Looking for activities to do around Columbus when you’re not in class? Be sure to check out Franklin Park Conservatory for a chance to experience some beautifully-displayed tropical plants. This giant glass building has been pumping the heat and humidity and wowing visitors since 1993—plus, it’s only a quick drive from Ohio State’s campus.
While everything around Franklin Park and the conservatory itself is a lush paradise for plant lovers, here are a few things you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
Tropical Plant Biomes
Plants are obviously the biggest attraction, but the different areas—or plant biomes—in the conservatory feature sprawling, lush tropical plants that are curated and grown well into their space, with leaves filling every corner of your sight. What’s not to love?
You’ll also find stunning and vibrant blown glass art installations by Dale Chihuly scattered throughout the biomes, intermixed between the leaves and creating an otherworldly feel. Be sure to look up towards the light source in the cave of the Himalayan Mountain biome to see a dazzling array of multicolored glasswork peeking down at you from above.
The Botanica Gift Shop
Most museum, zoo, conservatory, what-have-you gift shops can be a little… touristy. But not Botanica. The conservatory’s gift shop is filled with blown glass pieces, local goods, anything-and-everything plant books, and most importantly, plants.
The gift shop features a small, partially outdoor area dedicated to some of the tropical and desert plants you likely just saw. Most of the plants for sale are windowsill to tabletop size—perfect to bring home. Be sure to check it out during their annual orchid show to pick up some more unique orchids they have for sale.
The Hot Shop
Be sure to check out the Hot Shop, which has daily glassblowing demonstrations where local makers bend and stretch molten glass to its limits to create mesmerizing glass art. Classes are also offered where participants are invited to the studio to—with the assistance of a glass blower—craft their own, unique glass piece.
The glass art offered in Botanica is also handblown on-site at the Hot Shop. See something you like at one of the demonstrations? You just might be able to purchase it later from the gift shop.
Beyond these, the conservatory also hosts Franklin Park itself, Halloween and holiday events, and plenty of workshops and cooking classes—there’s a ton to love.