Things to Do in Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Wandering the Chihuly Collection

The permanent installation of Dale Chihuly's glass sculptures is integrated among the plants, so you'll turn a corner and see a nest of fiery red reeds glowing among green ferns or a cobalt blue chandelier dripping from a ceiling in the Palm House. The light plays through the glass in a way that feels almost alive.

The seasonal butterfly exhibit

From mid-March through early September, the Pacific Island Water Garden becomes a tropical enclosure where hundreds of butterflies from around the world fly freely. You'll feel the brush of wings against your arm and see the startling electric blue of a Morpho peleonides as it lands on a feeder. The air is warm and sweet with fruit.

Exploring the outdoor gardens and parkland

The 28-acre park surrounding the conservatory includes the Grand Mallway, a formal allee of trees, and the Sculpture Park where large artworks rise from the lawns. In summer, you'll hear bees buzzing in the community garden plots and feel a cool breeze coming off the pond. It's all free to access, making it a popular spot for locals to walk their dogs or have a picnic.

The biomes tour

You move from the arid stillness of the Desert biome, smelling dry sage and feeling the radiant heat from rocks, into the misty, dense air of the Himalayan Mountain biome where moss covers everything and a waterfall echoes. The transition is jarring in the best way. To appreciate the details, like the tiny bromeliads or the twisted shapes of ancient-looking bonsai in the Orangery, give yourself at least an hour to move slowly through these spaces.

Attending a horticulture workshop or class

These happen in the learning centers and can range from orchid care to seasonal wreath-making. You'll get the feel of potting soil under your nails and the crisp smell of freshly cut greenery. It's a quieter, more hands-on way to experience the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens beyond the main visitor path.

Downtown puts you close to the convention center and the Scioto Mile riverfront, with a feel that's more corporate by day but has growing pockets of dining.

The Short North Arts District, north of downtown, is the gallery and boutique hub, where you'll find renovated brick buildings and a lively weekend scene.

Victorian Village, just west of there, offers quiet, tree-lined streets with grand old homes, some now operating as bed and breakfasts.

German Village, directly south of downtown, features charming brick cottages, cobblestone alleys, and intimate courtyards.

Olde Towne East, the neighborhood surrounding the conservatory, is historic and residential, with a mix of impressive restored mansions and ongoing renovation projects.

The University District near Ohio State has a perpetual student energy, cheaper accommodations, and a cacophony of late-night eateries.