Explore Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Life happens when you visit the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens with its exotic plant collections in Columbus, Ohio. One thing is for sure the visitor experience is out of this world. Once you walk into Franklin Park, you can expect fun, connect to nature, and build a new passion for outdoor plants while encountering life’s special moments.

The Franklin Park Conservatory is in central Ohio, with many other attractions nearby.

Franklin Park Conservatory History and Mission

One thing the botanical gardens does is bring people and plants in one place together. The botanical garden’s mission is to elevate the quality of life while connecting all visitors with wildlife.

The gardens do this through cultural, social, and educational classes. The best part is they have been doing it since 1993. The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ vision is to build a world-class nature retrieve for all to experience:

• outdoor gardens,

• natural surroundings,

• Columbus zoo,

• and special exhibitions.

The Conservatory is also the home to the iconic John F. Wolfe Palm House, dating back to 1895. You find it situated east of Franklin Park, with the Conservatory two miles from downtown Columbus.

Some standout places spread over the 13 acres are the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden, Conservatory Building, and Grand Mallway.

What To Expect in Franklin Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

The Franklin Park Conservatory always has something to offer. The botanical gardens elevate quality with a manicured park with fine art, a butterfly exhibit, a wedding venue, a live-fire cooking theater, and much more. So, start your tour at Broad Street at this botanical landmark by first:

Looking at The Conservatory Map

Download the map before you plan your visit to this premier venue in Broad St, Columbus, Ohio. The map allows you to explore all the different signature collection spaces throughout the park. Once you plan your trip, it is good to know that you can relax at the cafe or buy food at the food truck.

As you know, youngsters are always hungry when out.

Cafe and Food Truck

Luckily after walking for miles through the location, looking at blooms, butterflies, conservatories, and more with the family, you can get something to bite. There are two food offerings for all guests.

You have the Garden Cafe found in the Grand Atrium with a Conservatory Food Truck on the garden path parked outdoors. Both offer some of the best seasonal ingredients, with produce and herbs grown in the gardens.

There is seating available at the Grand Atrium and by the Food Truck. You can also find picnic tables throughout the park.

Gift Shop and Greenhouse

Before you leave, take some magic with your home by visiting Botanica and buying an indoor plant sold with expert knowledge to care for it. You can purchase nature-themed decorations, stationery, kids’ toys, books, gardening tools, pottery, terrariums, and jewelry

Shop and Glassblowing

In the covered outdoor pavilion found in the North Courtyard is the Hot Shop which is a treasure cove of glass artwork. Here you can see the art of glassblowing demonstrated daily. The demonstrations are part of the admission when the shops open.

You can even join the classes presented at the Hot Shop to learn the art form.

Gardens and Collections With Unique Exotic Plant Collections

Other highlights are the gardens and collections throughout the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The places pulse with life, and you can explore over 400 species worldwide in the Conservatory biomes. Some of the gardens are:

• John F. Wolfe Palm House

• The Scott’s Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden

• Botanical Gardens

• Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Gardens

• Chihuly Collection

• Bonsai Collection

• Light Raiment II

Exhibition

The botanical garden hosts exhibitions for school groups, families, and tourist groups throughout the year. Currently, they have a Chihuly glass collection with breathtaking glass artwork from July to December.

Another highlight from June to January is the Paul Busse Garden Railway, where everyone can get aboard to take a trip to Wild West Town, Fairytale Land, and more. In October, you can see the Harvest Blooms that infuse the botanical gardens with fall colors.

Things to Know Before Going to FCBG

Before heading out to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, it helps to plan your visit ahead of time.

Hours of Operation, Ticketing, Admission, and Payment Options

The Botanical Gardens are open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. The garden cafe and food truck are available on weekdays from 11 AM to 3 PM and on weekends, closing at 4 PM.

The gift shop opens at 10 AM and closes at 5 PM, and the ConserConservatoryen during holidays every day except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Other parts, like the Palm House, close for special events, and best to check ahead of time.

The general admission tickets you can obtain when you visit or pay online:

• General admission aged 13-59 $22

• Seniors aged 60+ $19

• Children ages 3-12 $15

• Museums for all $3

• Admission discounts are available but vary

Parking at the ConserConservatoryee but limited.

Garden Etiquette

During your visit to the ConserConservatoryotanical gardens, they want you to remain on the pathways. Please do not pick flowers, harvest fruit, or climb trAlso; pets are not allowed even in the outdoor areas. Still, pets can be taken to the surrounding areas.

The only animals permitted are service animals.

The dress code is shirts and comfortable shoes at all times. You are also not permitted to take food or beverages into the art galleries, nor is food from outside the garden allowed inside. The entire Franklin County park is smoke-free, and guests can take photos for personal, non-commercial use.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Programs

Whether you want a butterfly experience, a demonstration kitchen venture, or are interested in a community day, all of this is possible at the botanical gardens and more.

Short Term Classes

Whether you are an adult or a child, different short-term classes are available at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. No matter what your interest:

• Join in on the Pumpkin Spiced Cookies & Cider

• Botanical Drawing

• The Sustainable Kitchen

• The Communal Garden and more

School Programs

Experience school programs for the children to enjoy keeping them busy during the holidays. Whether individual learning to school groups, they can enjoy active learning with native to non-native plants, birds, science, and animals.

The ConserConservatorys onsite visits with guided field trips or the youngsters can enjoy social experiences with virtual field trips in the classroom.

Camps for Children

Enroll your youngster to get in touch with the outdoors at one of the summer camp programs at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical gardens. The youngsters join it to cultivate, harvest, and create culinary masterpieces. These camps range from ages three to eight years old and are filled with fun activities during the day with lunch and some free time every day.

In addition, the children will explore the Conservatory partaking in educational programs.

Outreach Programs

Another highlight at Franklin Park is the different outreach programs available, creating edible gardens for city beautification and home gardens in the community.

Girl Scouts

Another beneficial program found in one of the event spaces is the girl scouts, from brownies, girl scouts to cadettes. So, bring your youngsters to enjoy this age-old tradition to continue it into the future.

Plan Your Event at Franklin County Park

The park conservatory and botanical has many event spaces to host seasonal exhibitions and corporate gatherings. You can see several exhibitions or discuss one with the park if you plan to host one.

Weddings

Tie the knot with your loved one holding your wedding venue at the park. The rose pavilion is exceptional for photos, and you are surrounded by nature to build timeless memories on your wedding day.

Corporate Events

The Conservatory is ideal for hosting corporate events, whether a holiday party or need a quiet place to hold meetings. There are versatile venue options available with distinctive decor or personal. You can even select a vendor to make your corporate event truly unique.

Social Gatherings

Get in contact with the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to host your remembrance ceremonies, social parties, and more. A botanical garden is a spectacular place for youngsters’ parties to engagements.

Preferred Vendors

For your social events, Franklin County Park has some exceptional vendors that can help cater to all your event needs. So, check out the caterers with full menus online for cakes & desserts, equipment rental, and more.