Plan your visit to Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens using the following tips on what to bring and what to see and do while you're here.
Current 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.
Face Coverings | In accordance with the City of Columbus, all guests are required to wear face coverings while indoors.Unvaccinated guests should wear face coverings both indoors and outdoors.
Free disposable face masks are available at the Visitor Center.
Ticketing | Reserving tickets before visiting is encouraged 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.
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. 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 duing 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.
Beginning January 22, 2022, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will be increasing admission and membership prices. The last price increases occurred in 2018 and, due to rising costs, this change is necessary.
$3 general admission and special engagement tickets are available for SNAP, EBT, WIC and Medicaid participants. Access Members also qualify for $3 special engagement tickets. Learn more.
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-5pm.
There are a number of additional Access Offerings available to ensure the Conservatory is an inclusive and accessible facility.
The Conservatory is part of the Reciprocal Admissions Program, and offers free or discounted admission to members of participating gardens. To see if your botanical garden membership would qualify, please check this list.
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: $16 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 informationand 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 Visitpage 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.
If the Conservatory is busy, parking lots may fill up quickly. Additional parking is available within Franklin Park, but it is a greater distance from the main entrance. Any guests with mobility challenges can be dropped off in the bus loop right outside the main entrance.
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.
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.
Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden | Starting in May, the Children’s Garden offers education programming.
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.
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.
Virtual Experiences | Virtual tours, educational programs, and video experiences of the Conservatory are available for all to enjoy.
Columbus Arts and Culture Fee: For all tickets, a 5% Columbus Arts and Culture ticket fee will be applied. The Columbus Arts & Culture Fee helps make the arts available to all by funding exemplary artists, arts organizations and programs that educate and engage audiences throughout Greater Columbus
What is Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens doing to ensure the safety of guests and staff while on-site?
We are committed to the health and safety of guests and staff. Safety protocols are being followed in accordance with recommendations of the CDC, state and municipalities.
Signage around the property reminds visitors of the most up-to-date safety protocols.
Restrooms and other high-touch surfaces are disinfected multiple times throughout the day, and hand sanitizing stations have been placed throughout the facility.
Air purification systems that neutralize harmful pollutants and kills airborne viruses have been installed.
Plexiglass barriers separate visitors and staff at high contact locations.
By visiting Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, you agree to assume all responsibility for your health and wellbeing and will not hold the Conservatory responsible in any way with respect to Covid-19.
Are masks or face coverings required?
In accordance with the City of Columbus, all guests are required to wear face coverings while indoors. Unvaccinated guests should wear face coverings both indoors and outdoors.
Free disposable face masks are available at the Visitor Center.
What are peak visitation hours?
Peak visitation hours at the Conservatory are 10am-2pm.
What if I arrive before or after my reserved time?
If there are tickets available at the time you arrive, we can adjust your tickets. If there are no tickets available, we can reschedule your tickets for any open future time slots.
For timed-entry tickets, do I have to leave when my time window is over?
No, the ticket reserves your entry timeonly. You can stay for the remaining admission hours after your arrival.
Separate admission tickets are required for the daytime and evening experiences. Guests cannot reserve a general admission ticket for the daytime and then stay through an evening experience.
What if I need to reschedule my ticket?
Tickets are nonrefundable, but can be exchanged one time, up to 24 hours prior to the date by calling 614-715-8002 with your name, desired date and/or time and order number. Exchange is based on availability and is not guaranteed.
How can memberships be renewed?
Memberships can be renewed online, in-person, over the phone, or by mail. Visit the Membership pagefor more information on renewal options.
There are step-by-step video instructions available for how to renew your membership online. Otherwise, please contact the membership department at 614-715-8054 or membership@fpconservatory.org if you have questions.
I have a complimentary voucher for admission, how do I reserve my ticket?
Please speak with staff at the Visitors Center or call 614-715-8002 for assistance with making a reservation.
Will there be emergency evacuations for severe weather?
In the event of severe weather, guests will be evacuated to their cars. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden will be evacuated if there is lightning in the area. Once severe weather has passed, guests will be allowed to resume their visit.
Will reciprocal memberships be accepted?
Yes. Guests who are a part of the American Horticulture Society Reciprocal Admissions Program or Columbus Member Advantage should see a staff member at the Visitor’s Center or call 614.715.8002 during normal business hours and a staff will assist you with booking your reservation. If a staff member is not immediately available to take your call, please leave a message and we will respond promptly.
Will maps be provided?
A map is available at the Visitor Center to take a picture of and available online to download.
Can I take classes at the Conservatory?
Yes, we offer a variety of classes on horticulture, gardening, culinary, arts and crafts and more. View our calendarto see upcoming classes.
