Phipps recommends:
Cornelian Cherry Dogwood

Featured

Hop aboard for a winding, whimsical trip back in time.

The ever-popular Garden Railroad in our South Conservatory has been reinvented, inviting guests to travel back in time to 1893—the year that Phipps opened—as the very first Conservatory plants make their railway journey from the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, chugging past farms and industrial centers, and crossing over vast rivers, to reach Pittsburgh. The centerpiece of the display, an exquisitely detailed model of Phipps Conservatory complete with interior lighting and plants, is exhibited here for the first time.

Presented in conjunction with a complementary exhibit at the Carnegie Museum of Art, Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851–1939, this bustling living landscape celebrating Phipps’ history is sure to be a favorite of both children and the young at heart.

For even more Phipps milestones, view our History & Timeline.

All Aboard: Watch this new video clip to see the train arriving at Phipps with a live baby palm in its cargo!


Photo and video credit: Paul g. Wiegman.



Other Featured Exhibits & Events

Summer Flower Show:
Glass in the Gardens
April 27 – Oct. 6, 2013
The dazzling glass creations of artists working in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania will make our gardens shimmer and shine all summer long. Highlights include lifelike floral forms, whimsical long-legged birds, rotating stained-glass towers, and a large, articulated woolly mammoth skeleton.
Butterfly Forest
April 20 – Sept. 2, 2013
Like flowers that fly, our butterfly residents will enchant nature-lovers of every age. Watch as gorgeous species such as Monarchs and Zebra Longwings emerge from their chrysalises to flutter among cheerful, bug-friendly blooms.
Farmers at Phipps
Wednesdays, June – October 2013
2:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Refresh your food shopping experience! Visit our sustainably managed front lawn to browse organic and Certified Naturally Grown fruits, vegetables and more from local farms.
Party in the Tropics
Select Fridays in 2013
7 – 11 p.m.
Ages 21+
Gather your friends and get ready to dine, drink and dance the night away at Phipps! Make our paradise your own as you indulge in sweet and savory morsels, taste unique cocktails, and dance to the beats of a live DJ in our Tropical Forest Conservatory. Entry is free with Conservatory admission.
Floral Notes: Jazz in the Garden
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Ages 21+
As the summer heats up, enjoy an evening of cool jazz surrounded by colorful flowers and lush plants. Relax in our Outdoor Garden with the live music of Pittsburgh’s own Elevations and Velvet Heat as you savor small bites and delicious drinks.
Summer Short Course with David Culp
Thursday, July 11, 2013
8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Join us for a unique opportunity to learn from one of the nation’s leading garden experts as we and Penn State Extension present a special one-day course with celebrated designer, writer and lecturer David Culp at historic Botany Hall on our Oakland campus.
Garden Variety:
A Farm-to-Phipps Dinner
Sunday, July 21, 2013
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Enjoy a rustic yet elegant farm-to-table dinner experience with fresh, handpicked selections from our region’s farms. If you love a food adventure, you won’t want to miss this chance to join local growers and artisans for this one-of-a-kind meal.
Tropical Forest India
Now Open
Explore our new exhibit showcasing one of the most botanically rich regions of the world. Highlights include an Ayurvedic healing garden, spice and tea market displays, a stunning temple facade on Special Events Hall, and more!