Mitchell Park Domes

Admission

New for 2020 - select a timeslot before your visit.

1. Select an available day/time that you'd like to arrive. Let us know how many people will be in your group and follow the steps to add to cart and check out. No payments are taken at this stage.  

2. You'll receive a confirmation email that shows your visit date and 'departure time' - please arrive at The Domes at the departure time listed. 

3. When you arrive, pay for your admission to the gardens at the fee booth using credit card or cash.  

4. Follow the one-way route around the Domes. Masks are required and maintain physical distancing of at least 6ft from anyone not in your group. A maximum of ten people per group will be allowed. 

Select a Timeslot

*Milwaukee County residents get $1 off entry. Resident Seniors (60+) get $3 off entry. ID required

Free First Thursdays Suspended in 2020

Due to COVID-19, the free-admission days for Milwaukee County residents are suspended. See other Milwaukee County free days.

New Domes COVID-19 Guidelines for 2020

Due to COVID-19, the Domes have updated their viewing guidelines as it relates to COVID-19. Please view the changes in our video below:

1. New Hours: Wed. - Fri. from 9 -5 p.m. and Sat. - Su. from 9 -4 p.m. (Closed Mon. and Tue.)

2. Reservations Required: Click the, "Reserve a Timeslot button," above to reserve your spots. (No walk-up tickets available)

3. Limited Services available: The Education center will be closed, no guided tours, and no live programming.

4. Mask Required for everyone 3 and over in all three Domes at all times. 

5. Follow our directional signage throught the Domes.

View Our Guidelines 

Events & Programs

While no in-person special events are currently planned, watch for special virtual events coming soon! View the events calendar for upcoming events and programs hosted at the Mitchell Park Domes and Annex.

View Events Calendar

About the Plants

Desert Dome

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 Dome

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).

Learn More

Friends of The Domes

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:

• Free admission to the Conservatory during normal operating hours, 365 days a year
• Advance notice of special educational programs, speakers and exhibits, many of which are free or discounted to Friends of The Domes members
• A 10% discount in the Domes Gift Shop, Gifts Under Glass
• A quarterly newsletter
• Membership in the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admissions Program
• The satisfaction of supporting this unique and historic Milwaukee landmark!

Become a Member

Rentals at The Domes

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. 

Weddings at The Domes

For a truly unique wedding, have your ceremony, for up to 50 people, in the Tropical, Desert or Show dome at the Mitchell Park Domes during regular hours. 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 

During Regular Operating Hours: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are not taking any wedding permit requests at this time.

After-hours Ceremony: For an after-hours ceremony, larger private rentals are available and may include a reception. In addition to using the three domes, private events may be held in the and the Greenhouse Annex. Bookings are accepted up to three years in advance. Private rentals, call (262) 547-9447