I love Christmas! Pretty much everything about Christmas is something I love.  I especially like the Christmas lights.  When my husband said he would like to go to Monroeville, PA to go to a train show and if I wanted to ride along we would go to Phipps Conservatory to see their Christmas Light Show, Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens Winter Flower Show and Light Garden’s Holiday Magic I was all in.

Phipps has a gorgeous plant and flower displays year round.  But during the Christmas season, they are especially beautiful.

Purchase Timed Tickets

During the busy holiday season, it is important to purchase your timed tickets in advance.  Otherwise, you may wait for hours to get in.  Even with the timed tickets, you may have to wait 10 or 15  minutes.   Timed tickets can be purchased online and the procedure is very user-friendly.    Just be sure you know the actual time you plan to arrive and get your tickets for about 10 minutes after your arrival time.    It will take a while to park and walk to the entrance.

Parking

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is located at One Schenley Park. There is free parking in the center island on Schenley Drive, near the main entrance, but during the holiday season it gets crowded and you may need to park a bit of a walk away.  There is also metered street parking available on either side of Schenley Drive is also free after 6 p.m. Monday – Saturday and all day on Sundays.  Be sure to allow time for parking and walking.  In winter it is often snowy and icy so make sure you are prepared to walk in such conditions.

The Entrance

When you get to the main entrance it is decorated with two beautiful trees on each side of the entryway.  When we arrived, it was daylight so they were pretty but didn’t grab attention.

After dark the trees are absolutely gorgeous.  They just grab your attention.   The entire building is more beautiful after dark during the holiday season with the lights and outdoor light gardens.

The trees are absolutely gorgeous.

Themed Rooms

Once you are inside to the right you will find the ticket area and a snack bar.  To the left you will find a gift show.   In the center area is the line for entrance into the conservatory area.

Once admitted you go up a flight of stairs or take the elevators.

Each room is decorated with a different theme.  This particular room had poinsettias and a water feature.

This table setting was in the middle and there is water running under the table.

Here you can see some of the beautiful poinsettia and red amaryllis.

This room had a storybook theme.

I call this the Wedding Room since I think a Winter Wedding would be beautiful in this room.  Pictures do not do it justice.

Another room housed this beautiful poinsettia tree.  I just can’t imagine all the time that must go into designing and decorating these rooms and then keeping all the arrangements watered and healthy.

We arrived around 4 PM and as the evening progressed it was darker.   Everything appeared more beautiful after dark.  This glass star was a unique decoration among a variety of plants.

Outdoor Lights

Weather permitting the outdoor gardens are lit with a beautiful light display.

These trees were one of my favorite parts of the outdoor display.  The floodlight in the center changed colors.

Lots of trees in different shapes, colors, and sizes.

These orbs were along the walkway.

The lighted arch in blue and white was amazing.

Another blue tree!

If You Decide to Go

We were there on the last evening of the Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens Winter Flower Show and Light Garden’s Holiday Magic, but they will have another show next year.   They usually begin the light show around Thanksgiving and ends around January 7.    They are open evening hours over the holidays.  When you book your timed tickets you will see what is available.   Costs are  $17.95 for Adults and $11.95 for Children up to 18.  There is a $1.00 discount for Seniors and College Students.