Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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 recently got married at Phipps and it was absolutely fantastic! We worked with Lauren and she was so wonderful and helpful. She really made the ceremony go so smoothly and we couldn't have asked for a better day! On top of that, the place is just beautiful!