Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Once you’ve checked off the Columbus Art Museum, Center of Science and Industry (COSI), and other downtown attractions, head just east of the city to the vast and inviting Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Stroll through the conservatory to learn about the earth’s varied biomes, admire endangered palms in the historic John F. Wolfe Palm House, and discover the outdoor botanical gardens. In addition to the permanent gardens and collections, there are art and nature exhibitions, a hot shop with glass blowing demonstrations, and a roster of special events all year round.

• With a dedicated children’s garden and wide green spaces for exploring, the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is an ideal family outing.

• The children’s garden includes water features open from May to September, so bring a towel and a change of clothes for tots.

• Strollers can be used in most of the park; there is stroller parking outside the areas where they are not permitted.

• The Garden Café serves light meals, snacks, and drinks daily from late morning to early afternoon.

• The Botanica gift shop sells garden-related souvenirs, plants and bulbs, and glassware made in the hot shop.

• The complex is accessible to wheelchairs and a limited number of wheelchairs are available for free at the Visitor Center.

The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is located east of downtown Columbus and the easiest way to get there is by car; there is free parking at the entrance. Otherwise, the complex sits along the COTA bus line 10 or you can bike from downtown: The local CoGo bike share service has a docking station for both e-bikes and regular bikes at the gardens.

Open all year round, the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is at its lush peak from spring through fall. Check the calendar on the conservatory’s website to catch one of the many special exhibits, events, performances, and classes offered. The complex also holds special night openings and events in the summer.

You can easily spend an entire day exploring this sweeping space, so if you have to optimize your time, head to the highlights first. The Conservatory is the star attraction here, with its 400 plant species from across the globe. The 19th-century Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse is also a must-see, home to rotating floral displays and two roof gardens—Zen Terrace and The Grove—decorated with glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly. Finally, the Victorian-style John F. Wolfe Palm House, built in 1895, is striking during the day, but comes to life at night with an architectural light installation using thousands of colored LEDs.