Submitted by zenmasterb t3_z7uc5r in pittsburgh
I have friends coming in from Chicago and need help deciding between Kennywood, the Zoo, Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens, Phipps or maybe somewhere else?
I want to stay on the area, so no Ogleby or anywhere that would require significant driving.
I would vote for Phipps.
I'd suggest Phipps based entirely on the fact that you won't have a shitty time if the weather doesn't cooperate. Likewise, you'll probably find that the "embarrassing Yinzer quotient" is much lower at Phipps than someplace like Kennywood, if that matters to you.
Some might find the yinzer quotient to be an added bonus. In the summers when I go to kennywood I like to count juggalos in novelty hats
True, I did enjoy playing "Who Does That Kid Belong To" and "Mullet or Not" as much as the next person, but I wouldn't expect a tourist to agree with me.
Our guests are originally from Pittsburgh, so the yinz ER quotient would be an added bonus.
I don't know about best but the Christmas Light-Up in Clinton Park in Findlay Township is my absolute favorite. It is a car tour through the park. There are an insane amount of lights and they play some Christmas music while you drive through.
600 Clinton Park Drive
Clinton, PA 15026
They are open daily from 5PM-10PM and the cost is $10 per car. It is cash only. Money goes to charitable organizations throughout the community. They also let you take as many laps around as you'd like. Hope this helps & Merry Christmas.
It’s cute, and younger kids enjoy it a lot too.
> They also let you take as many laps around as you'd like
Usually but depending on how busy they are, they may limit to one go around but still worth it. We go every year.
We really enjoyed it last year, much larger than I expected for the location. We got there right at 5 and the let us drive around a 2nd time.
I've always liked Phipps. The smell of fresh flowers and seeing the different exhibits is always a nice treat. I find their holiday theme is not 'in your face' which is also a plus. The only drawback is that it does get very busy, so expect to be doing a bit of a conga line shuffle in some of the narrow passages, but there's more space outside and in some of the rooms at the farther ends of the building.
Phipps! I grew up outside of Chicago and the Zoos and Six Flags out there are more impressive than what Pittsburgh has to offer. Phipps is so beautiful and unique, I think out of towners would love it!
Phipps! Def get your tickets ahead of time.
Heard Botanic Gardens is better this year than last year when I went. I’m not going until later this month so I can’t answer, but based on photos it looks like a nice time if you can’t get Phipps.
Kennywood is nice too with some rides open. If you’re lucky, the Jack Rabbit operates above 40 degrees.
It's probably Phipps, though I was just at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden one and it was really cool. If you like outdoor trails and can hit a warmer day I'd recommend it.
I love overly's at the Westmoreland fairgrounds. Mostly, because it's more that just a drive through.
That's too far away for OP, and I'd hesitate to recommend it to anyone who would need to drive that distance. Traffic to the fairgrounds is insane, people are belligerent when they're inconvenienced in any way, and it's not even that big of a display.
Time and money are better spent going to something like Phipps.
Piling on everyone else but it has to be Phipps, bar none. Absolute greatest display you'll see. Here's a tip, book a late ticket time for Friday or Saturday night - like 8:30 / 9:00 for time. It's less crowded then. But definitely go at night bc the outdoor light garden is spectacular at night. Depending on crowd size and how quick (or slow) you move through Phipps, I'd budget 2 hours to be safe. Can def be done in an hour and a half (and probably an hour if you don't stop at all), but budgeting 2 hours or slightly under gives you time to take your time.
My tip would be to buy tickets for like 4pm on a weekday. By the time you get through the rest of the conservatory, you'll hit the outdoor garden around 5pm and it'll be dark plus you don't have to deal with insane crowds.
That too! I guess I figured (or wrongly assumed) visitors would be here over a weekend. But yes, this too!
are any of these wheel chair friendly?
Phipps has one room that is not accessible. The rest should be accessible unless they’ve changed something.
Probably Kennywood TBH. Phipps and Botanic Gardens you’d probably have to skip some parts.
All of Phipps is wheelchair-friendly (elevators as well) with the exception of one room (which I believe is called the Stove Room) and really wasn't decorated for the holiday. The tropical forest is accessible, but the path down to the lower level is an incline, although I've seen strollers and wagons on it and they didn't seem to have a problem. At the bottom, there is an elevator back up to the conservatory level. Wear shoes that are a little "grippy" though, the humidity level and waterfall splashing can make the paths a little slippery at times.
This is correct. The Stove Room is where they do the butterfly garden, but at this time of year, you're not really missing much by skipping it.
Went to Kennywood. Lights were nice but way wayyy too many people.
I just went to a bunch of holiday lights shows in Chicago and honestly they were all incredibly underwhelming. That being said, do Phipps. I miss their exhibit so much it’s excellent
If everyone is into amusement park rides and you don't mind the chance of being cold I would say Kennywood. Phipps is also gorgeous for the holidays.
Phipps is great, they do an excellent job with it for Christmas especially.
Phipps is the nicest for just the lights, Kennywood is a more fun experience. If it's at least 40° you can even ride Jackrabbit plus Kennywood has a better train display this year imo.
I know this is no help, but nothing compared to Hartwood Acres!
Phipps, zoo, then Kennywood
If you dont mind the day trip the whole oglebay experience is nice
I would go to Phipps.
We did Phipps a couple of years ago.. Really enjoyed it. We went earlier in the day to see things in the daylight and just stayed until it got dark.
I love Phipps! But if you do decide to drive a little, Oglebay is so worth it
Phipps is my favorite
That house behind the Bravo! off McKnight road.
I’m thinkin’ Arbys
Centre Ave rush hour. Lotta red lights for em
Kennywood, now featuring "Elves with uzis".
pittsburgh257 t1_iy86uda wrote
I would also recommend Phipps. I found zoo lights to be completely underwhelming.