These 10 Places In Columbus Are Amazing And The Best Part Is They Don't Cost Anything

Recently upgraded with a whole new wing, the Columbus Museum of Art houses an excellent collection of art. Ancient? Contemporary? American? European? African? Portraits? Battles? It’s all there. Admission is free every Sunday, the hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (480 E Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215)

Every year Columbus hosts dozens of festivals. Many of them are accompanied by great live music and other fun free activities, like the Columbus Arts Festival shown in the photo above. Here’s a few more to get you interested: ComFest, Jazz and Ribs Fest, Festival Latino, African Village Arts Festival, Wag! Fest, Ohio Renaissance Festival, and the Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival - and that's just a few. (Location varies per festival.)

During the Summer, The Actors’ Theatre performs free Shakespeare plays in German Village’s Schiller Park. Pack a picnic and enjoy a classic. Donations are highly appreciated. (1069 Jaeger St, Amphitheatre Stage, Columbus, OH 43206)

This city park is located just west of downtown. It offers a ton of fun activities for all people and ages. Try yourself at rock climbing or making it through an obstacle course, bring your dog to the dog park, learn about local nature at the Nature Centers or through bird watching, or enjoy a peaceful time of biking, canoeing, fishing, or hiking. Check out the park’s upcoming programs for more fun free activities. (400 W Whittier St., Columbus, OH 43215)

On the corner of East Town Street and Washington Avenue in the middle of downtown Columbus sits the Topiary Garden, an incredible and very unique park. The park recreates Georges Seurat’s famous impressionist painting, "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte." The pond represents the river Seine, and the topiary consists of 54 people, eight boats, three dogs, a monkey, and a cat. It is the only topiary interpretation of a painting in existence. Walk among the figures for the unique sensation of living inside a painting. This can be a fun way to introduce kids to art. (480 E Town St., Columbus, OH 43215)

Located in the middle of downtown Columbus, Capitol Square includes the Ohio Statehouse, Senate Building, and Atrium. Free guided tours are offered Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is a wonderful way to learn about the state’s government, history, and democracy. (1 Capitol Sq., Columbus, OH 43215)

In the quaint neighborhood of Clintonville, you will find the famous Whetstone Park of Roses. Part of a bigger park, this 13-acre plot showcases 11,000 roses consisting of more than 350 different species. Pack a picnic and take the time to smell the roses for an unforgettable experience. (3901 N High St., Columbus, OH 43214)

Care for a beach day? Head to Alum Creek State Park Beach. The beach is loved by locals from all parts of the city. Alum Creek provides swimming, fishing, boating, and all sorts of other fun water activities. (3400 Lewis Center Rd., Delaware, Ohio 43015)

For a 360 panoramic view of Columbus, head to the Reading Room on the 11th floor of the Thompson Library on Ohio State’s Campus. You don’t need to be a student to visit the library. Each window provides a beautiful view of different parts of the city, including the university’s famous "oval" and downtown Columbus. You can pick up a book at one of the lower levels of the library and enjoy it with the view of your choice. (1858 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210)

Your kids will LOVE you for this! The Bicentennial Park features a set of incredibly fun fountains that turn on and off unexpectedly. Can you make it through without getting soaked? And for the adults, there’s an excellent restaurant right next to the fountains. (233 S Civic Center Dr., Columbus, OH 43215)