Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

About

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is one of America's great public gardens, housed in a magnificent Victorian glasshouse that has welcomed visitors to Pittsburgh's Schenley Park since 1893. With 15 acres of grounds and 14 distinct indoor garden rooms, it offers a year-round escape into the beauty of the natural world.

Inside the conservatory, you'll wander through rooms filled with tropical orchids, desert cacti, bonsai collections, and seasonal flower shows that change throughout the year. Each glasshouse room has its own climate and character, from the humid Palm Court with its towering palms to the serene Japanese Courtyard Garden. The seasonal shows, especially during the holidays and spring, are genuinely spectacular.

Phipps has earned a reputation as one of the greenest buildings in the world. The Center for Sustainable Landscapes on site is one of only a handful of buildings to meet the Living Building Challenge, and the conservatory weaves environmental education throughout its exhibits. It's a place where beauty and sustainability go hand in hand.

Cafe Phipps offers a locally sourced menu, making it a great spot for lunch during your visit. The gift shop carries unique botanical-themed items worth browsing. Plan for at least two hours to see everything comfortably, though you could easily spend a full morning or afternoon here.

Phipps is located at One Schenley Park Drive in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood, close to the Carnegie Museums and the University of Pittsburgh campus. It's a wonderful anchor for a day exploring some of the city's best cultural attractions.

Accessibility

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is wheelchair accessible throughout most of the facility. The one exception is the Stove Room, located in the west wing, which is not accessible. All other indoor garden rooms and exhibit spaces can be explored by wheelchair users and visitors with mobility devices.

Accessible parking spaces are available near the main entrance, and the entrance itself is fully accessible. The pathways through the conservatory rooms are paved and generally wide enough for comfortable wheelchair passage, though some of the historic paths in older sections may be narrower. Staff members are available to assist visitors on these narrower paths.

Public transportation to Phipps is also accessible. Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses and the T light rail system are ADA-compliant, making it possible to reach the conservatory without a car. All PRT stations and vehicles meet accessibility standards.

For visitors with specific accessibility needs or questions about current accommodations, it's best to contact Phipps directly before your visit. The staff has a strong reputation for being accommodating and helpful to visitors with disabilities. You can reach them at their main line to discuss any particular needs or to confirm details about sensory accommodations and restroom accessibility.

More accessible places in Pennsylvania

• Carnegie Museum of Natural History (Pittsburgh)
• The Andy Warhol Museum (Pittsburgh)
• Carnegie Science Center (Pittsburgh)
• Heinz History Center (Pittsburgh)
• Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium (Pittsburgh)
• Kennywood (Pittsburgh)