FREE OHIO ADVENTURES
Gas prices are rising and money is tight, but you can still enjoy a road trip. In fact, there are plenty of destinations around Ohio that offer free admission-just cover the cost of gas, and you’ll still save.
Below you will find a list of places that offer free admission, as well as a few additional free road trip excursions.
Happy road trippin’.
HISTORICAL SITES
The JAMES A. GARFIELD MEMORIAL
Lake View Cemetery
12316 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106
216.421.2665 | lakeviewcemetery.com
- Allow time to explore all the history on the grounds. Not only is the Memorial a historical site, Lake View’s grounds offers it’s own self-driving tour. There are so many historical figures that have found their final resting place at the cemetery. The Chapel and Memorial are open seasonally. Click here to view our visit.
- Pro tip: Before or after your visit head around the corner to Little Italy. There you can enjoy the shops and a delicious dish of pasta.
HISTORIC ROSCOE VILLAGE
Coshocton | visitcoshocton.com
- There is no admission to visit this restored 1800’s town. A great place browse and do a little shopping, as well as enjoy a meal. There is however a small fee to take one of their living history tours.
- Nearby CLARY GARDENS is another must stop if you enjoy strolling through botanical gardens.
HOPEWELL CULTURE – National Historical Park
nps.gov
- Start your visit at the Hopewell Culture Group Visitor Center, Chillicothe
HISTORIC MILLIONAIRES ROW WALKING TOUR
Warren | trulytrumbull.com
- A free SELF-GUIDED walking tour of Millionaires Row and the Mahoning Ave. Historic District.
- Allow time to visit the “First Flight” Lunar Module in Warren.
“…half-scale replica of the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing Module, standing nearly 13 feet tall and 12 feet wide.”
Details click here.
OHIO STATE HOUSE
Columbus | ohiostatehouse.org
- The Ohio Statehouse offers guided tours weekdays 10am-3pm. Weekends Noon-3pm, closed holidays.
MUSEUMS & ART
AKRON ART MUSEUM
akronartmuseum.org
- Admission is free on Thursdays.
AKRON HISTORY MUSEUM
Akron | akronhistorycenter.org
- Three floors of Akron history exhibits. Worth the trip.
BUTLER INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN ART
Youngstown | website
- Entrance is free for everyone. Some events and exhibits are ticketed.
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART
Cleveland | website
- Entrance is free for everyone. Some events and exhibits are ticketed. You will be amazed at the artwork that call the museum home.
COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART
Columbus |columbusmuseum.org
- The museum is free on Sundays.
CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM
Cincinnati | cincinnatiartmuseum.org
- Entrance is free for everyone. Some events and exhibits are ticketed.
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM
Kent | website
- Sunday admission is free for all. View current collections and special exhibits of fashion. Don’t forget to allow time to enjoy the Public Walking Art tour around Kent.
MASSILLON MUSEUM
Massillon | massillonmuseum.org
- Admission is free.
MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland)
Cleveland | mocacleveland.org
- Entrance is free for everyone living in Ohio. Some events and exhibits are ticketed.
NATIONAL MUSEUM of the U.S. Air Force
Dayton | nationalmuseum.af.mil
- Free admission. Extensive exhibits, interactive exhibits, flight simulators and educational tours. The amount of planes and aviation items on exhibit will keep you exploring all day.
TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART & GLASS PAVILION
Toledo | toledomuseum.org
- General admission and parking are free. Some events and exhibits are ticketed.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
🌳 OHIO STATE PARKS
ohiodnr.gov
- Not only are they free, but the parks offer free events throughout the year.
- Go ahead and feel small when you step inside this bucket. Great spot for family and group photos. Miner’s Memorial Park (Historical Marker #58-10)
4470 E. St. Rt. 78, McConnelsville, OH 43756
Located in the Jesse Owens State Park and Wildlife Area, is the Miner’s Memorial Park. There you will find a memorial to the men and women who worked the local mine, as well as the “Big Muskie”. From 1969 to 1991, the Muskie bucket was used by the AEP Muskingum River Power Plant to surface mine over 483 million tons of soil and rock. It was the largest dragline ever to be built. Each scoop could swallow 220 cubic yards of earth. I was told that is the size of a 12- car garage or a lot of school buses, whichever way you want to calculate it. That is a lot of dirt and coal!
