Things To Do

Places

Dayton Bass Fishing

Who knew that a small town could host such a popular attraction! Fishermen travel from all over to see Chickamauga Lake and try their hand at catching some bass. What better place than Dayton to gain access to this beautiful lake! Lake Chickamauga Bass Tournament and Fish the Chick are just a few of the tournaments that Dayton hosts, but individuals are welcome to fish throughout the year.

Dayton Pocket Wilderness

Want a place to hike? The locals will tell you to check out Pocket Wilderness! Part of the Laurel Snow State Natural Area and the Cumberland Trails, it is one of Dayton’s many hidden gems. Hikers are allowed the option to either take it easy or to challenge themselves. Regardless of their choice, they will be rewarded with beautiful views of waterfalls and caves. If it is too hot to hike, then it is just right for swimming! Pocket provides plenty of natural swimming holes, so be sure to bring a swimsuit!

Scope’s Museum

Who was Scopes, and why was he put on trial? Why does Dayton celebrate the Scopes Festival every year? You will find these answers at the Scopes Museum! Great for field trips, history buffs, or curious individuals, the Scopes Museum is free to the public. Come by on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or on Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m and see why the Monkey Trial was once the most famous court case in the United States!

Flying Camp Paragliding

Do you remember when you were little and wished you could fly? Well here is your chance! Flying Camp Paragliding resides in Sequatchie Valley of Tennessee and helps make this dream come true. They offer flexible and customizable classes to meet their students’ needs and goals. No time for classes? That’s fine! You can just sign up to float tandem with a licensed professional. They are open year-round from Sunrise to Sunset, so come catch a breathtaking view of the mountains from the air.

Rhea Springs

Cumberland Trail State Park

Piney Falls Hiking Trails

Stinging Fork Hiking Trails

Laurel Falls Hiking Trails

Snow Falls Hiking Trails

North Chickamauga Pocket Wilderness Hiking Trails

Fall Creek Falls State Park

Dayton Golf & Country Club

Events

Valley Fest

Want to listen to big name bands in a small town? Come visit Dunlap, Tennessee, and celebrate the annual Valley Fest! Held the first weekend of May every year, it is a two-day music festival that invites everyone out for a great lineup of musical artists and fun activities in-between shows. Between the Valley Fest Walk and 5k run, a car show, and a carnival, no one is going to be bored and everyone is bound to make fun memories! Delicious barbecue, fried chicken, and other homestyle delicacies will be available for participants.

Strawberry Festival

Even if strawberries aren’t your favorite fruit, you can still enjoy the Strawberry Festival in Dayton, Tennessee! Take your pick at the wide variety of fun activities. Come see the car show, show off your baking skills in the baking contest, enjoy a night at the carnival, watch the Strawberry Festival Parade, or run in the Strawberry Chase. Vendors offer unique crafts and delicious food in-between all the fun.

PumpkinFest

Scopes Festival

A historical play depicting the Monkey Trial? A bluegrass competition for bands and individuals to participate in and for the public to enjoy? An antique car show for car enthusiasts? All this, and so much more can be found at the Scopes Festival! Come celebrate with Dayton as we remember the Scopes Trial with a three-day festival that is bursting with exciting fun for everyone. Attendees are welcome to roam the booths to buy crafts or food in-between activities. Great for families and history buffs!

Rhea County Fair

Holiday Stroll

Christmas Parade

Ft. Bluff Camp – National Association Christian Athletic(NACA) – SportsTournaments

Bryan College Sports and Graduation

Food

Dayton

Carrabelles

Don’t really know what you want to eat? Visit Carabelle’s! They offer a variety of food like southern homestyle, Mexican, Cajun, and Italian so that everyone can be satisfied! Perfect for business meetings or parties, especially when you reserve the event room for the occasion. The bar room has multiple TVs showing different games, making it a great place for sport enthusiast to meet up. The outdoor patio is also a great option, having heating and cooling so that it can be enjoyed year-round! If you want to listen to live music as you eat, come by on Thursday evenings!

Drip Kitchen and Coffee

Drip Kitchen & Coffee is a modern coffee shop that offers a variety of refreshing food options. Their menu includes gourmet coffee and smoothies, crisp salads, fresh sandwiches, decadent desserts and pastries. A great place to grab your morning coffee, meet with a friend, or chill with a good book in the evening.

Monkey Town Brewing Company

You can’t come to the home of the Monkey Trial without stopping by Monkey Town! Dayton’s very own brewing company offers a wide selection of beer, wine, and good food. Monkey Town perfectly embraces and demonstrates Dayton’s heritage and culture all in one setting in a gastropub like atmosphere. If you need to take a load off and have a good time, there is no better place than Monkey Town.

1st Avenue Pizza

Love pizza? Love books? 1st Avenue Pizza is the place for you! After shopping for your next read, you can watch them make your pizza right before your eyes at the pizza bar. Even if you are not a bookworm, come relax and enjoy a slice. Not hungry? That’s okay, the books are still available for you to peruse at your leisure. If you are in a rush and just can’t stay, they provide carryout and delivery. No matter what your circumstance is, 1^st
Avenue Pizza has got you covered!

Jacob Myers Restaurant on the River

What started as the hometown deli expanded into the Restaurant on the River. Jacob Myers offers a variety of hot dishes along with their gourmet sandwiches. They offer homestyle twists on classic dishes to guarantee their guests a good experience no matter their taste. You could eat indoors, but you can also take your meal outside to enjoy on the patio. What could be better than good food with great view of Point Park and the river?

Screen Door Cafe

Traveling is good for the soul, satisfying our curiosity and wanderlust. Yet, we all know that the best food is found at home. When you are on the road and craving some homestyle goodness, stop by the Screen Door Cafe! They make you feel right at home, and fill up your plate with made-from-scratch classics. You forget that you are in a restaurant because it feels like you are visiting an old friend who is a great cook. History lovers wish that the walls could talk as this Civil War-era home would tell stories of when it was a Catholic school, an office, or one of its past restaurants.