Social and Cultural Outings

Are you Solo and Single? Like to Make New Friends👫! This is a singles social hike in Howth's Cliff path walk To the light house. Social Dogs 🐕🐩 are welcome.We will meet at 11.15am infront of the Dart Train Station Pub and leave about 11.30am. This is an Easy Social hike starting from train Dart Station and going along to the Summit to view the light house, Islands and beaches. This is an event for singles who want to socialize and make new friends 👫. Bring snacks warm winter water proof clothing and water/drinks as we will stop for picnic lunch. This is a sporting event, so every person is responsible for their own health and saftey. When we are back in Howth fishing village we can go for Drinks/ Tea/ Coffee or food to socialize.

Join us every Sunday and tell a story as a group by playing a beginner-friendly roleplaying game. Every week we have 2-3 different games - you will choose which game you play on the day. All materials provided and rules are explained at the start of each game, you just need to bring your imagination. 🎭 **This week's facilitators:** * ⚔️ **Vishnu** with *[Ironsworn](https://shawn-tomkin.itch.io/ironsworn)*, a dark fantasy RPG of survival and perilous quests across the harsh Ironlands, where your forefathers were exiled generations ago. Dreadful omens plague your settlements: seers wake screaming, and the standing stones weep black water on moonless nights. Something is coming and you are Ironsworn, heroes bound by sacred vows to find and face it. * 🧬 **Cyrus** with *[Dead Serious](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a_8HoeLE_anm-9TifDPy71cig5l92P9P/view?usp=sharing)*, a one-page RPG where you play invincible unyielding warriors. The most ELITE of the ELITE: The DREADBUTCHERS. But the squad has a malfunction - they can experience EMOTION. In this game you must always remain in character. If you laugh, stop talking in a DEEP IMPOSING voice or don't take the mission seriously your character might…EXPLODE! *** Details for the event (number of groups and games) will be published here or earlier on our [Discord server](https://tinyurl.com/indie-rpgs-dublin). Feel free to ask the organisers any questions you have (here or on Discord).

Dublin City Market Day! Bringing interactive experiences, vintage fashion, arts, music, tattoo artist, tarot, goody bags, prizes and more..! The Alternative Dublin Flea Market 🎁 Dublin’s immersive market is back for a city wide market this May! Expect 3000+ people, music, goodie bags, 120+ sellers, raffles and more! **Follow @alternativedublin on Instagram to find out about all the events and news in Dublin.** ***[Get your FREE Tickets](https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-dublin-city-market-day-free-ticket-tickets-1987382068265)*** WHAT TO EXPECT:- 100+ Sellers- Multiple Rooms (huge venue)- Spinning Prize Wheel- Tattoo Artist, Spoon Ring Maker, Tarot Readers, Full Kitchen and Bar. Live Experiences (more than just a flea market)The market will take place in **Lost Lane, Pawn Shop, Chillers on the Green** and **Dublin Pottery Studio** from 12pm - 5pm on Sunday 24th May. There will be **goody bags** for the first 100 people in each venue! Visit each venue and fill your stamp card to enter a raffle to be in with a chance to **win a prize!** Please note that this market in Lost Lane is held upstairs, Pawn Shop market downstairs and there is no lift access. If you have any questions regarding this event, feel free to contact us at: markets@alternativeexperiences.ie *Tickets will give you access to any of the four venues. Tickets will ensure access but there may be a queue for entry depending on how busy we are!*

Newly started IG: https://www.instagram.com/letsgetsocialdublin/ Every event is **5 euros** to the host, you can pay by using Revolut or Cash. This helps me maintains the group as this takes a lot of time and effort. Own entry to the gym: \- One off Daypass is €14 \+ shoes €4\.5\. \- Or promotion deal of 1st timers €30/30days \(includes shoes\) Get ready to reach new heights and forge lasting connections doing Indoor Bouldering Adventure this Sunday **at 14:30!** Whether you're a seasoned climber or brand new to the sport, this event is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself, have fun, and meet fellow enthusiasts in a supportive and social setting. Located at the Bloc Climbing Gym in Ballymount, indoor bouldering social event is suitable for climbers of all levels. No climbing experience? No problem! Our friendly group will provide guidance, tips, and encouragement every step of the way. Whether you're learning or honing your skills, you'll find plenty of support and encouragement from your fellow climbers. After our exhilarating climb, we'll gather for some well-deserved refreshments and socializing, where you can swap climbing stories, share tips, and make new friends with fellow adventure-seekers. So lace up your climbing shoes, chalk up your hands, and get ready for an afternoon of adrenaline-pumping fun and friendship at our Indoor Bouldering Adventure this Sunday! Let's climb, connect, and conquer together. See you there! 🧗‍♀️🤝🧗‍♂️ \- Street parking is available

