top 10 Trail Town, and Walking Magazine calls it one of the best walking towns in America.  Xenia hosts the annual Greene Trails Cycling Classic, a four-day event that brings bicycling families from throughout the Midwest to enjoy cycling in Greene and surrounding counties.
  
The city boasts a golf course in its midst and three others within a 10-mile radius. 

More than 6,000 acres of parks, open space, and nature preserves are located in Xenia and surrounding Greene County.  Xenia has facilities for baseball, tennis, basketball, soccer, swimming, bowling, canoeing, and sky-diving.  Kil-Kare Speedway and Dragway draws auto racing fans from throughout the region and Lewis A. Jackson Greene County Regional Airport provides for both recreational and commercial use.

Shawnee Park, a gem located in the center of town, is host to the summer “Music in the Park” Series and the annual Xenia Old Fashioned Days Festival, held the second week after Labor Day each year.  This event features national entertainment, and an arts and craft show, along with a parade, balloon glo, field day events, and other activities.  It is a stellar example of the many community and regional festivals held in the area. 

The facilities available at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia allow a multitude of events to take place in the community.  The International Headquarters for Athletes in Action, at Legacy Center in Xenia, is being developed into a world-class facility for training and supporting AIA staff worldwide.  The beautiful Schindler Banquet Center, on the same campus, is also available for events.

Xenia's Community Theater, X*ACT, provides opportunities for local thespians to shine.  The Greene County Historical Society in downtown Xenia tells the Greene County story from prehistoric hunters to Tecumseh to Norman Vincent Peale.   The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center is located in Xenia Township within nearby Wilberforce.  The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located a few miles away, as is the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, including Huffman Prairie Flying Field in Greene County, where the Wright Brothers learned to fly.  One may take a tour of covered bridges or trace the route of the Underground Railroad in Xenia Township and Greene County. 

Shopping runs the gamut from the unique specialty and antique shops of Xenia to The Mall at Fairfield Commons, less than fifteen minutes away, to the Prime Outlets at Jeffersonville, to the exceptional shopping experience offered in nearby Yellow Springs.

Xenia’s proximity to Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus enable it to maintain its small-town feel while offering easy access to theatre, music, dance and art. 

Dodds Monuments Building and Stained Glass Windows

This local business opens the showroom to the public during business hours.  The building's unique history and the stained glass windows are definitely worth seeing.

X*ACT (Xenia Area Community Theater)
937-372-0516
www.xeniaact.org

Xenia Area Community Theater is more than an organization.  It is a valuable product.  It is a way for the community, to provide live entertainment at an affordable cost to our neighbors, friends, and visitors to the city.  X*ACT is an opportunity for us to create not only a theater, but a legacy.  It is an avenue that allows us to shine.

Greene Trails Cycling Classic
937-372-3591
www.greenetrailsclassic.com

The Greene Trails Cycling Classic is designed to be a fun, family-oriented “happening.” It is a multi-day event centered in Xenia, Ohio, and serving to showcase the extensive rail-to-trail system that exists there - and beyond, as well as the communities along the trails. All rides will begin and end at the campground adjacent to the Greene County Fairgrounds. Each day will feature and utilize a different section of the trail. Each day’s specific route(s) will be supported for rider convenience and safety.  Routes will include on-trail, out-and-back trips, as well as extended rides on rural roads for designated days. The broad network of trails provides an exceptional cycling experience for those families and individuals who want to take part in a bicycle or skating tour but prefer the safety and comfort of staying on the trails. Alternate routes offer a choice for the more adventurous. Each day will offer special entertainment opportunities, including tennis, volleyball, swimming, etc., mini-events, live musical entertainment and lots of other exciting surprises.

National Museum of the United States Air Force                 937-255-3286
www.wpafb.af.mil/museum

The United States Air Force Museum is the world’s oldest Aviation Museum and house’s one of the world’s largest collections of military aircraft and missiles.  The chronological layout documents the history of aviation development from Kitty Hawk to the Space Age.

National Aviation Heritage Area - Come. Discover. Fly!
877-284-6242
www.aviationheritagearea.org

A coalition of 14 sites (including the four sites of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Park) that represent the history, heritage, and continuing influence of the Dayton Region upon aviation.

National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center
937-346-4944 or 800-BLK-HIST
www.ohiohistory.org/places/afroam

A repository for preservation, study, and interpretation. Maintaining an ever expanding collection of artifacts, art, manuscripts and library materials. Through study and exhibition, these materials reflect the diverse traditions, values, social customs, and experiences of Afro-Americans.

John Bryan State Park
937-767-1274
www.dnr.ohio.gov/parks/parks/jhnbryan.htm

John Bryan, part of the Buck Creek/John Bryan State Park Region is the most scenic State Park in western Ohio. The park contains a remarkable limestone gorge cut by the Little Miami River, which is designated as a state and national Scenic River. A portion of the gorge itself is designated as a national natural landmark.

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
937-767-1274 or 937-964-8794
www.dnr.ohio.gov/dnap/location/clifton.html

Spectacular example of geological forces. Perfect for scenic hiking. Located on State Route 343.

Glen Helen Nature Preserve
937-767-7375
www.glenhelen.org

1,000 acre nature preserve with hiking, raptor center, and trailside museum.

Young’s Jersey Dairy
937-325-0629
www.youngsdairy.com

Stop by for a quick homemade ice cream break at the Dairy Store or visit the Golden Jersey Inn for a fine farm-cooked meal. Visit the working dairy farm and the animal petting area. See the cows being milked everyday at around 5 PM. Play a round of miniature golf on one of their two courses. Hit a bucket of balls on their driving range. Practice your batting at the batting cages — both hardball and softball. Enjoy a picnic at the covered picnic area.

WGC Golf Course
937-372-1202
www.wgcgolfcourse.com

The course, with 18 holes and a driving range with practice putting greens is open to the public. 944 Country Club Drive. Call for fee information.

Sebastian Hills Golf Course
937-372-2468
www.sebastianhills.com

This course has 18 holes and a driving range with practice putting greens and is open to the public. Located at 1100 Knoll Haven Drive, Xenia.  

Kil-Kare Speedway and Drag Strip
937-426-2764
www.kilkare.com

NASCAR Winston Racing Series Friday Nights on the banked 3/8 mile speedway, and NHRA Sear’s Craftsman and Bracket Drag Racing Series Saturdays. 

SkyDive Greene County, Inc.
937-372-0700
www.skydiveohio.com

Get a bird’s eye view of Greene County and learn the basic skills of sky diving at the private 180 acre airport, in operation since 1961.  There is camping, lodging, showers and food both on and near the airport. Full service. Fee required. Open year round. 177 S. Monroe-Siding.

For information and links to other local and regional attractions,  Greene County Convention and Visitors Bureau                   1-800-733-9109 or (937) 429-9100     www.greenecountyoh.org

Underground Railroad Sites
937-372-3591

There are many sites located in and around Xenia which were used for the Underground Railroad. Get a map of these locations at the Xenia Chamber of Commerce and explore.

Greene County Historical Society
including Galloway Log Cabin and Museum
937-372-4606

Managed by the Greene County Historical Society, located at 74 W. Church Street near downtown Xenia. Please call for hours.  You may download a brochure here.

Shawnee Park

Family picnicking and recreational facilities, fishing in the lagoon, and covered shelters/grills offer a quiet and scenic place to rest and relax.  Site of the summer Festival of Music series and the Xenia Old Fashioned Days Festival.  Located three blocks from the center of Downtown, Shawnee Park is the crown jewel of Xenia’s park system.

Covered Bridges
937-372-3591