Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love. Think of Philly, and what comes to mind? Soft pretzels and cheesesteaks. Rocky running up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum. The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. 65,000 screaming Eagles fans filling Lincoln Financial Field during football season. Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross. All of these are accurate.
But did you know that Philadelphia is also the home of the largest and longest-running flower show in the United States? Founded in 1829, the Philadelphia Flower Show hosts more than 250,000 visitors each year (via Wikipedia). Now in its 197th year, the show offers horticultural competitions, classes, shopping and dining, and massive exhibits (via Philadelphia Flower Show).
Despite living near Philadelphia for much of my life, I had never attended this event. On a cold and rainy day in early March, my wife and I set off to Philly to check out the show for ourselves.
Let’s begin.
The 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show
Our journey would take us to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, located in Center City, Philadelphia.With temperatures in the low 40s and a steady rain, we left the warmth of our home for a day in a gray and wet Philadelphia.We spent several minutes circling a packed parking lot near the Convention Center before another vehicle left their spot (an Acura MDX – shout-out to team Acura!). Given the weather, this is as close to a “glamour shot” as I was going to get this trip.Our first stop? Lunch in Chinatown!Our destination: EMei, a Szechuan-style restaurant on Arch Street.My wife had been reading the menu to me during the drive, so we already knew what we were ordering when the waiter approached our table.On a cold day, we each chose soup to start our meal. Delicious and warm, it was the perfect appetizer.EMei had received high marks for their gluten-free options in reviews we had read, and our server proved knowledgable. Even so, we started basic: Singapore Rice Noodles and (not pictured) Kung Pao Chicken. Both were excellent. Next time, we’ll dive further into the menu! Fueled up, we headed to the main event.We took a brisk walk down Arch Street to the entrance of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Mercifully, the entrance was covered by a tent to protect us from the elements.After passing through a quick security check, we were into the show. Time to begin our tour of the nation’s oldest and largest flower show!Exhibits were on display from designers around the nation, such as this one, created by the American Institute of Floral Designers in Sacramento, CA.So crowded was the convention center that photography was an exercise in patience. “Excuse me… pardon me… watch out…” became a frequent refrain as I attempted to take photos.Robertson’s Flowers & Events, based in Wyndmoor, PA, recreated their store within the convention center.The Lakeside School in nearby Horsham PA created a model of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water to illustrate the use of site-specific native plants as a part of architecture.Perhaps my favorite exhibit was this Japanese dining room, where the cushions and food were all made from flowers.Thrift Couture was one of my favorite displays, since all the items on ‘sale’ were made from flowers!I also loved Pinelands General Store, a whimsical take on the life and culture of the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Bonus points for the inclusion of the Jersey Devil.The displays were beautiful, but I was glad I took my allergy medicine earlier in the day.In addition to the numerous exhibits, there were also competitions for the best examples of specific plants and flowers. Think you grow the best daffodils in the country? You can register in one of 300 competitions.The Flower Show also offers numerous classes and lectures.The Marketplace showcases the wares of numerous vendors, everything from potting tools, to balsamic vinaigrette, to souvenir clothes, to replacement windows for your home, and much more.The Marketplace also offers snacks! We tried Poppa’s Custard Company, which specializes in gluten-free and vegan desserts. A family owned and operated business, Poppa’s head chef is Jewel Johnson, who has been named twice as a Food Network Champion (including when she defeated Bobby Flay!). Pictured is Josh Johnson, co-founder and CEO, who told us the story of the business as he prepared our desserts.We chatted with Josh while he prepared our crème brûlée. The verdict? Out of this world. The flavor and texture were simply superb.So, the final verdict… my wife and I were glad we went. The exhibits were quite impressive. However, the tickets are on the pricier side ($54 for general admission per person) and the show is jam-packed with visitors. Frankly, I was a little surprised the show does not use a timed admission model to help control the volume of visitors at any one time. So… should you go? Absolutely. But set your expectations accordingly.About ninety minutes after departing Philadelphia, we pulled back into the garage at home. Not the most adventurous drive with the Acura, but it kept us dry and warm on a cold and rainy day. 70,000 miles is now in the rear view mirror… onward!
Wrapping Up
The Philadelphia Flower Show typically takes place in late February and early March each year. If you are looking for a taste of spring amidst the doldrums of winter, the Flower Show is certainly a great destination. Those of you who enjoy horticulture, gardening, and floral arrangements might be delighted with the show – we have a friend who is an avid gardener and she has attended the show over thirty times! Even if you are not blessed with a green thumb, however, this show is still worth at least one visit in your lifetime. Although the entrance fee is a bit on the pricier side, children ages 5-17 and students ages 18-24 can enter at a steeply reduced fee.
Thanks, as always, for taking another journey down the open road ahead.
The Open Road Ahead 