Join us for an exciting meetup at the Dublin Turkish Speaking Club where we will have engaging conversations in Turkish, and enjoy fun activities that promote language practice and cultural exchange. Whether you are a beginner or fluent in Turkish, this is the perfect opportunity to practice your language skills in a relaxed and friendly environment. Come and connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for the Turkish language and culture. Let's have a great time together while immersing ourselves in the beauty of Turkish traditions and creativity!

*NB VERY IMPORTANT - Location not in Stephens green but in a south of the city park, comment on this event or message the organiser on here to be added to our WhatsApp group to get the exact location!* You can also follow us on IG where the whats app group link is - https://www.instagram.com/sundaystrengthsocial?igsh=ZHNwYnBtcW4yZTNx&utm_source=qr —— A weekly guided bodyweight callisthenics meetup to **get stronger—together**. Think push-ups, squats, and core work scaled to your level. **No gym experience needed**, just a willingness to move and chat! Get stronger every week and build a habit! All **ages, genders and fitness levels welcome**! The session will consist of a full 360 routine of: **5 minute warm up:** including exercises like butt kicks and shoulder rotations. **35/45 minute strength building + endurance**: to build muscle and endurance. Easy, intermediate to hard versions for every level. **15 minute HIIT:** for some happy endorphins! (Okay to skip if you're tired!) **5 minute Cooldown:** Get the heart rate down and stretch After, we will go to the food market close by. ——- This will be **super low pressure**, incorporating **basic callisthenics at whatever pace is good for you! Lots of variations from beginner to advanced.** Push yourself or take it easier - no judgement! —— 3 euro donation to cover MeetUp organiser cost only! ——- **What to bring:** * Workout attire * Water bottle * Yoga mat or big black plastic bags for ground exercises ———— See you there!👋

Step into a high-energy electronic dance session designed to shift your mood and leave you feeling clear, light & recharged. Alcohol-free. Dance your Sunday afternoon away at ESPRESSO RAVE — a high-energy daytime dance session with electronic music and great vibes, downstairs in Wigwam. And yes — you’ll still be home in time for Sunday dinner. Profits from ticket sales will go to My Lovely Horse Rescue, because we love the work they do and want to help 🐴✨ ### **Why Dance?** Dancing isn’t just fun — it’s genuinely good for you. Music and movement together help release endorphins and dopamine, natural chemicals that boost mood and reduce stress. Moving in rhythm with others can also increase feelings of connection and belonging. It’s one of the simplest ways to clear your head, lift your energy, and reconnect with your body. Coffee and cake will be served upstairs — we keep the dancefloor for dancing. **Tickets 15 euro for one and two for 25 euro available** [dancespace.ie ](dancespace.ie) ### **Espresso Rave** Wake up your Sunday. Dance it out. Go home glowing with a total reset for the week ahead. Follow: @dancespacedublin ### **Learn more about www.mylovelyhorserescue.com**

