Flower Show: Visitor Tips & Services

When to Go

And the best time to visit the Show is weekdays, late in the afternoon. That's right, after 3 pm, the crowds at the Philadelphia Flower Show begin to thin out, leaving you with more room to explore the Show's 11 acres of exhibits, lectures and demonstrations, and Marketplace. And since the Show is open until 9:30 pm except Sundays, coming later in the day still leaves plenty of time to see everything.

What to Bring

A pad and pencil or a pen to take notes should be at the top of your list. You'll surely want to jot down the names of a few flowers.

What to Wear

The Show floor is vast so wear comfortable walking shoes, and leave the high heels at home. Also the Show floor tends to be cool (our flowers love it!), so it's a good idea to bring a sweater or jacket.

Who to Ask

Flower Show volunteers provide a wealth of information and knowledge about the Show. Just look for someone in a bright pink smock, or check in at any Information Booth to find what you're looking for. Looking for an answer to your gardening question? The volunteers at the Horticultural Information Booth in Hall B know everything from alpine specialties to planting impatiens.

Where to Meet

Pick a specific location to meet your friends and family. There's more than one entrance to the Convention Center, so if you're planning a rendezvous, pick an identifiable meeting spot on the ground floor of the Convention Center—say, the "teacup escalator" in the West Concourse (it really is covered with teacups), or go to the corner of 12th & Arch Streets. You must have a ticket to go up to the Show level. Once you ascend to the Level 2, be sure to have your hand stamped if you plan to leave the building and return later.

If you are separated from your group, the PNC Park is located on the Show floor in the exhibit hall to the right of the entrance to Hall A and is the official "lost person's area" of the Show. There are regular announcements over the PA system to direct lost persons to this area.

How to See It All

The Show takes an average of five hours to view all the displays, take in an educational presentation and shop in the Marketplace. You'll want to plan ahead to make the most of your visit. Before entering the exhibit hall, pick up a Show program with a floor map and mark off the route you'd like to take. Try to spread out and enjoy the less-crowded areas first. Look for the Artistic Classes with floral displays and jewelry, the miniature-room sections, the educational exhibits, and the Marketplace. Check the Daily Schedule for a free lecture, where you can learn about gardening from experts while you sit and relax.

Where to Eat

Food can be purchased at the Flower Show throughout the Pennsylvania Convention Center. There are Snack Bars at the rear of the main exhibit hall, and full dining services located on Level 3 above the exhibition halls in the Overlook Café.

You will also find numerous restaurants in the area immediately surrounding the Convention Center, including Reading Terminal Market and in nearby Chinatown.

Wheelchair Information

Wheelchair rentals are available for $15 a day on a first-come, first-serve basis. The rental booth is located on the Show Level Concourse outside of Hall B.