Columbus College of Art & Design students don’t have to choose between buying art supplies or having a great night out—there are loads of cheap things to do in Columbus, and all you need is your college ID! Many of our top museums, movie theaters, performance spaces, and sports venues offer great discounts just for you. Your CCAD ID enables you to experience some of the best culture Columbus has to offer without breaking the bank, and many of these places are only a short walk away from our home in the Discovery District. Or if you want to travel a bit further, good news: You can get around for free by using your college ID on any COTA bus! Keep reading to learn more about some of the places in Columbus offering great discounts for CCAD students.
Columbus museum discounts
Columbus Museum of Art
480 E. Broad St.
You don’t have to go far to enjoy world-class art! CCAD’s next-door neighbor, Columbus Museum of Art, has a permanent collection featuring some of the finest art over the centuries, including work by outstanding central Ohio artists, plus visiting exhibitions that highlight a range of approaches and cultural movements—all of which will leave you inspired. As a CCAD student, you get the benefits of museum membership, including free admission to the museum and discounts in the museum store and Schokko Art Café (which we consider one of Columbus’ must-try restaurants).
Ohio History Center
800 E. 17th Ave.
Explore local history at the Ohio History Center, located a short car or bus ride away from CCAD’s campus. Bring your college ID for a $2 discount on admission to the history museum, which features exhibitions of Ohio flora and fauna (including taxidermied specimens of extinct animals), a display about the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks (Ohio’s only UNESCO World Heritage site), a look at life in Ohio through the decades, and more.
Wexner Center for the Arts
1871 N. High St. (on The Ohio State University campus)
Find outstanding art of all types at the Wexner Center for the Arts, which plays host to rotating contemporary art exhibitions; theater, dance, and music performances; film and video screenings (including filmmaker visits); and talks from culture leaders from the U.S. and abroad. Exhibition entry is always free for students, as are many of the Wex’s programs—and your college ID gets you cheap tickets to even more Wexner Center events.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden
1777 E. Broad St.
Sometimes you just need to stop and smell the roses … and Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden has you covered. Located a straight shot east on Broad Street from CCAD’s campus (a short bike or bus ride), Franklin Park has seasonal displays inside and out, short-term art exhibitions, permanent indoor biomes with 400-plus plant species from around the world, and largest private botanical garden collection of glass works by Dale Chihuly. Get 10% off any membership level with your CCAD student ID, or, if you live in Columbus/Franklin County, you can visit for free during Franklin Park’s Community Days on the first Sunday of the month. Individuals who meet certain income limits can also visit for only $3 as part of Museums for All.
Columbus movie theater discounts
Gateway Film Center
1550 N. High St.
Enjoy a range of movies, from big-budget blockbusters to cult classics to new indie flicks; films that highlight local stories, partnerships, issues, and filmmakers; and more at the Gateway Film Center. GFC, a nonprofit venue in Columbus’ University District, is an easy bus ride up North High Street from CCAD’s campus. Bring your college ID to snag $7.75 discounted tickets for any regular presentation.
Drexel Theatre
2254 E. Main St.
See independent film, international cinema, and the best of Hollywood on the silver screen at the Drexel Theatre in Bexley, less than a 10-minute drive from campus. In addition to regular screenings, the Drexel hosts special events such as an annual sci-fi marathon. Get $2 off your ticket when you bring your college ID!
Marcus Theaters
200 Hutchinson Ave. (Worthington)
1776 Hill Road N. (Pickerington)
Head to the ‘burbs to take advantage of Marcus Theatres’ Student Thursdays. At Marcus, you can relax in a plush recliner while you take in the latest great thing from Hollywood. Tickets are $7.50 with your college ID and can only be purchased at the box office.
Columbus performing arts discounts
BalletMet
322 Mt. Vernon Ave.
BalletMet, in the Discovery District, brings in some of the world’s top dancers for performances that will leave you at the edge of your seat. Student rush tickets (dependent on availability) may be purchased for $15 (with college ID) at the theater starting two hours before showtime.
Chamber Music Columbus
21 E. Main St. (Southern Theatre)
For nearly 80 years, Chamber Music Columbus has presented local concertgoers with chamber music—that is, classical music performed by a small number of players. Catch their performances at the Southern Theatre, Columbus’ oldest theater and one with some seriously impressive acoustics. Student tickets are $15 per concert (limit two with college ID), get you close to the action with orchestra seating, and can be purchased the night of any regular season performance.
ProMusica Chamber Orchestra
21 E. Main St. (Southern Theatre)
ProMusica, the resident orchestra at the Southern Theatre, draws outstanding performers from all over the world and has been recognized for its innovative works with eight ASCAP awards for Adventurous Programming. Hear it for yourself with a discount ticket available for regular-season performances. Student tickets (limit of two per college ID) are available for $12 through the ProMusica Box Office at the door on the night of the performance, over the phone in advance by calling 614.464.0066 ext. 101, or you can buy ProMusica tickets online at ticketmaster.com.
Columbus Dance Theatre
592 E. Main St.
Witness cutting-edge contemporary dance by Columbus Dance Theatre, a professional arts organization producing high-quality work in an intimate setting. Performances are held at CDT’s home on East Main Street in the Market Exchange District downtown, or at places like the Lincoln Theater, located a short walk from CCAD in the King-Lincoln-Bronzeville neighborhood. Students with a college ID can purchase season tickets for $60 or individual tickets for $15–$20.
Columbus Symphony
55 E. State St.
Take in classical music favorites and contemporary works performed by the Columbus Symphony at a discount with the CSO’s College Club. Membership gets you free admission for one to all of the symphony’s Masterworks concerts, the option to buy $8 discount tix for your friends, members-only pre- and post-concert events, and more. Plus, if you’re not ready for a full-season commitment, you can bring your ID to the CBUSArts Ticket Center the week of a show to purchase up to two tickets for $14 apiece.
Columbus sporting event discounts
Columbus Blue Jackets
200 W. Nationwide Blvd.
Get a rush with discount tickets to see the Columbus Blue Jackets on the ice during the team’s regular home season games! Student Rush tickets to the NHL’s games in the Arena District, which is only 1.5 miles away from campus, are $25–$40. Register for Columbus Blue Jackets Student Rush tickets here to get started, and be sure to bring your ID to the game.
Columbus Clippers
330 Huntington Park Lane
You’ll be singing “take me out to the ballgame” thanks to Columbus Clippers’ $5 student tickets available for purchase online for Wednesday–Friday games. The Clippers are the Cleveland Guardians’s AAA affiliate, meaning you’ll get to see major league stars at minor league prices.
Enjoy the best of Columbus culture free with a library pass
We love our libraries here in central Ohio, and the Columbus Metropolitan Library is one of the best around. In addition to expected items like books, DVDs, and econtent like streaming movies, your library card gets you access to Culture Passes, first-come, first serve short-term passes that you can check out for entry to a range of central Ohio venues, including many of the places we’ve highlighted here! Similar passes are also offered by libraries in Pickerington, Upper Arlington, Grandview, Westerville, Fairfield County, Pataskala, and elsewhere.
Header image: Don’t have a car? Don’t worry—you can keep your Columbus explorations cheap by using your CCAD ID to get a free ride on any COTA bus.
Learn more about things to do in Columbus, Ohio—and why Columbus is a great city for young creatives—on our Columbus is Calling webpage.
