Things to do in Franklin Park include walking its paved path, spending time by the fishing pond and visiting the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The park is in Columbus’s Near East community, making it a possible Columbus outing from Zanesville.
- Location: 1755 E Broad St., Columbus, OH 43203.
- Park hours: 7 a.m.–11 p.m.
- Conservatory: General Admission hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; ticket reservations are encouraged but not required.
- Time at the Conservatory: Allow 1–2 hours for a quick visit, 2–3 hours for a typical visit or 3–4 hours for a full experience.
Where is Franklin Park in Columbus?
Franklin Park is at 1755 E Broad St. in Columbus’s Near East community. The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is within the park at 1777 E. Broad Street, less than two miles from downtown Columbus.
The city describes the park as 59.17 acres, while also saying it has been an 88-acre park in operation since 1851. Its history includes the Franklin County Fair in 1852, the Ohio State Fair from 1874 through 1884, and AmeriFlora in 1992.
What can you do at Franklin Park?
Columbus Recreation and Parks lists an amphitheatre, the Espy Adaptive Sports Complex, a pond or lake stocked for fishing, a 1.1-mile paved path, parking, picnic tables and a playground among the park’s amenities.
The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens occupies 13 acres within Franklin Park. Its Palm House dates to 1895 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
You can pair a walk or picnic in the park with time at the Conservatory; pets are permitted in the surrounding park but not in the Conservatory’s outdoor areas that require admission. ADA-compliant service animals are permitted there.
How do you get to Franklin Park from Zanesville?
Franklin Park is a Columbus-area outing from Zanesville. If you are flying into the area, John Glenn Columbus International Airport is about 60 minutes by car from this inn in Zanesville.
Columbus Recreation and Parks identifies parking lots off E Broad St. and Franklin Park W. For public transit options, the city directs visitors to COTA.
If your trip includes an arrival at CMH, the route from CMH Airport to Zanesville can help shape your plans.
Hours, tickets and access checks
Franklin Park’s hours are 7 a.m.–11 p.m. The Conservatory’s General Admission hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; it is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and hours may differ during special engagements.
General Admission costs $25.20 for adults ages 13–59, $21.00 for seniors ages 60+, and $17.33 for children ages 3–12, including the Columbus Arts & Culture Fee. The Conservatory offers $4 admission for SNAP, EBT, WIC and Medicaid participants, and free General Admission for members and children age 2 and under.
On the first Sunday of each month, City of Columbus and Franklin County residents receive free General Admission with valid identification. Advance ticket reservations are unavailable for these Community Days. Special-engagement events require separate admission tickets.
Parking at the Conservatory is free. Its paved lots A and B and the Wells Barn lot are accessible from E. Broad Street; additional parking is available at the Franklin Park Adventure Center, Conservatory Drive and Broad Street.
COTA riders can take line 10 eastbound to E. Broad St. & Franklin Park Conservatory or westbound to E. Broad St. & Brunson Ave.
Hours, prices and access arrangements can change, so check the official site before you go.
How much time should you allow?
The Conservatory estimates 1–2 hours for a quick visit, 2–3 hours for a typical visit and 3–4 hours for a full experience. Those estimates cover time at the Conservatory; add time separately if you plan to use the park’s paths, picnic areas or other amenities.
The Conservatory’s Hot Shop glassblowing demonstrations operate April through December: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon–3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. If you are also planning time back in Zanesville, a one-day itinerary in Zanesville can help shape the rest of the trip.
FAQs
Where is Franklin Park Conservatory?
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is at 1777 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43203, within Franklin Park.
Is parking available at Franklin Park Conservatory?
Yes. Parking at the Conservatory is free, with paved lots A and B and the Wells Barn lot accessible from E. Broad Street.
Can you bring a pet to Franklin Park Conservatory?
Pets are not permitted at the Conservatory, including outdoor areas requiring admission. Pets may be brought to the surrounding Franklin Park, and ADA-compliant service animals are permitted at the Conservatory.
How long does a Conservatory visit take?
The Conservatory estimates 1–2 hours for a quick visit, 2–3 hours for a typical visit and 3–4 hours for a full experience.