Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a botanical garden and glasshouse complex in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, public transport, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
Last updated: June 2026. Note for visitors using older guides: the current adult admission price is $22.95, up from the $17.95 figure still cited by some travel websites. The prices below reflect the current official rates verified on the Phipps website. Also note: two nearby road closures — the Panther Hollow Bridge and the Charles Anderson Memorial Bridge — are currently affecting vehicle access; follow posted detour signs.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | One Schenley Park (GPS: 700 Frank Curto Drive), Pittsburgh, PA 15213 |
| Hours (Mon–Thu, Sat–Sun) | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Hours (Friday) | 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Last entry | 30 minutes before closing |
| Adult ticket (18–61) | $22.95 |
| Senior ticket (62+) | $20.95 |
| Student ticket (19+, with ID) | $19.95 |
| Child ticket (2–18) | $13.95 |
| Members and children under 2 | Free |
| Parking | Free on Schenley Drive centre island; metered street parking free after 6 PM Mon–Sat and all day Sunday |
| Nearest public transport | PRT bus routes 61A/B/C/D, 71A/B/C/D along Forbes and Fifth Avenues |
| Typical visit duration | 90 minutes minimum; a full day is possible |
Phipps Conservatory opening hours
Phipps is open Monday to Thursday and Saturday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. On Fridays, it stays open until 10:00 PM — the only evening opening of the week. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing on all days.
Hours remain the same year-round, with one important exception: during the Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden, timed tickets are required for all visitors and must be booked in advance. Some areas may occasionally close during normal business hours; check the visitor notices page on the official website before you travel.
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Phipps Conservatory ticket prices
General admission is $22.95 for adults, $20.95 for seniors (62+), $19.95 for students aged 19 and over (valid student ID required), and $13.95 for children aged 2–18. Members and children under 2 enter free; members must bring valid photo ID.
EBT/Museums for All discount: Visitors presenting an EBT card (including ACCESS, WIC, and SNAP from any state) and a matching photo ID pay $3.00 per person, for up to four people. No advance booking is needed for this discount.
University students: Students of the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Carlow University, and La Roche University may visit free without prior booking during normal hours (Pitt and La Roche students only during Fall and Spring semesters). Bring your student ID to the admissions desk.
Phipps is not currently included in Go City or CityPass multi-attraction passes for Pittsburgh.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in June 2026.
How to get to Phipps Conservatory
The address for GPS navigation is 700 Frank Curto Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Phipps is located in Schenley Park in the Oakland neighbourhood, a few miles east of downtown Pittsburgh.
By public transport: Several Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) bus routes stop on Forbes Avenue and Fifth Avenue, within a short walk of the conservatory entrance. Useful routes include the 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D. A protected bike lane runs directly through Oakland to Phipps. Check current routes and schedules via the PRT trip planner.
Parking at Phipps Conservatory
Free parking is available in the centre island on Schenley Drive, directly adjacent to the conservatory. Metered street parking on either side of Schenley Drive is free after 6:00 PM Monday to Saturday, and free all day on Sundays. Accessible parking is available near the front entrance, running parallel to the bike lane.
Nearby paid options when the free spaces are taken include Forbes and Semple Garage (210 Meyran Avenue), Soldiers and Sailors Garage (4215 Fifth Avenue), and Sennott Square Garage (207 South Bouquet Street). The Panther Hollow Lot at 2 Boundary Street is closed at weekends. Valet parking is occasionally available on select dates ($10 for members, $15 for non-members); check the website to confirm.
How long to spend at Phipps Conservatory
Allow at least 90 minutes for a self-guided visit. Visitors can easily spend a full day exploring the 14-room glasshouse, 23 outdoor gardens, and the Center for Sustainable Landscapes. Once inside, you may stay until closing.
Mondays and Tuesdays are the least crowded days. The conservatory is usually quietest between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM daily. Friday evenings (open until 10:00 PM) offer a quieter experience with lower light in the glasshouses.
Accessibility at Phipps Conservatory
The gardens are wheelchair accessible throughout, with the exception of the Stove Room in the west wing. Manual wheelchairs are available free of charge at the admissions desk on a first-come, first-served basis; electric wheelchairs and strollers are not available for hire on site. Lockers are available in the Welcome Center for bags and coats.
Phipps is a KultureCity® Certified sensory-inclusive venue. Sensory bags — containing noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads — are available at the admissions desk. A know-before-you-go guide covering quiet areas and restroom locations is available via the KultureCity app. Service animals are permitted; pets are not.
Safety note: Walkways are concrete or stone and may be uneven or slippery when wet. Comfortable, closed-toe, slip-resistant shoes are recommended. High heels are not advised. Large bags, backpacks, and suitcases are not permitted inside; use the lockers in the Welcome Center.
Inside Phipps Conservatory: what to see
The 1893 glasshouse (14 rooms) – The Victorian-era glasshouse is the heart of Phipps. Each room has a distinct climate and plant collection. Highlights include the Palm Court, the Stove Room (a humid tropical house), the Orchid Room, the Desert Room with cacti and succulents, and the Broderie Room. A seasonal flower show occupies the main display spaces; the current show (June 2026) is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Outdoor gardens (23 distinct areas) – The 15-acre campus includes formal and informal outdoor gardens around the glasshouse, including a Japanese courtyard, a children’s discovery garden, and green roof terraces.
