What: The 2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show
Where: The Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets,
Philadelphia, PA.
When: Sunday, February 28th through Sunday, March 7
Why: Because we could all use some vibrant color in our lives right about now. Bleak winter is out. Jungle fever is in. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s yearly spectacle is considered to be one of the world’s premier gardening events. If you are starting to doubt that spring really is just around the corner, the stunning floral creations on display should set you straight.
This year’s theme is “Passport to the World,” so expect a show with lots of international flavor. 60 professional gardeners, landscapers and florists create a variety of displays, competing for the coveted “Best in Show” in their respective categories. If 10 acres of full-scale gardens and floral displays doesn’t sound like a bed of roses, don’t despair. Besides a slew of daily lectures and demonstrations on gardening and landscaping, the event features daily food and wine tasting, live entertainment—including Brazilian music and Bollywood dancers—and special hands-on crafts for kids, so you can bring the entire family.
Cost: Adults, $22; Students, $18; Kids, $13
How to get there: Take AMTRAK to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. Then, transfer to a free SEPTA Regional Rail train at 30th Street Station to Market East Station (show the conductor your AMTRAK ticket stub; save it for the return trip). Follow the signs to the Convention Center. Refer to Discount code V651 and save %15 when you purchase your ticket at www.amtrak.com.
Megabus offers frequent service to 30th Street Station and you may be able to snag a bargain-priced ticket, depending on when you travel.
Consider staying overnight, as many Philadelphia hotels are offering discounted rates. Preferred Hotel Packages include one night accommodation, two Flower Show tickets and breakfast for each guest at the hotel. For information on these packages, visit the flowershow.com.
Photos: Courtesy of PHS
Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributes travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She is fluent in Italian and Spanish and laughably adequate in French. Her background as an Early Childhood Educator gives her an added understanding of what it takes to travel with kids in tow. She firmly believes that the most important part of education takes place outside of the classroom, on the road, around the world. She never misses a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. Follow Allison at @gourmetrav.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram