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Being an American can be incredibly expensive. While workers in the United States have seen a 1,015% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the, according to a 2025 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1973 and 2023, the national consumer price index increased by 586%.

Although Americans have about 63% more purchasing power than 50 years ago, that quickly dissipates when factoring in the increased costs of housing and education. Housing costs have jumped about 1,045%, private college tuition has risen by 158%, and public college tuition has increased by 177%.

That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. In 2023, a record-high 42.9 million households were, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Ohio.

From touring landmarks and historical sites to getting out into nature, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.

To help you find your next free activity, compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Ohio using data from . Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 18, 2025. Only locations that received at least 20 reviews were included.

Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

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#30. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (760 reviews)
- City: Cincinnati
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#29. Mohican State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (266 reviews)
- City: Loudonville
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#28. Smale Riverfront Park

- Rating: 4.8/5 (715 reviews)
- City: Cincinnati
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#27. Short North Arts District

- Rating: 4.5/5 (630 reviews)
- City: Columbus
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#26. Rock House

- Rating: 4.8/5 (598 reviews)
- City: Logan
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#25. Maumee Bay State Park

- Rating: 4.4/5 (340 reviews)
- City: not available
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#24. Old Arcade

- Rating: 4.0/5 (367 reviews)
- City: Cleveland
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#23. Marblehead Lighthouse

- Rating: 4.7/5 (665 reviews)
- City: Marblehead
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#22. Hershberger's Farm & Bakery

- Rating: 4.6/5 (514 reviews)
- City: Millersburg
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#21. Brandywine Falls

- Rating: 4.6/5 (411 reviews)
- City: Sagamore Hills
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#20. Roebling Suspension Bridge

- Rating: 4.6/5 (701 reviews)
- City: Cincinnati
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#19. Riverwalk

- Rating: 4.6/5 (323 reviews)
- City: Cincinnati
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#18. Heinen's Downtown

- Rating: 4.7/5 (720 reviews)
- City: Cleveland
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#17. Ash Cave

- Rating: 4.8/5 (602 reviews)
- City: Logan
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#16. Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati

- Rating: 4.7/5 (569 reviews)
- City: Cincinnati
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#15. JACK Cleveland Casino

- Rating: 3.9/5 (7,412 reviews)
- City: Cleveland
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#14. Old Man's Cave

- Rating: 4.8/5 (419 reviews)
- City: Logan
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#13. Toledo Museum of Art

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,232 reviews)
- City: Toledo
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#12. Cincinnati Art Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,118 reviews)
- City: Cincinnati
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#11. Findlay Market

- Rating: 4.3/5 (629 reviews)
- City: Cincinnati
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#10. Lake View Cemetery

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,044 reviews)
- City: Cleveland
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#9. Jungle Jim's International Market

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,137 reviews)
- City: Fairfield Butler County
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#8. North Market Downtown

- Rating: 4.6/5 (853 reviews)
- City: Columbus
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#7. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

- Rating: 4.3/5 (940 reviews)
- City: Brecksville
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#6. German Village

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,192 reviews)
- City: Columbus
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#5. Easton Town Center

- Rating: 4.6/5 (3,310 reviews)
- City: Columbus
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#4. Hocking Hills State Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,525 reviews)
- City: Logan
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#3. Cleveland Museum of Art

- Rating: 4.9/5 (3,609 reviews)
- City: Cleveland
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#2. National Museum of the US Air Force

- Rating: 4.9/5 (5,181 reviews)
- City: Dayton
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#1. West Side Market

- Rating: 4.6/5 (4,480 reviews)
- City: Cleveland
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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