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Experience a desert oasis, a tropical jungle and floral gardens…all in one afternoon! The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, better known as The Domes, is one of the most unique destinations in Milwaukee.
Discover cacti, succulents, shrubs and desert palms in the Desert Dome. Enjoy five seasonal shows each year in the Floral Dome and walk among 1,200 species of rainforest plants in the Tropical Dome.
The Domes are open every day of the year and host special events and educational programs throughout the year.
New Holiday Floral Show Coming to the Show Dome Nov. 17!
Mitchell Park Domes are open 365 days a year! Visit us Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Saturdays, Sundays, and major holidays, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Floral Show Dome is in transition for about two weeks between major shows. During this time, explore the Tropical and Desert domes, and get a glimpse of the next floral show as its creation unfolds.
Resident**
Non-Resident
Adult (18+)
$7
$8
Junior (6-17yrs)
$5
$6
Child (under 5)
Free
Senior (60+)
N/A
Person with disability
Student*
Friends of Domes Member*
AHSG Member* (Max. 2)
*ID required
**FREE on Mondays 9 a.m.-noon for Milwaukee County Residents (ID required) Excluding the celebration of major holidays
Bringing a group of 20 or more? Call for group rates - (414) 257-5611
Five times a year the Show Dome transforms with unique themed, floral shows. Visit throughout the year for spring flowers, the annual train show and the popular Holiday Show.
Come to the deserts of Africa, Madagascar, South America and North America to see cacti, succulents, desert palms and even a few agave plants.
View the Desert Dome Map
In our microcosm of the rainforest, you'll encounter over 1,200 species of tropical plants, including chocolate, banana and vanilla plants.
View the Tropical Dome Map
The Show Dome is transformed five times each year with a unique, seasonal display. Each Show Dome display has a specific theme and plants on display are selected specifically for that theme. Shows last from six to 14 weeks. Entry to the Show Dome is included with general admission.
More than 30 varieties of coleus, with different colors, patterns, shapes and sizes, will camouflage forest animals. Foliage in combinations of greens, yellows, pinks and reds will help to hide rabbits, squirrels and other small creatures. Grasses and vines as well as chrysanthemums will complete this seasonal show. Show is open daily until Nov. 4 and is included with general admission to The Domes.
Scrooooge!, the holiday floral show at Milwaukee's Mitchell Park Domes, will put families in the holiday spirit! Show runs daily November 17, 2018 – January 6, 2019. Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, Holiday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Schedule subject to change
The Mitchell Park Domes hosts a variety of tickted events throughout the year, inclduign Day of the Dead, Fairy Day and a New year's Eve celebration. View the events calendar for upcoming one-day events and programs hosted at the Mitchell Park Domes & Annex.
View Events Calendar
The Education Center offers programming for grades K5–12, college, adults, companies, homeschoolers, travel agencies, and all youth groups throughout the year. Please note that there is an additional charge for guided tours and educational programs.
To book a self-guided tour or class larger than 10 adults or youths please call The Domes at 414.257.5600, 9 am - 4 pm, daily.
Each tour is $9/adult.There is a minimum of 20 paid adults/group tour.
Your time with a guide will last 90 minutes. During that time you will be guided through the Show and Desert Domes and a self-guided restorative stroll through the Tropical Dome with time left for the gift shop or to revisit another dome. Tours must be reserved three weeks ahead and prepaid five business days before the tour date.
• Around the Domes in 60 Minutes • Best of the Season • Horticulture: From Seed to Plant • Mitchell Park, Conservatory & Greenhouses • Science & the Conservatory • Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory: Past, Present & Future
Book a Guided Tour
School Groups: $7/student*(minimum 20 paid students) *All Milwaukee County Schools or Groups will receive a $1 discount with proof of address
Programming reflects core concepts for each grade.
Kindergarten: Plants, Animals & Their Habitat.
1st Grade: What Do Plants & Animals Need to Survive.
