I adore Phipps. I may be more of an animal lover than a fan of botany, but Phipps always (at least briefly) makes me want to go home and plant some flowers. Of course then I get home and I remember that my garden will never compare to this massive greenhouse, and I will never have the hours of time and dedication available that the staff here do.\n\nThe first time I realized Phipps was special, and just as fun as the Carnegie museums here in the city, was when the Dale Chihuly glass display exhibit came through. I was just leaving high school and thought it was an amazing, eye-opening exhibit. The fact that some of his pieces are still at Phipps is a wonderful reminder about the time I learned to love the greenhouse after years of somehow just not caring about it.\n\nSince then, I've made up for lost time. I always visit Phipps once during every special exhibit - spring, summer, fall, winter, butterfly forest, I'm here for all of them. Plus, since Pitt students can enter Phipps for free, for four years I would visit every couple of weeks during the winter months just so I could get some color into my otherwise dreary winter days; the bright flowers, fresh air and the aromatherapy that's created in any bustling greenhouse was the perfect way to combat Pittsburgh's cold and cloudy weather.\n\nMy favorite exhibit ever put on by the conservatory was their around-the-world tour, which involved creating \""green\"" and/or floral displays of famous landmarks. As a study abroad alum, seeing vine-ridden phone booths from London sitting Phipps absolutely made my day. This year's winter display, while not my favorite or the most elaborate, is absolutely beautiful as always, and I highly recommend going and taking advantage of Phipps' late holiday hours while they last!