Free things to do in Columbus, Georgia: The Columbus Museum, the National Infantry Museum, free galleries, the RiverWalk, splash pads and Uptown concerts.

Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. Hours and admission come from each place’s own site or its Visit Columbus listing, linked below. “Free” means no admission charge; parking, food and special events may cost extra.

Columbus has two major museums that never charge admission, The Columbus Museum and the National Infantry Museum, plus free university galleries, 22 miles of riverside trail and a calendar of free street events in Uptown.

Place Address Free hours
The Columbus Museum 1251 Wynnton Road Tue.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Thu. to 8 p.m.); Sun. 1 to 5 p.m.
National Infantry Museum 1775 Legacy Way Tue.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bo Bartlett Center 921 Front Ave. Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Illges Gallery, CSU Corn Center for the Visual Arts Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Oxbow Meadows 3535 S. Lumpkin Road Tue.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; donation suggested
Chattahoochee RiverWalk Uptown and beyond Daily

Who to call

  • The Columbus Museum: 706-748-2562
  • National Infantry Museum: 706-685-5800
  • Bo Bartlett Center: 706-507-8432
  • Illges Gallery: 706-507-8800
  • Uptown Columbus (events): 706-596-0111

Free museums and galleries

  • The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road: American art with a focus on artists tied to the Southeast and Georgia, regional history galleries, the Bradley Olmsted Garden and the Children’s Gallery with its treehouse. Always free; closed Mondays and holidays (Visit Columbus).
  • National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center, 1775 Legacy Way: free admission, $5 suggested donation (museum site).
  • Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Ave., second floor: Columbus State University’s gallery and arts space, free (Visit Columbus).
  • Illges Gallery, in Columbus State’s Corn Center for the Visual Arts: six to eight rotating exhibitions a year, free and open to the public (Visit Columbus).
  • Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, 3535 S. Lumpkin Road: walking trails and live animal exhibits; free except special events, with a suggested donation (Visit Columbus).

Outdoors

  • The Chattahoochee RiverWalk: 22 paved miles along the river with restrooms, from Lake Oliver through Uptown (city RiverWalk page).
  • The Fall Line Trace: a 10.5-mile paved rail trail from Psalmond Road to Uptown. See our trails guide.
  • Splash pads: City Services Center, 3111 Citizens Way, and Carver Park, 6665 Hunter Road, free and open daily in summer, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (city splash pads), and Uptown’s splash pad from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
  • Kadie the Cow, a 20-foot fiberglass cow on Bay Avenue near Woodruff Park, a local photo stop since 1967 (Visit Columbus).
  • Linwood Cemetery, established in 1828, where Coca-Cola inventor John Pemberton is buried. Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays (Visit Columbus).

Free events

From Uptown Columbus’ signature events and the city:

  • Friday Night Concert Series: free on Broadway, 7 to 9:30 p.m., spring and fall (concert series page).
  • Market Days on Broadway: Saturday mornings, April to August, plus the first Saturday of September, October and November (Market Days).
  • Halloween: Spooktacular at Lakebottom Park, Broadway’s Boo Bash and Scream on the Green. See Halloween events.
  • Holidays: the Broadway Holiday Parade and tree lighting, the city Christmas Parade and Merry Movie Night. See holiday lights and Christmas events.
  • Library programs: weekly story times and LEGOs in the Library at Columbus Public Library (library events).

Frequently asked questions

Is The Columbus Museum free? Yes. Admission is always free. The museum at 1251 Wynnton Road is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday (to 8 p.m. Thursday) and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday and holidays.

Is the National Infantry Museum free? Yes. Admission is free, with a suggested $5 donation. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at 1775 Legacy Way.

What free events are there in Uptown Columbus? Uptown’s Friday Night Concert Series in spring and fall, Market Days on Broadway, and seasonal events such as Broadway’s Boo Bash, Scream on the Green and Merry Movie Night are free.

Are there free art galleries in Columbus? Yes. Columbus State University’s Bo Bartlett Center and Illges Gallery are free, open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What this means for you

  • Thursday evening is the one late night at The Columbus Museum, open to 8 p.m.
  • Most free museums close Mondays; plan for the RiverWalk or the library instead.

Related: kids’ activities in Columbus, Uptown Columbus guide and things to do this weekend.