Alice at Phipps: Summer Flower Show Daytrip from Pittsburgh

At Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, the summer flower show transforms Victorian glasshouses into an Alice-themed playground where horticulture meets theater. Join Carrie's Bus Tours for a one-day run on September 15, 2026, that bundles roundtrip motorcoach from Martin’s/Connellsville and Walmart/Greensburg, a self-guided entry to the exhibit, and a full Italian buffet at Pugliano’s Italian Grill. It’s an easy, polished outing for anyone who loves design, plants, and a touch of theatrical whimsy.

The exhibit stitches familiar storybook moments into botanical displays: an animated Alice tumble in the Palm Court’s oversized magic mirror, a Cheshire Cat perched amid brilliant begonias, topiary renditions of the dodo, gryphon and mock turtle, and a Mad Hatter tea-party ringed with colorful teacup planters in the East Room. The Victoria Room’s kaleidoscope sculpture and the South Conservatory’s Queen of Hearts—crafted from dried plant material and guarded by card-soldier topiaries—are unmissable photo subjects, while the Serpentine Room’s oversized mushrooms and tiny insect displays reward close inspection.

Practical details keep this trip visitor-friendly. Buses depart Martin’s/Connellsville at 8:30am and Walmart/Greensburg at 9:15am, returning in the mid-afternoon; the fare includes admission, driver gratuity, bottled water, and the buffet (tax and tip included). The day is paced for relaxed exploration—expect light walking on paved paths and plenty of benches for rests and people-watching.

Why book this with Carrie's Bus Tours? The company packages logistics so you can focus on the displays and the garden's historic iron-and-glass architecture, which dates to Phipps' founding. Phipps itself is an anchor of Pittsburgh's cultural landscape, combining century-old conservatory spaces with contemporary exhibits and sustainability initiatives. The themed show, anchored to recognizable scenes from Lewis Carroll's tale, lets families, photographers, and garden lovers experience imaginative planting at larger scale than a typical public garden display.

Tip: arrive early to catch the Palm Court animation before the busiest hours; bring a light layer for greenhouse warmth and a rain plan for the motorcoach leg. Accessibility information is available from Carrie's Bus Tours; contact them at 724-640-8828 or [email protected] for questions and reservations. This is a daytrip that pairs tactile horticultural craft with theatrical storytelling—an accessible, memorable way to see Phipps in a new light.

Expect hands-on moments and layered textures: velvety begonias, glossy camellia leaves, and the shimmer of fountain sprays that catch filtered sunlight through ribbed glass. Families will appreciate interactive elements such as animated displays and kid-scale mushrooms, while photographers can exploit angles against ironwork and glass for graphic compositions. Because the tour is a single-day outing with set departures, arrive with any mobility needs noted to Carrie's Bus Tours in advance. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated by request; confirm when you book. Bring cash for souvenirs in the Phipps shop.