Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

We came to visit this last Monday and had a blast! Bought tickets beforehand so after finding parking along that main road, which was free for the holiday fortunately, we were able to walk right in! The gift shop has many cute & local souvenirs and they even offer free lockers on site so you dont have to lug your coat the entire time. Even in the middle of winter this place was beautiful and worth the ticket price! Me and my boyfriend easily spent atleast two hours enjoying the variety of rooms and reading the information listed. Highly recommend!

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, located in Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park, was a gift to the city from steel magnate Henry Phipps Jr. in 1893. He aimed to provide a beautiful, educational sanctuary for the public, especially the working class. The main feature is the grand Victorian-style glasshouse, a sophisticated example of Lord & Burnham greenhouse architecture, which houses 14 distinct display rooms. Phipps is also an international leader in sustainability, with buildings like the Center for Sustainable Landscapes achieving the highest green certifications. The nature view is a breathtaking immersion into diverse biomes, from the Tropical Forest and Desert Room to the changing blooms of the seasonal flower shows. Outside, visitors enjoy serene gardens and the Schenley Park landscape. The overall feeling of Phipps is one of peace, wonder, and rejuvenation. Moving from the bustling urban setting into the humid, fragrant, and vibrant glass ecosystem provides a transformative escape, fostering a strong sense of connection to nature and inspiring awe for both the natural world and sustainable innovation.

I have gone to Phipps may times throughout my life. The flowers are always a delight to see. I always go on Christmas eve to see their Christmas display. I love how in all of their rooms they create beautiful scenes using only plants. The employees are always really nice and helpful. Even thought it is like a jungle the employees keep it clean. The gift shop has many unique nature themed items. I have also eaten at their cafe many times. The food is a little to organic and healthy for me. If you love flowers and nature I would highly recommend going to Phipps.

Amazing display of plant life. Very serene and quiet. The recommendation is to stay on one side, always take the left. That will keep you moving and you’ll see all rooms.

Thoroughly enjoyed the winter show! It was magical to see it both in the day and nighttime, particularly the outside garden that is not normally open during the other times I have visited. The event was very family friendly. The hunt for all the hens was a nice addition.

Such a beautiful holiday display. Make sure to have tickets ahead of time. Limited handicap parking but they do have valet for a charge. Indoor lights are nice and warm and you bundle up for outside lights, perfect blend. We will definitely come back again.

Had a wonderful experience visiting for the Christmas lights. We went on a really cold night but they have delicious hot chocolate for purchase in the lobby! It was so crowded it got a little overwhelming at times and we had to park very far away but other than that we had an awesome time! I would love to visit again during the spring and summer.

We were there on a beautiful September day, when they had their Jungle Quest summer flower show! What a joyful day and a great time for families with kids. My daughter loved the tropical plants and blooms and was excited to search for the toucan perched on top of the foliages. She loved playing in the areas designated for children and loves learning about the different species of plants and animals that live in these environments. We spent at least 3 hours there touring and visiting the gift shop. The best part is having lunch at the nearby park.

One of the best places I have gone to. The garden house has interactive features! I won't spoil it but it does catch you off guard and scares you a bit. It's absolutely a lovely picture place. I have countless beautiful pictures, tons of mobile wallpaper material. It is a very peaceful environment and it was really fun to explore. I did not have problems with the parking--but it could've been because it was raining.

On a beautiful sunny afternoon, my dad, my husband, and I decided to explore Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. First and foremost, the parking situation is absolutely atrocious! We drove around for probably about 15 minutes, just looking for a spot before we finally managed to find one about half a mile away. I think with it being located so close to two university campuses, parking is never good here. The terrible parking situation aside, this place is absolutely beautiful! The variety of plants and various vegetation in beautiful arrangements was definitely something to behold. We had such a wonderful time, exploring the exhibits and even had fun looking for the hidden toucans in the various rooms. Such a pleasant afternoon and definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in Pittsburgh.

