Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

The fern garden is not there, it has been demolished and is being rebuilt. There is not as much land as there used to be, a lot of it is now Franklin Park, which is free, and not part of the Conservatory park. You can leave the park to get lunch and come back in as long as you have a receipt. They have really cool big bug art sculptures, and a nice outdoor playground for kids. In the children's garden they have little spray misters, and other little places with water they can play in to cool down. They have a nice butterfly exhibit with free-range butterflies. Please do not touch any of the butterflies, the oils on your fingers will hurt them and they will no longer be able to fly. They do have a food court and a gift shop. They have a very cool extensive train village outside with a bunch of little themed villages scattered around it. The whole park is fenced in, so the kids can't get out. They also have beautiful orange trees, bonsai trees, and a plant wall. There are bathrooms, and they are clean. There's lots of different areas inside and outside to sit and relax or have a picnic. Pets are not allowed, and they have a small farmers market on Wednesdays.

Simply beautiful. You could easily spend half or a full day here if you take your time to explore all the areas ( indoor and outdoor). There is no fee for parking. The butterfly exhibit was amazing. They have diverse plants, beautiful glass sculptures, a café, a gift shop, a nursing pod, and clean bathrooms. The grounds are well maintained and include beautiful plants and flowers. The David Rogers’ Big Bugs exhibition was occurring during our visit.

Pros: This location is very beautiful. I’d say it’s nice to go and get out and get some steps in. The butterfly exhibit was beautiful and well maintained. Very clean facility. Very kind, friendly, and fun staff! Cons: I don’t believe the price is a good representation of what you get. It was $25 per person to go. I would say the absolute maximum price for the amount to see should be $15-20. I went at a very busy time- when multiple schools were there. I would most definitely recommend going after 2pm if you don’t want the crowd.

We went to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens during a vacation to Ohio during the month of October, and we had a wonderful experience! It's absolutely beautiful, with stunning and well-cared plant collections, beautiful sculptures, and peaceful walking areas both inside and outside. There is a lot to learn about and something fun for all ages. We attended a very interesting demonstration about glass blowing. The staff was friendly, organized, and welcoming throughout our visit.This is definitely a must-visit in Columbus. We look forward to coming back again!

Franklin Park is a beautiful conservatory. Unfortunately, lightening struck shortly after I arrived, so the grounds will have to be a later adventure! The conservatory has many different types of plants from different biomes and is clearly labeled. The glasswork intertwined with the plants makes for a unique and lovely experience. I was fortunate to catch the on-site glass blowing demonstration before the storm hit! Such a cool experience. Will definitely be back.

We enjoyed our visit to Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. While it wasn’t a vast outdoor space, it still offered a lovely and relaxing experience with beautiful indoor displays and well-kept gardens. The conservatory was a great place to explore at a comfortable pace, and we appreciated the variety of plants and exhibits throughout our visit.

Staff is very friendly, helpful and professional. Conservatory and grounds are always spotless. These folks are truly dedicated and appreciate that visitors are interested in the exhibits, so they're willing to answer questions. The Children's play areas are well designed and spacious. Highly Recommend!

Family-friendly place to explore for all ages. During my visit, some parts are undergoing renovation and will be ready by fall 2027. There's an indoor cafe to keep everyone hydrated and refreshed. Recommend purchasing tickets online, as the Conservatory allows only a certain number of visitors to avoid overcrowding.