Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Visited from out of town, strictly for the Chihuly exhibit! Loved the entire experience. Beautiful botanical gardens with Chihuly glass pieces perfectly intertwined. Friendly staff and a lovely gift shop. A relaxing must see experience!

Hands down stunning experience to go to. This is a beautiful place that needs to be taken in slowly. They have different climate areas that show the wild tropic plants and dessert depiction and the grounds outside are magnificent. The palm house is a place you just want to linger in and stay. They had their butterfly exhibit when I went and I highly suggest trying. They also have stunning permanent art structures of Dale Chiuly throughout. Their Bonsai trees are stunning and they also sell them. Their gift shop is very nice also. This is a Columbus gem.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a beautiful and peaceful escape right in the heart of Columbus. The variety of plant collections, seasonal displays, and themed gardens make it an enjoyable experience for all ages. One of the highlights is the butterfly exhibit—it’s a truly magical experience to walk among dozens of colorful butterflies fluttering around you. It’s especially neat for kids, offering an up-close look at nature in a fun and interactive way. Overall, it’s a great spot for families, nature lovers, or anyone looking for a relaxing and educational day out.

Last week was my second visit to the conservatory. My first was around the holidays last year which was amazing to see the holiday lights and decorations inside & out. This visit was during the current Blooms & Butterflies Exhibit. My identification of the butterflies in my pics are totally amateur. Also, the Chihuly glass collection here is truly amazing. I’ve included just a few pics that I took from this visit.

Let’s start with the positive- Yes, it’s pretty. All staff we encountered were wonderful. The butterfly garden was easily the best part. Now, if you’re a botany enthusiast or want to take specialized photos, this is your spot. For the average person checking out Columbus sites, it’s a no for me. $106 admission was not where I would spend my money again. Beautiful backdrop, not much to see. Children’s garden and canopy was closed despite beautiful weather. No discount for that. I fully understand that it’s costly to maintain, but far too expensive for what is delivered. Wish we had gone to the Museum of Art instead.