This is part eleven of a travel series of our midwest road trip covering four states and two national parks. We began our journey in Lake Geneva Wisconsin. If you missed it, start HERE!
If you're looking for a gorgeous escape right in the middle of Columbus, the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is pretty much the ultimate spot to hang out. It's an absolute wonderland of exotic plants, stunning art glass, and massive outdoor gardens that are perfect for a relaxing stroll. Just a heads-up if you're planning a visit right now, though: the conservatory is currently undergoing some major, exciting renovations. As part of their big "North Star Master Plan" historic spots like the iconic John F. Wolfe Palm House and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse are getting a massive, once-in-a-generation glow-up. While those specific historic glasshouses are closed to get things like authentic curved Victorian glass and better ventilation installed, there is still plenty of beautiful indoor and outdoor green space open to explore while the builders do their thing.
The Conservatory
Tropical Rainforest biome
The Conservatory is currently displaying 17 installations of breath-taking Chihuly glass artwork from its collection, the largest private collection in a botanical garden. I was mesmerized by this "Persian Ceiling".
I loved the tall purple spikes Chihuly glass in the center left of the photo below.
Fun fact: many of the exotic, leafy species thriving along the pathway are actually super-sized versions of common houseplants you might grow at home! Just look at the size of this palm leaf in comparison to my hand!
I loved this birds-eye view of the dense jungle below from a canopy bridge. Isn't that Chihuly Chandelier amazing?
Try as I might, I can never keep orchids alive in my house, so I really appreciate them when I see them in a conservatory.
The koi pond is one of the most relaxing, therapeutic stops in the conservatory. As you follow the winding stone paths beneath the towering glass roof, you'll reach a tranquil, tropical oasis where a collection of large, beautifully patterned koi fish swim gracefully through the clear water. The pond is beautifully integrated into its environment, surrounded by ferns, banana trees, and a waterfall.
Adding to the magic, striking, colorful Dale Chihuly glass balls and lily pads are nestled right into the surrounding greenery and water, casting vibrant reflections across the service as the fish glide by.
The Chihuly Blue Herons are the most elegant installations at the conservatory. They are designed to perfectly mimic the fluid grace of the stately wetland birds they are named after.
Desert Biome
The Desert Biome is a stark, sun-drenched contrast to the conservatory's humid rainforest zones, transporting you straight into the arid landscapes of the American Southwest and Africa. Housed under a soaring glass roof, this warm, dry pavillion showcases how plants have masterfully adapted to survive in some of the harshest, most water-scarce environments on earth.
Tucked right into the sandy landscape is Dale Chihuly's Desert Gold. These amber, yellow, and clear blown-glass tendrils spiral upwards among the cactuses like frozen flames, beautifully mimicking the jagged, organic shapes of the surrounding arid flora.
The desert biome is packed with an incredible variety of textures and shapes, featuring massive Saguaro cactuses, prickly pears, and towering agaves. You will also find bizarre, alien-like succulents, resilient desert shrubs, and delicate wild blooms that thrive under the intense sunlight.
The North Courtyard
The David Rogers "Big Bugs" display was also going on during our visit. His amazing artwork was on display from June 2026 to September 2026. This traveling exhibition features oversized, anatomically accurate sculptures crafted from reclaimed wood and natural materials, revealing the intricate beauty of creatures often overlooked.
The "Big Bugs" transforms the outdoor grounds into a giant, whimsical insect wonderland. By flipping the scale of nature, the exhibit makes human visitors feel "bug-sized" to build a deeper appreciation for the vital role insects play as the planet's hidden gardeners.
The massive arachnid is perched on a sprawling willow-crafted web.
The artist handcrafts each massive, anatomically accurate sculpture entirely out of found wood and natural forest elements.
The praying mantis is a towering centerpiece that stands 15 feet long and weighs a massive 1,200 pounds.
Through the Vines Exhibit
There is a sensor that is activated when you pass through the arch. I created a short video so you can hear the sounds.
This was such a fun experience! I absolutely loved it!
A trio of giant ants hang out in the Grand Mallway.
Paul Busse Garden Railway
But perhaps my favorite exhibit of all was the Paul Busse Garden Railway. Also located in the Grand Mallway, the outdoor model railroad display is part of the conservatory's permanent collect. The exhibition feature 9 G-scale model trains that coast across 1,1222 feet of brass track running at multiple elevations.
Bringing the tiny ecosystem to life, the tracks are seamless integrated with two waterfalls, a bubbling brook, a stone canyon, and miniature botanical plant varieties tailored to each theme.
Here is a short video showing the train garden in action.
The Grand Mallway
The Grand Mallway is a majestic, open-air outdoor expanse that serves as one of the primary pathways and exhibition spaces at the conservatory.
The garden beds are ever-changing throughout the year. They shift from thousands of spring tulips to towering summer annuals, and eventually give was to dense arrangements of autumn mums and heirloom pumpkin towers during the annual harvest celebration.
A professional open-air temporary stage is erected at one end (the striking silver sculptures that look like sails from a sailboat). Here is held major community events like the annual ProMusica Summer Music Series.
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Children's Garden
This massive, two-acre outdoor wonderland is designed to get kids active, muddy, and completely immersed in nature.
There is plenty of sand and water play in the children's garden. Grandpa Todd enjoyed cooling off in the splash pad.
Also in the Wetlands Area is a "Floating Path". It was fun to walk on this, but I also thought it was kinda dangerous as you really have to watch where you're stepping as a little foot could easily slip through the gaps.
The "My Ohio Woods" section of the children's garden is designed to capture the rugged magic of Central Ohio's natural landforms. This zone mimics the towering trees, deep gorges, and dramatic rock formations found in Ohio's famous Hocking Hills region.
A striking 15-foot-tall and 166-foot-long natural wall acts as the spine of the exhibit. Kids can play in the water, walking along the rocky cliffside and search for the "Green Man" face sculpted right into the rock layers. At the top of the bluff, water trickles down from a native spring rock formation known as The Headwaters. The water cascades down into Sandstone Creek, a shallow looking stream of clear water. It is explicitly designed for hands-on sensory play, inviting kids to pull off their shoes to paddle barefoot, float sticks, and pile up rocks to build their own miniature dams.
The Learning Pavillion and Gardens is an educational area featuring raised edible garden beds where kids can touch, small, and see how fruits, vegetables, and herbs grow.
I adored this art work of a worm made entirely of stone, which sits at the entrance to the garden.
Have A Great Day! Amy
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