Experts' Choice Award Conservatory of Flowers
What the experts agree on
This 1878 Victorian glass-and-wood palace is the oldest conservatory in the Western Hemisphere, housing 20,000+ exotic plants (orchids, carnivorous species) amid manicured lawns—stunning inside and out.
“The botanical wonderland in Golden Gate Park is the oldest wood and glass conservatory in North America.”
– Where
Fodor's "Whatever you do, be sure to at least drive by the Conservatory of Flowers—it's too darn pretty to miss." Full review
Lonely Planet "This recently restored 1878 Victorian greenhouse is home to outer-space orchids, contemplative floating lilies and creepy carnivorous plants that reek of insect belches." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The Conservatory of Flowers in the Golden Gate Park is beautiful in itself: The manicured lawns and gardens surround this wooden Victorian conservatory that is one of the oldest in the world." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Outside, manicured lawns and rose gardens surround the stately white-and-glass building, while inside all that glass helps to preserve a multitude of climate zones." Full review
Not For Tourists "Temple of photosynthesis."
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"This ornate Victorian glass palace shelters more than 20,000 rare and exotic plants under an octagonal central dome and two flanking wings." Full review
Atlas Obscura "Carnivorous plants, medieval aphrodisiacs, and the largest original wood structure glass conservatory in the western hemisphere. " Full review
Afar Magazine "The Victorian-era glass and wood structure, which looks like a sugar-coated castle atop a grassy slope, is Golden Gate Park's oldest building." Full review
Frommer's "This glorious Victorian glass structure is the oldest existing public conservatory in the Western Hemisphere... a cutting-edge horticultural destination." Full review
Time Out "This is the oldest public wood and glass conservatory on the continent, housed in an ornate Victorian building that has withstood earthquakes and fires aplenty. The dome is teeming with..." Full review
