Mitchell Park Conservatory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Mitchell Park Conservatory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is known to the locals as simply "The Domes" because it houses three large glass horticultural domes on the premises. Located just off I-94 and a little bit southwest of downtown Milwaukee, The Domes is a popular local attraction for residents of all ages. Each of the three domes at the Mitchell Park Conservatory contains a different type of ecosystem. This allows visitors to view what life is like in a desert atmosphere in the Arid Dome, a tropical atmosphere in the Tropical Dome, or a rotating environment in the main Show Dome.

Mitchell Park Conservatory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: The Show Dome

The Show Dome is the first dome you will encounter when first entering the Mitchell Park Conservatory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It rotates its internal exhibit, allowing visitors to see a variety of habitats throughout the year. One of the favorite exhibits in the Show Dome is the model railroad. This generally is shown during the beginning of the year to capitalize on its popularity with visitors to The Domes, but call ahead to make sure the schedule has not changed. Another popular exhibit in the Show Dome is the annual flower show and their brightly colored displays.

Mitchell Park Conservatory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: The Arid Dome

In the center of the Mitchell Park Conservatory complex is the Arid Dome, which houses a desert landscape all year round. The entire landscape design is faithful to this desert motif, from the cacti that populate the dome all the way to the desert bird life that make their home in the Arid Dome. Besides the typical desert plants like cacti, the Arid Dome also contains several large palm trees and a wide assortment of beautiful flowers that add a touch of color to this otherwise sandy section of The Domes at Mitchell Park Conservatory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Mitchell Park Conservatory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: The Tropical Dome

The final dome on the Mitchell Park Conservatory is the Tropical Dome. Here you will immediately feel the difference in the atmosphere because of the oppressive humidity. Designed to perfectly emulate the experience of being in a lush tropical rainforest, the Tropical Dome is heavy on the moisture, with a large stream flowing through the center of the dome and a breathtaking waterfall. The plant life inside the Tropical Dome is also specifically chosen to remain true to the emulated environment. Trees with large, moist leaves and fruit trees containing bananas, oranges, and other citrus are common in this portion of the Mitchell Park Conservatory.