Next Sunday (24th May) we'll be doing a mystery walk in South Dublin. **Meeting Location** Laughanstown Luas stop - this is two stops before the southern terminus of the Green Line (Bride's Glen) and is between Carrickmines and Cherrywood. It's not a great place to get to by bus, but Cabinteely is probably best to get off if you need to take the bus. **\*\*\* Important, please click on Attend if you wish to join this event \*\*\*** **Route Description** As it's a mystery walk, we won't go into details about the walk, other than to say we should get excellent views and see plenty of lovely scenery and places of historical interest. It's around 10km in length on a mixture of well-defined paths and some paths off the beaten track which may include obstacles to negotiate such as tree trunks to climb over. As it's a linear walk, we'll be finishing at a different place but one that is in easy reach of the DART, Dublin Buses and the Luas (a short walk away). There are no toilets or refreshments during the walk, but we will finish up near a pub, cafés and a Spar. We should be able to find a nice place to sit during the walk, so feel free to bring own snacks and drinks. Feel free to come on the walk even if you haven't been to a meet up before. This is a great way to meet new people and see new places. \*\*\* If you wish to wander off during a break then it's probably OK but please agree with the organisers a time you'll return so we're not waiting for you \*\*\* [Host(s)] Tim (085 718 5658) WhatsApp FAQs 1. Is there a charge for this event? No, this is a free event. Sometimes we have events that involve a visit to a museum or garden with an entrance fee - but this will be clearly marked in the details 2. Is it OK for people on a short visit to Ireland to join this walk? Yes both visitors and residents alike are welcome to join our walks. 3. How easy/difficult is this walk? Most walking groups would classify this as a medium walk, so having a reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Some parts of the walk are quite steep with narrow, uneven paths and some paths may be muddy. 4. Why are there only a limited number of places for this event? To ensure the best possible experience for the people attending it is necessary to limit the numbers, especially as the chosen route may not be straightforward and along narrow paths. 5. Why is it necessary to book on this event if you wish to attend? This is because there are only a limited number of spaces (see point above) and to ensure the fairest allocation of spaces, we kindly request everyone to book a place. It's OK to change your mind about coming but please change your RSVP as soon as you have for someone else to take the place if they wish to. PLEASE NOTE: Walking like many outdoor activities carries an element of risk. People who take part in our meet up activities do so at their own risk and are responsible for their own actions and involvement. If you register to join our meet up walks you agree that you wish to take part in the activities knowing these risks. Please wear boots, shoes or runners that you find comfortable, provide suitable support and have good grip as some of the paths may be uneven or steep. It is also recommended to bring water to avoid dehydration. Bring warm clothes and a waterproof jacket or umbrella in case of inclement weather. Feel free to bring walking poles if you wish. The Wild Travellers' Adventures Meetup Group supports the Leave No Trace Campaign

Would you like to try the catalan tradition of "human towers" in Dublin? No previous experience is needed, just a willingness to discover this Catalan tradition, make friends, and have fun! If you're interested, come try! ☺️ @castellersofeire

