If you are missing the sweet tropical weather of summertime, you’re definitely not alone. Sometimes, you just want to feel like there is a place to escape, especially during the winter months. That can be hard if you don’t have a vacation on the horizon, but there is hope in the City of Brotherly Love.
Getaway at the Greenhouse opened last week in the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, and this “pop-up summer oasis” is the perfect excuse to kick back, close your eyes and pretend that the warm weather is back.
The Center itself has already provided an oasis for all Philadelphians, even before it was transformed into the Getaway with year-round greenery, an expansive open greenhouse, a modern exhibition hall, indoor and outdoor gathering areas, display gardens, a reflecting pool and more. With the new tropical elements thrown in for the pop-up, the Center is more enticing than ever.
Getaway at the Greenhouse is comprised of a few different sections, each one highlighting a summer-time escape. The Beach offers an oversized sandbox for an indoor beach escape; The Lawn offers green grass for lounging and lawn games; The Campground offers Adirondack chairs and live music; The Midway offers local food truck vendors and a cash bar with craft beers, wine, and handcrafted cocktails; and The Jungle features traveling zoos, kids rock DJ, face painting, balloon artists and the new art exhibit Gaia.
According to the release, Gaia is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram. Measuring 10 feet in diameter, Gaia features detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface. The artwork provides the opportunity to see our planet on the same scale as astronauts, floating in three dimensions. A specially made surround-sound composition by award-winning composer Dan Jones will also play alongside the sculpture.
“The success of Getaway at the Greenhouse last year is proof of the power of activating public spaces and bringing people to Philly’s parks year-round. We’re thrilled for its return to the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center with extended days and exciting new programming for all ages,” says Maura McCarthy, Executive Director of Fairmount Park Conservancy in the release.
On weekdays, the space will be open to all and an ideal environment for visitors to explore and for little ones to play with games in the sandbox and throughout the greenhouse. As an extra treat, Getaway at the Greenhouse is picnic-friendly Monday through Friday (daytime only). Once the sun sets, the Greenhouse will feature all of the same fun activities under the moonlight with cocktails to keep the spirit going. Friday nights will also feature a mixture of live music, including on Valentine’s Day. A selection of local fare will be available for purchase.
“I am so excited to once again collaborate with our partners at the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Constellation Catering Group to bring back the highly successful Getaway at the Greenhouse program to the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center,” said Kathryn Ott Lovell, Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in the release. “Getaway at the Greenhouse is a great example of the type of accessible and high-quality programming that we provide to residents throughout the year.”
Partners for this event include 106.1 The Breeze, REC Philly, Design Philadelphia, The Elmwood Park Zoo, The Philadelphia Zoo, Drag Queen Story Time, Eazy Denim, REC Philly, PBS & WHYY, Philly PHLASH® Downtown Loop.
To find out more information, all special events and to reserve tickets visit fairmountpark.ticketleap.com
