Visit Columbus Attractions for Free with The Big Explore on 12/29

The Columbus Foundation turns 75 this month and they are putting on a BIG city-wide thank you/celebration of sorts. The Big Explore will happen on Saturday, December 29, 2018 and gives you the opportunity to do just that – explore Columbus.

The foundation was started as a way to improve the Central Ohio community and the quality of life for its residents. What began with a small $25 donation in 1943 has now grown into something that supports a plethora of local programs and organizations, making it the 8th largest community foundation in the world.

Various Columbus attractions, COTA, and your favorite local ice cream brand, will be FREE on the 29th (well, almost!) courtesy of The Columbus Foundation. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream will be the only exception to the free price tag. They will have $.75 scoops at all the Columbus locations. Decide to explore one or all, but here is a little information to help you plan out your day!

Participating Columbus Attractions

Columbus Museum of Art
10am – 5pm
480 East Broad St.
Special exhibits: LEGOⓇ Think Outside the Brick and I, Too, Sing America: The Harlem Renaissance at 100
Parking: $5
Bus line: 10
Closest bus stop: E Broad St. & S Washington Ave.
Closest Jeni’s: North Market, 59 Spruce St.

COSI
10am – 7pm
333 West Broad St.
Special exhibits: Power of Poison and Hot Wheels: Race to Win
Parking: $5
Bus line: 10 & 12
Closest bus stop: W Rich St. & Starling St.
Closest Jeni’s: North Market, 59 Spruce St.

Franklin Park Conservatory
10am – 9pm
1777 E Broad St.
Special exhibits: Conservatory Aglow and a gingerbread display
Parking information can be found here.
Bus line: 10
Closest bus stop: E Broad St. & Franklin PK W
Closest Jeni’s: Bexley, 2156 E. Main St.

National Veterans Memorial and Museum
10am – 5pm
300 West Broad St.
Special exhibits: Light During Wartime the combat photography of Stacy Pearsall
Parking: $8
Bus line: 10 & 12
Closest bus stop: W Broad St. & Belle St.
Closest Jeni’s: North Market, 59 Spruce St.

Pizzuti Collection
10am – 5pm
632 North Park St.
Special exhibits: Take Up Space, When Attitudes Become Chairs, and For Freedoms
Parking information can be found here.
Bus line: 1, 2, & 5
Closest bus stop: N High St. & E Russell St.
Closest Jeni’s: North Market, 59 Spruce St.

Ohio History Connection
10am – 5pm
800 E. 17th Ave.
Special exhibits: 1950s Building the American Dream
Bus line: 8
Closest bus stop: Hamilton Ave. & E 17th Ave.
Closest Jeni’s: Short North, 714 N. High St.

Wexner Center for the Arts
11am – 8pm
1871 North High St.
Special exhibits: Mickalene Thomas: I Can’t See You Without Me
Parking information can be found here.
Bus line: 1, 2, & 31
Closest bus stop: N High St. & E 15th Ave.
Closest Jeni’s: Short North, 714 N. High St.

Additional Information

• COTA will be running their free service from 5am – midnight.
• Use the COTA website to plan your trip or find the nearest bus stop.
• Download the COTA app, Transit, for easy route planning throughout the day.
• If you are not riding the bus, you will be expected to pay for parking at each location.
• No reserved tickets are available for this event.
• Follow the Facebook event page for any updated information.

Now go out and #exploreyourcity, Columbus!