It’s officially autumn here in the ‘Burgh, but just because we’ve said goodbye to summer doesn’t mean it’s time to head back inside! Now’s the perfect time to get outdoors and appreciate the stunning beauty of autumn at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden.
Located just a short drive west from Downtown Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden contains 65 acres of cultivated gardens and woodlands open to the public just next door to the spacious Settlers Cabin Park. You can enjoy the region’s natural beauty through walks of the Garden’s outdoor spaces, classes offered at their visitors center, or a tasty lunch at the Canopy Café.
However, this time of year, one of the best ways to enjoy all that Pittsburgh Botanic Garden has to offer is to attend an Autumn in the Garden program! Kicking off its fourth year in 2022, Autumn in the Garden offers family-friendly, engaging programs every Sunday in October from 11AM–2PM. Programs are free with regular daily admission, which is always free if you’re a Pittsburgh Botanic Garden member or become one at your next visit!
Each week of Autumn in the Park will use nature to connect visitors to different types of regional plant life and different cultures, all as part of a guided outdoor adventure. Here’s what’s on deck for this year:
October 2nd – Celebrate the Japanese Garden
For its first Autumn in the Garden event of the year, the Garden will partner with the Japan-America Society to host activities near the beautiful Lotus Pond that celebrate facets of Japanese culture. You can learn about Otsukimi or Tsukimi (月見), which means “Moon Viewing,” hear the Japanese folktale “The Story of the Moon Rabbit” (also known as Tsuki no Usagi), create your own origami, learn calligraphy and more!
October 9th – Monarch Migration
Each year, North American monarch butterflies undertake a massive migration that is a unique and amazing phenomenon to observe. To mark this year’s migration, visitors can tour the Margaret Lawrence Simon Dogwood Meadow and Hillside Pollinator Garden – popular spots for migrating butterflies! Now more than ever, it’s important to learn about the monarch butterfly, which was recently added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species as endangered.
October 16th – Nature Photography
Expanding on the Welcome Center’s current exhibit POV: Approaches to Nature Photography, visitors will meet some of the photographers featured as part of the exhibit and then get a chance to take nature photos themselves throughout the Garden! Photographers include Scott Goldsmith, Dors Dumrauf, Don Orkoskey, and Tim Anderson.
October 23 – Fall Foliage
By the end of October, the gorgeous colors that come with the changing of the seasons will be in full, glorious bloom! This is the best time to enjoy fall foliage throughout the Garden, and during your visit, you can stop by the Weisbrod Learning Pavilion to create unique art pieces to take home using natural materials found throughout the Garden.
October 30 – Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos is observed around the world as a day to remember and pay respect to loved ones who have passed on. You’ll learn about the traditions of this special day and the fascinating connections to plant life that help make this celebration unique. You’ll also get to create paper marigold decorations and make your own ofrenda.
For more information about Autumn in the Garden or to book your visit, call 412-444-4464 or visit PittsburghBotanicGarden.org!
Great informational article. Looking forward to visiting Pittsburgh Botanical Garden. Thank you.