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Know Before You Go

Make the most out of your visit.

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.

Plan Ahead

Hours of Operation | The Conservatory is open seven days a week, all year round, except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Regular hours are 10am–5pm but different hours may be in effect during Special Engagements (Pumpkins AglowConservatory Aglow, Chihuly Nights, etc.).

Visitor Parking | Free parking is available in the paved parking lots (A & B) just east of the main Conservatory building and in the Wells Barn parking lot. 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. Security will be on hand to direct traffic on busy days/nights. Additional parking is available within Franklin Park at the Adventure Center, on Conservatory Drive and Broad Street, 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.

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Ticketing | Reserving tickets before visiting is encouraged but not required. Reserving tickets in advance makes the check in experience efficient and guarantees your visit during your preferred date and time. Please arrive with your reservation cued on your phone or printed.

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.

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.

Only Conservatory-authorized discounts and coupons will be accepted. Discounts and coupons acquired from third parties may not be valid.

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

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

Visitor Translation | Visitor translation for general information, access offerings and maps are available for languages: አማርኛ /Amharic, العربية/Arabic, Français/French, नेपाली/Nepali and Español/Spanish. Learn More.

Wheelchairs | The Conservatory building and its grounds are accessible with the use of ramps, elevators and paved pathways. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for guest use on a first-come, first-served basis, and can be checked out free of charge at the Visitor Center. Guests with mobility issues should consider bringing their own wheelchair/scooter to ensure they are able to experience the Conservatory.

Pets | Only Service Animals are permitted at the Conservatory. All other pets are not permitted at the Conservatory, including in 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.

Nursing Pod | This nursing pod provides a space for mothers who would like to nurse or pump in private. As a reminder, mothers are welcome to nurse anywhere at the Conservatory. This amenity is located in the Concourse. This secure and welcoming space helps make dignified, comfortable and peaceful nursing a reality for all Conservatory visitors who need it.

Strollers | Strollers are allowed throughout the Conservatory with the exception of the Cardinal Health Gallery, the Gift Shop, the Garden Café, 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.

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

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


Explore the Conservatory

 

Hot Shop | The Hot Shop features daily glassblowing demonstrations by local, professional gaffers. Every step of the process is described in informative, 25-minute sessions. The Hot Shop is open April through December from 11am-2pm on Monday-Friday and 12-3pm on Saturday & Sunday,

Refreshments | The Garden Café is open daily from 11am-4pm. Food and beverages are not permitted in the art galleries.

Food from outside the Conservatory is permitted.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden | From May-September, the Children’s Garden offers education programming and water features.

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

Photography & Videography | 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is admission?
GENERAL ADMISSION (ages 13–59) | $23.50
SENIORS (Ages 60+) | $19.50
CHILDREN (Ages 3–12) | $16.00
MUSEUMS FOR ALL (SNAP, EBT, WIC, Medicaid Participants) | $3
MEMBERS & CHILDREN 2 AND UNDER | Free
SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT ADMISSION RATES | Prices Vary
Click Here For Rates
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

View Ticket Calendar

What are peak visitation hours?

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 time only. 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 contacting [email protected] with your name, desired date and/or time and order number. Exchange is based on availability and is not guaranteed.

Using another method other than what’s outlined above may result in your request going unanswered.

How can memberships be renewed?

Memberships can be renewed online, in person, over the phone, or by mail. Visit the Membership page for more information on renewal options. Please contact the membership department at 614-715-8054 or [email protected] 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 email [email protected] and staff will assist you with booking your reservation.

Reciprocal Admissions Program: Qualifying members receive free General Admission and half-off Special Engagements (Chihuly Nights, Pumpkins AglowConservatory Aglow). To see if your membership qualifies, view a list of participating gardens.

Dawes Arboretum, Cox Arboretum Metropark, Kingwood Center Gardens, Ohio State University Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Garden and Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation are within the 90-mile exclusion zone. Members at these locations do not qualify for Reciprocal Admissions.

Columbus Member Advantage: $3 off General Admission and Special Engagement tickets for members of select institutions: Columbus Museum of Art and Pizzuti Collection, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Dawes Arboretum, Ohio History Center & Ohio Village, National Veterans Memorial and Museum, Wexner Center for the Arts, COSI, The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art and Technology and Columbus Metropolitan Club.

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 calendar to see upcoming classes.

Can I book an event at the Conservatory?

Yes, please fill out our Event Contact Form for more information. 

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