Who knew Pittsburgh had such a beautiful place?! I loved walking thru and taking in the scenery. Sitting in the garden enjoying the pond, the bubbling water. Peaceful.

Between the holiday show and holiday cooking class, I had a ton of fun at Phipps this month. The annual show is not to miss and is open late in December to accommodate guests. I also recommend the coming classes, and there's a variety throughout the year. The team did a great job doing the prep so the students (like me) could focus on learning cooking techniques and enjoying what they cook.

We went to see the Christmas decorations it is always so Beautiful. We booked are time and date online very easy. They do just a wonderful job of decorating and displaying the plants. I highly recommend going at any season always Beautiful

Beautiful place! Definitely go visit during holiday seasons! They do an amazing job decorating, especially the indoor parts. Plants were taken great care of and everything looked so healthy and alive! Staff were all friendly and helpful.

Took an out of town friend here and we both loved it so much. Just beautiful inside. Plenty of parking and well priced.

Phipps is always a great place to visit but the Winter Light show is truly amazing! Winter lights and plants throughout the facility plus a large outdoor light display. We love visiting the conservatory whenever we visit Pittsburgh but this was our first winter trip, and it was stunning.

This is my second time visiting Phipps and I absolutely love it here. They do an outstanding job with the botanicals and the themes are beautiful. I spent a lot of time admiring the gardens and enjoying the full blooms of hydrangeas. This place is a must visit. The addition of the Chihuly art everywhere made this a special visit.

Holy moly this place is a gem! I initially thought the admission price was a bit high, but after spending 4 hours exploring, I'd say it was worth it. There's so much to see, and we loved every second of it. The bonsai section is always a favorite, though I do wish more of the trees had info about their age or years of training. The butterfly exhibit was another highlight. We loved with full of foliage it was, a cool path to walk through. Overall, a very cool spot and absolutely worth a visit if you're in the area!

we visited phipps in early/mid december and had such a wonderful time! the staff members we encountered throughout the conservatory were all incredibly friendly and nice, which really made the experience even better it was so festive to see many of the plants beautifully decorated for christmas ~ it was all very cute and really put us in the holiday spirit. my friends enjoyed their time here so much that they actually ended up buying the membership! we can't wait to go back

We popped in and took the 2 hrs self guided tour. They had no maps but for the holiday lights display it was fine. We would visit again.

What a wonderful way to spend a beautiful day exploring the beauty of creation! So thoughtfully designed with so Many interactive opportunities makes it great for all ages. Jungle Quest is creative and fun to explore. The flowers are spectacular and even better with some Chihuly glass mixed in. Can't wait to visit again in the different seasons.

The conservatory is a must see and takes at least two hours to enjoy. You can easily spend more time there, especially in the beautiful basil gardens. The highlight is the butterfly exhibit, which features many species flying freely. Some butterflies camouflage themselves perfectly, hiding in plain sight. You can visit the exterior gardens last, as there is no fee for them. The entire experience is truly great.

This place is perfect, please go ASAP. I'm always a huge fan of botanical gardens, my mom took me to a lot growing up. Phipps is HUGE. I could've spend several hours enjoying this place. If I lived in PGH I would get a membership here. I love all the different types of spaces. Most of the attractions are indoors, which I imagine is great for when PGH gets cold and gray. But the outdoor parts were perfect too. This is a wonderful place to explore or relax. I think it's great for all ages because there are different activities and mindful accessibility things. The urge to take a million photos was very present in me during my visit. I loved all the seating available because I had some work I needed to complete and was able to do that without disturbing anyone. They also have lockers you can use before you enter the garden part. When I asked if there was a place to store my bags, they kindly gave me 25 cents to use for the locker. There are womens and mens restrooms scattered throughout the space. They also have a gender neutral single family bathroom near where you scan your ticket to enter the garden. I absolutely adored my time here and think it's worth every penny.

