Best Free Things to Do in Ohio This Summer
Summer in Ohio is here and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to keep the family busy. Ohio has plenty of free things to do from free museums, splash pads, outdoor movies, summer concerts, festivals, library programs and more.
Here is a list of some of the best free summer activities across Ohio with specific locations to help you plan.
Visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton is one of the best free attractions in Ohio. Admission and parking are free, and the museum has more than 350 aircraft, missiles, and aerospace exhibits.
📍1100 Spaatz Street, Dayton, OH 45433
Cool Off at Splash Pads
Splash pads are one of the easiest free things to do with kids in the summer. Many Ohio cities have free splash pads at local parks.
Some popular splash pads include:
- Ballantrae Community Park Splash Pad: 6350 Woerner Temple Rd, Dublin
- Scioto Audubon Metro Park Water Tower Splash Pad: 400 W Whittier St, Columbus
- Easton Town Center: 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus
- Bicentennial Park Fountain: 233 Civic Center Dr, Columbus
- Washington Park fountains: 1230 Elm St, Cincinnati
- Smale Riverfront Park fountains: 166 W Mehring Way, Cincinnati
- RiverScrape MetroPark fountains: 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton
- Crocker Park Splash Pad: 177 Market St, Westlake
Pack towels, sunscreen, snacks, and water shoes.
Watch Free Outdoor Movies
Many Ohio communities host free outdoor movie nights during the summer. These are usually held in parks, downtown areas, amphitheaters, or community centers.
Look for free movie nights at:
- Columbus Commons: 160 S High St, Columbus
- Easton Town Center: 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus
- Coffman Park: 5200 Emerald Pkwy, Dublin
- Grove City Town Center Park: 3378 Park St, Grove City
- Hillard’s Station Park: 4021 Main St, Hillard
- Washington Park: 1230 Elm St, Cincinnati
- Cleveland Metroparks: 6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland
- Riverscape MetroPark: 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton
Bring a blanket, lawn chairs, bug spray, and snacks.
Sign Up for Kids Bowl Free
Kids Bowl Free is a national summer program where registered kids can get two free games of bowling per day at participating bowling centers. This is a great option for rainy days, super hot days, or when you need something fun to do indoors.
Shoe rental is usually not included, so check your local bowling alley before going.
Explore Ohio State Parks
Ohio State parks are free to enter, which makes them one of the best budget-friendly summer activities.
Some great parks include:
- Hocking Hills State Park: 19852 OH-664, Logan
- Mohican State Park: 3116 OH-3, Loundonville
- Alum Creek State Park: 3615 S Old State Rd, Delaware
- Delaware State Park: 5202 US-23 N, Delaware
- Salt Fork State Park: 14755 Cadiz Rd, Lore City
- Geneva State Park: 4499 Padanarum Rd, Geneva
- East Harbor State Park: 1169 N Buck Rd, Lakeside Marblehead
- Maumee Bay State Park: 1400 State Park Rd, Oregon
- John Bryan State Park: 3790 OH-370, Yellow Springs
- Caesar Creek State Park: 8570 E State Route 73, Waynesville
You can hike, swim, picnic, fish, look for waterfalls, visit nature centers, or spend the day at the beach.
Visit Free Ohio Beaches
Ohio has several free public beaches that are perfect for a summer day trip.
Free beaches to visit include:
- Headlands Beach State Park: 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor
- Alum Creek State Beach: 3400 Lewis Center Rd, Lewis Center
- Deer Creek State Park: 20635 State Park Road 20, Mt. Sterling
- Lake Logan State Park Beach: 29735 Lake Logan Rd, Logan
- Buck Creek State Park Beach: 1901 Buck Creek Ln, Springfield
- East Harbor Beach: 1169 N Buck Rd, Marblehead
- Caesar Creek Beach: 8570 OH-73, Waynesville
Bring your own cooler, beach chairs, umbrellas, and sand toys.
Go to Free Summer Concerts
Many cities and parks host free outdoor concerts all summer long.
Check out:
- Columbus Commons concerts: 160 S High St, Columbus
- Grove City Summer Sizzle Concert Series: 3378 Park St, Grove City
- Hillard Summer Concert Series: 4021 Main St, Hillard
- Dublin Coffman Park concerts: 5200 Emerald Pkwy, Dublin
- Creekside Live: 117 Mill St, Gahanna
- Fountain Square concerts: 520 Vine St, Cincinnati
- RiverScape concerts: 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton
- Cleveland Metroparks summer music events: 6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland
These are great for date nights, family nights, or meeting up with friends.
Take the Kids to Free Library Events
Ohio libraries are packed with free summer activities for kids and families.
Many libraries offer:
- Summer reading programs
- Free craft days
- Storytimes
- Lego clubs
- Magic and puppet shows
- Animal visits
- Teen events
- Movie days
- Take-home activitiy kits
Check your local library’s calendar because many events require registration.
Visit Free Metro Parks
Metro Parks are perfect when you need something free, easy, and outdoors.
