I’ve searched for places where the soul can breathe, where time seems to slow down, and where beauty reveals itself in petals, fountains, and the rustling of trees. Columbus, Ohio surprised me with just how green and serene it can be. I knew of the city’s vibrant food culture and thriving art scene, but I hadn’t expected its parks and gardens to steal my heart the way they did.
This guide is dedicated not just to Franklin Park Conservatory, but also to other parks and gardens I explored in Columbus. I’ll share my first-hand experiences at three specific green spaces I personally visited, and then I’ll recommend three more outdoor destinations and activities for anyone planning their trip. Along the way, I’ll cover how to get there from the airport or train station, ticket prices, booking platforms, facilities, pros and cons, and — most importantly — my very human reactions: the excitement, the calm, and the way the sunlight looked through the leaves.
So lace up your walking shoes, and let me take you on a long, detailed stroll through Columbus’s natural paradise.
Stop 1: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Location: 1777 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43203.
How to Get There: From John Glenn Columbus International Airport, it’s a 10-minute drive or rideshare (about $12–15). If you’re coming from Columbus Greyhound Station, it’s about a 15-minute drive, or you can take the COTA bus line 10, which drops you a short walk away.
Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open until 9 p.m. on select evenings).
Admission: $23 for adults, $20 for seniors, $16 for children 3–12, and free for kids under 3. Memberships start at $45/year.
Booking Platforms: I booked directly through the official website. Tickets can also be found on sites like TripAdvisor or Groupon (sometimes $2–3 discounts).
My Personal Experience
When I walked through the glass entrance of Franklin Park Conservatory, I immediately felt like I was stepping into a living painting. The Palm House, with its soaring Victorian glass dome, glittered in the sunlight like a cathedral of plants. My chest actually tightened with joy. I’ve been to gardens in Europe and Asia, but there’s something intimate about Franklin Park — it doesn’t overwhelm; it embraces.
I wandered first into the Tropical Rainforest Biome. The air was warm, thick with humidity, and alive with greenery. Banana leaves towered over me, orchids peeked shyly from corners, and tiny waterfalls gurgled into pools. I sat on a bench for nearly 15 minutes just listening to the birdsong recordings, closing my eyes and pretending I was somewhere deep in the Amazon.
Then I moved into the Desert Biome, and the contrast was thrilling — dry, crisp air, cacti reaching skyward like strange sculptures, desert roses blooming defiantly. It reminded me of my travels through New Mexico, only here I didn’t need sunscreen and a gallon of water to survive.
The highlight for me was the Chihuly glass artworks integrated into the gardens. Imagine plants of glass: fiery reds and golden spirals bursting from beds of green. At one point I forgot where the real plants ended and the art began. I whispered out loud, “This is magic,” and a woman next to me nodded with a knowing smile.
Three Favorite Experiences at Franklin Park
- The Butterfly Release in the Pacific Island Water Garden
I held out my finger, and a butterfly briefly rested there, wings shimmering like jewels. It was one of those moments that felt scripted by nature itself. - Seasonal Blooms in the Outdoor Gardens
I visited in late spring, when the tulips were in riotous color. Rows of yellow, purple, and pink blooms made me laugh out loud with sheer delight. - Glasshouse Sunset Views
As the sun dipped, the Palm House glass dome glowed. The reflection of the sky in the glass felt like another world layered over this one.
Services and Facilities
• Café: I had a light lunch — quiche and a lavender lemonade — in the café. Prices were reasonable (about $12 for a meal).
• Gift Shop: I bought a pressed-flower bookmark and a packet of seeds. The shop focuses on sustainable, nature-themed gifts.
• Accessibility: Wide, paved pathways, elevators, and benches throughout.
Pros and Cons
• Pros: Immersive biomes, Chihuly glass art, seasonal events, kid-friendly.
• Cons: Tickets are on the higher side if you’re a large family. Parking can fill quickly on weekends.
My Recommendation Index: ★★★★★
Franklin Park Conservatory is not just a garden; it’s a sanctuary. I’d rate it 5 out of 5 without hesitation.
Stop 2: Topiary Park
Location: 480 E. Town Street, Columbus, OH 43215.
How to Get There: About a 12-minute drive from John Glenn Columbus International Airport, or a quick COTA bus ride (line 10). From the Greyhound Station, it’s a 5-minute drive.
Hours: Open daily, dawn until dusk.
Admission: Free.
My Personal Experience
If Franklin Park is about spectacle, Topiary Park is about whimsy. This park recreates Georges Seurat’s painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte using shrubs sculpted into people, boats, and even dogs. When I walked in, I gasped — it was as though I’d stumbled into the painting itself, transformed into living greenery.
