Dayton

Once an automotive parts powerhouse, Dayton's economy is now aerospace, defense and healthcare.

The city's aerial roots, if there is such a thing, go back to Orville and Wilbur Wright, first known for their bicycle shop, forever known for flight. It's no surprise the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is in Dayton, the site of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the largest and oldest aviation museum in the world and home of the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Dayton also is a healthcare hotbed ranked in the top five in the country. The Center for Tissue Regeneration and Engineering is based in Dayton, as is the National Center for Medical Readiness, complete with a crisis practice grounds.

Innovation is nothing new for Dayton, going back to prolific inventor Charles Kettering, whose work revolutionized commerce, thanks to his electric cash register that laid the foundation of today's international behemoth, NCR. Kettering also adapted diesel engines to power locomotives and invented the self starter in automobiles that enabled everyone, including women, to drive them. He applied magnetism to medical imaging and a nursing college is named after him. His legacy -- and wealth -- has seeded Dayton's progress ever since.

Dayton hasn't neglected the arts, either. For example, the Dayton Ballet is one of the oldest professional dance companies in the country and Dayton has a resident opera company.

Perhaps as a nod to the Wright Brothers Bicycle Shop, the city has a bike path network of more than 100 miles and bike lanes rule downtown. Dayton also has the only museum dedicated to the Packard Motorcar.

If all that knowledge is whetting your appetite, don't worry -- pizza rules in Dayton. Try Cassano's or Marion's Piazza. For other fare, the nearby Dublin Pub is a staple, as is Grub Steak Restaurant.

For golf, the city of Dayton dominates the public-course scene. Kittyhawk Golf Center is comprised of three 18-hole courses. Kittyhawk's Eagle course is 7,147 yards and navigates around 14 ponds. It's the "black diamond" run of the three. The Hawk is 6,766 yards and has "only" 12 ponds. The Kitty is an executive course with two par 4s and the rest lengthy par 3s. Dayton's Community Golf Center has two 18-hole courses and Madden Golf Center is much more than a "muni" that rises and falls over rolling hills and traverses a stream that cuts through the back nine.