Know Before You Go

Updated Health & Safety Measures

In accordance with the lifting of state health orders,  our health and safety policies have been updated. Please review before your next visit.

• Visiting | Guests should still visit another day if they do not feel well and continue to use everyday preventative measures (e.g. wash hands, cover coughs, etc.) before, during and after their visit.
• Ticketing | Reserving tickets before visiting is encouraged in order to ensure your visit and for the best check-in experience.
  • Special Engagements (Chihuly Nights, Pumpkins Aglow, Conservatory Aglow, etc.) require separate admission tickets from general admission.
• Capacity | The facility’s capacity limit has been relaxed. One-way traffic restrictions have been lifted.
• Face coverings | Unvaccinated guests should continue to wear face coverings during their visit. Fully vaccinated guests are no longer required to wear face coverings.
  • Vaccinated guests who feel more comfortable wearing a face covering are encouraged to do so.
• Sanitization | The Conservatory will continue to practice thorough sanitization procedures and utilize air purification systems that neutralize harmful pollutants and kills airborne viruses.
  • Hand sanitizer stations are placed throughout the facility.

Thank you to all of our guests for their cooperation these past few months. It is only with your support that we remained open and your continued support allows us to be a safe place to visit.

Plan Ahead

Hours of Operation | The Conservatory is open seven days a week, all year round, but closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and after 4pm on Christmas Eve. Regular hours are 10am–5pm. Special hours apply during Special Engagements (Chihuly Nights, Pumpkins Aglow, Conservatory Aglow, etc.).

Admission Prices | Cost of admission includes access to the main Conservatory building, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden and The Grand Mallway. Exhibitions are included in the admission price.

• On the first Sunday of each month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the City of Columbus (with valid ID) during regular operating hours of 10am to 5pm.
• There are a number of Access Offerings available to ensure the Conservatory is an inclusive and accessible facility.
• The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus in Franklin Park is operated by the Conservatory and is always free for visitors.

Admission Discounts | Several discounts are available for qualifying individuals. Please see a staff member at the Visitor Center for assistance reserving tickets with these discounts.

• AAA members: $1 off each adult ticket, $0.50 off each child ticket
• College students: $15 ticket price
• Active or Retired Service Members: $1 off each ticket (any age)

Payment Options | The Conservatory’s Visitor Center, Garden Café and Botanica Gift Shop & Greenhouse accept cash and all major credit cards.

Reserve Tickets In Advance | Reserving a ticket online before your visit allows for the best check-in experience. Please arrive with your ticket barcode printed or on your phone and ready to scan.

Accessibility | We strive to make the Conservatory and our programs accessible to all. Please review the Conservatory’s accessibility information and Access Offerings.

Wheelchairs | Wheelchairs and motorized scooters are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and can be checked out free of charge at the Visitor Center. The entire Conservatory is wheelchair accessible except for the Floating Path in the Children’s Garden. Please let us know if you need assistance.

Pets | Pets (excluding Service Animals) are not permitted at the Conservatory, including the outdoor areas.

Weather | Refunds are not available due to inclement weather but tickets can be rescheduled. Central Ohio weather can vary, but the climate in the Conservatory’s temperature-controlled biomes remains consistent, making the main Conservatory building accessible all year round.  In cases of inclement weather (heavy snowfall, thunderstorms, etc.) some outdoor spaces will not be accessible. Check the Plan A Visit page for closure alerts.

Strollers | Strollers are allowed throughout the Conservatory with the exception of the Cardinal Health Gallery, the Gift Shop , Garden Cafe and the Hot Shop. There will be designated stroller parking outside of the Hot Shop and within the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden. Stroller parking is limited and the Conservatory reserves the right to deny strollers in the Children’s Garden on high visitation days. If staff notices strollers blocking paths, in seating areas or in planting beds, they reserve the right to move the stroller to an appropriate location within reason.

Prohibited Items | The following items are not permitted on Conservatory property.

• Weapons, Knives, Firearms, etc.
• Tripods and Commercial Camera Equipment
• Folding Chairs
• Beach Balls and Pool Toys
• Bikes, Scooters and Rollerblades
• Coolers
• Party Decorations including balloons, streamers, confetti, etc.
  • The public picnic areas in Franklin Park are available for small gatherings on a first-come-first-served basis.

Recommended Items | The following items may enhance your Conservatory experience.

• Towel and water-safe clothes
  • With the addition of the Sandstone Creek and Misting Boulders water features in the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Gardens, kids may get wet during your visit. Children must wear swim diapers and appropriate clothes for getting wet.
• Sunscreen
• Bottled water and light snacks (crackers or chips, juice boxes, etc.). Glass containers are not permitted in the Children’s Garden.

Exiting | Departing guests may depart through the doors by the Visitors Center.

Explore the Conservatory

Visitor Parking | Free parking is available in the paved parking lots just east of the main Conservatory building. The parking lots are accessible from E. Broad Street.

Please remember not to leave unsecured valuables in your vehicle and always lock your doors.

Explore the Grounds | Take a stroll to the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus, just a 5-minute walk from the main Conservatory building. Parking is available east of the Community Garden Campus.

Hot Shop | The Hot Shop features daily glassblowing demonstrations between 11am–2pm by local, professional gaffers. Every step of the process is described in informative, 25-minute sessions. The Hot Shop is open April–January.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden | Starting in May, the Children’s Garden offers education programming.

Photography | Guests are welcome and encouraged to take photographs that are designated for personal use only. Tripods are prohibited in the Conservatory. Commercial photography requires registration with the Event Sales Department. View the full Photography Policy with detailed contact information.

Refreshments | The indoor Garden Café is open daily from 11AM – 3PM. Food and beverages are not permitted in the art galleries.

Food from outside the Conservatory is permitted.

Virtual Experiences | Virtual tours, educational programs, and video experiences of the Conservatory are available for all to enjoy.