In just a few days, many Penn students will trade Van Pelt carrels for beaches, ski resorts and other locales that let them reconnect with the great doors.
But those who want an early start on Spring Break escapes can get in touch with Mother Nature in an unconventional way at the annual Philadelphia Flower Show.
Guests won't have to brave snowy landscapes to enjoy acres of gardens, plants and floral designs - the entire exhibit takes place indoors.
The world's largest indoor flower show opened at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on March 1 and will continue until March 8. Tickest are $22 for adults and $17 with a valid student ID.
Proceeds from the event support the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, according to the show's Web site.
In 1829, the Society held the nation's first flower show, in which 25 members showed off their horticultural treasures.
Nearly 200 years later, the event has blossomed into a major annual attraction that draws over 250,000 people per year. The exhibit takes up 33 indoor acres and is run by over 3,000 volunteers. In addition to floral displays, it features live entertainment, culinary demonstrations and shopping venues.