We went on a private after hours tour on Tuesday and there were eight of us. The tour was led by Greg who's the Director of Development Campaign. It was so nice having a tour after hours because it was empty which was a stark contrast when I was here last for their winter light show. We started around 6pm and finished around 7pm. Greg took us through pretty much the entire inside and since he's been there more than two decades, he was really knowledgeable and gave us great background and insight on everything. The current summer flow show is called Jungle Quest and they have animals from flamingos to elephants that they all make in house! Phipps is truly gorgeous and we loved the guided tour. We'll be back for sure!!

This place reminded me of Longwood Garden, just smaller in terms of footprint. Lots of rooms and such inside. The outside garden is super small. We missed it and went back to walk around. We were done in 5 minutes. Inside, the rooms are all well maintained and rooms leading to other rooms and such. The glasswork is vibrant and the interactive portions placed randomly for kids works for them. They curated some rooms to look at holistically and for photos. I thought that was cool. They don't let you go in the curation to preserve its look and I think that's a a good decision. This place is located right next to Carnegie Mellon University. Pretty campus. Parking was easy for us because we got there at opening. They have free parking but it's limited

Phipps never disappoints. There were two features. The butterfly garden (which is coming to an end) and their jungle tropical show. So many gorgeous flowers, fruit trees, and unique displays. We even saw a few butterflies. Their gift shop is also fantastic. I never leave without a couple things - especially since I get a discount with my membership.

I don't know too much about conservatories - I've been to the Anna Scripps Whitcomb conservatory on Detroit's Belle Isle a bunch of times, Matthaei Botanical Gardens out in an Ann Arbor and saw I think just a small portion of what they have at Meijer Gardens in Ann Arbor. Phipps dwarfs the first two and the third I have to grade incomplete. This is a beautiful, immersive, sprawling conservatory, with indoor and outdoor sections, spanning all forms of flora. I really enjoyed my time here and could have spent a good deal more but I was with my slow moving father and we had a Tigers vs Pirates day game to get to at PNC Park. I liked the animal sculptures, particularly the flamingos that utilized actual plant life and the shiny glass sculptures that mimicked flora. Once or twice things verged on being a little too much but they never quite crossed the line into being tacky in my opinion. I'd love to see the holiday light display if I'm ever back in town that time of the year!

The Spring 2025 show is a sea of color. How many different snapdragons, pansies, and tulips varieties are there? Free parking is always a premium. Valet service was available.

I really enjoy Phipps and definitely make an effort to go every year during the holiday light show. I like the ability to buy tickets online ahead of time so that it wasn't super crowded when you visited. We went on a Sunday afternoon and I was actually surprised by the small size crowd, it was really nice. This year's displays are great just like every year. The only thing I will say I was disappointed in is that since we visited in the afternoon, the outdoor section was not open. I understand that it's obviously better to see the lights at night, but I still would've liked to walk through the section but they had it closed off. FYI - Phipps is stroller-accessible but it might not be the easiest of routes.

Phipps Conservatory is a large botanic garden in the middle of the city worth visiting. Once you pay admission, budget two hours to go through it all. Each room has different planets and flowers and areas for kids to touch. Our eight-year-old loved the butterfly area and the outdoor children's garden. She also loved seeing poison frogs and clock roaches in their tanks in the Pana

This place is worth the visit if you enjoy plants. It's lovely. Wear comfortable shoes to walk around in and it's very casual. I suggest sneakers or very good walking sandals/shoes. I took pictures and truly enjoyed the butterfly area. In all I spent about an hour and a half touring through. If you go early it's so much easier you can park on the street right in front if you are an early bird. I Ubered over and then after took a short walk to the Conservatory Park by the Carousel for lunch.

Amazing! The botanical gardens are so vast and beautiful, and the butterfly garden was stunning! Took my grandma, and we spend hours in here exploring every room. We went for the Jungle Fest themed gardens.

Phipps is a timeless visit for plant lovers and non-plant lovers alike! There's a little something for everyone. I've been here for just simple visits, but I've also visited for special events. I recommend both! One of my favorite things is being able to take a break from the Pittsburgh cold to the warmer climates inside. It gives you a boost for the day!

