Free Things to do in Toledo Ohio

The city of Toledo is full of incredible activities all year long. It is an amazingly affordable place guaranteed to make your wallet happy. It is home to multiple museums and one of the top-rated park systems in the United States. Here is a list of fun, free things to do in Toledo Ohio. This list is guaranteed to keep you entertained and on budget while giving you the chance to explore the area.

View looking across the river at the Toledo skyline

If you love hiking and the outdoors, don’t forget that Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a free National Park and is just a couple of hours away.

Free Outdoor Activities in Toledo

You can find plenty of free outdoor experiences in Toledo suitable for all skill and activity levels. There are plenty of parks to walk, bike, or hike in. Relax at one of the many free concerts or get dirty while hunting for fossils. Whether you want a challenge or simply enjoy nature, here is a list of the best free ways to have fun outside in Toledo!

If you are looking for more options that may include rental or entrance fees, check out Summer Activities in Toledo.

Free Concerts

All summer long, parks throughout the city put on free concerts for all to enjoy. Listen to all types of genres like folk music, jazz, and even opera. Do a quick Google or Facebook search to find out where and when the next concert will be. Don’t forget to bring snacks and something to sit on for the best experience!

A brown and white dog sitting with a band playing in front of a gazebo in a park.

Toledo Botanical Gardens

Toledo Botanical Gardens is a great place to connect with nature with its beautiful gardens throughout the property. The only downside to this outing is that they are not dog-friendly (so they can protect the plants). The Botanical Gardens is host to many of those free concerts mentioned above throughout the summer.

A statue of a woman surrounded by red roses. There is a hedge in the background

One of the gardens in Toledo's Botanical Gardens. There is a brick wall with greenery growing on the wall. Several plots of flowers are around the area along with benches

Hunt for Fossils

Fossil Park in Sylvania is a great outing for anyone that does not mind getting dirty. Bring a bucket and some small brushes and search the quarry for some cool fossil discoveries that you can take home with you! If you need a break from scavenging the area, there are trails available in the park. Dogs are allowed on the trails but not in the fossil-finding area. This activity is usually availabe from April to September and is fun for all ages.

Fossils found at Fossil Park in Sylvania

Go Bouldering

Try your hand at Bouldering at Blue Creek Metro Park. If you are interested in trying your hand at rock climbing this is a fun stop to try it out at. Bouldering is basically rock climbing without the ropes and carabiners. This activity is strictly at your own risk, and you will need to bring any equipment like climbing shoes or crash pads with you.

a man climbing on a wall of rock at Blue Creek Metro Park

Mountain Biking

For mountain bikers bring your bike to Oak Openings. Take a spin through the 21 obstacles on the FitPark Ride course to brush up on your skills. There are also several mountain bike trails in the park if you don’t want to use the course.

Water or Snow Fun

If you have your own kayak or canoe, there are several spots along the Maumee River you can put in for a few hours of fun on the water. There are also places at Wiregrass Lake, Blue Creek, Howard Marsh, and Oak Openings parks that provide more water-based fun.

2 feet wearing sandals at the front of a blue kayak. The kayak is in the middle of a body of water

In the winter, you can find several parks where you can cross country ski, sled, or ice skate for free if you bring your own equipment.

Metroparks Programs

The Toledo Metroparks programs. I’ve mentioned several specific activities available at different Metroparks but did you know that they also offer free organized activities like community hikes throughout the year? This is a great way to see the park system in a whole new way, try something new, or make a new friend. Like their Facebook page to be notified of new programs that will be coming up. Full disclosure: not all of their programs are free so make sure to read the full details of each program so you won’t be surprised.

If you don’t want to participate in a program, you can always explore the parks on your own!

2 young deer, one just starting to grow antlers on the side of a path. They are in the woods.

A hawk perched on a downed tree. Snow is on the tree and on the ground

Free Indoor Activities in Toledo

Looking for something free to do indoors in Toledo? There are several free museums in the area to offer hours of fun. Enjoy famous pieces of art or learn about the history of police and firefighters in the city. Don’t like museums? Get more hands-on by trying out a new board game at a game store or learning a new skill or watching a movie at one of the programs hosted by the library. These are great ways to spend time with your crew or to expand your horizons and meet new friends!

For more indoor opportunities take a look at Winter Activities in Toledo.

Learn a New Game

Board game lovers should head to Old School Gaming. They have demo games available for you to try out and have a dedicated board game night each Thursday. They host other activities like Dungeons and Dragons throughout the rest of the week and other special events, so check out their website to find out the latest.

6 board games displayed on a table; Disney Villainous, Pandemic, Okey Dokey, Code Names, Star Wars Legion, and Dark Tales

Library Programs

Toledo Library Programs provide a wide array of activities- many of them being free. Take a cooking class, watch a movie, or learn a new skill like gardening or knitting. Pick up a booklet at any local library or look at their activities calendar online. Many of these events cycle through several locations so you can choose the most convenient location to you.

A ball of pink yarn attached to a crochet needle. There are 2 pieces of crocheted pieces displayed.

Toledo Museum of Art

The Toledo Museum of Art is an internationally known art museum that has free admission all year long. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and be aware that there is a parking fee if you decide to use their parking lot. This museum is a great place to visit all year long with art exhibits indoors and outdoors. They regularly rotate art pieces in their galleries and for a small fee, you can choose to tour whatever traveling exhibit is available at that time.

A sculpture displayed in the middle of the floor in the Art Museum. The sculpture has numerous holes in it.

a painting of a ship on a canvas inside a frame. The top left of the canvas is no longer attached to the frame and is artistically draped.

If you are interested in glass blowing visit the Glass Pavilion across the street to watch live demos and see glass-blown art on display throughout the building.

Popcorn Museum- now closed

J.H. Fentress Antique Popcorn Museum is a fantastic spot for those who like unique places and lovers of popcorn. They do require you to call ahead to set up a tour (419-308-4812) but it is well worth it! The tour will take you through one of the largest collections of popcorn-related memorabilia in the world. The tour is around 45 min long and you will get to see everything from old-fashioned tins to popcorn-making machines. This museum closed at the end of August 2022.

a row of old-fashioned popcorn machines lines up against a yellow wall inside the popcorn museum

Toledo Firefighters Musem

The Toledo Firefighters Museum is only open on Saturdays from 12-4 and is a great stop for anyone that loves firefighters and history. You will be able to see several antique fire trucks and how firefighting has evolved over the years. There are also several fun interactive displays to help educate children about fire safety. Many of the volunteers are retired or active firefighters to answer any and all questions you may have.

Toledo History Museum

If you are a local history buff, visit the Toledo History Museum. They are open on Saturdays from 12-5 pm and Sundays from 1-5 pm and are home to numerous collections such as pictures, period clothing, industrial tools, and household goods from Toledo’s history.

Toledo Police Museum

Anyone interested in the criminal history of the city should visit the Toledo Police Museum. Learn about the criminal records of the more infamous Toledo locals and have fun having your own mug shot taken! You can also learn different historical moments of Toledo’s police force including details about their first police dog.

Why You Should Visit:

When visiting Toledo, most people only make a point to visit the zoo but this city offers so much more! Whether you are visiting family, driving through, or live in the area, I encourage you to take some time to explore Northwest Ohio. Use this list of free things to do in Toledo to help keep you and your family entertained throughout the year.

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