📅 **Dates are locked in: June 21st – 27th.** Fechas confirmadas: del 21 al 27 de junio. 📍***From the City to the Camino.*** De la ciudad al Camino. ***After organizing several Walk & Talk events in Barcelona and Tenerife, we’ve decided it’s time to take this concept to the next level.*** Después de organizar varios eventos de Walk & Talk en Barcelona y Tenerife, hemos decidido que es hora de llevar este concepto al siguiente nivel. ***People have absolutely loved the formula.*** A la gente le ha encantado nuestra fórmula: * ***Meeting new people from all over.*** Conocer gente nueva de todo el mundo. * ***Hitting those 10k steps a day.*** Cumplir con los 10k pasos diarios. * ***Practicing Spanish and English with natives from around the world.*** Practicar español e inglés con nativos de todo el mundo. ***And what better place than the Camino de Santiago to turn our 90-minute Saturday strolls into a full 90-hour immersive week?*** ¿Qué mejor sitio que El Camino de Santiago para llevar nuestros paseos de 90 minutos de los sábados a una semana de inmersión total de 90 horas? ❓***How it works***. *Cómo funciona* ***We are looking for a small, balanced group.*** Buscamos un grupo pequeño y equilibrado: * ***10 Native or fluent English speakers.*** 10 Hablantes nativos o fluidos de inglés. * ***10 Native or fluent Spanish speakers.*** 10 Hablantes nativos o fluidos de español. ***The goal is a strict 50/50 split so you always have someone to practice with. No "tourist traps," just a week of real connection and language exchange.*** El objetivo es un 50/50 estricto para que siempre tengas a alguien con quien practicar. Sin "trampas para turistas", solo una semana de conexión real e intercambio de idiomas. **❓*How many days?*** ¿Cuántos días son? ***Plan for 7 days (6 nights). We’ll walk the final 100km to Santiago to get the "Compostela" certificate.*** Cuenta con 7 días (6 noches). Recorreremos los últimos 100 km hasta Santiago para conseguir el certificado de la "Compostela". ❓***What’s the budget?*** ¿Cuál es el presupuesto? ***We’re still finalizing details, but expect a total investment of around €750 - €950.*** Aún estamos cerrando detalles, pero cuenta con una inversión total de unos 750€ - 950€. ***This is an all-in-one package that includes.*** Es un paquete con todo incluido que contiene: * ***Shared accommodation in hostels.*** Alojamiento en hostales seleccionados (habitaciones compartidas). * ***Breakfasts and Dinners (lunch/picnic on your own).*** Desayunos y cenas incluidos (el almuerzo/picnic en ruta es por cuenta propia). * ***Luggage transport between stages.*** Transporte de mochila entre etapas. * ***Full Immersion Program (+90 hours of live practice).*** Programa de Inmersión Total (+90 horas de práctica real). * ***Pre-trip Training: Access to our online courses and prep sessions to get to know each other and gain speaking confidence before we even start walking.*** Fase de Preparación Previa: Acceso a nuestros cursos online y sesiones para ir conociéndonos y ganar confianza al hablar incluso antes de empezar a caminar. ❓ ***Do I need to be an athlete?*** ¿Tengo que ser un atleta? ***Not really, but you should be comfortable walking about 20km a day. It’s a challenge, but we’ll go at a steady, conversational pace.*** Realmente no, pero deberías sentirte cómodo caminando unos 20 km al día. Es un reto, pero iremos a un ritmo constante y conversacional. ❓ ***Where is the meeting point?*** ¿Cuál es el lugar de encuentro? ***We will all meet in Sarria (Lugo). Most people fly into Santiago or Madrid and take a train/bus to join the group there.*** Nos reuniremos todos en Sarria (Lugo). La mayoría de la gente vuela a Santiago o Madrid y coge un tren o autobús para unirse al grupo allí. ❓ ***Why join the list?***¿Por qué unirte a la lista? ***Places will be very limited (only 20 spots). If you join the waitlist, you’ll get the itinerary and the early-bird price before we announce it on social media.*** Las plazas serán muy limitadas (solo 20). Si te unes a la lista, recibirás el itinerario y el precio reducido antes de que lo anunciemos en redes sociales. ***Just RSVP "YES" to join the list. We’ll reach out to you as soon as the dates and details are ready.*** Solo dale a "Asistir" para entrar en la lista. Nos pondremos en contacto contigo en cuanto tengamos listas las fechas y los detalles.y los detalles. ***⚠️ IMPORTANT: This is a Waiting List. The date you see is just a placeholder to keep the event active. By clicking "RSVP," you’re simply telling us you’re interested so we can send you the info first.*** IMPORTANTE: Esto es una Lista de Espera. La fecha que ves es solo para mantener el evento activo. Al darle a "Asistir", solo nos confirmas que te interesa para que podamos enviarte la información antes que a nadie.

Through body percussion, gentle rhythmic exercises, pair movements and shared group flow we explore how the body can follow, embody music. ***A journey through rhythm, movement, and connection.*** This workshop invites you into a space where movement becomes a language, a way of listening, expressing, and connecting. Through **body percussion,** **gentle rhythmic exercises**, **pair movements,** and **circular dances**, we explore how the body can follow and embody music. Step by step, we move from individual rhythm into movement in pairs, and then into **shared group flow.** Circular dances, present across cultures, bring a sense of unity, grounding, and harmony. No experience is needed, just bring your comfortable clothes and an open mind! **Ticket must be booked via Eventbrite!** https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/movement-rhythm-flow-dance-workshop-tickets-1988751065974?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&_gl=1\*f1ss8w\*_up\*MQ..\*_ga\*MTA0MTYwMzk1Ny4xNzc5MjY5Mjg5\*_ga_TQVES5V6SH\*czE3NzkyNjkyODgkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzkyNjkyODgkajYwJGwwJGgw

**Explore Laytown in Meath.** **Meeting Point : Dublin Connolly Station. (Inside beside Pret A Manger)** **Time : 11:50AM.** **When : Sunday 24th of May.** We will be **meeting** at **Dublin Connolly Train Station (Inside beside Pret A Manger) at 11:50AM.** **Waiting 5 Minutes** then we will be heading to the **Drogheda InterCity Train** which is scheduled for **12:10PM.** 1**0 Stops (56 Minutes)** Howth/Junction Donaghmede, Clongriffin, Portmarnock, Malahide, Donabate, Rush & Lusk, Skerries, Balbriggan, Gormanston and reaching our destination Laytown Train Station. **We will arrive to Laytown Train Station at 13:06PM (Estimated).** **Starting** our walking loop at **13:10PM** **from Laytown Train Station.** This is loop is a coastal walk around the seafront of **Laytown** and continues into **Bettystown**. **Duration 2 Hours 30 Minutes.** **Length 10.3KM.** **Coffee Shops** : Relish, Navy at Bettytown, Ellies Ice-Cream, Ariosa Cafe and Bistro BT. Every event is 5 Euro's you can pay by using Revolut or paying by cash. I hope to see you there ! Many Thanks Thomas

