This site was created for anyone living in the Columbus, OH area who needs ideas that are free for yourself or groups. I have added a few locations that do charge a fee, they are indicated in the listings. If you know any great places please let us know!
Free tours in Ohio:
America Whistle Corp. 6540 Huntley Rd. Columbus, OH 43229 1-800-876-2918
For children, approx. 45 min. long, open M-F 9:00am-5:00pm minimum 15 people for tour, by appointment only. http://www.americanwhistle.com/index2.html
Anthony Thomas Candy Company. 1777 Arlington Ln. Columbus, OH 43228 614-274-8405.
For all ages, approx. 1 hour long, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30am-2:30pm 9 people or less, group tours 10 or more people M-F 9:30am-2:30pm. By appointment only. http://www.anthony-thomas.com/
Columbus Washboard Company. 14 Gallagher Ave. Logan, OH 43138 740-380-3828. http://www.columbuswashboard.com/
Graeter's icecream. 2555 Bethel Rd. Columbus, OH 43220 614-442-7622 For all ages, approx. 20 min.M-TH 10am-10pm, F-S 10am-11pm, guided tour minimum 10 people, by appointment only, self-guided tour may go anytime. Kids play place available at facility.
http://www.graeters.com/bethel.aspx
Honda of America. Meranda Rd. Marysville, OH 1-888-291-8687
tours available in fall/winter.
Krema Nut Company. 1000 W. Goodale Boulevard. Columbus, OH 43212 614-299-4131
Adults only 21 and up. Approx. 45 min. Jan-Oct M-F 9:00am-2:00pm http://www.krema.com/
Longaberger Company. Newark, OH 43058 740-322-5588
Self-guided tour. Appointment not required unless there is a group of 15 or more.
http://www.longaberger.com/
Mosser Glass. 9279 Cadiz Rd. Cambridge, OH 43725 740-439-1827
M-F 8:00am-10:00am/11:00am-2:30pm
http://www.mosserglass.com/
For more information and other tour locations please visit:
http://columbusoh.about.com/od/tourismandvisitors/tp/factorytours.htm
http://www.factorytoursusa.com/StateList.asp?State=OH&Search=&CategoryID=
Art Museums and Galleries
Columbus Museum of Art. 480 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43215 614-221-6801
Hours T-SU 10:00am-5:30pm, TH 10:00am-8:30pm
Admission Free on Sundays and Thursdays 5:30pm-8:30pm. Call ahead. For more information visit: http://www.columbusmuseum.org/visit/plan-visit.php
Decorative Art Center of Ohio at the Reese-Peters house. 145 E. Main St. Lancaster, OH
740-681-1423 Open T-SU 1:00pm-4:00pm http://www.decartsohio.org/
Short North: 120 W. Goodale St. Columbus, OH 43215 http://www.theshortnorth.com/
Classes and storytime
Parks and Recreation centers have wonderful programs for the whole family. (look for recreation facility located on right hand side of website) http://columbusrecparks.com/
Storytime at your local Library. Baby laptime, preschool and toddler classes available.
For information in your area visit:http://www.columbuslibrary.org/ebranch/index.cfm?pageid=29
Storytime at Barnes and Noble. See site for locations and details.
http://eastontowncenter.com/Events.aspx?id=703
Great places for you and your children.
COSI. 333 W. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43215 614-228-2674
W-S 10:ooam-5:00pm. For pricing information visit: http://www.cosi.org/
Having a membership to COSI is fantastic. It is a wonderful place to go anytime.
