5 ways we can tell spring is on its way to the Miami Valley

1💐One of the largest Midwest tulip displays is about to bloom near Dayton

“Zoo Blooms,” a month-long celebration of colorful early-blossoming flowers, will be on display at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden from April 1-30.

More than 100,000 tulips will flower, making Zoo Blooms one of the largest tulip displays in the Midwest, zoo officials said. A million daffodils, hyacinths, bulbs and flowering trees will also be on display throughout the park.

2💐Woodland Cemetery’s wildlife is springing back

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum, located at 118 Woodland Ave., just off of Brown St. near University of Dayton’s campus, is home to a number of woodland creatures, including foxes, coyotes, great horned owls, groundhogs, geese, rabbits, squirrels, deer, red-tailed hawks, many other species of birds, and more, all interacting with one another in a circle of life in the midst of a cemetery.

Angie Hoschouer, Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum manager of development and marketing, said that as winter draws to a close, groundhogs are beginning to emerge regularly. With birds signaling the start of spring and busy groundhogs scurrying across the path of cemetery visitors, Woodland supports a whole community of wildlife that is once again coming to life.

3💐Dayton’s favorite restaurant patios are opening back up

Throughout the Miami Valley, restaurants are opening their patios to the public and offering a safer way to dine on your favorite Dayton staples. Unsure of where to start? We have come up with a list of the best restaurant patios in the Miami Valley, from Blind Bob’s Bar to Franco’s Ristorante Italiano.

Click here to visit our guide to the best restaurant patios in the Dayton area.

4💐The Midwest’s favorite bike trail is back in action

Though open year round, the Miami Valley Trail Network is seeing its usual influx of spring bike riders who have been itching to get back on trail.

Centered around Dayton, the bike trail is the nation’s largest paved trail network with more than 340 miles to explore and enjoy.

5💐Local food trucks are warming up their engines

Some food trucks continue to make their rounds across the Miami Valley through the winter, although springtime is definitely the start of a tastier food truck season. Food-truck events will soon begin popping up more regularly, and a permanent “Food Hub” food-truck rally of sorts is in the works in downtown Dayton.

The Drunken Waffle — offering savory waffles, sandwiches and sides, many of which are infused with local craft beer — joined The Pizza Bandit as a mainstay outside of Yellow Cab Tavern at 700 E. Fourth St. in downtown Dayton last week.

The third and fourth permanent vendors are expected to be announced soon, according to Brian Johnson, public coordinator at Yellow Cab Tavern.