Hi all, lets meet at 12h to play Beach Volleyball in BullIsland, near the car park on the "Statue of Our Lady, Star Of The Sea" side of BullIsland. From Clontarf Rd cross over "The Wooden Bridge" and keep going on until the end, turn left when you see the beach car park and keep going to the left. We will set the nets beside the car park 😉 Please avoid to park at the beach because the car can get stuck on the sand. If you come by car park as soon as you find space and then walk. The idea is to have lunch at the beach and play beach volleyball. Please bring water, sun glasses (for the sand more than the sun) and sun cream (even when it's cloudy you can still get burned with the wind). I would love to create another lovely healthy group to have fun with and enjoy the weather whenever it's possible. All levels are welcome because the goal is to have fun and do some exercise. Any questions please contact me over the phone: 0876819433, or put a comment on this Meetup. Please bear in mind that on the same day of the event it'll be driving so give me a phone call if you are lost.

All welcome. Feel free to come along at any time that suits and pull up a chair. Practice your Japanese with native speakers, exchange cultures or geek out about otaku topics. And help Japanese people with their English. No Japanese speaking ability necessary. このミートアップは誰でも参加できます。あなたは好きな時間に来ることができます。 英語をネイティブから学んだり、日本文化やポップカルチャーを楽しく話すことができます。 そして他の国の人に日本の事や日本語を教えることができます。英語を話せなくても大丈夫です。