Came here for the Spring 2025 show and everything was stunning! All of the exhibits are so beautifully done, coming to Phipps never gets old.

Wonderful way to spend a day in Pittsburgh! This place has so many pleasure gardens and exploring experiences. Easy to get to via car, it was a nice respite on a cold blowy day. They try to have stuff for kids but I don't know how much they would really take time to enjoy and appreciate if they are under 10. Take time to smell the flowers, the Japanese garden, the picnic display, the desert biome, the edible plants and trees and MORE!

Holiday Magic at Phipps Conservatory! Phipps Conservatory during the Christmas season is truly something out of a winter dream. The Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden is absolutely breathtaking -- the entire space glows with thousands of sparkling lights, festive displays, and beautifully arranged poinsettias, amaryllis, and other seasonal blooms. Walking through the gardens at night feels like stepping into a fairy tale. The outdoor light displays are stunning, with glowing trees, walk-through tunnels, and shimmering reflections in the water that make for perfect photo moments. Indoors, each room is more enchanting than the last, and the attention to detail in the decorations is incredible. There's a calm, joyful energy throughout the entire conservatory -- it's romantic, family-friendly, and peaceful all at once. If you're looking for a holiday tradition or just a place to soak in the spirit of the season, Phipps is the place to go. Make sure to grab some hot cocoa afterward -- it just completes the night perfectly. This is hands-down one of my favorite things to do in Pittsburgh during the holidays, and it never gets old. Highly recommend it!

This place has always been a favorite of mine. It's absolutely gorgeous both inside and out - so much so that my husband and I got married here. It will always hold a special place in my heart, but this was the first year I got to experience the winter flower show and holiday light displays. It was magical! Definitely a must-see this time of the year, but be sure to get a timed entry ticket if you plan to go on a Friday or Saturday evening as it gets busy and parking can be a little tricky. So festive and fun - best way to get into the holiday spirit!

Phipps is absolutely gorgeous. I haven't been back in 20 years and it has really expanded. It's incredible! We spent 2 hours there and they really cater to kids with crafts and a toy grocery market

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.

Stepping into Phipps Conservatory on the final day of their spring flower show was like entering a fragrant paradise. From the moment I set foot on the exhibit floor, the intoxicating aroma of hyacinths was so wonderful. One on my favorite spring flowers. Each exhibit was a breathtaking display of nature's beauty, with every bloom more spectacular than the last. From vibrant tulips to delicate daffodils, the variety of flowers on display was simply awe-inspiring. The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the opportunity to immerse myself in the enchanting scent of hyacinths. It's an experience that will stay with me long after I leave. A staff member, informed me of an exciting opportunity to purchase bulbs next Saturday at Phipps, a chance I definitely won't miss.

August 2024 review update following wedding vow renewal ceremony: We were blessed to have had the pleasure of renting this venue for our renewal ceremony in the garden. *** We would like to note a negative encounter with a woman employed by Phipps the day of drop off on 08/09. We were there to drop off decor supplies for our ceremony the next day. There was an event affecting parking and my husband was trying to ensure we were in the right location to drop items off and we parked in the loading dock area. We noticed a bunch of caterers preparing for an event. A helpful friendly caterer asked if he could help us and proceeded to see if he could find a staff member and cart for us. He found out to a Phipps staff member in the tent area she was extremely rude to the friendly vendor back there trying to help us. When he asked her a question, she rudely exclaimed that she was not the keeper of our Phipps coordinator. My husband thought that maybe she was just being rude to the caterer and mentioned that he was a customer and groom asking the question and she rudely repeated herself. Why say anything at all? The caterer told my husband to just ignore her and he shuffled and grabbed a cart for us until we were able to connect with Abbey for our drop off appointment. She should really improve on her customer service and people skills. Her behavior was not okay and uncalled for. I got the impression that she apparently does this all of the time when we mentioned the encounter. No one should have to tip toe around a single staff member. We are fortunate that one rotten apple did not spoil the bunch.*** Other than that, our ceremony was an absolute dream. All other Phipps team members were amazing. We were able to have received service from two phenomenal Phipps coordinators. Initial rehearsal was with Caroline Walker, Event Sales Assistant Manager and the 2nd rehearsal and day of coordinator was Abbey Russell, Event Sales Supervisor. Both were rock stars. They gave us ideas, told us about any venue restrictions, answered all questions and helped setup the chairs for our garden ceremony. The Phipps staff really was key in helping our event helpers coordinate and facilitate our guests, our venders and a seamless ceremony. We are grateful. We highly recommend this venue. Previous review 2023: Beautiful venue with lots of beautiful flowers, plants, waterfalls and exhibits as well as delightful event spaces of various sizes and styles. We think we found our spot. Thanks to Deborah for the fantastic tour and for the hospitality.