Frankling Park Conservatory. 1777 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43203 614-645-tree
Wonderful place to escape. See site for pricing information:http://www.fpconservatory.org/
Open T-SU 10:00am-5:00pm/W 10:00am-8:00pm
Visit free: First Wednesday of every month, between 5:00pm-8:00pm
The Works. 55 South 1st street. Free for members, $3.00 (2-17) $7.00 (18-up). Hands on learning center and museum. http://www.attheworks.org/ClassesCampsandPrograms.aspx
Aha! A hands-on Adventure. 315 S. Broad St. Lancaster, OH 43130 (740-653-2915) Hands on interactive play museum. $5.00 per person. M-S 10-4 http://www.aha4kids.org/
The Chiller Ice Rink. Multiple Locations. http://www.thechiller.com/public-skating
Columbus Zoo: 9990 Riverside Dr. Powell, OH 43065 614-645-3550
Open Labor day-Memorial Day 9:00am-5:00pm, Memorial day-Labor day 9:00am-6:00pm
For pricing information and upcoming events visit:http://www.colszoo.org/
Slate Run Living Historical Farm. 1375 State Route 674 N. Canal Whinchester, OH 43110
614-833-1880 Free. http://www.metroparks.net/ParksSlateRunFarm.aspx
Metro parks-offer wide range of activities(depending on location): Free preschool activities/canoeing/fishing/horseback riding, etc... For more information pick up a brochure at your local park or log onto: http://www.metroparks.net/
Santa Maria-The Santa Maria's tours dramatize the daring and determination it took for Columbus and his explorers to set out on their mission. Experience the lives they led, interact with replicas of the navigational tools they used, play the games they played to pass the time....for more info visit- http://www.santamaria.org/visitor_info.php
CreekSide in Gahanna-If you like Music, this is a great place to hang out and enjoy live music, Free. http://www.creeksidegahanna.com/
Indoor play areas:
Pete DeLois' Recreation Outlet. 484 W. Olentangy/Powell Rd, Powell, Oh 43065. 614-792-3700. Free. Indoor Play sets. T, W, TH 9-11AM http://www.recreationsoutlet.com/Freeplay
Gym Extreme. 2 locations. Indoor Open Gymnastic. $5.00, W 12-1:30pm http://www.gymx-treme.com/
Polaris Fashion Place. 1500 Polaris Parkway. Columbus, OH 43240 614-846-1500 http://www.polarisfashionplace.com/index.cfm
Eastland Mall. 2740 B. Eastland mall. Columbus, OH 43232 614-861-3232 http://www.eastland-mall.com/index.cfm
Tuttle Crossing. 5043 Tuttle Crossing blvd. Dublin, OH 43016 614-717-9300 http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=1229
Hours: 10:ooam-9:00pm
Outdoor water parks and play areas:
Easton Town Center. (Children's fountain-The strand East) 160 Eastn Town Ctr. Columbus, OH 43219 614-416-7000 http://www.eastontowncenter.com/
Barnett Recreation Center. 1184 Barnett Rd. Columbus,OH 43227 614-645-3065
Open Memorial day-Labor day Hours: 12:00pm-? Call for details. http://recparks.columbus.gov/RecCenters/RecCenters_18.asp
Zoombezi Bay. 5350 W. Powell Rd. Powell,OH 43065 614-645-3550 May2008-August 2008 For more information and pricing see website. http://www.zoombezibay.com/default.aspx
Indoor water parks:
If you are looking for a fun getaway package check this site out!
http://www.in-and-around-columbus.com/waterparks-in-columbus-ohio.html
Dollar movies:
Cinemark Carraige place movie 12.2570 Bethel Rd. Columbus, OH 43220 614-538-0400
http://www.cinemark.com/theater_showtimes.asp?theater_id=172
cheap summer movie camp for kids: Locations such as AMC Easton and Cinemark 16 http://www.amctheatres.com/smc/
Events and festivals:
These websites are great to find out what is going on in all areas of Ohio.
http://www.ohiotraveler.com/Ohio%20Festivals%20and%20Events.htm
http://www.in-and-around-columbus.com/columbus-ohio-festivals.html
http://www.discoverourtown.com/OH/Columbus/Shopping-848.html
http://columbusrecparks.com/
Local malls have a great deal of events going on through out the year, so check them out!
Easton Town Center: http://www.eastontowncenter.com/
Polaris Fashion Place: http://www.polarisfashionplace.com/index.cfm
Eastland mall: http://www.eastland-mall.com/index.cfm
Tuttle Crossing: http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=1229
Pick your own at harvest time:
Find farms and farmers markets near you! (even Christmas trees -second site)
http://www.pickyourown.org/OHcolumbus.htm
http://www.pickyourownchristmastree.org/OHxmascolumbus.php
Outdoor fun:
http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/fishing.aspx
Metro parks. Find a great deal of outdoor opportunities, such as:canoeing, horseback riding, group walks, family bon fires, and more.....http://www.metroparks.net/
Road Trip:
Carriage Hill. 7800 E. Shull Rd. Dayton, OH 45424 937-278-2609
http://www.metroparks.org/Parks/CarriageHill/Home.aspx
National museum of the USAF. 1100 Spaatz St. Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433
937-255-3286 http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/
Old Man's cave/Ash caves. Located off state route 664, 12 miles SW of Logan 740-385-6842
http://www.thehockinghills.org/Winter%20Hike.htm
Amish Country. 5798 CR 77. Burlin,OH 44610 330-674-2749 for more information visit: http://www.ohioamishcountry.com/ and http://www.visitamishcountry.com/shopping.php
andhttp://www.innathoneyrun.com/amish_attractions.htm