BATTELLE DARBY CREEK
Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks | metroparks.net
- View restored wetlands, prairies, and forest. Enjoy viewing the bison that roam two enclosed pastures.
- Seasonal
CLEVELAND CULTURAL GARDENS
clevelandculturalgardens.org
- “36 dedicated gardens, designed and cultivated by distinct cultural or nationality groups. Seasonal guided walking tours are offered on select days. Check website for dates and times.”
CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
nps.gov
Every year the Cuyahoga Valley National Park makes the top 10 list for the most visited National Park in United States. How lucky we are that we can explore it all for FREE.
Highlight stops:
- Brandywine Falls and Gorge Loop
- Ledges Trail
- Blue Hen Falls
- Canal Exploration Center
Pro tip: Make sure you spray and check for ticks when visiting any park. Learn how to remove them properly before heading out.
FELLOWS RIVERSIDE GARDENS
Youngstown | website
- It’s hard to believe these gardens have no admission. Combine your visit with the Butler Institute of American Art and you have a perfect FREE road trip.
- LANTERMAN’S MILL & COVERED BRIDGE – website
Also located in Mill Creek Metroparks.
HARTMAN ROCK GARDEN
Springfield, OH | hartmanrocks.org
- Admission is free. Visit website for dates and times.
🌳HEADLANDS DUNES STATE NATURE PRESERVE
Mentor | ohiodnr.gov
- Enjoy a walk through this Ohio nature preserve. Take in views of Lake Erie and the nearby lighthouse. Bring a chair and enjoy a rest on the sandy beach.
LAKE METROPARKS LAKE ERIE BLUFFS OBSERVATION TOWER
Perry Township| website
- What can I say, but the views from the top are amazing. Great place to enjoy a little birding.
MENTOR MARSH – Carol H. Sweet Nature Center
Mentor | website
🌳 NELSON-KENNEDY LEDGES STATE PARK
ohiodnr.gov
- Tackle the trail to enjoy the new Glass Bridge that was installed in 2025 over the gorge.
OBSERVATORY PARK – Geauga Park District
geaugaparkdistrict.org/park/observatory-park
- Experience a dark sky. You may even be lucky enough to see the Milky Way.
ROCKEFELLER PARK GREENHOUSE & BOTANICAL GARDENS
Cleveland | rockefellerparkgreenhouse.org
- Beautiful display gardens to leisurely explore.
SOLSTICE STEPS – Lakewood Park
14532 Lake Ave., Lakewood, OH | lakewoodoh.gov
- Enjoy views of a Lake Erie sunset.
TOLEDO BOTANICAL GARDENS
Toledo | metroparkstoledo.com
- A museum for plants. “…more than 60 acres of display gardens and relevant plant collections, TBG is a place of tranquility and opportunities for exploration and reflection.”
WEGERZYN GARDENS METROPARK
Dayton | metroparks.org
- A beautiful garden that promotes landscaping with traditional garden selections. A perfect spot to get your own garden ideas.
MORE FREE ADVENTURE IDEAS
➡️ Visit all 19-covered bridges in Ashtabula County, OH.
There is no cost to enjoy all 19 bridges. I share my experience here.
➡️ Drive along the shore of Lake Erie in search of lighthouses.
Driving tour – click here.
➡️ Head to Breakwater Beach in Geneva State Park for a little beach glass hunting. Before you go check out Ashtabula County Tourism Bureau’s “Beach Glass Beginner Guide“.
➡️ Check your local library for upcoming events and free attraction admission tickets.
➡️ Throughout summer many communities host free community concerts at no cost. Examples: Medina Community Band. Kent’s various free music festivals including the Kent Blues Festival, Live at the Light House – Vermilion.
➡️There are many Ohio festivals that offer free admission. You can view our Ohio festival list here.
Please reach out if you need help planning your next Ohio getaway.
Order one of our FREE My Ohio Fun Road Trip Mailbox Blasts of free Ohio travel guides. Learn more here.
Keep on exploring! And as always I would like to thank all my website sponsors, who help make this informational website possible.
~Diane
