3 Things to Do for Easter in Dayton

Easter is a very special time in Dayton with a number of wonderful holiday events that families look forward to each year. If you’ll be staying close to home for the holiday and you’re thinking about what to do, here are 3 ideas for celebrating Easter in Dayton in 2019.

Easter Bunny Express at LM&M Railroads (April 6, 13, 14, 19, 20, and 27):

How can you make the traditional Easter egg hunt even more fun? Your friends at LM&M Railroads had the brilliant idea to add a train ride. It has become so popular that they have now had to add extra dates to keep up with demand. This year, for the first time, they will be stopping at the Lebanon Sports Complex for the Easter egg hunt so you and your kids can enjoy a larger open area. The egg hunt has also been divided into 2 separate sessions to create a better experience. Each egg is filled with prizes which may include plastic trinkets and candy.

The Easter egg hunt comes at a stop midpoint through the return trip of your train ride. You can bring your own baskets or LM&M will be prepared with a bag for each child to use. The Easter bunny has also recruited plenty of helpers to make sure that every child will receive eggs. In fact, if your child winds up with fewer than 5 eggs, LM&M Railroad volunteers will be on hand to slip in a few more.

What about your train ride? You can choose from two classes of service for this trip, which is 1 hour and 45 minutes long. Those who select Deluxe Coach class seating will be traveling in the long distance Milwaukee Road 3200 Car. If it looks familiar, you may have seen it in the 2015 movie Carol starring Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett. These reserved seats are limited to 60 persons and feature reclining chairs and big picture windows. Regular coach seating is also available in LM&M’s 1930s restored Lackawanna coach cars. The walk-over style seating allows groups of 4 to sit facing each other. All train cars have heated interiors, and concessions will be available for all passengers. Please keep in mind that due to the age of the equipment, the LM&M Railroad may not be accessible for persons with disabilities.

Due to limited space, LM&M recommends purchasing tickets as early as possible. For 2019, Easter Bunny Express trains are scheduled to depart on April 6, 13, 14, 19, 20, and 27. The departure times are 10 am 12:15 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:45 pm. Please note that there will be no 2:30 pm or 4:45 pm departure on April 6, and no 10 am departure on April 19. Tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for seniors over 62 and for children 2 to 16. Admission is free for infants one year and under. There is an additional $5 charge for deluxe seating.

The trains run in almost all weather including rain. Please check the forecast and bring appropriate clothing.

37th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Young’s Dairy (April 21)

This is one of the longest standing Easter traditions in the Dayton area, and it’s all free. As always, Young’s Dairy will be hard boiling and dying over 7,000 eggs. The hunt is divided into age groups with ages 4 and under starting at 2 pm, ages 5 to 7 starting at 2:20 pm, and ages 8 to 10 starting at 2:40 pm. It’s a good idea to show up at least 10 to 15 minutes early so you can get online because this is a very popular event, and the hunt will go on whether it rains or snows.

If this is your first visit to Young’s you may be surprised to see a cow in place of the usual Easter bunny. After all, this is a dairy. That cow is Barnabe, and he is their mascot. Barnabe is known for wandering around, mingling with guests, and wanting to get his picture taken.

The Easter eggs last for only one day, but Barnabe and other fun stuff are available at Young’s Dairy all year round. If you like golf, head to Udders & Putters, their 18 hole miniature golf course with a farm theme. For baseball fans, there is also a 9 position batting cage featuring both softball and hardball pitching machines. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you can relax at their full-service restaurant, The Golden Jersey, or check out Barnabe’s Walnut Grove, a beautiful outdoor space suitable for picnics and all kinds of event rentals. While the ice cream may be the main attraction, the biscuits and gravy are remarkable too. Be sure to check their calendar for special sales and events. You could win a mooing contest and get some free ice cream. You can also join their Birthday Club for exclusive offers and deals so you never miss the best prices on hot fudge sundaes and homemade pints of ice cream.

Easter Egg & Play at Washington Township Rec Center (April 19):

If you love running or walking in this great local park, you can come to Washington Township Rec Center to celebrate Easter too. The eggs will be hidden inside of the gym and can be redeemed for fabulous prizes. There will be two separate hunts on Friday from 10 am to 11:30 am and from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Tickets are $8 per child and include prizes and snacks. Adults with children can attend for free. Tickets are limited so make your purchase early and be sure to bring a basket. For ongoing fun and fitness, check the monthly calendar and drop in for swimming, climbing, preschool play days, and more. There’s also a Town Hall Theater and youth and adult sports leagues.

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