Looking for fun in Columbus that won’t drain your wallet? These free and affordable activities let you explore parks, museums, and lively neighborhoods on a budget.
If you are in a hurry, I recommend:
Unique Affordable Activities in Columbus:
1. Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is home to the largest collection of comic and cartoon related materials in the world. The collection at the museum includes newspaper comic strip clippings and pages, archival materials, magazine cartoons, comic books, journals, graphic novels, editorial cartoons, magazines, sports cartoons, books, and original art. Admission to the Billy Ireland Museum is free, and the Central Ohio Transit Authority provides easy access for those not wanting to find a place to park.
1813 N. High St, Columbus, OH 43210, Phone: 614-292-0538
2. Ohio Statehouse
The Ohio Statehouse in Columbus is a grand building situated on more than ten acres. For architecture enthusiasts will likely love the structure’s beautiful exterior and interior features. Visitors can join a guided tour to explore the Ohio Statehouse on certain days. While the Statehouse is open for visitors to explore during the weekend, the chambers can only be seen on a guided tour.
1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215, Phone: 614-752-9777
3. Orton Geological Museum
The Orton Geological Museum in Columbus, Ohio can be found on the South Oval inside of Orton Hall on the main campus of Ohio State University. The museum is a part of the university’s School of Earth Sciences and has a significant role in the school’s research, outreach, and teaching. The Orton Geological Museum is open to visitors, with no cost for admission, Monday to Friday, from eight in the morning to five in the evening. Guests can explore fossils, minerals, and rocks from throughout the state and other parts of the world. There is also a museum store.
155 S. Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210, Phone: 614-292-6896
4. Wexner Center for the Arts
The Wexner Center for the Arts is free to visit for members, guests under eighteen years of age, and college students, as long as they have their ID. The galleries are open every day except for Monday, while the Cafe is open every day except for Sunday. The program of exhibitions at the arts center offers a platform recognized worldwide for both emerging and established artists who work in almost every imaginable art medium. The buses with the Central Ohio Transit Authority offer an easy way to get to the Wexner Center for the Arts from the downtown area and several neighborhoods.
1871 North High St, Columbus, OH 43210, Phone: 614-292-3535
5. Park of Roses
The Park of Roses encompasses a total of thirteen acres of land consisting of approximately 12,000 roses, teak benches, and paved pathways. The public park features three rose gardens, along with perennial gardens and herb gardens scattered throughout the park among the numerous rose shrubs. Each one of the garden offers something unique for visitors to see. One example is the park’s Formal Rose Garden boasts an Italianate design with symmetrical rose beds, a large fountain, and a viewing tower. At the Park of Roses’ east end is the Heritage Rose Garden with older rose species.
3901 North High St, Columbus, OH 43214, Phone: 614-645-3337
Cheap Romantic Activities in Columbus:
6. Riffe Gallery
The Riffe Gallery in Columbus, Ohio was founded on March 17 of 1989 by the Ohio Arts Council. The gallery was established to showcase the various works of art by artists in the state of Ohio, as well as art collections from the state’s galleries and museums. The gallery aims to inspire art, engage people, create connections, and be a place where people and art mix. The Rifle Gallery is located inside the Vern Rifle Center.
77 S. High St, Columbus, OH 43215, Phone: 614-644-9624
7. Topiary Park
Visitors can explore the Topiary Park in Columbus today to view mature shrubs and appreciate the living work of art in the garden. The topiary is by far the most well known feature of the public park, the grounds feature a beautiful landscape of walks that transport guests to carefully maintained beds of flowers and over 220 trees. The historical designation of the park as the Old Deaf School Park still remains, this park is now commonly known as the Topiary Park due to the popularity of the beautiful topiaries. One of the topiaries is a representation of a Georges Seurat painting.
480 E. Town St, Columbus, OH 43215, Phone: 614-645-0197
8. Thurber House
The Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio is designated on America’s National Register of Historic Places. The house is the former home of James Thurber, an author, humorist, and cartoonist for the New Yorker. The home now houses the Thurber museum and a nonprofit literary center. Self-guided tours of the Thurber House are free of charge. The parking lot right behind the Thurber Center and Thurber House also offers free parking.
77 Jefferson Ave, Columbus, OH 43215, Phone: 614-464-1032
9. Columbus Public Library
The Main Branch of the Columbus Public Library is situated in the heart of the Discovery District in downtown Columbus. The library hosts a Carnegie Author Series, allowing the public to come and listen to different Author Talks, free of charge, featuring national authors. The Columbus Public Library is also home to the Carnegie Gallery, which displays free exhibits of artwork created by both established and emerging artists. The gallery is open during the library’s regular hours of operation. While at the library, visitors can grab a cup of coffee, tea, or a smoothies from the Carnegie’s Cafe.
96 S. Grant Ave, Columbus, OH 43215, Phone: 614-645-2275
10. Cultural Arts Center
The Cultural Arts Center is Columbus, Ohio offers workshops, classes, art exhibits, tours, lectures, special events, and a treasure-filled gift gallery. The arts center is the leading center for visual arts in central Ohio. The Cultural Arts Center art gallery features contemporary works of art, as well as has a focus on emerging artists. Free parking can be found after 6:00pm in the Central Ohio Synod parking lot on 2nd. There is also a gravel stretch of road on Jewett Alley’s west side, between Mound and Noble.
139 W. Main St, Columbus OH 43215, Phone: 614-645-7047
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
- What free activities are available in Columbus?
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What types of attractions can visitors find in Columbus?
- Attractions and activities can be found throughout Columbus for just about any visitors of any age, from history enthusiasts to nature lovers.
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Are there any special events or festivals in Columbus?
- The city is also full of special events and festivals that take place throughout the year.
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Are all Columbus attractions free every day?
- Some attractions are free only on certain days – please check before you go.
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