I wandered slowly, circling each topiary, giggling when I recognized a familiar silhouette: the parasol lady, the reclining figures, the little child at play. The detail amazed me — each hedge carefully trimmed, each figure carefully posed. It was both art and gardening, history and play.
I stretched out on the grass with a picnic sandwich I’d brought, watching children run between the shrubs. It was surreal, sitting in a piece of Impressionist history while planes from the nearby airport hummed overhead.
Three Favorite Experiences at Topiary Park
- Finding the “Monkey” Figure — I didn’t expect to see a monkey topiary! It was charming and slightly mischievous.
- Picnicking under the Trees — The shade, the view of downtown Columbus in the distance, and the laughter of families made it unforgettable.
- Photo Angles — Every step revealed a new perspective; I must have taken 50 photos trying to capture the “painting come alive.”
Services and Facilities
• No café or shop, but plenty of benches. Bring your own picnic.
• Restrooms: Public facilities available nearby.
• Accessibility: Flat grounds, wheelchair accessible.
Pros and Cons
• Pros: Free entry, unique in the world, perfect for families.
• Cons: Small compared to other parks; you can see everything in under an hour.
My Recommendation Index: ★★★★☆
It’s playful, it’s unique, and it’s free. Definitely worth a stop.
Stop 3: Scioto Mile
Location: Along the Scioto River, downtown Columbus.
How to Get There: From the airport, a 15-minute drive. From the Greyhound Station, it’s only a 5-minute walk.
Hours: Open 24/7.
Admission: Free.
My Personal Experience
The Scioto Mile is not a garden in the traditional sense, but it’s a masterpiece of urban landscape. When I first strolled along the river at dusk, the skyline glowed, fountains danced, and the pathways shimmered under lamplight. I thought: this is how a city shows off its soul.
I rented a bike at one of the CoGo Bike Share stations and pedaled along the river. Bridges lit up in rainbow colors, kayakers paddled below, and joggers zipped past me. At one point, I stopped and simply sat on the riverbank, letting the cool breeze wash over me.
Three Favorite Experiences at Scioto Mile
- Bicentennial Park Fountains — I kicked off my shoes and let the water spray cool me. Dozens of kids were playing, and I couldn’t resist joining.
- Nighttime Views — The skyline, especially with the LeVeque Tower lit up, was breathtaking.
- Public Art Installations — Sculptures and murals along the pathway turned the stroll into an open-air gallery.
Services and Facilities
• Bike Rentals: CoGo stations are scattered throughout.
• Food Options: Food trucks often line the park; I grabbed tacos for about $8.
• Accessibility: Wide, paved paths, great for strollers and wheelchairs.
Pros and Cons
• Pros: Free, scenic, great for all ages, especially at night.
• Cons: Can be crowded on weekends; less shade on hot days.
My Recommendation Index: ★★★★☆
If you want to see Columbus breathe, come here.
Recommended Activities at Other Parks and Gardens
While I only had time to deeply explore the three above, I also want to recommend three additional parks and activities for nature lovers visiting Columbus:
- Inniswood Metro Gardens
• Location: 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville (20 minutes from downtown Columbus).
• Why Visit: Over 120 acres of themed gardens, woodlands, and wildflower trails. The Sisters’ Garden is enchanting for kids.
• Activity: Morning meditation walk through the woodland trails.
• Booking: Free, no reservations needed. - Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens (Ohio State University)
• Location: 2120 Fyffe Road, Columbus.
• Why Visit: A living classroom with global plant collections. The rose gardens in June are spectacular.
• Activity: Guided tours offered for about $5–10 donation.
• Booking: Check OSU’s arboretum website for events. - Goodale Park
• Location: 120 W. Goodale St., in the Short North.
• Why Visit: Oldest park in Columbus, with Victorian-style landscaping, a pond, and summer festivals.
• Activity: Attend ComFest, the annual free music and arts festival.
• Booking: Free entry, but check schedules online.
As I strolled through Franklin Park Conservatory, Topiary Park, and Scioto Mile, I realized that Columbus doesn’t just have green spaces — it has green personalities. Each one offers a different mood: wonder, play, or reflection.
From the butterflies landing on my hand at Franklin Park, to the living painting at Topiary Park, to the sparkling skyline at Scioto Mile, I carried away not just photos but moments that stitched themselves into my memory.
For any traveler arriving at John Glenn International Airport or stepping off the bus downtown, these parks are refreshingly accessible. Book ahead when needed, pack a picnic, wear comfortable shoes, and let Columbus’s gardens teach you how to slow down and look closely.
If you’re a nature lover, Columbus is not just a stopover city — it’s a paradise waiting to be strolled through.