Some favorites include:
- Highbanks Metro Park: 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center
- Blendon Woods Metro Park: 4265 E Dublin Granville Rd, Westerville
- Rocky River Reservation: 24000 Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted
- Cox Arboretum MetroPark: 6733 Springboro Pike, Dayton
- Oak Openings Preserve: 4139 Girdham Rd, Swanton
Many offer hiking trails, nature centers, playgrounds, creeks, ponds, picnic shelters, and free family programs.
See Ohio Waterfalls
Ohio has plenty of waterfalls you can visit for free.
Best waterfalls to see are:
- Brandywine Falls: 8176 Brandywine Rd, Sagamore Hills
- Hayden Run Falls: 4326 Hayden Run Rd, Dublin
- Indian Run Falls: 700 Shawan Falls Dr, Dublin
- Chargrin Falls: 1 N Main St, Chargrin Falls
- Cedar Falls: 21737 OH-374, Logan
- Ash Cave: 26400 OH-56, South Bloomingville
- Clifton Gorge: 2381 OH-343, Yellow Springs
- Charleston Falls Preserve: 2535 Ross Rd, Tipp City
- Honey Run Waterfall: 10855 Hazel Dell Rd, Howard
It’s best to see waterfalls after a good summer rain.
Attend Free Festivals
Ohio has free festivals almost every weekend in the summer. Admission is often free, although food, rides, and vendors cost extra.
Free-admission festivals include:
- ComFest: 120 W Goodale St, Columbus
- Lorain International Festival: 421 Black River Ln, Lorain
- Blue Tip Festival: Downtown Wadsworth
- Dublin Irish Festival (kids under 11 are free, adults have to pay): 700 Coffman Rd, Dublin
- County Fairs
Check each event before going because pricing can change.
Go Fishing on Ohio Free Fishing Days
Ohio offers Free Fishing Days each summer where residents can fish without buying a license. This is a great way to try fishing with kids without spending the extra money.
You still need to follow size and daily catch limits.
Good places to fish include:
- Ohio State Parks
- Local ponds
- Public reservoirs
- Lake Erie
- Rivers and creeks
- Metro Park fishing areas
Visit Free Art and Murals
Ohio has lots of free public art and murals.
Look for art and murals at:
- Short North Arts District: High St, Columbus
- Franklinton Arts District: 400 W Rich St, Columbus
- Over-the-Rhine: Vine St, Cincinnati
- Hingetown: W 29th St, Cleveland
- Graffiti Heart Gallery & Museum: 4829 Superior Ave, Cleveland (museum open for free to public during open studio days)
- Portsmouth Floodwall Mural: Front St, Portsmouth
- Hartman Rock Garden: 1905 Russell Ave, Springfield
Go on a Covered Bridge Road Trip
There are hundreds of covered bridges you can drive or walk through to see.
Some favorites to visit are:
- Ashtabula County Covered Bridges (there are 19 of them): Ashtabula County
- Fairfield County Covered Bridge Trail (driving loop with 6 wooden bridges): Lancaster
- Preble County Bridges (8 covered bridges): Eaton
- Union Covered Bridges (7 covered bridges): Marysville
Visit a Free Nature Center
There are lots of natures centers in state parks and nature preserves to check out that offer free hands-on experiences with nature.
Some include:
- Highbanks Nature Center: 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center
- Blendon Woods Nature Center: 4265 E Dublin Granville Rd, Westerville
- Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center: 1775 Darby Creek Dr, Galloway
- Penitentiary Glen Nature Center: 8668 Kirtland Chardon Rd, Kirtland
- Rocky River Nature Center: 24000 Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted
Find Free Touch-a-Truck Events
Touch-a-Truck is a free hands-on event where kids can climb, touch, sit inside a firetruck and meet the heroes. These happen throughout Ohio from local fire stations and special events.
Touch-a-Truck Events in the summer are usually scheduled between late May and early August, with most happening in June and July. To find the exact dates:
- Check city parks & recreation websites (Dublin, Hillard, Columbus, etc.)
- Look at local library event calendars
- Search Facebook events for “Touch-a-Truck Ohio”
- Check county fair schedules
Or check out the Fire truck that is always on display at the Air Force Museum in Dayton!
Go to Free Farmers Markets
Shop local vendors in your area that sell fresh produce, handmade products, flowers, meats and more.
Some great ones to check out are:
- Worthington Farmers Market (Saturdays): 692 High St, Worthington
- Clintonville Farmers Market (Saturdays): 3535 N High St, Columbus
- North Market (Sunday through Monday): 59 Spruce St, Columbus
- Findlay Market (Tuesday through Saturday, year round): 1801 Race St, Cincinnati
- Toledo Farmers Market (Saturdays): 525 Market St, Toledo
- Medina Farmers Market (Saturdays): Public Square, Medina
Enjoy Free Fireworks
Celebrate American and watch fireworks at:
- Red, White & BOOM!, Downtown Columbus along Scioto Mile
- Cleveland Fourth of July, Edgewater Park
- Cincinnati Riverfest, Ohio Riverfront near Sawyer Point
- Dayton Lights in Flight, RiverScape MetroPark
Disclaimer: Eat Stay Play Ohio shares events for informational purposes. Dates, times, and availability may change, verify details with the official event page before attending.