**Summary** We will play TV-style game shows at [Game Show Battle Rooms](https://gameshowbattlerooms.com/columbus/) ("GSBR"). These will include *Family Feud*, *Wheel of Fortune*, and *The Price is Right*, and we will play them over the course of an hour. We ran this event for the second time back in October, and it was an even bigger hit than it was the first time we ran it the February prior. GSBR has nearly 10,000 reviews on Google and a 5-star rating. If there were any event where you were just about guaranteed to have a good time, it's this one. GSBR changes their questions and answers every month, so if you attended in October (or even if you went with another group as recently as April), you will not see any of the same questions you saw before. **The Date and Time of This Event** Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. However, if someone books the 3:00 p.m. time before I do (meaning before I have enough paid attendees), well, that's the way the cookie crumbles and we'll have to move to Plan B. That might involve trying for either one of GSBR's 1:30 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. slots, or just cancelling the Meetup altogether. We'll cross that bridge if we get to it, but be aware of these possibilities. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to whatever our actual showtime ends up being. (Hence, this meetup's 2:45 p.m. start time.) **Cost** The cost to play, per person, is $36.95 plus 8% sales tax of $2.96, plus a refundable 8% gratuity of $2.96 (see the next section for more details), for a total cost of $42.86 per person. **Mandatory Gratuity (If 20+ Participants)** If we have 20 or more participants in this event, GSBR will assess a mandatory gratuity of 8%, or $2.96 per person. If we have 20 or more attendees, GSBR will give our group an extra 15 minutes of playing time. I am collecting the gratuity up-front to prepare for the case in which we have at least 20 people. However, in the event that we do not, I will refund this $2.96 to you. In the event we have fewer than 20 people and your gratuity is refunded, your cost for the event will end up being $39.91 (instead of $42.86). I will say more below on the actual exchange of money for this event. **Drinks** GSBR does allow beverages into the game room, and they also sell some on-site. These include bottled water, soft drinks, and some alcoholic beverages. You can bring your own bottled water, too, if you want. **Cancellations and Refunds** Per GSBR's [website](https://gameshowbattlerooms.com/questions/): *If you cancel your show 5 or more days in advance of your booking time, you will receive a full refund.* *You may reduce the number of tickets and receive a refund if you provide at least 5-days’ notice.* More on this in a moment. **Number of Participants** GSBR does not run events for fewer than 6 people. I will not purchase tickets for this event with fewer than 10 paid, and I will not send out a solicitation for money without at least 12 signed up for this Meetup. More on this below. **The Actual Exchange of Money** Tickets for GSBR events are not purchased piecemeal. I will need to book our GSBR event as a bloc. This means that everyone will need to send me his or her entrance fee via either Venmo or Paypal prior to me booking our time. Anyone failing to send me his or her money will be removed by me from this event. Once 12+ people are signed up here for this Meetup, I will send out a DM through the Meetup messaging system to those 12+ participants with my Venmo/Paypal information. You will then have 72 hours to wire me your share of the money. After 72 hours, if I don't have money from you, I'll remove you from event. If I don't have money from at least 10 people, I'll refund everyone's money, and we'll either re-start the process or I'll just cancel the event. I'm not going to book any event with GSBR unless I'm reasonably certain we're going to be able to run it. Assuming I have money from 10+ people, then I will book the event through GSBR's website. If you decide to cancel and you want a refund, you ***must*** give me time to contact GSBR with at least 5 days notice. Since the date of this event is Saturday, June 27, you have to let me know not later than Sunday, June 21, to allow me time to call GSBR not later than Monday, June 22, in order to get a refund for your share. Once I have confirmation from GSBR for the refund, I will Venmo/Paypal the money back to you immediately from my account. (There will probably be a 3-5 day delay before GSBR actually processes the refund, but I will absorb the cost of the float and get your money back to you right away.) **"Hey, Eric! I just saw this event! Can I sign up late?"** Yes, but you still need to Venmo/Paypal your share of the booking fee to me, which will be $40.55. If I don't get it within 72 hours after you sign up (or time permitting for me to book you in with GSBR if you sign up last-minute), then I'll remove you from the event. **Mandatory GSBR Waiver Requirement** GSBR policies *require* that each attendee signs a liability waiver prior to the event. You can find the waiver [here](https://gameshowbattlerooms.com/questions/) (on the right-hand side toward the bottom of the page under the section "Do I Need To Sign A Waiver Form?"), and you should also be able to skip directly to the form [here](https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/5c473bb934d6a/web/). *You must fill out this waver in order to participate in the event*. The form is short and this really shouldn't take you more than 2 minutes, but please send me a DM if you have any issues filling out the document. **Denouement** Afterward, for those who are interested, we'll drown our sorrows or celebrate our exultations at [Crooked Can Brewing](https://crookedcanohio.com/) in Hilliard. They also have extensive food options. The actual address of the brewery is [5354 Center St, 43026](https://www.google.com/maps/place/5354+Center+St,+Hilliard,+OH+43026/@40.0339813,-83.1623519,17.25z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x883893f9f30108a7:0xbe4c8919aa69e3e7!8m2!3d40.0344541!4d-83.1598828!16s%2Fg%2F11gxsh9f_0?entry=ttu).

**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

**Karaoke Night**: Bring your glee club friends. Enjoy a flashback to your choir days. No chorus line. It's all you baby. Sing. Shout. Scream. Lip sync if you need to. But do show up and do have a good time. **On Freestyle night** \- just bring a bottle to share\. There is NO formal wine tasting like on other weeks\. Door charge is $10 \(cash or Venmo only please\)\. We may have some left over wines to clear out\! Glasses are provided\. Take Care\. See you there\. **Parking**: There are several public parking lots near the Alive614 hall. Please be careful to NOT park in private parking lots. They do tow. Check Google maps to scope out your space. Anyone who is early could easily find a parking space on the street nearby. I am told that the Chase parking lot is safe after hours. **Glasses**: …will be provided. Please note that after the wine tasting, the EMPTY glasses need to be returned to the boxes at the service table. Please do not make me hunt down your empty glass. Please be gentle, our glasses are fragile. Uh, they are made of glass! **Food**: You are welcome to bring a snack to share. It is not required. Most people do though. If no one brings anything, there will be nothing. **Code of Conduct**: Though mostly understood, it’s still worth mentioning. We don’t have rules per se, but we highly discourage the following topics of discussion because they are likely to incite anti-social responses - Sex, Politics, Religion. Please don’t mistake this as an attempt to limit your free speech rights but rather a guide to a place and time for appropriate discussions. **After the lights go out**: After the last sip of wine, when we clean up and turn the lights out, if you still haven’t had enough of us, it is typical for a group to get together and go to a local eatery for food and/or drinks or coffee. Again, We look forward to meeting new members and reuniting with old friends. Sincerely, ***Paul Uttermohlen***, **Red 1 Realty** *Your Hilliard Wine Club Host*