Franklin Park Conservatory Brightens Up Columbus Every Day!

Green plants, colorful flowers, the desert, the rain forest, golden macaws, and butterflies: some of my very favorite things, and can be found just about any time of year at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Central Ohio. The Conservatory houses about 400 various types of plants broken up into different climate types, such as: the desert, the rainforest, or the mountaintops. It is a great place to for families and to bring visiting relatives. I know I can be easily coaxed to go, especially since a visit leaves me feeling peaceful and relaxed. Similar to that feeling of a breezy summer day that you wished would never end.

Recently, my dad and I took my children for a few hours. Dad went crazy over the Dale Chihuly pieces he had not seen, and my son went nuts when he saw the train set up near the entrance way. We literally watched that train and looked at the miniature village reminiscent of the 1800’s for half an hour. After much nagging, I got them in elevator to go upstairs to peruse the exhibits. I was a bit worried that my two little ones of ages 2 and 3 would lose focus and perhaps get crazy or complain loudly, and I tried to make the visit as engaging for their little minds as possible. Franklin Park Conservatory does a great job offering little perks for kids so I didn’t have to work too hard. Some of the perks include golden macaws that have been trained to speak a few words, a small play area that includes plastic Chihuly pieces they can arrange themselves, a little boat they can captain, and a koi fish pond with big fat fish ready to eat all the food a quarter can buy. Franklin Park Conservatory also does a terrific job with walkways. There are plenty of big stairs, a lookout tower, bridges, paths leading to waterfalls, and all of pathways are wide enough for a stroller. The kids had a blast just walking up and down the stairs in the desert exhibit.

My dad took a little longer getting through the exhibits, not because he is old and slow, but because he wanted to read the signs. I could tell the kids were getting ants in their pants a few times and I created “tree talk.” The Conservatory offers a walking tour in which patrons can call on their cell phones to learn about various plants or information about the climate zone they are in. I decided to use that tour to my advantage and told my kids some of the trees talked. We looked for signs that had a telephone logo on them and I called in. They listened well and then ran around looking for new “talking trees.” It was quite humorous to me and honestly, I felt a little bit like a genius.

Franklin Park Conservatory
1777 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43203
800-241-7275
614-645-8733

If you are planning a trip, here are some tips:

• Check the Franklin Park Conservatory website for new exhibits and admission rates. I highly recommend Blooms and Butterflies.
• It is stroller-friendly!
• If you go during colder months there is a coatroom – free of charge.
• If you go during the warmer months, bring a picnic and find a place to eat outside.
• No charge for parking.
• Your daily admission can be put towards a yearly membership.
• There is a café for lunch that serves some kid-friendly food and plenty of seating.
• DO NOT let your child go into the gift shop unescorted – too many breakable things within reach.
• Bring quarters to get fish food.