Went to Phipps this past weekend to see their Under the Sea exhibit. Very cool and creative. Loved the touches of children's art work sprinkled throughout the conservatory. Also thoroughly enjoyed the interactive touches.

We all make mistakes. Going to Phipps will not be one of them The "Under the Sea" exhibit at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh is a breathtaking dive into an aquatic wonderland. Walking through, I felt as though I was exploring a vibrant coral reef, surrounded by mesmerizing blue hues and whimsical sea creature sculptures. The exotic plant displays mimicked ocean flora so perfectly, it was easy to forget I was on land. The exhibit's artistry and attention to detail were astonishing, making it a magical experience. It's a must-see, leaving you with a sense of awe and a deeper appreciation for the beauty beneath the waves. Add it to your Pittsburgh bucket list and you're welcome.

We were on vacation in Pittsburgh and came here one morning. It was a fun diversion from the busy city. The exhibitions were clearly labeled and beautiful. The theme was "Under the Sea", which wasn't really that prevalent in the displays, but that didn't detract from the beauty. It's a manageable size and we were able to see almost everything (some exhibits were under renovation).

Favorite place in Pittsburgh! Phipps never disappoints, guaranteed to chase the cold winter blues away!

Although the atmosphere is great especially for weddings and is highly known for its high rated proposals I feel Phipps could do a little more to make the atmosphere more interactive.... Every year Phipps does a flower show and with all do respect it's time to give that up and start doing something different. Theres no need to do a flower show and then plant different flowers throughout the center it's unnecessary and has no value in doing that.... Its to repetitive and it's boring.... Its not very kid interactive like it should be They need to have a kids youth program Their Christmas Show is ok - its not great theirs definitely something that need improved big time and also play holiday music noone wants to hear nothing and that the other problem they want to walk in silence.... The other problem is they don't play music it's just supposed to be quiet that's not a good thing ---- DO BETTER Some employees have attitude problems which needs fixed and corrected especially at the admissions windows The food is ok - not top quality I've had better

Phipps never disappoints! Absolutely breathtaking! Phipps holiday lights is always a must do at Christmas for us! Parking it often crazy but tonight we got lucky! Lots of people tonight...traveling room to room. Watch out to find the hidden snowflakes .. becomes a contest for us - who can find the most/fastest. Now I am a member ... so we get in under my membership.

I had such a nice time at Phipps yesterday afternoon. We ordered tickets online and were able to walk in easily/quickly bypassing the lines. Since we went on a Sunday the parking area nearby was free. We spent about 1.5-2 hours here just walking around checking out all of the flowers/displays. Everything was so nice and since we got there early we seemed to have beat the crowds. I believe they change up their displays, but I'm not sure of the changing frequency. I bet it's always pretty cool though. They also have a cafe and pretty cute gift shop. Overall we had a great day and I'm excited to have gotten a chance to go!

