Smack dab in the middle of Dayton and Cincinnati, Middletown, Ohio is a true gem with affordable homes and a great community. You can find something interesting to do at any time of the year whether it’s a drive-thru holiday lights display in the winter or the Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival in the summer.

Light up Middletown

These lights are sure to put a twinkle in your eyes

Every year at Smith Park, there is a festive lights display drive-thru experience. Cruise through the 100-acre park and through the tunnel of lights with your family this year. It happens every night from 6-10pm from Thanksgiving through the new year. The admission price is up to you– offer a donation of your choice.

There are several themed displays such as a floating Sea Serpent, Santa’s Workshop, a helicopter, the American flag, a penguin village, and so much more.

You can also take your kids to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus every Friday and Saturday night from 7-9pm through December 23rd. Don’t miss this relaxed opportunity to connect with your family this holiday season.

The Middletown Balloon Festival

Up, up, and away

Also known as The Ohio Challenge, this hot air balloon festival happens every year at, you guessed it, Middletown's own Smith Park. It is one of Butler County’s most unique festivals. The festival usually takes place in early July and features over 35 colorful hot air balloons, a laser show, fireworks, and much more.

The festival never disappoints because every year, it gets bigger and better. Recently the festival introduced balloon rides and a splash pad for children.

The main events of the festival are the skilled balloon pilots competition, circus aerial acrobatics performances, a classic car show, carnival rides, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and more.

This is a once-a-year opportunity that you don’t want to miss!

Start Skydiving

Get your adrenaline kick

Is skydiving an activity that appeals to you? Experience the feeling of free-falling like never before at Start Skydiving. It’s the number one ranked drop-zone in the world, so this experience will give you a whole new meaning on what it’s like to fly. You’ll fly like a bird for 30 to 50 seconds of free fall, anywhere from 10,000 to 13,000 feet above the earth.

You’ll see sights you could never truly capture through any other experience as you descend in canopy flight with a tandem instructor.

Start Skydiving prides itself on providing top of the line equipment, certified instructors, and brand new facilities. All of these factors will allow you to fully enjoy one of the most amazing experiences of your entire life that you may never get the chance to do again.

BeauVerre Riordan Stained Glass Studio

Historic and artsy

BeauVerre Riordan Stained Glass Studio is the country’s oldest continually operating stained glass studio, so it’s definitely worth a visit. It’s located in a historic building in the heart of Middletown and specializes in stained, beveled, etched, painted, and fused glass. There are artists at the studio during operating hours that are on-hand for demonstrations. There is also a featured gallery that contains unique glassware pieces. If you’re looking to repair a piece of stained glass, the studio offers a restoration service. Visit their website to book a tour and a class today.

Highlands Historic District

History at its finest

Nestled in Middletown, the Highlands Historic District comprises over 60 homes, each with its own unique architectural type. Some of the oldest homes are over 100 years old, but others be more recently built. The district puts on an annual holiday tour, so be sure to check out all of the information on that.

One of the most popular attractions in the district is the Church of the Ascension, which was built in 1929. The first service at the church was held on the Sunday after Black Friday of that year, the day when Wall Street collapsed and the Great Depression started.

No matter what kind of weekend adventures you fancy, Middletown has enough to keep you going all year round.

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