Exploring the Mitchell Park Domes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We just returned from a festive trip to the state of Wisconsin for Christmas. We spent a weekend in Milwaukee with family, and one of the highlights that got us in the holiday spirit was a visit to the Mitchell Park Domes. Housed inside the 61 acre Mitchell Park in downtown Milwaukee, the Domes were built in stages from 1964 to 1967. Each dome, covered in 2,200 panes of triangular glass, is 140 feet across and over 80 feet high! Mitchell Park also has several athletic fields and courts, concert pavilions, playground and wading pool, and picnic areas. There’s tons to do all year long- see the full calendar here.

Note: While the Holiday Show at the Domes ended this past weekend, we’re sharing our visit now so readers can add the Domes to their “must see” list. The Domes host engaging exhibits throughout the year and are worthy of seasonal return visits, especially if you’re local.

Travel Tips:

Highlights of Each Dome:

The Atrium includes an exhibit on carnivorous plants and many items from the permanent collection of the MItchell Park Horticultural Conservatory. There are also tables and chairs to rest weary feet or enjoy a snack.

The warm Tropical Dome makes visitors feel as though they have been transported to a rainforest, with soaring palm trees and brightly colored flowers. The 75 degree dome is home to over 1,200 different plants from around the world, including the Amazon, Congo, and Southeast Asian islands. There is also a beautiful Koi Pod with fish, a Fairy Garden, several species of birds, and a large collection of orchids, some of the 25,000 varieties of orchids. Keep an eye out (but do not pick nor eat!) for fruit hanging from fruit trees (there’s star fruit, bananas, oranges, guava, and even cocoa trees with pods that contain seeds used to make chocolate) and plants that grow popular species, including turmeric and black pepper. 

The Desert Dome is cooler, with a seasonal temperature that ranges from 55 to 65 degrees, and home to over 600 plants, organized by region: North and South America, Southern Africa and the Canary Islands, and Madagascar. The plants are their most vibrant in color and scent during the spring and summer seasons. There’s also a large collection of cacti in various shapes and sizes (some several feet tall!) and medical plants like the Date Palms, Prickly Pear, Argan Tree, and Agave. Look for Game Changers, plants that have changed human history in some way, and the Dragon Gazebo to rest for a moment and take in the beauty of the plants. 

The Floral “Show” Dome showcases five temporary exhibits each year: A Train Show (January-March) and spring, summer, fall, and winter shows with new themes and displays each year.  When we visited, the Show Dome was celebrating The Twelve Days of Christmas with creative and humorous interpretations of all twelve verses of the Christmas carol. There’s also a large gazebo and pond to enjoy. The permanent collection in the Floral Dome includes fig, olive, and pomegranate trees.

The Education Center offers a treehouse, forest rug, reading nook and plant cart for younger children and a massive library where anyone can check out books about gardening and other related topics. Be sure to say hello to the resident mascots: dart frogs! Note: The Education Center is open to the public with limited week day hours and longer hours on the weekends.

Bonus: During warmer months, be sure to check out the two pollinator gardens that are home to bee and butterfly friendly plants.