Milwaukee's Mitchell Park
Horticultural Conservatory

Rotating Exhibits / Events

• Attack of the Giant Monsters 2

  JANUARY 18 - MARCH 29

  Attack of the Giant Monsters 2 is the exciting sequel to our first giant-monster themed model train show. Due to the Domes closure back in 2016, the show was cut very short, but it has returned with even bigger and better monsters. This G-scale model train garden will feature spoofs of your favorite classic giant movie monsters. Travel the tracks through a not-so-scary, but very silly set of cities under attack, creatures lurking in the plants and plenty of hidden surprises. The garden will include miniature topiary azaleas and other varieties of dwarf evergreen trees. Among many varieties of flowering annuals this show will also showcase a unique eyeball looking plant called Acmella oleracea and a carnivorous plant display to complement this show's Monster theme.

  Milwaukee Museum Week

  JANUARY 18-26, 2020

  The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory will be participating in the second annual Milwaukee Museum Week with free programs and special events, educational talks and activities for people of all ages and interests.

  Monday, Jan. 20 - Free Youth Day at the Domes - ages 18 and under admitted free

  10:30am Storytime – My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by Martin Luther King III and the book, My Uncle Martin’s Big Heart, by Angela Farris Watkins, (20-minute Storytime). 
  
  11:30am Lunch & Learn–Purchase a meal from the Domes exclusive caterer ZHG and join us for some fun games like Domes Jeopardy while we learn about the Domes plant collection led by Domes Educator, Paula Zamiatowski. 
  
  1:00pm Meet the Horts–Desert Dome Tour led by Horticulturalist and Desert Collection Curator, Marian French. 
  
  2:00pm Meet the Horts--Show Dome Tour led by Horticulturalist and Show Dome Curator, Maria Telikiozoglou. 
  
  3:00pm Short Film (12-min) in Ed Center–15 Weird and Bizarre Plants, Spoiler Alert: 9 of the 15 plants are in the Domes Complex so PICK UP A DAILY SCAVENGER HUNT SHEET: Dragon Blood Tree (desert), Lithops (desert), Cobra Lily (lobby), Titan Arum (tropical), Welwitschia (desert), Jabuticaba (show), Sensitive Plant (show), Cape Sundew (lobby), Venus Fly Trap (dormant)
  
  4:30pm Light Show –Stravinsky’s, Firebird Finale, 3.20-min long.

  Tuesday, Jan. 21:

  9:15am Walk the Domes–Enjoy a 1-mile scenic indoor walk led by the Conservatory Educator.  
  
  11:00am Meet the Horticulturists and Greenhouse Growers led by Rory and Heidi–in Greenhouse Complex Headhouse. There are many aspects of how crops are managed & cared for. Invasive pests, soil composition & plant disease all play an important part in the outcomes of our collections & crops. The Head House is the heart of the greenhouse. Learn about the plant nursery, seeding & potting techniques we use for the best outcomes as well as our Sky Harvester water systems where over 1,000,000 gallons of rainwater are reused last year! 
  
  1:00pm Meet the Horts–Tropical Dome Tour led by Horticulturist and Tropical Collection Curator, Mary Braunreiter. Special plant give-away! 
  
  3:00pm Short Film in Ed Center – 'Forest Bathing' May Bust Your Stress, from WEBMD. Afterwards, your only goal is to pay attention to the scents, sounds, and scenery around you while you slowly stroll through the desert and tropical domes. It may help you relax, plus it will get you moving. 
  
  4:30pm Light Show–Queen’s, Bohemian Rhapsody, abbreviated version, 3-min long.

  6:00pm - A Domes Inspired Cooking Class at Braise Restaurant - must preregister. SOLD OUT.  Check out the next class on Friday, February 28.

  Wenesday, Jan. 22:

  9:00am Learn more about Volunteer Opportunities at the Domes– (FOD & Parks)  
  
  10:00am Domes Creative World--Parks Artist, Burt Gross, will talk about the creation of show themes for the floral exhibits and how props compliment the plants and layouts support the plant collection in becoming the main performers.  
  
