How to Enjoy the Philadelphia International Flower Show

The Philadelphia International Flower Show has been a welcomed event in the City of Philadelphia for years. My grandmother instilled a love for the event within me when I was a small child. We'd sniff the flowers together and she'd instructed me on which flower was which and how to care for them. Today as an adult, I still enjoy going to the flower show every year.

Here are a few tips that I learned over the years from attending the Philadelphia Flower Show:

When you enter the show floor, head toward the left instead of the right. Because a majority of society is right handed, they tend to drift to the right by nature which causes crowds. Go to the left for a little better view, at least in the beginning of the show.

Don't just browse through the exhibit. As the saying goes, "take time to slow down and smell the roses" and in this case, all of the flowers.

If you are an avid gardener, take notes on plants that you'd like to see in your yard. Each flower is labeled with its scientific name so you can take a picture of the flower with it's sign to do more research on it when you get home.

Don't miss the gallery of vendors on the left side of the convention center room where the flower show is located. They sell unique floral and gardening related items such as jewelry made of real leaves or pressed flowers, floral paintings, floral ceramics, paper flowers for the kids, gardening boots and tools, and so much more. My best advice is to save this for last so if you plan on buying a lot of things you don't have to carry them around while you are looking at the flower exhibits. You may even want to consider bringing a small wheeled cart with you to throw your purchases in. Before you leave, be sure to pick up a bouquet or two of roses at a deeply discounted price. I was able to get two dozen roses in a kaliedescope of colors for ten bucks.

Attend a lecture on how to tend to your garden, put together a floral bouquet, and many other special topics, or attend a Garden Tea. Some events are held in the main convention hall while others are located in conference rooms down the hall. Topics change each year. Presentations are given by local floral and gardening business owners, celebrity chefs, and gardening experts like P. Allen Smith. Most events are free. Some require additional fees. Pick up a program at the entrance to the convention hall for topics, dates, and times.

Consider having lunch or dinner at Philadelphia's famous, Reading Terminal Market, just across from the Philadelphia Convention Center where the Philadelphia Flower Show is held. There are foods from all over the world to choose from at a reasonable price. This beats the expensive snacks and overpriced meals offered by the Convention Center which may not be so fresh. If you opt for this meal plan, be sure to have your hand stamped before you leave the Convention Center so you'll be able to re-enter without paying twice.

Before you come to the Philadelphia Flower Show, look for discounted tickets which are sometimes offered at your local supermarket or florist. Discounted rates can also be scored at Septa sales ticket windows.

What to Bring With You:
A camera
A video camera
Your tickets if you bought them in advance
Pen and paper if you'd like to take notes
A tote bag or wheeled cart if you plan on buying a lot
Wear comfortable shoes - you will do a lot of walking

If you are visiting the Philadelphia Flower from out of town, here are a few help hints.

Where to Stay:
Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia City Center
Marriott Philadelphia Downtown
Hampton Inn Philadelphia Convention Center

Where to Eat:
Reading Terminal Market
Maggiano's Little Italy
Hard Rock Cafe

Other Things to Do in the Area:
Shop at the Gallery
Stroll down South Street
Take in an event at Penn's Landing
See historical sites at Independence Hall