Tours
Phipps offers a range of docent-led and self-guided tours through the Conservatory for adult and school and other educational groups. Docent-led tours are one-hour long and are led by trained volunteers who share a wealth of knowledge about Phipps, plants and sustainability. Self-guided tours allow visitors to move at their own pace, and are recommended particularly for pre-school and kindergarten age groups.
Available docent-led tours are listed below. Registration for docent-led tours is required at least four weeks in advance; and tours are subject to docent availability.
Self-guided tour guides, which include a conservatory map and interesting information by room, are currently available for the following age groups and downloadable here: Pre-K to Second Grade Tour or Third to Fifth Grade Tour. Information in each guide can, however, be scaled to apply to other age ranges.
Green Tour
Advancing sustainability has become an integral part of Phipps’ mission. Come learn about the green aspects that have been incorporated into the Conservatory from compostable cups and spoons in Café Phipps to earth tubes and the fuel cell in the Tropical Forest.
Standards: E&E 4.2.4.C, E&E 4.2.4.D, E&E 4.3.4.A, E&E 4.5.4.C, E&E 4.8.4.C, E&E 4.8.4.D
Conservatory Tour
Take an informative walk thorugh the Conservatory with a trained volunteer to learn fun tidbits about the history of Phipps and its plants.
Phipps Pharmacopeia
(4th - 8th Grade)
Nature’s medicine cabinet is stocked with modern and traditional remedies! This feature tour will showcase Phipps’ collection of plants that have been used as folk remedies and some that are used in modern medicine. Featured plants include kava kava, cinnamon, and miracle fruit.
Standards: E&E 4.7.7.A, E&E 4.8.7.A, E&E 4.8.7.B, E&E 4.8.7.D
Adaptation Adventure
(4th - 8th Grade)
Plants have adapted to live in many conditions all over the world. This tour will focus on those plant families that have changed drastically to adapt to their environments.
Standards: E&E 4.7.4.B, E&E 4.7.7.B
Foreign Language Tours
Phipps has docents trained to lead Conservatory tours in Spanish, French, German, Mandarin Chinese, and Hindi. Advanced language classes can enjoy an opportunity to test their understanding in our beautiful glasshouse.
To Register for a Docent-Guided Tour
See our Registration Information page.
For more information or to register for a program, please call (412) 441-4442 ext. 3925.