  11:00am Meet the Horts--Show Dome Tour led by Horticulturist and Show Dome Curator, Maria Telikiozoglou. 
  
  2:00pm Historical Tour & Photo Display by Domes Educator, Paula Zamiatowski. 
  
  3pm Short Train Films in the Ed Center–One of The Finest and Most Detailed Model Railroad Layouts in the World (12.0 minutes) plus Large Garden Model Railroad RR LGB G Scale Gauge Layout of awesome trains Meet the Train Lady, (24.0 minutes). 
  
  4:30pm Light Show –The Beatles’, Lucy in the Sky, 3-min long.

  Thursday, Jan. 23: Enjoy extended Domes hours - open till 7:00pm

  10:00am Meet the Horts–Tropical Dome Tour led by Horticulturalist and Tropical Collection Curator, Mary Braunreiter. 
  
  2:00pm Meet the Horts–Desert Dome Tour led by Horticulturalist and Desert Collection Curator, Marian French. 
  
  3:00pm Short Film–Introduction to Epiphytes: Stop into the Ed Center for a 2.17-minute introduction video about a very special type of tropical rainforest plant called epiphytes then go into the tropical dome and try to find these plants on the trees and rocks. These are VERY cool plants that do NOT live in soil! 
  
  4:00-7:00pm - Happy Hour with Zilli's Hospitality Group

  4:30pm Light Show–Otis Day and the Knights’, Shout (You Make Me Wanna), 3.5-min long 
  
  5:00pm Essential Oils Class - (FOD): Join Angela Kingsawan for an introduction to essential oils, including safety, body care, and medicinal uses. Tea will be provided during this hands-on, make-and-take activity. Click here to preregister. $18 for FOD members, $25 for non members (includes admission to Domes).
  
  6:30pm Light Show–Unknown Composer for Chopsticks Waltz, 3-min long

  Friday, Jan. 24:

  10:00am Meet the Horticulturists and Greenhouse Growers led by Clay and Heidi–in Greenhouse Complex Headhouse. There are many aspects of how crops are managed & cared for. Invasive pests, soil composition & plant disease all play an important part in the outcomes of our collections & crops. The Head House is the heart of the greenhouse. Learn about the plant nursery, seeding & potting techniques we use for the best outcomes as well as our Sky Harvester water systems where over 1,000,000 gallons of rainwater are reused last year! 
  
  2:00pm A second chance to Meet the Horticulturists and Greenhouse Growers led by Clay and Heidi–in Greenhouse Complex Headhouse. There are many aspects of how crops are managed & cared for. Invasive pests, soil composition & plant disease all play an important part in the outcomes of our collections & crops. The Head House is the heart of the greenhouse. Learn about the plant nursery, seeding & potting techniques we use for the best outcomes as well as our Sky Harvester water systems where over 1,000,000 gallons of rainwater are reused last year! 
  
  3:00pm Short Film--In case you missed the Greenhouse talks, go to the Ed Center for a 1.28-minute YouTube video, How Does a Greenhouse Work? Click here for Film link,  
  
  4:30pm Light Show – Offenbach’s, Can-Can, from Orpheus in the Underworld Operetta, 3-min long

  Saturday, Jan. 25, 1pm - State of Milwaukee's Rivers w/ Milwaukee Riverkeeper. Free to FOD members, $4 non nembers

  Pokemon Go at The Domes

  Get out of the cold and join the Pokémon craze. The popular phone app game uses GPS technology to hide Pokémon and various prizes in real-world outdoor locations and the Domes is no exception! The bonus is that the Domes aren't exactly outdoors, so this winter you can come inside and play while staying warm and dry—not to mention take in the beautiful gardens. This game is truly fun for all ages and encourages getting exercise as well as meeting friendly new people in the community. The app is free to download, and for those currently playing, there are four indoor Poké-Stops and one Poké-Gym. Come in and catch them all!  Free every day to Friends of the Domes members!