Milwaukee's Mitchell Park
Horticultural Conservatory

Mitchell Park Domes

Shakespeare to Bee or not to Bee Summer Garden Show

The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory's Show Dome is transformed 5 times each year. Each Show Dome display has a specific theme, generally categorized as historical, cultural or fantasy, and is chosen at least a year in advance. Plants are selected specifically for a particular floral exhibit and grown in the Greenhouses located at the Mitchell Park Domes. Once in place, a show may last from six to fourteen weeks. Please note that Show Dome is closed for approximately two weeks between shows to transistion to the new theme.

Friends of the Mitchell Park DomesMilwaukee County Parks

Rotating Exhibits / Events

  • To Bee or not To BEE

    JUNE 2 - SEPTEMBER 9

    To Bee or not To Bee, the summer floral show,  is a continuation of the Spring Shakespeare themed show with a honey bee twist. In addition to a selection of famous lines from Shakespeare works, there will be information on honey bees and a honey bee display.   The show  takes visitors on a journey through the language of flowers. As visitors walk along the pastel-tinted displays, they’ll see scroll-shaped signs with quotes from Shakespeare that relate to the nearby flowers.

    Dinos Under Glass Returns

    MAY 12 - OCTOBER 21

    The dinosaurs are baaaack!  Come to visit this exciting exhibit of life like dinosaurs in the Tropical and Desert Domes all summer and fall!

    Pollinator Week

    JUNE 18 - JUNE 22

    Celebrate all pollinators during our 7th annual Pollinator Week.  Join us as we celebrate the unsung heroes responsible for pollinating plants that provide about one-third of the food we eat.  Pollinators enable 80% of the world's crop species to set seeds.  Each day of pollinator week will have a different theme with a video about pollinators and activities generally geared to school-age children.

    • Monday, June 18 - "Madagascar's Unusual Pollen Carriers"
    • Tuesday, June 19 - "Pollinators of the Amazon"
    • Wednesday, June 20 - "Bats, Bees, Beetles, Birds, and Butterflies"
    • Thursday, June 21 -  "Our North American Neighbors"
    • Friday, June 22 - "Night-time Flyers"

    When: Daily: Monday, June 18 through Friday, June 22, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
    Cost: Free for FOD members; for non-members, regular Domes admission rates apply.

    Orchid Show & Sale

    SEPTEMBER 15 (9am-5pm) & 16 (9am-4pm)

    Enjoy orchid displays, exhibits, and programs showcasing this amazing exotic plant.