Sensory Inclusive Time: Fall Flower Show

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is hosting a Sensory Inclusive Time on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 5:30 to 7 PM. It's a self-guided visit to the Fall Flower Show, Alice's Adventures in Autumn, with the lights and sounds dialed down to make the space easier to navigate for people who find typical crowds and noise a bit much.

If you've never been to Phipps, it's a Pittsburgh institution. Henry Phipps gifted the conservatory to the city back in 1893, and it's been a source of beauty and enrichment for over 130 years. The Fall Flower Show this year takes its cue from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, so you'll be walking through a garden that plays with that same kind of whimsical, slightly surreal energy. The sensory inclusive session lets you take it in at your own pace without the usual sensory overload.

One of the best parts is that it's not just about what happens when you get there. Before you arrive, you'll get a social story by email that walks you through what to expect, so there aren't any surprises waiting for you. It's a self-guided visit, which means you can linger where you like and move on when you're ready, rather than following a set tour.

Tickets are $22.95 for adults, $20.95 for seniors 62 and up, $19.95 for students 19 and older, and $13.95 for children 2 to 18. Members and children under 2 get in free, though members need to bring a valid photo ID. EBT cardholders from any state—ACCESS, WIC, or SNAP—pay $3 per person for up to four people. The session runs from 5:30 to 7 PM on Sunday, Oct. 25, at Phipps in Pittsburgh.