Overview
Xenia (pronounced Zeen-ya) is a city in Southwest Ohio, near Dayton.
8 sights · 7 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Xenia
Xenia Station
1998 replica of Xenia's 1880s brick railroad station. Now the hub for a number of rail trails. Has car parking, restrooms, a preserved railroad caboose, and a splash pad.
Greene County Courthouse
A historic courthouse with a large clocktower.
McDonald Farm
A historic farm that was once provided the highest quality limestone in the state. The farm helped provide stone for the Washington Monument in Washington, DC.
Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home
A historic orphanage built to help heal the wounded after the American Civil War, the orphanage only ceased to function in 1997. It now houses Christian ministries such as Athletes in Action.
Central State University
A historically black public university across the street from Wilberforce University.
Wilberforce University
A historically black private college that was the first to be owned and operated by African Americans. W.E.B. Du Bois was once a professor here.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Apr and May. (climate data from nearby Dayton)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DAY James M. Cox Dayton International Airport, Dayton — 21 mi away. Directions
- LUK Cincinnati Municipal Airport Lunken Field, Cincinnati — 48 mi away. Directions
- CVG Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport, Cincinnati / Covington — 59 mi away (major hub). Directions
Xenia is connected by US 35, US 42, and US 68.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Xenia Station, Greene County Courthouse, Shawnee Park
- Lunch 5 Points Cafe
- Afternoon Sol Arnivitz Park, Greene County Fair
- Dinner One Bistro
- Evening Buck and Ear
Day 2
- Morning Central State University, National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, Wilberforce University
- Lunch Tudor's Biscuit World
- Afternoon Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Xenia Hometown Christmas
- Evening Devil Wind Brewing Company
Day 3
- Morning McDonald Farm
- Afternoon Skydive Greene County
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Xenia is the county seat of Greene County Ohio and was founded in 1803. The name stems from the Greek word for hospitality, and is the largest city in the United States whose name begins with the letter X with over 26,000 residents as of 2017.
Visitor information
Get in
By car
Xenia is connected by US 35, US 42, and US 68.
By bike
All of the following bike paths connect at Xenia Station, and are part of the Ohio to Erie Trail project.
Go Little Miami Bike Trail (Little Miami Scenic Trail)
A 50-mile (80-km) trail, which can be used by runners, hikers, bicyclists, and roller bladers. Heads north to Yellow Springs and then to Springfield. At Springfield it connects with the Simon Kenton Trail which goes to Urbana and the Buck Creek Scenic Trail which goes to Springfield parks. Going south, the trail passes through Spring Valley, Corwin near Waynesville, Morrow, South Lebanon, the outskirts of Mason, Loveland, Milford, Newtown, and ends at the edge of Cincinnati near the Cincinnati municipal airport.
Go Prairie Grass Trail
Goes northeast to Cedarville and then to South Charleston where it is interrupted by a few blocks of local roads before continuing to London. From London it is possible to connect to the Roberts Pass trail a few blocks away, which eventually merges into the Camp Chase trail and ends in Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park in suburban Columbus.
Go Creekside Trail
Goes north to Beavercreek, then splits north to the Mad River Recreation Trail and the downtown core of Dayton, and south to the Iron Horse Trail which leads to suburban Dayton.
Go Jamestown Connector Bikeway
Connects to Jamestown Ohio, and from there goes on to Rosemoor, which is close to the intersection of I71, US35, and SR435 where there are some shopping outlets.
By plane
Get around
See
In Xenia
See McDonald Farm
A historic farm that was once provided the highest quality limestone in the state. The farm helped provide stone for the Washington Monument in Washington, DC.
See Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home
A historic orphanage built to help heal the wounded after the American Civil War, the orphanage only ceased to function in 1997. It now houses Christian ministries such as Athletes in Action.
In Wilberforce
Wilberforce is a small community next to Xenia. Named after William Wilberforce who helped abolish the slave trade in the British empire, this community was an important stop on the Underground Railroad.
Do
Activities and Events
Parks
Buy
Eat
Eat Tudor's Biscuit World
Somewhat of a regional chain but interesting for its biscuit dominated menu.
Eat 5 Points Cafe
Has a hot pink interior.
Drink
Drink Buck and Ear
Has these little potato things you can dip in some sauce while you people-watch inside or on the patio.
Drink Devil Wind Brewing Company
Sleep
Go next
Nearby
Beavercreek
City / town · 14 listings · 7 mi away
Cedarville
City / town · 13 listings · 8 mi away
Yellow Springs
City / town · 36 listings · 9 mi away
Waynesville
City / town · 13 listings · 13 mi away
Dayton
City / town · 61 listings · 14 mi away
Wilmington
City / town · 17 listings · 17 mi away
Springboro
City / town · 12 listings · 18 mi away
Springfield
City / town · 12 listings · 18 mi away
My experience
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