A summer guide to Columbus' free museums
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Henry Moore's "Three Piece Reclining Figure: Draped" sculpture outside the Columbus Museum Of Art. Photo: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images
You don't have to break the bank to enjoy our region's many great museums.
Why it matters: Cheap, family fun is easy with a bit of planning, and you'll be glad to have these indoor, air-conditioned options during the upcoming heart of summer.
State of play: These popular museums offer specials on specific days or for certain guests:
🌷 Franklin Park Conservatory: The first Sunday of each month is Community Day, with free entry for Franklin County and Columbus residents.
- 10am-5pm Sundays, 1777 E. Broad St.
🎨 Columbus Museum of Art: Free admission on Sundays.
- 10-5pm Sundays, 480 E. Broad St.
🔭 COSI: Teachers get in free any day.
- 10am-5pm, 333 W. Broad St.
🏅 National Veterans Memorial and Museum: Free admission for veterans, active-duty military and Gold Star families.
- 10am-5pm Wednesday-Sunday, 300 W. Broad St.
These other museums are free for all visitors all the time:
- Ohio Craft Museum: 10am-5pm Monday-Friday, 11am-4pm Saturday, 1665 W. Fifth Ave.
- Orton Geological Museum: 9am-4pm Monday-Friday, 155 S. Oval Mall.
- Wexner Center for the Arts: Hours depend on exhibition schedule, 1871 N. High St.
- Riffe Gallery: Noon-5pm Tuesday-Friday, 77 S. High St.
- Beeler Gallery at the Columbus College of Art & Design: 11am-6pm, Wednesday-Saturday, 60 Cleveland Ave.
- Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum: 1-5pm Tuesday-Sunday upon reopening May 22, 110 Sullivant Hall, 1813 N. High St.
Also, you can snag free tickets to some museums on any day via the Columbus Metropolitan Library's Culture Pass program.
- Use a library card to "check out" tickets to the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, Franklin Park Conservatory, National Veterans Memorial and Museum, and Ohio History Center & Ohio Village.
- Availability depends on the library branch.
Good to know: Some attractions participate in the Museum for All program, which provides heavily discounted tickets for those receiving SNAP benefits.
- These locations include COSI, Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus Museum of Art, Central Ohio Fire Museum, National Veterans Memorial and Museum, and Ohio History Center & Ohio Village.