Pennsylvania’s gardens are warmly welcoming all year long –providing especially cozy respites of lush greenery when the weather turns cold.
A trip to the islands, where the sun is warm and the breezes are balmy, is the perfect antidote to winter in the northeast. But you don’t have to go that far to get relief from the cold: You can spend a day surrounded by lush tropical plants, many of them in full, fragrant bloom, inside cozy glasshouses in Pittsburgh, Hershey, and Chester County. While not exactly Caribbean beaches, these enticing destinations offer a brief oasis, leaving you refreshed and ready to face the bitter temperatures again.
Here’s a travel guide, including noteworthy plants and special events, for your tropical staycation.