A trip to Phipps Conservatory is always a win. We were lucky enough to catch the Billy Porter exhibit, but anytime you go there are interesting and engaging exhibits. They have everything from a permanent Bosnia tree area to a beautiful spice room to a discovery garden. I like how the don't call it a children's garden, because all ages can enjoy. The conservatory is the perfect place to unwind and learn about different plant species. There are enormous fiddle leaf figs and crazy big monstera plants. It was early Saturday afternoon and we were able to buy tickets at the door easily. It was busy, but no overwhelming. Parking can be tricky. Be prepared to walk. On this trip we discovered the rooftop garden that had amazing views of the city. This conservatory is enormous so be sure to allow a few hours to explore. They also have a cute cafe and a lovely gift shop. They also offer many learning opportunities. I recently took a cooking seminar online with Simon Majumdar. It was well worth the $15 they charged. Visiting Phipps is a must if visiting Pittsburgh.

Amazing place to visit. The gardens are gorgeous and educational, and the exhibits change with the seasons. Their holiday season is my favorite with their outdoor lights. The cafe is also amazing and everything tastes spectacular. I visited in the fall and had a wonderful hummus platter (I think there was a pumpkin hummus). 10/10 experience!

The conservatory was quite magical. Tons of beautiful plants, unique colorings, different fish created out of plants, big plants, small plants, colorful plants, odd plants, and an edible garden. There were tons of people, the pathways are narrow and people tend to be inconsiderate or others which is a bummer but it happens in public spaces. The highlight was the butterfly garden. There were tons of butterflies all over, tons of beautiful colors, plants, and the lighting was quite magical. You could see the chrysalis, the caterpillar stages, and informational panels about butterflies. They was also a lovely gift shop with some local products and lots of gifts. I would say some of them were overpriced.

I love coming here with friends to see the holiday magic display. I have come both in the daytime and evening and enjoy seeing all the decorated holiday trees, light displays and the train. In my opinion it's the best of the year. Seeing the large crowds waiting in line tells me that others feel the same way.

Have been coming to Phipps on and off for years, but now - finally living here - I can take in more exhibits/shows at this wonderful place! The customer service folks are always so friendly and helpful. The garden staff work hard to offer new and interesting seasonal changes. I've done the fall and winter shows this year. The fall colors were beautiful - themed colors, interesting plant selections mixed in with the permanent display. The outdoor light display this year for the holidays is really amazing! Glowing orbs, twinkle lights, critters made of straw/wood, and so much more. The gift shop is also quite nice. I haven't tried the cafe, but apparently it got pretty great reviews fairly recently. AND - they offer educational classes for the general public, too!

Even on a cold and rainy day, this is a beautiful retreat into nature. We only saw the inside Conservatory facilities and they had just put up the holiday decorations. It was so festive and they used all kinds of natural materials to make the winter wonderlands. Do not miss the "Our National Parks" garden railroad exhibit. It is amazing. I also really loved the orchid exhibit. The Phipps Cafe had the most delicious food. It won an award as one of the top museum restaurants in America and you can see why. Parking is very tough here. There are limited dedicated parking spots in front of the building, and you may have to park down the street and walk a bit. It looks like the holiday lights display officially opens Nov 18.

nothing is ada assessable!!! this lady dana didnt allow any wheelchairs in the butterfly garden!! she only let us walk a inch in the room! she was super rude to our party that had two wheelchairs that could have easily got in the room! i will never ever go to this horrible place ever again! its not worth your money! i dont even want give them a star!

The Phipps is always a lovely day or evening well spent. Getting a family membership really makes it worthwhile if you might go more than twice in the year. The holiday lights display doesn't disappoint. Just make sure you reserve your tickets ahead of time.

A gorgeous space full of great permanent exhibits and a huge variety of plants to enjoy. The educational displays were short and easy to read, but everything was also lovely without the added context. We went for the holiday displays, which were bright, gorgeous, and well integrated into the permanent setup. I also appreciated the snack booth - everything was obviously pricey, but the mulled wine was well done and complemented the experience really well.