With fall in full swing comes spooky Halloween celebrations at public conservatories and botanical gardens around the country. Our favorite way to appreciate the beauty of fall is to be immersed in it! Bring the whole family to any (or all!) of these renowned conservatories and feel the energy of the season in the air. From beautifully arranged pumpkins and gourds to hands-on pumpkin carving to themed flower shows, there’s a lot to love about fall in the conservatory!
Longwood Gardens
With a playful pumpkin and gourd display, along with massive corn husk towers, this fall wonderland is sure to enchant. From Oct. 9-31, bring the kids for a day trip to the Pumpkin Playground at Longwood Gardens.
New York Botanical Garden
From Sept. 18 through Oct. 31, the New York Botanical Garden is hosting a scarecrow and pumpkin takeover! There are more than 100 silly-faced scarecrows scattered through the trails of the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Then, catch a parade of larger-than-life puppets, skeletons and pumpkins or enjoy elaborate pumpkin carving demonstrations led by a professional sculptor. If the theater is more your thing, catch a production of Archie’s Halloween Adventure, a 10-minute live performance staged throughout the afternoon. NYBG is here to help you celebrate fall within the beauty of nature and conservatories.
Phipps Conservatory
Fall Flower Show: Happy Troll-o-ween | ‘Happy Troll-O-Ween’ is the theme of the Phipps Conservatory Fall Flower Show this year. Running from Oct. 9-31, this exhibit will truly transport you to the whimsical garden of a fantastical troll. There is even a 10-foot-tall tree decorated with cascade mums, made to resemble the crooked trees of Trollskogen, Sweden… also known as “troll forest”. The Phipps Fall Flower Show is the longest running show in the nation, making it a must-see in Pittsburgh. Since 1894, the conservatory has been creating chrysanthemum-themed seasonal shows and this year is no exception!
Garfield Park Conservatory
Fleurotica | Held inside the stunning Garfield Park Conservatory under the ceiling of exquisite glass, Fleurotica is a fashion show like none other. While not a Halloween event ( it is held on Nov. 4), this floral fashion show is sure to be a highlight of your fall. Chicago’s most renowned floral designers, fashion designers, landscape artists, and students come together to create incredible runway looks made entirely of flowers, plants and natural materials. The event benefits the conservatory’s efforts to “change lives through the power of nature.”
Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Pumpkins Aglow & Harvest Blooms | Have you ever wanted to live in a house made of pumpkins? Head to the Harvest Blooms event at the Franklin Park Conservatory until Oct. 31 to see its outdoor gardens with thousands of pumpkins, ornamental cabbages, and mums. As evening rolls around, stay for Pumpkins Aglow (for an additional fee) to witness hundreds of glowing jack-o-lanterns line the gardens in an impressive display. Spooky elements include a giant spider, a foggy creek, skeletons and ghosts hidden throughout the gardens.