Conservatory Aglow At Franklin Park Conservatory
. Admission is $12 $22. Members pay reduced admission. Holiday displays and activities at the Franklin Park Conservatory, including live entertainment, gingerbread contest, and more. There are both in person and virtual events. Reservations are required for all visits, and safety protocols are in place.
Conservatory Aglow is free for members on Nov. 19, 22-24, 2021.
Dazzling Christmas Lights In Westervilles Annehurst Neighborhood
Day after Thanksgiving through December. Display features 100,000 Christmas Lights that dance to music. The show is every night from 6:00pm 10:00pm Sunday thru Thursday and 6:00pm 11:00pm Friday and Saturday. to see the coordinating radio station and details for 2021. Address: 649 Old Coach Rd. Westerville Ohio 43081.
Wildlights At The Columbus Zoo And Aquarium
Dont miss the Columbus Zoo Christmas lights for 2021 featuring Columbus Zoo Christmas lights and festivities featuring displays of millions of LED lights and holiday sights and sounds. Regular admission applies, except for free nights listed below. Members get free admission. Parking is $10/car for non-members.
- from 5 9 p.m.
- bring 6 cans of food per guest for free admission and parking.
- : First Responder and Public Safety Appreciation Days and Healthcare Professionals Appreciation Days
Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Check out the beauty of Easton during the holidays on a Easton Holiday Carriage Ride! Available weekends from Saturdays from 5-9 p.m., and Sundays from 3-7 p.m.
Admission is $10, children under 15 ride free with paying adult.
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Finder Keepers Vintage Market
You know what to say, finder keeper, loser weeper, right? Well, dont be a loser this weekend! Sunday is the Finder Keepers Vintage Market at the Seagate Convention Center. Enjoy Sunday shopping from a variety of local boutiques, a variety of handmade items, jewelry and more.
General admission is $ 5 and starts at 11:00 am. You dont have to get that ticket before you come. Early Bird Shopping is $ 10 and runs from 10am to 11am and you must buy your ticket in advance, not at the gate.
You can get an early bird ticket Here..
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Lace On The Runners For A Jog At Highbanks Metro Park
Aptly named after its humongous 100-foot-high shale bluff which towers over the sparking Olentangy River, the locally-adored Highbanks Metro Park is one of the most underrated things to do in Columbus.
Whether youre keen on a calorie-burning run or brisk walk in nature, this park offers 10 diverse trails to scratch any itch, ranging from easy to difficult depending on your level!
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Doo Dah Like Never Before
Doo Dah like a cicada at the irreverent 38th annual Doo Dah Parade. Line up at noon in your best costume on Sunday on Park Street between Buttles Avenue and Goodale Street, and march through the Short North, or just line the streets and take in the spectacle. Free live music at Goodale Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit doodahparade.com
Things to do in Columbus:Here are some attractions worth visiting this summer
The Lucy Depp Park Light Show
This drive-thru Christmas light experience features 6 houses over 7.5 acres. The show runs from Black Friday to the first week of January, dusk until 10pm Sun-Thurs and until 11 on Friday and Saturday. In order to manage traffic, there is a loop to drive. You enter at Frabell Dr and exit on Springdale Dr. Make sure you read about the history of Lucy Depp Park its fascinating! Address: Frabell Dr. Powell, OH 43065
There is a donation box located at the entrance to the show for Peace for Paws Ohio, an amazing non-profit dog rescue organization. Please consider making a donation!
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Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens
The Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens spans across more than sixty acres of green, urban, extensive reserve on the main campus of the Ohio State University. The arboretum is open throughout the year and is open for free to visitors to come and explore all of the plants. Among the areas available for guests to explore is the green roof garden with a size of twelve thousand square feet. There is no charge to visit the Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens, however, guests can choose to schedule a tour of the grounds for a small amount.
2001 Fyffe Ct, Columbus, OH 43210, Phone: 614-688-3479
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Visit The Orton Geological Museum
Geologists, listen up! With a wide range of intriguing gallery displays open on weekdays, the Orton Geological Museum is one of the key research, teaching, and outreach museums in Ohio get ready to explore rocks, minerals, and fossils from near and far .
Found on The Oval academic campus, home to the notable bell tower, it makes for an easy back-to-back itinerary.