Tropical Forest Conservatory – A large, modern glasshouse extension replicating a tropical forest environment, with plants from Central and South America. The current exhibit is Tropical Forest Panama.
Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) – A separate building on the campus that serves as one of the most environmentally certified buildings in the world. Open to visitors as part of general admission. Exhibits focus on sustainability, climate, and environmental design.
Café Phipps – An on-site café; check the website for current hours and menu, as it is currently being reimagined. Free Wi-Fi is available in the café.
The Shop at Phipps – A gift shop near the entrance, open during all visiting hours.
Bloomberg Connects digital guide – A free app-based audio and visual guide to the conservatory, available to download before your visit.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book tickets in advance | Timed tickets are strongly recommended at all times and required during Holiday Magic. Booking online takes a few minutes and avoids queuing at the admissions desk on arrival. |
| Visit on a Monday or Tuesday | These are the least crowded days. Arriving mid-afternoon (3:00–5:00 PM) on any weekday also reduces crowds noticeably. |
| Dress in layers | The glasshouses vary considerably in temperature. The tropical rooms are warm and humid even in winter; outdoor areas can be cool. Layers are the most practical option. |
| No food or drink inside | Outside food is not permitted on the campus except for a sealed water bottle and small medical or dietary snacks. The café is the only on-site dining option. |
| Check for road closures before driving | The Panther Hollow Bridge and Charles Anderson Memorial Bridge are currently closed, affecting vehicle access from some directions. Allow extra travel time and check the Phipps website for current detour guidance. |
Frequently asked questions about Phipps Conservatory
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Phipps Conservatory open on Sundays? | Yes, Sunday hours are 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, the same as Monday to Thursday and Saturday. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Phipps Conservatory? | Booking in advance is strongly recommended and saves time on arrival. Timed tickets are mandatory during the Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show. |
| Is Phipps Conservatory suitable for children? | Yes. Children aged 2–18 pay $13.95; under-2s enter free. The children’s discovery garden, interactive exhibits, and seasonal flower shows are suitable for families. |
| Are large bags allowed at Phipps Conservatory? | No. Backpacks, large bags, purses, and suitcases are not permitted inside. Lockers are available in the Welcome Center free of charge. |
| Is there parking at Phipps Conservatory? | Free parking is available in the centre island on Schenley Drive. Metered street parking is free after 6:00 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, and all day on Sundays. Several paid garages are within walking distance. |
Things to do near Phipps Conservatory
Schenley Park – The 456-acre park surrounding Phipps includes walking and cycling trails, a public golf course, an ice rink (seasonal), and Flagstaff Hill, which hosts free outdoor film screenings in summer. Free to access.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Carnegie Museum of Art – Both museums are located on Forbes Avenue in Oakland, around half a mile from Phipps. One ticket covers both. The natural history museum holds one of the world’s largest Jurassic dinosaur collections.
Carnegie Mellon University campus – Directly adjacent to Schenley Park. The campus is open to visitors and has several public art installations and a sculpture garden.
Duquesne Incline – A funicular railway on Mount Washington, around two miles from Phipps, dating from 1877. It connects to an observation deck with panoramic views of the Pittsburgh skyline and three rivers. Small fare to ride.
The Strip District – Pittsburgh’s historic market and food district, around 2.5 miles from Phipps. Penn Avenue is lined with food stalls, delis, bakeries, and restaurants; busiest on Saturday mornings.
What to visit tomorrow: botanical gardens and conservatories within two hours
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, Oakdale – A 460-acre botanical garden in Collier Township, around 15 miles west of Pittsburgh, with 65 acres of cultivated gardens, woodland trails, and native plantings.
Hershey Gardens, Hershey – A 23-acre garden complex in Hershey, Pennsylvania, around 2.5 hours from Pittsburgh, featuring a historic rose garden (dating from 1937), themed gardens, and a butterfly atrium.
Fallingwater, Mill Run – Frank Lloyd Wright’s landmark house, set in woodland on Bear Run, around 70 miles south-east of Pittsburgh. Tours of the house and grounds are available; booking in advance is essential.
Kentuck Knob, Chalk Hill – A second Frank Lloyd Wright house, around 75 miles south-east of Pittsburgh near Ohiopyle. Self-guided and guided tours of the house and sculpture grounds are available.
Laurel Hill State Park, Somerset – A 3,935-acre state park around 60 miles south-east of Pittsburgh, with a lakeside beach, walking trails, and camping. PA State Parks day-use fee may apply seasonally.
More Pittsburgh travel
Other Pittsburgh travel guides on Planet Whitley include.
- How to visit the Nationality Rooms in Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning.
- Visitor tips for the Warhol Museum, National Aviary and Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh.
- Why it’s worth visiting Point State Park in Pittsburgh – including the Fort Pitt Museum.
- Getting to Pittsburgh: The best stops on the Chicago to Pittsburgh drive and Washington DC to Pittsburgh drive.
- Road trips from Pittsburgh: The best stops on the Pittsburgh to Cleveland drive, Pittsburgh to Cincinnati drive, Pittsburgh to Louisville drive and Pittsburgh to Nashville drive.
