Inniswood Metro Gardens sets more than 2,000 plant species and themed gardens (rose, herb, conifer, a woodland rock garden with waterfalls, and the 2.8-acre Sisters' children's garden) inside a wooded nature preserve. Metro Parks lists no entry fee. October–March the gardens are open 6:30am–7pm.
Mon 2–7pm, Tue–Thu 12–7pm, Fri 12–6pm, Sat 10am–2pm
Mid-Ohio Market at Norton Road · Columbus
Mid-Ohio Food Collective's Norton Road market works like a grocery store where everything is free: choose your own fresh food and pantry staples, and ask about help with other needs. Hours: Monday 2–7pm, Tuesday–Thursday 12–7pm, Friday 12–6pm, Saturday 10am–2pm. Save your spot in line online. Ready-to-heat prepared meals from Mid-Ohio Kitchen are also offered here on some days.
Mid-Ohio Food Collective's markets work like a regular grocery store, except everything is free: pick your own fresh food and pantry basics, and get help with other needs like healthcare, housing and job training. Gantz Road hours: Monday 3–7pm, Tuesday–Friday 12:30–7pm, Saturday 9:30am–1:30pm. You can save your spot in line online. Can't get there? Send someone you trust with a proxy form.
The City of Hilliard, American Legion Post 614 and VFW Post 4931 host a free Veterans Day luncheon on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 11:30am–1pm, in Alton Hall at The Well. Enjoy lunch, hear from veterans and community leaders in a Veterans Day ceremony, and connect with resources for veterans. Free and open to the community.
Columbus Metropolitan Library runs the Digital Skills Hub, a multi-session course for adults who are new to computers and the internet or want to brush up. Sessions run at different branches through the year. Finish the course and you can earn a free Chromebook if you're eligible. Registration is required through Connect Central Ohio (connectcentralohio.com/digital-skills-hub); for help call the library at (614) 645-2275.
Verified Oct 28 · events.columbuslibrary.org
Catch: Registration required · Free Chromebook only if you finish and are eligible
Get my FreeBee list
A free account saves favorites and picks free things in Columbus for you, plus the best ones every Thursday if you want them. No payment, ever.