Sight guide · Pittsburgh · United States
Visiting Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
A Victorian glasshouse opened in 1893 at the edge of Schenley Park, Phipps has more than a dozen rooms of palms, orchids, desert plants and a tropical forest, with seasonal flower shows and Chihuly glass.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Piotrus, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a garden in Oakland, Pittsburgh. Allow 1.5–2 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Garden
- Area
- Oakland
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- nature, rainy day, couples and kids
- Best months
- August–October
About Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
A Victorian glasshouse opened in 1893 at the edge of Schenley Park, Phipps has more than a dozen rooms of palms, orchids, desert plants and a tropical forest, with seasonal flower shows and Chihuly glass. Its Center for Sustainable Landscapes is one of the greenest buildings in the world.
Tip: Visit during the winter holiday show or the spring flower show for the most impressive displays; on cold days the warm rooms are a welcome break.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Oakland, universities, hospitals and the Carnegie museums around Schenley Park.
Best time to visit Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- September: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, busy crowds.
- August: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, busy crowds.
- October: 18°C (64°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Pittsburgh has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Pittsburgh itinerary visits Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens on day 2, together with Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art, Cathedral of Learning and Grandview Avenue overlooks.
- No. 8 of the 18 sights in our Pittsburgh things-to-do list.
- One of the picks in pittsburgh on a rainy day.
Near Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Also in Oakland, so you can walk between them:
- Cathedral of Learning — 1 hour, free
- Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art — 3–4 hours, mid-priced
If you like Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
- Grandview Avenue overlooks — Mount Washington, 1 hour
- Senator John Heinz History Center — Strip District, 2–3 hours
- Carnegie Science Center — North Shore, 3–4 hours
- National Aviary — North Side, 2 hours
Staying near Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Stay in Oakland ($$) to walk here: universities, hospitals and the Carnegie museums around Schenley Park. All areas to stay in Pittsburgh.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens?
Plan 1.5–2 hours. With Cathedral of Learning nearby, it fits a half-day in Oakland.
+Is Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens?
August–October for the most comfortable weather. Visit during the winter holiday show or the spring flower show for the most impressive displays; on cold days the warm rooms are a welcome break.
+Do I need to book Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.