Fine Print Freebies

I *love* a good deal. I can’t remember what we had for dinner two nights ago, but my brain cells can safely file away any and all ways to keep dollars in my pocket. So when I stumble upon a sale or promotion I’ve missed out on, it’s like a blow to the gut. “I’m sorry, I’ve had this membership for how long without knowing I could have gotten that discount?” “Where exactly are these awesome, hole-in-the-wall-type, free museums?” If you’re nodding along, I’ve combed all the fine print for you and checked out the nooks and crannies of Columbus to sniff out ten sweet, hidden deals. Just remember, to always double check directly with the business because these money-saving discounts and offers can change and may not be valid.

For the Whole Family

1. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

• Every Tuesday, seniors (ages 60+) receive half-price admission to the Zoo.
• Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays Franklin County residents receive half-price admission to the Zoo with a valid driver’s license, state-issued ID, or a current utility bill.
• Active and Non-active duty military personnel receive $2 off of up to six tickets when they show a valid military ID.
• If you are a zoo membership holder, you get BOGO admission tickets to the Columbus Museum of Art, COSI, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio History Center & Ohio Village, and the Wexner Center for the Arts. This offer is good for up to two free general admission tickets when purchasing two regular-priced general admission tickets. Depending on your membership level, you may also receive discounts on Zoombezi Bay tickets and season passes.
• Every Tuesday and Wednesday from July 10th-August 8th during “Member Mania”, zoo members can bring one additional guest with them for free. On these special dates, members will also receive ride wristbands for only $9.99, and free Dinosaur Island boat rides from 8-9am (early member admission times).

2. Columbus Museum of Art

• Admission is free every Sunday to all patrons.
• The Blue Star Museums Program offers free admission to active duty, retired military, veterans and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Simply show your active-duty military personnel or military family I.D. at the admission desk for free entry.
• Every Thursday from 5-9pm is only $5 per person.
• While parking in the museum’s lot is typically $5, members and visitors to the Museum Store and Schokko Café can enjoy free parking by bringing your Museum ID or receipt to the admissions desk.

3. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

• Every first Sunday of the month, the conservatory hosts a free admission Community Day for all Franklin County and City of Columbus residents. Just show your ID at the front desk, and you can roam the gardens, galleries, and the newly opened Scott’s Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden at no cost!
• Active or Retired Service Members receive $1 off each ticket for any age patron.
• AAA members receive $1 off each adult ticket and $.50 off each child ticket.
• College students receive a discounted $15 ticket with proof of student ID.
• The Access Family Membership is only $30 for families with proof of participation in the following eligible programs: CareSource, Ohio Directions card, Medicaid card, W.I.C. card or Molina card. Franklin Park Conservatory Access memberships are available by mail or at the Visitor Center only.

4. COSI

• Every last Friday of the month from 5-9pm, COSI will admit adults for only $15 and children for only $10 during Family Friday Nights!
• Active, reserve, and retired military receive $2 off per ticket for people in their immediate family with proper ID. They can also get $10 off of any membership with proof of military ID. This membership military discount is only available at the COSI Box Office.
• WOSU MemberCard holders can present their card or the WOSU MemberCard mobile app to receive $2 off general admission for up to four tickets.
• Certified teachers receive free admission and qualify for discounted membership rates.
• COESRA cardholders get $2 off exhibit admissions for themselves and dependent children only.
• If you are a COSI membership holder, you get BOGO admission tickets to the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio History Center & Ohio Village, and the Wexner Center for the Arts. This offer is good for up to two free general admission tickets when purchasing two regular-priced general admission tickets.
• Utilize the reciprocity benefits to get free admission to many science centers around the country. Learn more here: “Free” Science Centers

5. Ohio State University Museums

• The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum galleries are always free and open to the public.
• The Orton Geological Museum is also always free and open to the public for a self-guided tour. Guided tours are offered for groups of ten to twenty-five people.

Adult Oriented

6. Thurber House Museum

• Self-guided tours are always free!
• Parking in the lot behind Thurber House and Thurber Center and street parking on Sundays are free.
• The third floor of Thurber House is an apartment reserved for visiting writers, so you may even get a glimpse of your favorite author!

7. Riffe Gallery

• All events, workshops, artist talks, and exhibitions are free and open to the public at the Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery downtown.
• Some workshops require registration. 

8. Wexner Center for the Arts

• Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month as well as every Thursday from 4-8pm.
• Guided walk-in tours are free with gallery admission.
• Gallery admission is free with a ticket to any same-day Wexner Center event when you show your ticket at the Patron Services Desk.
• Members get ticket discounts on films and performances as well as free admission to the galleries.
• Ohio State University Students get free gallery admission, $10 off dance and theatre performances, $6 off film tickets, and 10% off in the gift shop when a valid Buck ID is presented.
• Artists and educators can save 10% on Wexner Center memberships from Friend to Fellow level.

9. Wagner-Hagans Auto Museum

• Admission is always free to this private collection housed near German Village featuring classic cars from two collectors.
• Tours are scheduled by appointment so you get a personal Q&A session with one of the owners! Appointments may be made by calling Mark Hagans at 614-554-5879 or Steve Wagner at 614-271-0888.

10. Fitness Classes & Wax Salons

• You can take your first class for free at Engage Higher Degree Fitness in Westerville.
• Burn Boot Camp Columbus offers a free Saturday class at 9:00am, which is co-ed (the gym is traditionally female-centered).  Burn also has a 14-day trial period. {They have complimentary child watch too!}
• Orangetheory Fitness offers a free one-hour workout for first-timers at any location.
• Yoga on High in the Short North has a free yoga class every Friday from 3-4pm.
• You can take a full week free of classes at Pure Barre Columbus-Dublin.
• Ohio Fit Club offers a variety of weekly fitness classes from May-September at the Columbus Commons.
• CrossFit Clintonville holds a Community WOD (workout of the day) every Saturday from 10-11am at no cost.
• Namaste in Love Yoga Studio in Gahanna offers a People’s Yoga class for free every second Saturday of the month, and a $5 Sunday Funday Flow class. Both classes are held from 11am-12pm on their respective days.
• Replenish the Spa Co-op in the Discovery District has multiple Donation Classes (a.k.a. pay what you can).
• Cyclebar at Easton offers a free three-pack of classes for first-time students. Class packs expire after one month.
• First-time guests at European Wax Center can enjoy a complimentary brow, underarm or bikini line wax for women or ear, nose or brow wax for men.
• At Waxxpot, you can get a free wax up to $25 or $25 off any first wax.

 

What are some other “hidden” freebies you’ve stumbled upon? I’d love to hear about them!