Tiffany Y.
Yelp
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens opened in 1893, and I have been a customer here off and on for a decade.
Phipps includes the following rooms and gardens: Botany Hall (outdoor garden), Broderie Room (formal French style), Center for Sustainable Landscapes Environs (outdoor paths) and Green Roof (rooftop garden), Desert Room (cacti), Discovery Garden (outdoor play area for children), East Room (streams and waterfalls), Fern Room (ancient ferns), Green Gallery (art), Japanese Courtyard Garden (bonsai), Orchid Room, Outdoor Garden (herbs, conifers, etc.), Palm Court (palm trees and Chihuly art), Serpentine Room (seasonal), Stove Room (tropical and butterflies), Sunken Room (hanging baskets and fountains), Tropical Forest Conservatory (fish pond), Tropical Fruit and Spice Room (bananas, cinnamon, etc.), Victoria Room (pond), and others.
Customers may purchase timed tickets either in person or preferably online. As of 2024, adult admission costs $22 per person, and prices are lower for seniors, children, students, and members.
During my most recent visit in early September 2024, I interacted with a few courteous employees. I spent about 90 minutes walking around and taking photos and videos of the beautiful plants. Phipps was showing the Tropical Forest Hawai'i (which included both native and endemic species of plants) and the Under the Sea summer flower show.
A couple of gardens, such as the Victoria Room and the Japanese Garden, were closed, and construction crews were working. Neither I nor other guests saw any butterflies in the Butterfly Forest. I did get slightly confused with navigating the interconnected buildings.
Phipps also offers group tours, classes, a gift shop, the Cafe Phipps restaurant, a garden center, etcetera.