Are you visiting Columbus, Ohio soon? Looking for the best things to do in the Columbus area? Be sure to include a visit to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in your plans.
What Is the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens?
Located inside an 88-acre park, the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offer a 13-acre visitor experience of beauty and nature. The Gardens have something for everyone, from children to senior citizens. From exotic blown glass works of art to a children’s waterfall area and splash pad, from exotic and rare plants to an architectural light display, the Gardens will interest anyone. This attraction began in the 1890s with the John F. Wolfe Palm House and has continued to grow, improve, and expand its offerings. The other conservatories offer exhibits of plants native to several different biomes. You can explore plants from the Himalayan Mountains, the desert, a rainforest, and even the South Pacific. The most recent additions include the children’s garden and a new outreach and education barn.
What is Unique About the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens?
What makes the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens different from other botanical gardens? What unique or interesting features does this conservatory offer?
- Joseph H. Wolfe Palm House – The Palm House is the original building of the Conservatory. It is a Victorian-designed large glass greenhouse that houses over 40 different species of palms.
- Dale Chihuly Blown Glass Exhibit – Chihuly blown glass art pieces are amazing. Many of them are large and impressive. This display is a permanent exhibit at the Botanical Gardens.
- Scotts Miracle-Gro Children’s Garden – This new addition to the Botanical Gardens will delight any child. Your child will love the waterfall and splash pad area. The canopy walk includes rope bridges, a nest area, and a rope hammock – perfect for watching the clouds. To end your visit, you might want to check out the Whisper Gardens where you will find a fairy garden and a reading garden, including books.
- Butterflies and Blooms Butterfly Garden – Have you ever been to a butterfly garden? It is an amazing experience! The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was the first conservatory in the country to offer a seasonal butterfly garden. Butterfly gardens offer close encounters with many different kinds of butterflies. The butterflies flit freely around the flowers and plants of the garden. One may even land on your hand.
- Light Raiment II Light Display – This exhibit is a permanent architectural light display. Thousands of LED-lights illuminate the glass Joseph H. Wolfe Palm House each evening at dusk.
Visitor Information
The Conservatory and Gardens are open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is located a short two miles from downtown Columbus. Food is available for purchase inside the park. While the weather may not always encourage outdoor exploration of the park, the conservatories offer year-round climate-controlled visiting opportunities. Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours on your visit.
When you’re in Columbus, be sure to check out German Village.
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