Here’s what new, free ‘Passport to Columbus’ offers for kids all summer
With the news that two of the city’s four outdoor pools will not open again this year, the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department will offer an upgraded summer fun pass that will include a larger range of activities for kids to enjoy, according to Director Holli Browder.
The new “Passport to Columbus” will be valid May 25 through August 3 and offered to all Muscogee residents 18 and under.
The passports will include:
Columbus Parks and Recreation
Free admission to Double Churches and Rigdon pools for children 18 and under (14 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult).
Outdoor pool prices at the Columbus Aquatic Center for children 18 and under (14 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult).
Columbus Ice Rink
Free ice skating during skate season (May 25-June 26) for children 18 and under (must be accompanied by paying adult). The rink is located at 400 4th Street.
METRA Transfer Center
Free METRA transportation on the fixed route bus service for children ages 12-18 (under 12 must be accompanied by a paying adult).
National Infantry Museum
The NIM Giant Screen Theater is offering kids free movies with the option of either a $5 kid’s combo of popcorn, drink and mini candy or a $3.25 snack pack with popcorn and a small drink.
The museum is located at 1775 Legacy Way.
The Columbus Museum
Each Friday this summer there will be a different special performance, plus arts and crafts, a gallery scavenger hunt and more, all for free. Activities start at 10:30 a.m. and seating for the performance is on a first-come, first-served basis. Dates are June 14, 21 and 28 and July 12, 19 and 26.
The museum is located at 1251 Wynnton Road.
National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus
Any kid with a pass will be given free admission to the museum. Accompanying parents must pay regular rate.
The museum is located at 1002 Victory Drive.
Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center
The pass will offer a one-time-use child’s ticket for any 10 a.m. summer show. Parents/chaperones must pay $5 admission.
The learning center is located at 3535 South Lumpkin Road.
Liberty Theater
The Liberty will provide free gardening activities with children from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesdays.
The Liberty Theater is located at 821 8th Avenue.
Chattahoochee Valley Libraries
The libraries are hosting Let’s Get Wild About Reading 2019 Summer Reading Challenge and offering hundreds of free programs for children. Visit your nearest branch for more information.
Historic Westville
Free admission to school-aged children with any paid adult. Limit four children per paid adult. (Please call to confirm site has opened).
Historic Westville is located at 3557 South Lumpkin Road.
RiverCenter
The RiverCenter is hosting free concerts all summer long:
▪ The Southeast Trombone Symposium is holding a conference on all things trombone with free concerts at 8 p.m. June 19-22 in RiverCenter’s Legacy Hall.
▪ The Schwob Summer Music Festival will run from June 23-30. Free evening shows will be held at 7:30 p.m. June 25 and 27 in the Legacy Hall. These chamber music and solo performances will feature faculty artists. The participant concert is 1 p.m. June 29 in Legacy Hall and will feature chamber music and the festival choir and wind ensemble.
▪ The Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus presents their Summer String Camp Final Concert at 1:30 p.m. June 8 in the Legacy Hall.
▪ The Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus Alumni Reunion Concert is at 7 p.m. June 8 in the Legacy Hall.
The RiverCenter is located at 900 Broadway.
According to Browder, passports are available at the following locations:
- Parks and Recreation Administrative Office, 3111 Citizens Way
- 29th Street Recreation Center, 501 29th Street
- Boxwood Recreation Center, 1110 Enoch Drive
- Carver Park Recreation Center, 6665 Hunter Road
- Comer Gym, 107 41st Street
- Fluellen Recreation Center, 2824 8th Street
- Frank Chester Recreation Center, 1441 Benning Drive
- Northside Recreation, 2010 American Way
- Psalmond Road Recreation Center, 6550 Psalmond Road
- Shirley Winston Recreation Center, 5025 Steam Mill Road
- Metra Transfer Station, 814 Linwood Blvd.
- Columbus Ice Rink, 400 4th Street Columbus
- Aquatic Center, 1603 Midtown Drive
- Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road
- Mildred L. Terry Public Library, 640 Veterans Parkway
- North Columbus Public Library, 5689 Armour Road
- South Columbus Public Library, 2034 South Lumpkin Road
This story was originally published May 16, 2019 at 5:00 AM.