When visiting a new place, you always look for the ‘oomph’ or the ‘wow’ factor.
However, it doesn’t always happen.
Don’t worry, though, because you will find all the ‘oomph’ you need in Centerville, Ohio.
Though not as popular as other cities, Centerville certainly does not disappoint, given that it is a small place but a growing tourist destination.
You will find tons of exciting activities and stories, including the most significant number of stone houses.
You can find this written in the National Register of Historic Places, making Centerville a must-visit for every traveler.
Many people traveling to Cincinnati or Columbus City take a detour in Centerville for a few hours because of the great things about the place.
Ultimately, they return for a whole excursion to fully experience the place’s offerings.
Food lovers will also love the restaurants, especially in the heart of Centerville, which brims with restaurants, boutiques, and numerous quaint buildings.
Interestingly, though a small place, they have their brewery, the Heavier than Air Brewing Company.
They also have galleries and entertainment centers that everyone in the family will love.
So, why not spend your next holiday here?
Here are the best things to do in Centerville, OH:
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Located at Cox Arboretum Metro Park in Springboro Pike, the Tree Tower offers impressive views over the Miami Valley.
Climb 81 steps to the top of the tree tower, which rises 65 feet above the conifer collection.
You can take in the breathtaking views of the Arboretum collections from the top.
There is a terrace where you can sit and enjoy the shade while enjoying the fantastic views.
Currently, the Centerville-Washington Park District operates nine nature parks, eight community parks, and 34 neighborhood parks that encompass 1,030 acres.
The founders had enough foresight to build a park within walking distance from every home in this area.
Each park features different amenities, including playgrounds, spray grounds, an archery range, a skatepark, nature preserves, hiking trails, and sports fields.
If you don’t have the time to explore all of these parks, go ahead and pick two or three and take the kids with you for a fun and relaxing day.
There is also a dog park for your furry friends.
The Bill Yeck Park is the go-to park for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and birdwatchers.
Encompassing a 194-acre area along a part of Sugar Creek, the park is home to diverse species of animals and plant life.
As you explore, make sure to cover the large corridor, which was formed when Bill Yeck Park connected to other parks.
This endless green space and wooded area feature abundant and varied wildlife.
They recently added the Victor and Mary Jane Smith property to the park, a 37-acre site with woods, a meadow, and a beautiful historic home.
Bill Yeck Park is terrific if you want to be close to nature.
Explore West Franklin St. and find the impressive Walton House Museum.
The Centerville-Washington History organization started in 1966.
Its members used the home of Miriam and William Walton as the first museum in 1971.
Now called the Walton House Museum, it presents year-round exhibits that feature relics and artifacts that speak about the town’s history.
When you explore the rooms, you’ll feel like you’re traveling back in time, specifically from the 1800s to the 1930s.
Moving to the backyard, you’ll be delighted to see a chicken house, which they use for educational tours and beautiful summer gardens.
On North Main Street, you’ll find the Nutt Cottage Research Center, donated to the Centerville-Washington History in 2004.
Formerly the Aaron Nutt Cottage, they built this stone house sometime in 1814.
It’s currently the Centerville-Washington History’s archives and collections repository and library.
Those who want to access the genealogy and local history files can go to the research and reading room, which is also the museum curator’s office.
From the name itself, you’ll know that the Activity Center Park is where you can find tons of leisure and sports activities for the entire family.
The park offers an all-access playground area featuring swings for all ages (infant, belt, and large swings), swaying benches, and wide ramps.
Children of all ages can safely play with guidance in the play equipment or enjoy splashing about in the spray ground.
This zero-depth splash pad will get them soaked, especially with its spray and dump water features.
If you want a picnic in the park, you may do so for a fee and use the shelter with restrooms and picnic tables, perfect for a group of 30 or less.
Other park amenities include baseball diamonds, a grill at the shelter, a rain garden, multi-use paved trails, and pickleball courts.
Who says the kids can’t go on a day camp while on vacation?
The Sugar Valley Day Camp wants kids to explore the outdoors and learn more about nature, encouraging children aged three-12 to explore Bill Yeck Park.
Similarly-aged children will join groups and listen to guest speakers and join activities.
Special presentations will also entertain them while learning.
The kids will love the activities and will surely want to join the camp again.
And since it’s only a day camp, you will still have lots of time to explore other places in Centerville.
Remember, though, that the camp only provides snacks.
Pack lunch for your kids and a filled water bottle.
After the kids have fun at day camp, it’s mommy’s turn to relax with a paintbrush in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.
At Raise Your Brush, located on N Main Street, you are letting yourself enjoy a fun, social, and creative experience in no-pressure art classes.
The shop understands that sometimes, you need a little drink to let your creative juice flow.
So, Raise Your Brush has its own bar with a selection of drinks ranging from beers to wines.
Highly-trained instructors will be with you to help you create your masterpiece.
Did you end up with a messy workstation?
Don’t worry; they will do all the clean-up, so you can focus on your masterpiece.
Encompassing 24.16 acres, the Oak Creek South Park is a park that your family will love.
It has many fun and activities opportunities for everyone, including a skate park, nature literature trail, picnic shelter, baseball diamonds, and play area.
In the summer of 2008, they renovated the pond and transformed it into a more natural wetland, with the riparian buffer improving the water quality for the wildlife.
You can sit down, admire the surroundings, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
Let the kids have fun in the playground and enjoy a good picnic with the family.
One of the ways to see and admire the locals of Centerville is to celebrate the Centerville Americana Festival with them.
Held in the Centerville-Washington Township, this annual festival celebrates the nation’s birthday, attracting more than 70,000 people.
