Free in Augusta: Phinizy Swamp every day, FREE Sundays at the Morris, the Riverwalk, the canal towpath, library story times, splash pads and the Saturday market.

Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. Each place is listed from its own site or the city’s, linked below. Free means no admission; parking, food and extras can cost money.

Plenty of Augusta costs nothing: a 1,100-acre nature park open every day, a free art museum on Sundays, miles of canal towpath, the Riverwalk, library story times, city splash pads and a Saturday market on the river.

Before you go

  • Free downtown parking: 116 James Brown Blvd. and 865 Reynolds St. (city announcement)
  • City parks: generally open dawn to dusk; Augusta Recreation and Parks, 706-796-5025
  • Dated free events this month: things to do this month

Outdoors

  • Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, 1858 Lock and Dam Road: free and open 365 days a year, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. October through March and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April through September, with free parking; 706-828-2109. Trails, boardwalks and wildlife (Phinizy Center).
  • The Augusta Canal towpath, from the Headgates at Savannah Rapids Park toward downtown, with free parking at the Headgates, Lake Olmstead, the Old Turning Basin at 13th Street and the Mill Village Trailhead. Details on our walking and biking trails page.
  • The Riverwalk downtown, with access at 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th streets.
  • City parks, including Lake Olmstead Park (disc golf, walking trail), Pendleton King Park (disc golf, dog park) and Diamond Lakes Regional Park (city park finder).
  • Dog parks at Pendleton King and Valley Park; rules on our dog-friendly guide.

Museums and culture

  • FREE Sundays at the Morris, Morris Museum of Art, 1 Tenth St., noon to 5 p.m. in its current listings, plus free family afternoons such as the Boo Bash (Morris calendar).
  • Augusta and Co., 1010 Broad St., the visitor center, with local goods and free guides.
  • Historic walks downtown: Broad Street and the Augusta Common at 836 Reynolds St. are outdoors and free; our history and landmarks page has the background.

Kids

  • Library story times, free at the Augusta-Richmond County Public Library branches; times are on the library calendar.
  • Splash pads at Wood Park, 1898 Highland Ave.; Brookfield Park, 2740 Mayo Road; and McBean Park, 1151 Hephzibah-McBean Road.
  • Playgrounds at the Riverwalk, Lake Olmstead, Pendleton King, Diamond Lakes and Eisenhower parks.

More on our kids’ activities guide.

Markets and seasonal events

  • The Augusta Market at the River, 8th and Reynolds streets, Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in season (March 21 to Nov. 21 in 2026), with live music on the River Stage (The Augusta Market).
  • City trunk-or-treats at community centers in late October, free: Halloween events.
  • City Easter egg hunts, free: Easter in Augusta.
  • Light displays on the Riverwalk and the Augusta Common in December: holiday lights.
  • The city’s Fourth of July fireworks over the river: Fourth of July.

Frequently asked questions

Is Phinizy Swamp Nature Park free? Yes. It is free and open 365 days a year, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. October through March and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April through September, with free parking.

Is the Morris Museum of Art free? On Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. in its current listings, at 1 Tenth St.

What can kids do free in Augusta? Library story times, the city’s splash pads, playgrounds at the Riverwalk and Lake Olmstead, and the trails at Phinizy Swamp.

Where can I park free downtown? 116 James Brown Blvd. and 865 Reynolds St., with no time limit.

What this means for you

  • A Sunday plan: the Morris in the afternoon, the Riverwalk after.
  • Phinizy Swamp is free every day of the year.
  • Park free downtown and walk.

Related: brunch, downtown Augusta and things to do this weekend.