Fun and Free Things to Do in Columbus

People fall in love with this college town's Midwestern charm and affordability—making Columbus the perfect budget-friendly destination for families to explore

A Comical Outing

If you love cartoons, you can enjoy more than 2.5 million comic book clippings and tear sheets at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum. The museum commemorates one of the city's beloved political cartoonists, Billy Ireland. And th-th-th-that's not all, folks! You'll also see old friends such as Bugs Bunny, Calvin and Hobbes and your favorite comic book super heroes. The museum lies on the Ohio State Campus and also hosts free talks year-round with famous artists and writers.

Embrace the Arts

This architectural marvel on The Ohio State University’s campus houses a renowned contemporary arts center. Step into this world-class space and explore rotating exhibitions featuring films, paintings, photography, sculptures and more from international artists. Admission to the museum is free for all day (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) on the first Sunday of each month and every Thursday after 4 p.m. It's also free for any college students with an ID. Free admission also includes guided tours of the museum. You can also check the calendar for free, ongoing special events.

Tour the State House

Step back into 1861 and learn about the early history of Columbus in this beautifully restored statehouse. Engage in one of the Ohio Statehouse free-guided tours or grab a free audio guide and wander these majestic halls. The building’s 19th century Greek revival architecture stands in contrast to the modern landscape. The building's limestone walls originated from the nearby Scioto River and was crafted by prisoners from a former nearby prison. Your tour meets in the Map Room, where an enormous map of inlaid granite displays the state's counties.

Get Lost in a Topiary Garden

It's not often you can wander through a famed impressionist painting. This perfectly-manicured topiary garden is a detailed re-creation of Georges Seurat's famous "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte." See if you can spot the various boats, dogs, a pond, trees and people carved into the landscape. Admission to this 7-acre Topiary Park is free, and the park is wheelchair accessible.

Get Festive

If you visit Columbus between May and December, you'll find festivals celebrating a variety of themes celebrating music, culture and holidays. The Moonlight Market—a nighttime marketplace—takes place each second Saturday from April to October. Many of the festivals take place downtown at the Scioto Mile, a series of connected parks along the banks of the Scioto River. Bring a bathing suit during the summer if you want to cool off in dancing fountains designed for both eye candy and play.

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