What You Need to Know About Visiting the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus Ohio in 2024
by Jenna Mendez
6.8 min read
Visiting Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio, promises a captivating experience for nature enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. This iconic botanical garden, renowned for its diverse plant collections and stunning seasonal displays, offers a serene escape within the bustling city. From vibrant flower exhibits to immersive biomes, the conservatory showcases the beauty of nature year-round.
If you’re thinking of visiting the Franklin Park Conservatory, we have everything you need to know before your visit. We’ll share the best things to do, how to get tickets, seasonal events and how to make the most of your visit.
What is the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens?
With 150 years of history behind it, this iconic structure was once home to the Ohio World’s Fair and the first place in the nation to house seasonal butterflies! Today, the conservatory and botanic garden stands as a place that celebrates nature and its connection to humans through educational and interactive experiences. Visitors have the chance to walk a 13-acre ground full of exhibits and beautiful gardens.
Some notable buildings include the Conservatory building, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden and the Grand Mallway. The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanic Gardens consist of biomes, horticulture and art exhibitions.
The best things to do at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Butterflies
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Franklin Park’s Blooms & Butterflies features a wind range of butterflies that fly through the Conservatory’s Pacific Island Water Garden. The Franklin Park Conservatory also gives guests the chance to watch daily emergences of new butterflies from chrysalises at the Metamorphosis Lab. Admission to the Franklin Park Conservatory butterflies is included with general admission and is available until July 2024.
If you can’t make it to the spring/summer installment of seeing butterflies in action, this Columbus attraction gives visitors another chance to see Franklin Park Conservatory butterflies in a whole new way! With the “Color, Fly, Butterfly” exhibit, guests can color their own butterfly drawing and watch it come to life on screen. This experience is available free with general admission until November 17th.
Hot Shop glass blowing classes
Franklin Park’s Hot Shop features daily glassblowing demonstrations by local and professional gaffers. The Hot Shop also offers hands-on classes for guests to participate in. Not only will you learn the process of glass blowing but you’ll be able to create and take home a piece too. Franklin Park’s offers intermediate, personal glass-blowing sessions and introduction classes with no experience required!
Glass-blowing classes at the Franklin Park Conservatory start at $750 with a maximum of 4 students.
The John F. Wolfe Palm House
The John F. Wolfe Palm House is the oldest portion of the Franklin Park Conservatory. Designed as a Victorian-style greenhouse, this marvel isn’t a site to be missed. The Palm House is home to 43 species of palms from around the world. Some species are even considered endangered, making this collection both a stunning display and a crucial conservation effort.
Notable finds in this space include the Ficus lyrata, or Fiddle-leaf Fig which planted when the building first opened and are still growing today.
The Himalayan Mountain Biome
The Himalayan Mountain Biome houses a variety of conifers, deciduous trees and shrubs, flowering plants. This unique biome replicates the diverse ecosystems found in the Himalayan region, offering visitors a chance to explore the rich flora of this majestic mountain range. Towering evergreens and delicate blooms create a stunning contrast, highlighting the biodiversity of one of the world’s most famous mountain systems
The Corpse Flower
Blooming first in 2020 and captivating guests of all ages, this rare flower is beginning to bloom again this year! The Amorphophallus titanum, a.k.a. Corpse Flower, currently measures at 63 inches tall – that’s five feet! When bloomed, the Corpse Flower releases a stench similar to rotting flesh, which attracts its pollinators of flies and beetles.
This bloom in particular housed at the Franklin Conservatory, is considered the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world. Don’t miss your chance to see this flower in action as it only blooms in full for two days before collapsing into a dormant state.
The Children’s Garden
This 2-acre children’s garden features numerous activities and interactive experiences that celebrate Ohio’s nature. Dedicated to education and spreading the world on environmental conservation, the area offers educational programs like the “Let’s Grow Garden Club” and “Nature Story Time.
Some of the best attractions in the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden include:
- The Sunrise Lawn
- The Canopy Walk
- The Playhouse Garden
- The Nature Art Studio
- The Nature Play Zone
How to get tickets and hours
Franklin Park Conservatory tickets cost $23.50 for general admission. Tickets for Seniors 60+ cost $19.50, while tickets for children ages 3-12 will cost $16.00. Ticket reservations can be made online, and reservations are required.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden is open daily from 10am-5pm. Hours during special events may vary and the John F. Wolfe Palm House is a special event space that experiences occasional closures.
How to get there and where to park
Franklin Park Conservatory is located at 1777 E. Broad Street. The conservatory is less than two miles away from downtown Columbus near the intersection of East Broad Street and Nelson Road.
The Franklin Park Conservatory has limited free parking just east of the main Conservatory building and in the Wells Barn parking lot. The parking lots are accessible from E. Broad Street.
Seasonal events
Through the Vines: A Seasonal Journey – This site-specific installation allows visitors to explore the lights, sights, and sounds of the four seasons with a series of vine arches made from organic plant materials. Now available until January 5th, 2025.
Pumpkins Aglow – Experience hundreds of light-up Jack-o-Lanterns and family-friendly entertainment at this Halloween event. Pumpkins Aglow also features a selection of fall blooms, exclusive to conservatory guests.
Holiday Blooms – Experience the wonder of the holiday season with fantastic light displays throughout the conservatory and holiday surprises and musical performances you won’t want to miss.
Chihuly Nights – Marvel at 18 installations of breathtaking Chihuly glass artwork is illuminated with backlit lighting. This nighttime event gives guests the opportunity to see this installation in a whole new way.
Conservatory Explore Nights! – This summer event gives guests the chance to explore the Conservatory at night. With a charming summer theme, Conservatory Explore Nights features music, family fun activities, a cash bar for the adults, food trucks and all Conservatory amenities.
Best restaurants near Franklin Park Conservatory
No matter when you choose to visit the conservatory, there’s something always around the corner. Here’s our picks for the best restaurants near the Franklin Park Conservatory:
Basi Italia: Known for a cozy atmosphere, fresh pasta, and delicious Italian classics.
The Guild House: Known for farm-to-table dishes, chic interior, and artisanal cocktails.
Katalina’s Café: Known for their famous pancake balls, eclectic menu, and vibrant setting.
Barcelona Restaurant & Bar: Known for their tapas menu, paella, and extensive wine list.
The Refectory Restaurant & Bistro: Great for fine dining experience, extensive wine cellar, and exquisite dishes.
The Olde Towne Tavern: A great casual atmosphere with comfort food, and local craft beers.
Visiting the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio, offers an enriching and delightful experience for visitors of all ages. From the historical John F. Wolfe Palm House to the unique Himalayan Mountain Biome, the conservatory’s diverse exhibits and biomes showcase the beauty and diversity of nature. The message of environmental conservation and stewardship shines through in this iconic Columbus, Ohio staple.
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Jenna loves to use her voice to spread awareness about reforestation, eco-friendly initiatives, and protecting planet Earth. She's passionate about making the world a better place and is driven by her desire to give back to the planet. She is committed to learning more about the environment and its preservation and is a strong believer in the power of education and activism.
