You are a broke college student stuck in Corvallis, and you feel like you have exhausted the list of things to do.

If finding new things to do in town is becoming bland and draining your bank account, you have come to the right place.

Whether you are looking to pick up a new hobby, visit a museum or art gallery, or watch a free movie or play, Corvallis and the surrounding areas have many activities available to keep you entertained without breaking out your wallet.

Here’s a list of 13 things you can do in Corvallis and the surrounding area for free.

Check out a history museum

The Corvallis museum has art, artifacts, textiles, specimens, and several history exhibits on local history. The museum is free for OSU and LBCC students.

If you can step out of Corvallis, the Philomath museum features rotating exhibits about local history and art. It is free of charge for all visitors.

Both museums also often host free tours and lectures about local and state history topics.

Additionally, the Albany Historic Carousel museum features a 1909 carousel with a restored menagerie of animals. It offers a free museum and tours of its workshop. If you are willing to splurge, visitors can also purchase a token to ride the carousel for $2.

Play board games at local game stores

Ever wanted to try your hand at a new board game?
Several local stores in Corvallis offer free game nights where you can learn how to play tabletop games, card games and Dungeons and Dragons, among others.

Guardian Games has a slate of free events every day of the week for a variety of games. The store also allows visitors to come in at any time to play games of any sort, and the store has many demo games available for people to try out.

Matt’s Cavalcade of Comics similarly hosts a lineup of free events for playing games. The store hosts Dungeons & Dragons nights and events for a variety of card and tabletop games.

If playing games in stores or at events isn’t up your alley, both the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library and the OSU Valley Library offer a selection of board and card games for checkout.

Try your hand at disc golf

Disc golf is a sport similar to golf. Played with a frisbee-like disc, the aim is to get a frisbee into a standing basket target in an outdoor course. Several free courses exist in Corvallis, such as nearby Adair and Willamette parks.

Check out a disc gold set from the OSU Valley library or Corvallis-Benton County Public Library library of things and try your hand at the sport without paying a dime.

Take advantage of the items and offerings of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library

Corvallis-Benton County Public Library has over 4,000 books for checkout. IT also offers free audiobooks through the platform Libby, movies for checkout through the streaming platform canopy and DVDs for a variety of movies and tv shows.

The library also has an extensive Library of Things. From birding kits to baking supplies to drum pads, the library offers many items for checkout for pursuing new hobbies or interests.

With the library’s collection includes items ranging from VR glasses to ukuleles to laminators and crocheting supplies, a library card provides access to an assortment of items.

Additionally, the library hosts many events available to the community free of charge, ranging from book clubs and presentations to Celtic band performances and free tax assistance during the winter months.

Stop by the Corvallis Arts Center

Located next to Central Park in downtown Corvallis, The Arts Center has free rotating art exhibits available for the public to view. The center is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday
from noon to 5 p.m.

Experience local art at the monthly Corvallis Arts Walk

On the third Thursday of each month from 4 p.m. to 8 pm., the Arts Center hosts the Corvallis Arts Walk at one of 12 participating local galleries. Open to the public, the free events feature an exhibition of community artwork and food.

Enjoy art at the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts

The Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts has exhibits in its gallery throughout the year that are free for visitors.

The PRAx also hosts several free events. PRAx hosts monthly free film screenings in collaboration with Darkside cinema, followed by post-screening discussions. It also has various free events and presentations on various art-related subjects.

Volunteer to get free tickets to Majestic Theatre performances

The Majestic Theatre hosts a variety of shows, from plays to comedy shows to drag shows and many other performances.

The Majestic Theatre sometimes needs volunteer ushers to hand out programs, direct patrons to their seats, and do other tasks throughout performances. Volunteers who help usher for an event can watch for free.

Embark on a free guided history tour

On the first Friday of the month, Engage Corvallis hosts a free walking history tour in downtown Corvallis, featuring topics ranging from architecture to social justice. Engage Corvallis also hosts several other walking tours, including a free walking tour exploring the history of hops in the southtown neighborhood of town.

Visit a local farmers’ market

From April to November, the Corvallis farmer’s market, featuring local produce, baked goods, and other goods, takes over NW 1st Street. During the farmer’s markets off-season, from January to April, the Corvallis Indoor Winter Market welcomes visitors to the Benton County fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Markets often also feature music performances. While purchasing food and goods might cost money, strolling around the markets is a free way to start your morning.

Go for a hike

From nearby Bald Hill and Chip Ross Parks, located a few miles off campus, to the large network of trails at OSU’s McDonald-Dunn research forest, a 20-minute drive from Corvallis, those interested in hitting the trails have many options to explore in the area.

Other nearby hiking destinations include Fiton Green Natural Area, Mary’s Peak, the Jackson Frazier Wetlands, and the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge.

Visit a local park

If hiking is not up to your speed, Corvallis has over 40 parks, providing various opportunities to picnic, play sports or explore. Whether pursuing the rose garden and climbing on the train at Avery Park, sitting by a bench at the fountain at the Bruce Staker Arts park or playing a sports game at Chinitmini park, there are many options for basking in fresh air throughout town.

Listen to free local music

During the summer months, there are several free concerts available around town.

From the Chintimini Park summer concerts, twice-monthly Philomath Music in the Park events, and weekly concerts as a part of the SAGE Summer Concert Series, those looking to hang out at a local park and listen to music have several local options.

Listen to a lecture

For those looking to expand their mind, Corvallis offers many free lectures, talks and workshops on various topics.

The local Astronomy on Tap series brings scientists to Bombs Away Cafe on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. for a free talk on a different space-related topic. The Mary’s River Watershed Council offers Ecology on Tap talks at the Common Fields. The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition offers cooking presentations, talks from experts and clinics.