2nd Grade: Teamwork & the Surroundings.
3rd Grade: Environmental Impacts on Plants & Animals.
4th Grade: Life Cycles and Traits of Plants & Animals.
5th Grade: Energy in Ecosystems.
6th-8th Grades: Ecosystems & Human Impact.
9th-12th Grade: Biogeography or Resources:
Arrange a Group Visit
The deserts of the American Southwest as well as Africa, Madagascar, South America and Mexico are represented in the Desert Dome. The Desert Dome is divided geographically into Old Word and New World habitats. Visit the Sonoran, Northern Mexico and even mountainous South American desert plantings. Enjoy the Madagascar collection, where endangered and unusual plant forms find sanctuary, and the South African and Canary Island collections, where you may just see some familiar plants. Around the pool in the oasis, find native crop plants and an ethnobotanical garden.
Tropical rainforests, covering five continents but less than 7 percent of the Earth's land surface, are home to over 15 million species of plants and animals. Rainforests are the most productive and diverse of the Earth's ecosystems.
In this Dome you'll find tropical fruit trees including star fruit (Averrhoa), and guava (Psidium guajava). You'll discover the source of chocolate and cocoa (Theobroma cacao) as well as flavorings such as vanilla from the vining vanilla orchid. You will also find spices such as cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), and black pepper (Piper nigrum).
Read more about the plants you'll find in the Domes at https://milwaukeedomes.org/domes-plant-articles
The Friends of The Domes is a non-profit support group for The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory. They organize educational programs and special events at The Domes and manage The Domes Gift Shop.
As a Friend of The Domes member, you will receive:
Become a Member
Rent Milwaukee’s most unique venue for your next event. Rental spaces include The Domes, the lobby area and the Greenhouse. For very large events, food and beverage stations may be scattered throughout The Domes.
The Domes offer a one-of-a-kind destination for your event or wedding. Seated events can accommodate 275 guests; cocktail events, up to 500 guests. Air-conditioning and Wi-Fi are available in the lobby area only.
Zilli Hospitality Group is the exclusive caterer at The Domes; this includes both food and beverage. For rental inquires, contact Zillis at (262) 547-9447.
Available: Year round, evenings
Capacity: 275 for seated dinner or 500 for cocktail event
Get More Details
The Mitchell Park Greenhouse, adjacent to the Mitchell Park Domes, gives your guests the illusion of being outside with views that cannot be replicated at any other site. Seated events may accommodate up to 250 guests; cocktail events, up to 600 guests.
Zilli Hospitality Group is the exclusive caterer at The Domes; this includes both food and beverage. For rental inquiries, contact Zillis at (262) 547-9447.
Capacity: 250 for seated dinner or 600 for cocktail event
For a truly unique wedding, ceremonies for up to 50 people can be held in the Tropical, Desert or Show Domes at the Mitchell Park Domes during regular hours. Larger private rentals are also available for receptions in the lobby and the Greenhouse Annex. Bookings are accepted up to three years in advance.
Availabilty: Year-round during normal operating hours except on days when special events are scheduled.
Time Period per Ceremony Permit: Two hours
Capacity: 50
Call (262) 547-9447 to schedule a venue tour.
Wedding ceremonies with up to 50 guests can be held in the Tropical, Desert or Show domes at any time of the year during regular public open hours. A ceremony permit is required for ceremonies, plus admission per person. Permits are for two hours and include photography at your selected site. For private ceremonies, an after-hours rental is required.
Wedding Permit Application
The Tropical, Arid and Show domes make stunning backdrops for wedding or engagement photos. A Photography Permit must be completed, approved by Domes management, processed and payment received to reserve time at the Domes to take photographs.
Permits cost $61.25 per hour + admission fees per person. Group admission rates for up to 50 people are also available.
Photography Permit Application
524 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53215. (414) 257-5611
Free Parking Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Gift Shop
9480 Watertown Road Wauwatosa, WI 53226 (414) 257-PARK (7275)