We had such a good time in Columbus last week that my parents joined us this weekend to visit the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. We were invited to check it out the gardens by Experience Columbus in exchange for this post.
The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a beautiful horticulture institution with themed gardens and plant collections from all over the world. Travel from the Himalayan Mountains to the Rainforest and everywhere in between through the conservatory.
Each room is set to the theme with plants, flowers, and decor to match each. We enjoyed the variety of plants we encountered in each section – over 400 species! There are areas both indoors and outdoors to explore. We all had a great time strolling through the gardens.
Throughout the gardens, you’ll find beautiful glass-blown art. They are gorgeous displays! There is even demonstrations daily at the Hot Shop where you can watch how they create the glass-blown pieces. This is a must-see!
They even have several educational areas for kids to engage – besides engaging with the actual landscapes and displays.
This miniature display featured popular storybook characters and homes like The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe. My kids wanted to take this home!
The conservatory is not just a straight path with flowers on either side. There are many places to explore, which keeps kids happy and entertained as well.
My son’s favorite was The Dessert where he saw a large variety of cactus plants – his favorite.
Blooms & Butterflies was our favorite exhibit at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. We were able to walk through a beautiful, mulit-level garden area with lush foliage and bright flowers everywhere you look.
Now through Septemember 2, 2013, you’ll be able to experience walking among butterflies from Brazil. Hundreds of butterflies fly freely throughout the garden.
If you are lucky, they may land on you for a quick visit. My kids and parents loved interacting with the butterflies. One even landed on my mom and son’s face!
There are Butterfly Releases daily at 1 and 3pm where they release newly awakened butterflies into the garden. It is also fantastic to stop by the Emergence Center to see butterflies at various stages and as they emerge.
Sharing experiences like the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is even more fun with family and friends. Having my parents join us made it even more exciting as we created memorable experiences for the whole family.
If you would like loding close to the Franklin Conservatory, consider staying that Hawthorne Park Bed & Breakfast. They are located right across the street from Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and just 3 miles from downtown Columbus. It is a beautiful Columbus B&B with all the amenities at home. Enjoy gated free parking, free wifi, passes to YMCA, and home-cooked breakfast in the morning.
This was not a paid post. My own opinions were used based on my perceptions and experience. Thank you to Experience Columbus who supplied a promotional item to facilitate this review.