Though just a one-day event, tons of activities are lined up for everyone to enjoy, including a 5K family-run, live entertainment, and a street fair.
This fair features more than 300 arts and crafts vendors and food exhibitors.
There is also a space dedicated to the kids’ enjoyment, a 21-acre off-street park area.
The kids can enjoy pony rides, games, a petting zoo, and a water feature.
Moreover, you can watch the street parade and an antique/classic car and truck show.
Of course, no festival is complete without an impressive fireworks display to end the celebration.
If you want to enjoy the soothing sight of evergreens, you should go to Forest Field Park.
Both an arboretum and a community park, this place has 14 varieties of evergreens and 41 species of deciduous trees planted by the Park District around the site.
What makes the park special is the natural play area next to it.
Aside from the soccer fields throughout the park, other amenities include a grill, a little free library, shelter, picnic tables, rain garden, and tennis courts.
Whether you want to do some exercise or sit down, read a book, and soak up the atmosphere, Forest Field Park is a beautiful place to visit.
Visit the Centerville Salt Room Halotherapy and Massage to experience good halotherapy.
This is the first clinic of its kind in Greater Dayton and Ohio, providing the relief of a medical massage from trained and licensed massage therapists.
It’s a great way to relax and rejuvenate from all the walking and exploration you’ve done while in Centerville.
The center is cozy, and the ambiance will help you relax.
Just five minutes from Centerville is the Sky Zone Trampoline Park, waiting to give you an experience like no other.
If you’re up for some exhilarating fun, this is the place for you.
You can bring the kids along and even the smaller kids, as long as you keep watch and follow all safety precautions.
In Senate Dr. Dayton, giant trampolines await you.
Bring out your inner child and join the other patrons as you jump and hop until you get tired.
It’s also a good form of exercise.
If you’re a traveling family or a group of friends, you can have the time of your life playing exciting and fun games at Laser Web Dayton.
This amusement center features tons of fun games for the whole family and friends with its arcade games, virtual reality, party rooms, and laser maze.
There’s also a snack bar to grab your food after playing.
Its party rooms are famous for special occasions like birthdays for any age.
Look out for its daily specials, which offer discounts on any of the games available!
Laser Web Dayton is located at Miamisburg Centerville Road.
Andrew C, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
While there are many parks in CentervilleGet Your Coffee Fix at Boston Stoker Coffee Co. where you can spend a day relaxing and having fun at the same time, Stubbs Park is everyone’s apple of the eye.
The 60-acre park features an amphitheater, which holds many live performances by local and national artists, especially in the summer.
If you play Frisbee, there’s also a nicely laid out disc golf course, a cricket field, as well as an inline skating rink for the skaters.
Kids can also play at the park’s beautiful playground and take scenic walks on the walking trails.
Stubbs Park offers a bit of everything for everyone!
You can find it off West Spring Valley Pike.
Does hearing the word “coffee” excite you?
Gear it up because Boston Stoker Coffee Co. is raising the bar in the coffee industry in Centerville.
Serving ethically sourced coffee, which is roasted on-site, the coffeehouse maintains its warm, inviting, and cozy atmosphere, which you can see and feel as soon as you step in.
You’ll also love the freshly baked pastries to pair with your cup.
Established in 1973, Boston Stoker Coffee Co. also sells coffee beans and occasionally hosts live music.
Follow its tempting aroma through North Main Street.
Before heading back home, get your loved ones some gifts or souvenirs from ZIG ZAG Gallery on East Alex Bell Road.
The gift shop features charming and wide collections of creative and unique items.
Feast your eyes on its beautiful accessories, clothing, arts & crafts, pottery, jewelry, and many more.
It also features local artists’ works, which is a great way to support them.
ZIG ZAG Gallery focuses on “Made in America” selections.
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It’s always nice to have an hour or two of reading sessions in a comfortable and quiet place, right?
At Centerville Library, you get to find a new interesting book to read in the comfort of its reading nooks, where you can sit, relax, and read.
There’s a wide selection of books, movies, DVDs, audiobooks, music, e-books, newspapers, and magazines, among other things.
Kids, teens, and adults can also join the different programs and events that the library hosts, including Storytimes, Reading Clubs, Art Exhibit, and many more.
You can find Centerville Library on West Spring Valley Road.
Want to do something extraordinary on a Friday night?
Or do you want to develop a new hobby?
The Terpsichorean Delights Dance Assembly is a dance club, nightclub, and specialist school for dancing.
It’s in nearby Dayton, Ohio, 12 minutes from Centerville.
You don’t have to be shy, nor do you have to know how to dance.
After all, it’s a dance school, so whether you have little or no dancing skills or knowledge, you are welcome here.
You don’t even need to bring a partner.
You’ll learn to dance the tango, waltz, polka, swing, and blues.
You will also learn modern dance if you want.
Get moving in a fun environment, move your body, sway your hips, and dance away the night.
Just ten minutes from Centerville is the Kacie Jane Park Splash Pad and Playground, where you can bring your children and your inner child out.
You can find this water attraction in nearby Springboro, Ohio.
This park is not your average park and playground because it has a 3,000-square-foot splash pad and a garden with three play areas.
Best of all, the third playground is an interactive electronic playground system surrounded by musical sensory instruments and eight different games.
It’s going to be a fun experience for everyone.
Centerville may not be as popular as most other tourist destinations in the area.
Still, its popularity is growing thanks to its plethora of tremendous opportunities for nature and entertainment activities.
If you’re looking for a holiday destination for the family that’s not overcrowded, this is the place you want.
Consider this list as a primer for your next holiday in Centerville.
These attractions should satisfy your desire for your next destination’s ‘oomph’ factor.
What are you waiting for?
Start planning your Centerville trip today!
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