DOWNTOWN HOUSING TOUR

With hundreds of new housing units currently under construction, there’s never been a better time to think about living in downtown Dayton!

Find out why downtown is the hottest, most in-demand real estate market in the region during our free Downtown Housing Tour on Saturday, May 11, from 1 to 5 p.m., presented by AES Ohio, and sponsored by CenterPoint Energy, altafiber, Dayton.com, Key Ads, and the Greater Dayton RTA.

You’re invited to this showcase of downtown housing options in a variety of styles and locations.

This is an open-house style event – there is no hard start or stop time! Start your tour at any of the tour sites, or at one of the information stations found on the map.

In addition to the open-house-style tour of housing options, you’re also encouraged to visit an Urban Amenities Fair on Courthouse Square, chat with “Resident Experts,” participate in free supplemental walking tours, and more! Info on each of those features is below.

Metered parking spaces are free on the weekends and The Greater Dayton RTA has generously provided complimentary shuttles for quick transport between various tour locations. Guests are also encouraged to walk or use the Link Bike Share system to travel between destinations.

Experience the fun and convenience of downtown living, with restaurants, brewpubs, shops, performing arts, galleries and more just steps away.

Hop on and off the free tour shuttles, or see the tour on foot or bike.

Party on Courthouse Square

Visit Courthouse Square during the Downtown Housing Tour to learn more about downtown living and enhance your fun with these features:

Urban Amenities Fair

From 1 to 5 p.m., walk around Courthouse Square to get come practical (and fun!) info and freebies from various downtown businesses and other amenities, including:

altafiber — America’s Packard Museum — Boonshoft Museum of Discovery — CenterPoint Energy — Dayton Art Institute — Drone Express — Gem City Market — Gem City Primary Care — The Human Race Theatre Company — Link Dayton Bike Share — Modern Eye — The Neon — Renewal by Anderson — Sara Kaushal

Resident Experts

What is it really like to live downtown? Find out from some of the people who live here! Join us for an informal gathering with downtown residents from a variety of age groups and backgrounds. Learn what they love most (or least) about being downtown and ask them your burning questions. Resident Experts will be roaming around Courthouse Square in bright identifying T-shirts throughout the Housing Tour.

Drinks and Curio Sneak Peek

Get a first look at the new Curio at Courthouse Square, a shipping container turned into an entertainment hub! Throughout the summer, Curio will be the spot for lunchtime entertainment, social hours, and other events and activities. But during the housing tour, it’ll be where you can purchase a DORA beverage to enjoy during the Housing Tour!

Supplemental Guided Walking Tours

In addition to the self-guided tour of downtown housing options, we’re also offering several unique and fun guided walking tours during the housing tour, each with a different theme.

Each of these tours is free to attend, but pre-registration is required. Read about each of the tours below, and click the links to register for tours.

Tours last 60-90 minutes. Must be able to walk or travel up to two miles of city sidewalks to take part in most tours.

Downtown Architecture Tour

Tours begin at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. – Click here to register.

Andrew Walsh, author of Lost Dayton, Ohio and writer at Dayton Vistas, will lead (2) hour-long walking tours highlighting downtown architecture, Dayton’s retail and industrial history, the impact of urban renewal, and the urban core’s ongoing revitalization, including a visit to the historic Dayton Arcade. Read some of Andrew’s writing at DaytonVistas.com. [All ages.]

Downtown Ghost Tour

Tours begin at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. – Click here to register.

Sara Kaushal, Author of ‘Dayton Ghost & Legends’ and ‘Murder & Mayhem in Dayton and the Miami Valley’, will lead this hour-long walking Ghost Tour to uncover some of downtown’s haunts, including the Victoria Theatre & Courthouse Square. Find more information about her books and upcoming events at sarakaushal.com.  [Tour content may not be suitable for young children]

Downtown Shopping Tour

Tours begin at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. – Click here to register.

Lauren Rinehart, blogger behind Girl About Dayton, will lead a 90-minute guided walking Retail Tour of the Fire Blocks District (beginning at 1:00 p.m.) and another of the Oregon District (beginning at 3:00 p.m.). You’re invited to learn more about some of downtown’s retail gems and shop to your heart’s content along the route. There will even be some special surprises in store! (no pun intended). Visit Lauren’s blog at girlaboutdayton.com.  [All ages.]

Downtown Mural Tour

Tours begin at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. – Click here to register.

Tracey Obenour, Design & Production Manager at the Downtown Dayton Partnership, will lead this hour-long guided walking tour of downtown’s outdoor murals and sculptures. Each tour will take you to see some of downtown’s favorite murals, as well as its lesser-known gems. You’ll learn about Dayton artists, the story behind certain creative works, and current and upcoming public art initiatives. [All ages.]

Downtown Sketch & Walk Tour

Tours begin at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. – Click here to register.

Two of Dayton’s Urban Sketchers will lead 60 minute walking and sketching tours. Each tour will highlight at least three of Dayton’s buildings and focus on their history, architectural style or other interesting features. Sketching materials will be provided. Participants may bring a lightweight collapsible stool or chair if they wish. Matt Blair 1:00 p.m., Kenny Moore 3:00 p.m. [All ages.]

Downtown Pedal Wagon Bar Crawl

Tours begin at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. – Click here to register.

Pedal along with Pedal Wagon Dayton to experience what some of downtown’s finest breweries and bars have to offer on this hour-long adventure. This tour will allow riders to enjoy games and fun cocktails at Two Social, go on a short tour of Dayton Beer Company’s brewery and rooftop patio, and explore Warped Wing and Canal Street Arcade & Deli. Be sure to grab a DORA drink as you travel between stops! [Ages 21 and older.]

Getting Around

FREE SHUTTLES – Free housing tour shuttles, courtesy of the Greater Dayton RTA, will run during the event, making stops near each housing option on the tour. Hop on and off at any of the shuttle stops to check out as many or as few of the housing options as you like. A shuttle should be at each stop every 10-15 minutes.

WALKING – Walking is another great way to get around – most of the housing options on the tour are no more than a five minute walk apart.

BIKING – Or, try downtown’s Link bike share! Rent a bike from one of the many Link stations throughout downtown and ride to another station near your next destination.

Parking

Downtown has more than 13,000 parking spaces. You can find a list and map of garages and lots here, and street parking metered spots are free on weekends!

More Downtown Housing Info

Our tour highlights just a few of the many apartments, condominiums, and traditional homes in downtown Dayton and its surrounding neighborhoods. For more info on downtown living, visit our directory of housing options and other resources.

Other Events

The Downtown Housing Tour is part of downtown Dayton’s “AES Ohio Summer in the City” events series.

If you have questions about the Downtown Housing Tour or want more information, email Lynn Robertson, or call her at (937) 224-1518 ext. 227.