Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens is an urban green reserve of more than 30 acres on Ohio State's main campus, with gardens, trees, a labyrinth and spots to picnic, fish or watch birds. It's open year-round from dawn to dusk and there is no admission fee. Parking in the surrounding lots is pay-and-display.
Walk through the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center, a 1930s Art Deco landmark, and the Court's Visitor Education Center with exhibits on Ohio's court system. Free self-guided tours are open to the public during Court hours, no appointment needed; call ahead to confirm today's hours. Groups of 5 or more can book a free guided tour at least 2 weeks ahead (4 weeks for student groups) by emailing courttours@sc.ohio.gov. It's a secure building: visitors in 6th grade and up go through security screening, and adults are asked to show photo ID.
Verified Oct 28 · supremecourt.ohio.gov
Catch: Security screening; adults asked to show photo ID
Daily 9am–5pm (Oct–Mar); 9am–7pm (Apr–Sep); 2nd Tuesday opens at noon
Blacklick Woods Metro Park · Columbus
Blacklick Woods Metro Park's Canopy Walk takes you through the tree canopy 40 feet above the ground in one of central Ohio's best beech-maple forests. It's completely free and open every day, 9am–5pm from October through March (9am–7pm April–September). It stays closed until noon on the second Tuesday of each month for cleaning.
Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, Sullivant Hall · Columbus
Ohio State's Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum holds the world's largest collection of cartoon and comics art, with a permanent highlights exhibit and rotating galleries. Admission is free and walk-ins are welcome. Galleries are open Sunday and Tuesday–Friday, 1–5pm (closed Monday and Saturday). They also close for holidays (this fall: Nov 11, Nov 26–27, Dec 24–25), so check the hours page.
Tue–Wed 9:30am–5pm, Thu–Fri 9:30am–7pm, Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 10am–4pm
Wexner Center for the Arts · Columbus
The Wexner Center for the Arts on Ohio State's campus is free for everyone during regular gallery hours, with contemporary art exhibitions and free tours. Galleries are open Tuesday and Wednesday 9:30am–5pm, Thursday and Friday 9:30am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm and Sunday 10am–4pm (closed Mondays). Galleries close between exhibitions, so check the current schedule. Bags, large purses and umbrellas are checked before you enter.
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.
The Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery shows the work of Ohio artists and collections from the state's museums. Admission is always free and open to the public, Tuesday–Friday, noon–5pm, through the High Street entrance. On view: 'Ohio Thrives', October 31, 2026 to January 8, 2027.
Verified Oct 28 · oac.ohio.gov
No catch
Coming up 1 listings
AttractionsFree (worth about $12)Eligibility applies
The Dawes Arboretum near Newark, a protected arboretum with gardens and trails, is free for veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2026. November hours are 9am–5pm and the gates close 15 minutes before closing.
Verified Oct 28 · dawesarb.org
Catch: Only for veterans and active military
Always free 4 listings
AttractionsFree (worth about $80)Eligibility applies
Columbus Metropolitan Library's Culture Pass admits eight people of any age to the Ohio History Center, valid for seven days, plus 10% off at the café and gift shop. Check it out in person with your library card at the Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights or Northside branch; passes can't be reserved and supplies are limited.
Verified Oct 28 · columbuslibrary.org
Catch: Columbus Metropolitan Library card required · Limited passes, in person, no reservations
Worthington Libraries lends Culture Passes to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in downtown Columbus: two adults and five children per pass, one visit, expiring three days after pickup (children under 5 are free anyway). Pick one up at the accounts desk of any of the three Worthington libraries. Passes are first-come, first-served and can't be reserved; call, email, text or chat the library to check availability.
Verified Oct 28 · worthingtonlibraries.org
Catch: Pick up in person at a Worthington library; see the library’s pass rules · Limited passes, no reservations
AttractionsFree (worth about $60)Eligibility applies
Delaware County District Library branches · Columbus
Delaware County District Library cardholders can check out a Culture Pass for free admission to the Columbus Museum of Art or CMA at The Pizzuti for two adults or seniors and up to four children under 18, plus $5 parking at the Broad St. museum. Use it within seven days. Passes are in-person only, can't be reserved and supplies are limited. An adult cardholder may borrow one pass at a time.
Verified Oct 28 · delawarelibrary.org
Catch: Delaware County District Library card required · Limited passes, in person, no reservations · One pass at a time per adult cardholder
First Sunday of each month, 10am–4pm (Nov–Jan); 10am–5pm (Feb–Oct)
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens · Columbus
On the first Sunday of every month, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is free for residents of the City of Columbus and Franklin County, with themed programming (November 1 is the Near East Side Celebration, December 6 is Celebrate Winter). Hours are 10am–4pm in November, December and January, 10am–5pm the rest of the year. Bring a photo ID plus proof of residency (an OSU BuckID or a recent utility bill, for example) and check in at the main entrance; tickets can't be reserved. Special engagements such as evening light shows aren't included, and the Palm House is closed for renovation until fall 2027. Regular adult admission is $25.20.
Verified Oct 28 · fpconservatory.org
Catch: Only for City of Columbus and Franklin County residents: photo ID plus proof of residency · Special engagements not included
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