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Tour the Twin Cities The Orchid Society of Minnesota is proud of Minnesota and the Twin Cities area. If you can find time away from the busy show schedule, please take part in one of the tours we have planning or venture out to one of the other great destinations in Minnesota. Information on other destinations are available with the Bell Captain, Front Desk, Meeting Registration area or come to the Hospitality Suite and ask one our members about their favorites. . All days of the conference The Mall of America remains the largest shopping mall in the United States. People from all over the world fly in just for a day’s shopping. The hotel provides transportation to and from the Mall by arrangement with the Bell Desk or Front Desk of the conference hotel. Guided tour of the public and production areas on Thursday, April 21, 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. including admission and refreshments. $5.00 paid with registration. Enjoy a guided tour featuring more than 600 examples of New World tropical orchids. View large blooming specimens on display for the public in the historic Palm Dome and North Garden. Be one of the first to visit the new Orchid House (opening January, 2005) featuring smaller blooming specimens. The orchid collection has been enhanced by grants from The Mid-America Orchid Congress. Transportation is on your own. Transportation is not provided to this event. However, you can register for the tour, obtain a map to the facility and sign up for ride-sharing at the registration table. If you want to visit another time, the public areas of the conservatory are open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. The tour will only be available for those who go at 2:00 PM on Thursday. More on the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory (formerly Como Park Conservatory) The historic glasshouse opened to the public in 1915 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The historic structure was extensively restored during the late 1980's and 1990's. The historic structure consists of a Palm Dome (100' in diameter), North Garden, which holds economic plants from the tropics, and Sunken Garden, which displays seasonal flower shows. The Spring Flower Show is breathtaking in April. A new addition, completed in January of 05, includes a Fern Room, Bonsai Gallery and Orchid House. The new addition, along with the adjoining Visitor and Education Resource Center, completes the conservatory's 1984 Master plan. Guided tour on Saturday, April 23, 10:00 a.m. Visit Orchids Limited in Plymouth and tour growing ranges and personal collection with owner, Jerry Fischer. Jerry is well known for his slipper orchid collection and breeding program. His greenhouses are state-of-the-art and feature special adaptations to our less than hospitable climate. Transportation is not provide for this event. However, you can register for the tour, obtain a map to the nursery and sign up for ride-sharing at the Registration area. If you want to visit another time, Orchids Limited is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM during the meeting and show. The special tour is only available on Saturday morning.
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