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Wet Your Whistle On A Brewery Tour
One for the thirsty travelers, Columbus certainly isnt shy when it comes to beer! Although it might not be as well known as its East Coast or West Coast counterparts, Columbuss microbrewery scene has been steadily growing over the years with over a dozen operating within city limits.
So, if youre a beer fan who knows their hops from their malts , take your taste buds on a tour, get behind the scenes and try some of the most ahh-worthy brews around the aptly-named Brewery District.
On dedicated tours, not only will you get your fill of local beers, but youll also get a sneak peek into the boiler room and learn how your favorite drinks get made too!
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The Contemporary Arts Center
The Contemporary Arts Center was one of the United States’ first contemporary art museums at its founding in 1939 as the Modern Art Society. Since 2002, it has been housed within the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. The non-collecting museum showcases rotating exhibits of emerging and established contemporary artists working in a variety of mediums, including painting, photography, sculpture, architecture, and multimedia and performance art. Past exhibitions have featured internationally-renowned contemporary and modern artists such as Andy Warhol. The center is open to the public Wednesdays through Mondays, offering free admission for all visitors. Though some of the museum’s main exhibits may not be appropriate for visitors of all ages, visitors should note that the UnMuseum section features year-round family-friendly exhibits. To avoid paid museum parking, visitors can take several SORTA public transit lines to the museum.
44 E 6th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Phone: 513-345-8400
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
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Anyone who has even a slight interest in music needs to go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
This is one of the biggest attractions in all of Ohio.
At this museum is all sorts of classic memorabilia and beautiful exhibitions of the biggest stars in rock.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opened in Cleveland in 1986.
The induction of new members each year is a major event in the industry.
Some of the artists who are a part of this institution include B.B. King, Simon & Garfunkel, and Patti Smith.
Some of the most incredible pieces include cars owned by Elvis and Michael Jacksons famous glove.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is one of the best tourist attractions in the state.
You can see so much that reminds you of the power of rock and all of its various styles.
The museum is opened from Thursday to Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the regular season.
From July 1 to August 31, its opened from Sunday to Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and from Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission is $26 for general admission, $24 for seniors, $16 for children age 6-12 and free for children age 5 and younger.
Address: 1100 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA
Planning a trip to Cleveland soon? Be sure to check out our list of things to do in Cleveland!
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Flying Horse Farms Light Up Camp Drive
Flying Horse Farms in Mt. Gilead will flip the switch on Light Up Camp on Thanksgiving, November 25, and will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening through Sunday, December 26, including Christmas Eve and Christmas. The half-mile drive through the property will feature festively decorated camp buildings and showcase a 12-minute animated light show at the center of camp. All visitors must remain in their cars for the entire event.
The light display will include more than 8,000 individual bulbs and more than 3 miles of lights. The event is free, but donations are highly appreciated and suggested. Donations are used for camps and programming to allow children with severe medical conditions to enjoy a camp experience. 5260 OH-95, Mt Gilead, OH 43338
Skull Session With Osu Marching Band
If you dont have OSU football tickets but you want to get into the spirit of the day, attend a Skull Session which takes place 2 hours and 20 minutes before the start of the game at St. John Arena. Its a pep rally of sorts where the OSU Marching Band plays, the coach speaks and the players attend.
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Watch A Ball Game At Huntington Park
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Huntington Park is a baseball stadium and home to the Columbus Clippers baseball team, who are the triple-A minor league team of the Cleveland Indians.
Visit the park and enjoy an American pastime. Relax for a few hours and watch a leisurely game of baseball. This is a great activity for all ages.
There is a 110-foot bar with six open patios that overlook the baseball field. There is also an open-air rooftop with bleachers. The Picnic Terrace is a fun place for fans to relax and enjoy the ballgame in a more casual setting.
Youll find plenty of concessions in the park, including classic ballpark food like hotdogs, fries, and pretzels. Beer, wine and mixed drinks are also offered.
Enjoy A Peaceful Outing At The Botanical Gardens
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The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a spacious and colorful garden that was built in 1895. Here, youll find 88 acres of well-manicured grounds with over 400 species of plants.
