I have to preface this review by saying that I am most definitely NOT a sightseeing, museum-going, stare at exhibits for hours, kind of person. I get bored quickly and tend to move through these types places pretty fast. All of that said, I enjoyed Phipps.
I went with a group of friends on the last day of the winter light show. The place is a maze of different flowers and exhibits. Not a lot of plaques or stuff to read - just a nice mix of flowers and plants. I especially liked the blown glass "flowers" that were mixed into the natural stuff. The little outdoor section of light garden was pretty at night and the little outdoor concession stand that sold me a hot chocolate with Bailey's got two thumbs up because it was freezing outside. The tropical section was closed when we went, but it looked pretty interesting.
The gift shop also had some really unique stuff (most of it not really flower/plant related) that I would have purchased if I had been in shopping mode. There were some really nice reclaimed wood and scrap metal pieces that I might go back for.