Ohio is a dynamic midwestern state fully rich in contrasts. On one hand, you have the hustle and bustle of the busy city life; on the other hand, you have the peace and tranquility of the Amish countryside. Of course, with such a kaleidoscope of urban and rural settings, visitors are offered a plethora of things to do. Things may easily get quite expensive though. Fortunately, a handful of free activities are available for those who don't mind heading off the beaten path.
Many museums in Ohio offer free admission. In the Cleveland Museum of Art, for instance, collections are generally free of charge to visit; however, special exhibitions may carry a charge. Collections include pottery, sculptures, textiles and paintings dating back several centuries. Notable pieces featured in this museum's permanent collection include Caravaggio’s ''The Crucifixion of Saint Andrew,'' Auguste Rodin's ''The Thinker'' and Jacques Louis David's ''Cupid and Psyche.''
Cleveland Museum of Art
11150 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-421-7340
clevelandart.org
Experience candy making at its best by touring a 152,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art candy factory. Admission is free every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tour guides are available to explain each candy-making process step by step, from the kitchen to the final touches in packaging. The tour ends in a 2,500-square-foot chocolate shop selling the finished products.
Anthony-Thomas Chocolates
1777 Arlingate Lane
Columbus, OH 43228
614-274-8405
anthony-thomas.com
Jungle Jim's International Market is more than a store, it is a destination for those seeking an adventure in grocery shopping. Offering 150,000 different items coming from over 75 countries in a 300,000-square-foot location, Jungle Jim's sounds more like a theme park for foodies than anything else. Admission is free and you may also get to watch food demonstrations or enjoy some delectable food samplings while you are there.
Jungle Jim's International Market
5440 Dixie Highway
Fairfield, OH 45014
513- 674-6000
junglejims.com
CityMusic Cleveland was founded in July of 2004 by six friends who strongly believed that everybody should be able to enjoy music. Since then, free concerts have been offered throughout Northeast Ohio. The seventh season alone offered 28 free concerts all over Northeast Ohio. Concerts are typically accompanied by exhibits of local artwork.
CityMusic Cleveland
P.O. Box 1930
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-321-8273
citymusiccleveland.org
The best things in life are often free. For those looking for a peaceful place to retreat, Ohio offers several parks that are free to visit. Hocking Hills Park, for instance, is a free-admission park offering visitors a plethora of things to do. Hike to Old Man's Cave, visit a butterfly habitat, feed hummingbirds at Lake Hope State Park or sharpen your archery skills at the Archery Range. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Hocking Hills Park
13178 St. Rt. 664 S
Logan, OH 43138
740-385-9706
1800hocking.com
