There are nature trails and other walking paths near the Blacklick Woods Canopy Walk. | Photo by CBUStoday
You don’t need major funds to have major fun in Columbus; just look at these free activities.
We promise these free things to do are more than just an aimless walk in the park. Instead, we’re making sure you get well-researched, unique suggestions worth the trip.
Outdoors
Blacklick Woods Canopy Walk | This 40+ ft structure is standing tall with netted bridges, wide walking paths, and a climbing area for kids — and it’s still ADA accessible. We recommend driving all the way to the back of the park to save yourself a long walk.
For kids
Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum | This is your new favorite place on Ohio State’s campus. It features the works of many iconic illustrators, such as Ohio-based cartoonist Bill Watterson, creator of “Calvin & Hobbes.”
Arts
Wexner Center for the Arts | Stop by Ohio State’s campus to browse this free art gallery any day of the week. It features multiple galleries that are rotated throughout the year, so it’s best to check out the website to see what’s on display.
Indianapolis Indians at Columbus Clippers | Thursday, Sept. 4-Saturday, Sept. 6 | Times vary | Huntington Park | $8+ | Come thirsty for discounted drinks and hungry for a Clippers win on Thursday, then check out the website for more promotional nights.
Come Back To Earth (Mac Miller Live Band Tribute) | 8 p.m.-1 a.m. | The Summit Music Hall | $18+ | Prepare for an intimate show that pays homage to and highlights the popular music of the late Mac Miller.
Friday, Sept. 5
2025 Central Ohio Home & Design Show | Friday, Sept. 5-Sunday, Sept. 7 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Ohio Expo Center & State Fair - Bricker Multi-Purpose Building | $7 (parking) | The yearly show is back with 150+ vendors selling home, garden, and design items that suit a wide range of lifestyles.
An Evening with Eric Clapton | 8 p.m.-10 a.m. | Mershon Auditorium | $302+ | The “Slowhand” rocker who is known for hits like “Layla” is taking over Mershon on a limited-run, seven-city tour — don’t miss out.
Pauly Shore | Friday, Sept. 5-Saturday, Sept. 6 | Times vary | Funny Bone Columbus | $64+ | From staring in comedy movies to voicing hilarious animated characters, this longtime comedian knows how to make an audience laugh.
Saturday, Sept. 6
Clintonville Farmers Market | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Clintonville | Free | Vendors flood North High Street with seasonal produce, artisan meats, and coffee beans + local businesses in the area like Destination Donut and Global Gallery are also open.
Grambling State Tigers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes | 3:30 p.m. | Ohio Stadium | $61+ | Coach Ryan Day, quarterback Julian Sayin, and the top-notch defense look to pick up where they left off against this opponent.
Sunday, Sept. 7
Candlelight: Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons | 4:45-6 p.m. | Columbus Museum of Art | $30 | Bring your spouse — we repeat, your spouse — to this Coldplay and Imagine Dragons experience that reimagines their music.
Fall weather combined with free THC seltzer? Yes, please.
Presented by Cycling Frog
Kick back and unwind this month with some hemp goodness. | Photos courtesy of Cycling Frog
Golden hour hits differently with something chill in hand.
From cider mill visits to Short North strolls, fall in Columbus is made for slowing down. Cycling Frog is offering a free THC seltzer (just pay $2 shipping) — perfect for porch hangs after a park run, mellow nights on the patio, or unwinding post-gallery hop. These fruit-forward sips are light, legal, and tuned for peak autumn vibes.
Choose between Black Currant, Wild Cherry, or Ruby Grapefruit flavors, each loaded up with both THC and CBD. Grab your free can while supplies last.†‡‡
Don’t miss trash pick up day — it stinks. The city is rolling out new pickup days and it impacts roughly half of Columbus. Find out if you are among those here. (10TV)
Opening
Honeygrow, a nationally owned stir-fry fast-casual, is coming soon to Gahanna. Owners don’t have a firm opening date, but are planning for mid-October. (NBC4)
Trending
As if a new baby elephant wasn’t enough, the Columbus Zoo upped the ante. Welcome to the city, Ursula and Yzma, two previously orphaned female bear cubs. They made their official debut last weekend. (10TV)
Plan Ahead
The most wonderful time of the year is almost here. No, not Christmas — Halloween. And Columbus Commons is going all out in October with a can’t-miss weekly lineup of free Halloween flicks. It all starts Thursday, Oct. 2 with “Goosebumps.”
Development
The now-closed WWCD radio building will be razed and replaced with apartments, according to newly approved project details. Plans show a 106-unit building with a parking garage and a pool. (NBC4)
Concert
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is returning to Columbus, continuing its Christmas tradition. They will be at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 23, and tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m.
Featured
Any ride warriors out there? Cedar Point is celebrating 150 years of thrill-seeking fun, and this timeline + photos are making us nostalgic for all those years of waiting in long lines for the Millennium Force. (Akron Beacon Journal)
Sports
New defensive coordinator Matt Patricia had the Ohio State defense in mid-season form in week one. Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the Buckeyes with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Arts
Get creative with your weekend plans and head to the Short North Arts District tomorrow, Sept. 6, 12-8 p.m., for Hops on High. Experience the district transformed by 80+ local art vendors, live performances, public art, gallery exhibitions, and food + drink pop-ups. See the full itinerary.*
Older Adults
Aside from megapacks and weekly coupons, did you know several retailers offer customers 55+ hefty discounts — sometimes up to 20% off? Learn about key Senior discounts and several more savings hacks older adults should know about to continue saving and building wealth at age 50+.*
When some of the big investors who backed companies like Uber and eBay before they IPO’d invest in a new company, people take note. That’s the case with Pacaso — 10,000+ everyday investors are already in. But the chance to join them ends Thursday, Sept. 18. Learn more about the opportunity.†‡*
Featured Deal
Hair loss deserves more than guesswork. That’s why we’ve partnered with Happy Head. Use code 6AM to get 45% off a dermatologist-developed, customizable treatment plan for hair loss.*
Finance
Finance
This former Zillow exec is targeting a $1.3 trillion market
Presented by Pacaso
Austin Allison’s Pacaso has already earned $110 million+ in gross profit to date. | Image provided by Pacaso
Austin Allison sold his first company to Zillow for $120 million. Now he’s building another real estate innovator in Pacaso.
Pacaso has already made $110 million+ in gross profits to date by disrupting the $1.3 trillion vacation home market, and the same big investors that backed Uber and eBay have already invested.
But unlike Austin’s previous companies, everyday investors (like you) can invest in Pacaso as a private company. Over 10,000 individuals already have.
A Columbus diner institution and staple is on the brink of losing its building. HoneyDip Donuts announced its longstanding Upper Arlington diner could be demolished if new development plans move forward.
After 50+ years of business in that location, they are now attempting to purchase the land the restaurant is on, but it’s going to require some community help. To get the ball rolling, they launched a petition on Change.org that already has 17,000+ signatures. There’s also a physical version in the restaurant if you prefer to stop by.
They’ve encouraged fans to drop their favorite memories in the announcement post, which is also on Facebook.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
If you are feeling extra nolstagic about the WWCD building like me, take a dive into its 30+ year history with our story on them a few years ago. We spoke with then-station owner Randy Malloy who began his time there as an intern, so you can trust it’s straight from the source.
‡‡Limit 1 can of seltzer. First-time customers only. Must be 21+.
‡‡Finance “investment method” disclaimer: This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the Nasdaq is subject to approvals. Comparisons to other companies are for informational purposes only and should not imply similar success. Under Regulation A+, a company has the ability to change its share price by up to 20%, without requalifying the offering with the SEC.
}})
