Who's ready for a flower-filled Riviera Holiday? That's the theme of this year's Flower Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

https://theflowershow.com/

Are you going? Share your plans and meet up with friends!

Terri (Aspenhill) and I have gone together quite a few years, always having a great time. Since her retirement, we've been doing a 1 or 2 night hotel stay and treating ourselves to extra time at the show, so it's less of a marathon... but we still don't ever quite seem to see it all!

We have learned that the busiest time is between 11 & 3, so the middle of the day is a good time for lunch and for hitting the vendors' booths (better than a craft fair, as it's all garden themed!) Be sure to check the show schedule for any can't-miss talks or extra activities.

This year, we have tentative plans to drive up Tuesday and back on Wednesday, so we should be at the show on and off on Tuesday, Wednesday, and part of Thursday. If you're going any of those days, post (or tree-mail me, if you want to keep your plans less public), and hopefully we can meet up!

I got a pretty good deal at hotels.com on The Roost, $188 plus tax. It's a couple blocks away from the west end of the convention center (where the show is... big as it is, it only occupies half the convention center). I think we may be able to use the skywalk to the Marriott to get most of the way to our hotel if the weather is bad, but I won't guarantee it.

That rate for The Roost is refundable but only up to 1 week in advance. I hedged our bet by getting another reservation at Microtel out by the airport, refundable up to the day of the reservation. (Both of us have aging parents, so our availability can suddenly change.)

I just have to remember to cancel one or the other!

A fabulous place to meet for lunch or dinner is Maggiano's Little Italy, very close to the convention center.

This year, I count 22 exhibits & 3 floral arrangement exhibits in addition to the horticourt, home gardening area, and design area. https://theflowershow.com/expe...

I think that's an increase from last year's show, where the exhibits were scaled back in number and size, and the space was instead filled with a floral arranging "reality show" type contest. I think that was a clever way to fill space when a bunch of long-time exhibitors dropped out (many had even gone out of business, according to one flower show docent). But I wasn't personally very interested, so I'm glad that's not a continuing element of the show.

I just look at tickets. It is the first time that I saw senior citizen has to pay the highest price. When you younger than 30 years old you get a discount. I am thinking of joining a group that goes by bus from Virginia or maybe MD, price includes entrance fee-and maybe a lunch box?

It sounds like they don't want a bunch of elders clogging the space. I guess they never realized that it's we who spend the most on things we don't need, but want.

At $42/day for admission, I"m out.

Go to Longwood instead,always spectacular in the conservatory! Seniors $22.00

Good idea Rj. The show is overcrowded anyway---No wonder my friend who used to live in Philadelphia never wanted to go to the Flower Show when I visited there. Too, too, crowded, and too expensive. Winterthur Gardens is very nice too.

I just looked at the tickets... the regular adult & child admissions look about the same, but what's new is the discounted "young friend" ticket for ages 18-29. That's a good idea, because that's the age group they need to draw in for returning visits and PHS membership. They've never done a senior discount. Membership discounts are worth considering, especially for 2 or more people

IMO everybody should go at least once. It's spectacular. There was a book out a few years ago with a "bucket list" of 100 things -- and this was the only garden thing on the list. Both ticket price and crowds are similar to a day at the national aquarium... that's just the way it is. Remember that this is PHS's main fundraising event... nobody is raking in profits on the ticket sales.

The bus tours are usually a good deal but are limited in terms of time spent at the show.

Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, and Mt. Cuba are all within a stone's throw of one another... always wanted to do a long weekend and see all 3! I've seen them separately, and yes, they are awesome!

I love the Philadelphia Flower Show. It is at a time of year when I'm really tired of winter and itching for spring. Seeing the exhibits in full bloom, getting ideas in general, and shopping the many vendor booths gets it all kick started for me. I went several times on my own before joining Dave's Garden and knowing any gardening friends. Now Jill and I have been making it an annual event whenever we can. It is so much fun to get away and spend more than a few hours with each other.

To me, the price factor is pretty reasonable for entertainment type events. Mike and I try to go to a country music concert once a year, a pro baseball game once in a while, etc and the prices seem to range much higher.

I'd love to get to more garden themed places this year. Any or all three of those places in the Delaware Valley - Longwood, Winterthur, Mt Cuba. I've been to all of them before, but would love to go back. One place on my bucket list is The Biltmore in Asheville, NC. Maybe this is the year for it. Closer to home are Dunbarton Oaks in Georgetown and Mt Vernon. Both of those are supposed to have nice gardens in addition to the historic aspects of the home. Then there is always the National Arboretum. Maybe we can plan group day trip meet ups at the places in and around DC.

I 've been to Mt Vernon several times. There's plenty of walking involved, but it is a nice day outside. The view of the Potomac river from the back of the house is breathtaking.

I'm in for the Biltmore trip, whether it's this year or next year. When is the rose garden in full bloom? Mt verrnon has roses too, I think... and the house tour was fascinating 40 years ago, bet it's even better now.

Terri, you captured my feelings about the Philly show exactly! I was thinking that maybe we should skip it and save our $ for the Biltmore trip, but then I saw the "Riviera" theme, which I think is right up our alley.

Allegiant has great rates BWI-AVL. Thing is, the airline has tight luggage restrictions so you would need to curb your shopping.

There's a thought -- Terri, should we skip Philly and go to the actual Riviera?

I have no passport so have to live vicariously within the US

or vicariously from Lisa and Eric's travels abroad

AVL is airport in Asheville, NC. No need for passport or foreign currency.

oops, I figured you were recommending a trip to the real Riviera!

Didn't consider flying to Ashville... that would let us do a quicker trip, useful for me while Joyanna is in school. There are several nurseries we could visit on our return trip, though, if we drive... what to do, what to do...

Greetings All,
Yes, the tickets are expensive. The way I get around it is I volunteer. Go to https://phs.volunteerhub.com/ They have training days for the more complicated jobs like staging or assisting the judges. But there's a job called barrier aide where you just hold tape around the judging to keep people back during the process. It's a couple hours on your feet but you're free the rest of the day to peruse the show. It's also a great way to learn more about your passion as well as what it takes to make such a huge show. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed!

great idea!