The butterfly garden is one of the gardens top attractions. From April December guests can also watch glass blowing demonstrations. The Palm House is also very neat and showcases 43 species of palms.
This is one of the best places to visit in Columbus, Ohio for families. All ages will appreciate this outdoor haven. If you bring a blanket and a couple of snacks, you can have a picnic on one of the benches and enjoy a calm and relaxed afternoon before you head off again to explore more of Columbus.
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The Columbus Museum of Art is a well-curated and creative art museum. It houses a great mix of locally made art as well as art from around the world. There is even a childrens area, including a lego exhibit thats always a hit with the kids.
There is a nice variety of pieces they have presented. Youll see paintings, drawings, sculptures, glassworks, and much more.
Admission is free every Sunday. On Thursdays from 5:00 pm 9:00 pm admission is just USD $5.00.
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Over 85 Free Or Cheap Events This Weekend In Columbus
Have fun in Columbus this weekend with free and cheap events! Relax at home with your family, or find plenty of things to do in Columbus! Youll also find date ideas, festivals, outdoor activities, and so much more!
Some events may require advance registration, so check links. Well add more as we hear of them, and you can always find a complete list on our Calendar page.
If you know of a free or cheap event you think we should add for the weekend in Columbus, email us at .
You can get free daily email updates of all the free and cheap events, plus deals and discounts on entertainment and dining, by subscribing to our daily newsletter. For even more cheap fun, and .
Want us to highlight your business or event, or give it a prime spot at the top of this Weekend in Columbus list?
Swing Like Tarzan At Zipzone Outdoor Adventures
One of the essential things to do in Columbus for adrenaline junkies and located within easy driving access of the citys main haunts, ZipZone provides an outdoor experience for the whole family, with a range of canopy-top zip lines and ropes courses to cater to different ages.
Throughout the parklands, youll find more than 60 different challenging elements for the thrillseekers to tackle, and a kids park for the youngsters too.
The main event, however, is the guided multi-zipline tour that skirts through and soars above the gorgeous Ohio treetops!
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Best Things To Do In Columbus
Columbus is the capital of Ohio with an approximate population of 900,000, as of 2015. Its first inhabitants were tribes known as the Mound Builders, who, over a period of 5,000 years, constructed earthen mounds of various styles for religious, ceremonial and burial purposes. The first permanent white settlers moved into the Midwest around the 1700s and elected to name the capital after the famous explorer Christopher Columbus.
Columbus is famous for rather a lot firstly for having one of the largest universities and football schools in North America, as well as being home to one of the countrys top zoos. It is also known for its best municipal park systems in the country, comprising of 16 parks spread over an area of 24,000.
Theres a lot more to find out about this interesting city so lets read on and learn about the best things to do in Columbus!
Watch The Hockey At Nationwide Arena
Home to the coveted Columbus Blue Jackets, this hockey arena is a vibrant and dynamic space thats been hosting NHL games since 2000.
With the capacity to hold 20,000 screaming fans for hockey games as well as everything from Disney on Ice performances to concerts or traveling musicians like Kings of Leon, Dave Matthews Band, or Queen Bey herself there really is something for everyone at Nationwide Arena!
Looking to get behind the scenes and check out the locker rooms? Consider a guided stadium tour!
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Indoor Free Fun Things In Columbus Ohio
The Bookloft New York City, where Im from, has The Strand, a bookstore with miles of books. Columbus answer to this is the independent Book Loft. The 32-room bookstore has books for every taste, with large bargain sections. Be sure to walk around historic German Village. There is a pretty park, Schiller Park. It has a large playground and room for kids to run around.
North Market dates from 1876. The public market gets over one million visitors a year. You can sample local ice cream and baked goods, or buy an inexpensive lunch. There is a seasonal farmers market on Saturdays and Sundays. A monthly night market on Fridays attracts local foodies.
The National Historic Landmark opened in 1857. The Greek Revival style building took 22 years to complete. Free guided tours are offered Monday through Friday every hour on the hour, from 10 a.m. 3 p.m. Weekend tours are from noon 3 p.m. Tours last about 45 minutes. You can explore the building on your own, or with a self guided audio tour. But on weekends, House and Senate Chambers can only be seen by those on a guided tour. The Ohio Statehouse Museum has exhibits on the workings of state government.
