Jennifer Flaten, originally published on examiner.com, February 26. 2009

How would you like to stroll along a nice warm desert path? If that doesn't sound good to you, how about sitting on a bench surrounded by a display of colorful tropical flowers and lush green jungle vegetation.

Sounds like a fantastic idea right, so go ahead do it!

No, it doesn't require a plane ticket; you can do all right here in Milwaukee.

That's right; Milwaukee is home to an arid desert and a steamy tropical jungle. How is that possible you ask?

Well, both the jungle and the desert can be found in same place. Can you guess where?

I will give you a hint, if you are driving east on I-94 you can see them peeking out from the landscape, those giant glass domes. The Mitchell Park domes.

The Mitchell Park Domes are Milwaukee's own gardens under glass. The original conservatory was built in 1898 and it served Milwaukee until 1955. That is when the original structure was demolished to make way for the current domes, which were completed in 1967.

If you haven't been to the domes lately, you should take a trip. You really do not need a green thumb to enjoy the domes. It is a fantastic place to spend a cold or rainy day.

Take the kids on a tour of the Arid dome where you can see plants from Madagascar, Africa and the Canary islands.

You kids will love all the large and colorful plants found in the Tropical dome. See if you can spot the amaryllis and hibiscus tucked in among the creeping greenery.

Not only do the Mitchell Park Domes contain flora and fauna of all kinds, they now have a fabulous light show.

During a recent renovation, floodlights were added. At night, they throw up colors of red, violet, green and blue. A computer program flashes little pixel lights on the windows in a changing routine.

Not only are the lights dazzling but also you kids will gasp at the at the huge glass moon hanging in the Arid Dome.

Plus, if you love Lego's (and who doesn't) then come visit the Lego Land Model Railroad Show in the Show Dome until March 22, 2009.

Your kids will adore watching G-scale train's travel through a land where small and miniature plants create the landscape. When I took my kids, I had to drag them away from the train exhibit to see the plants.

While the train exhibit is running there are special exhibits and demonstrations and train hobbyists will be on hand to answer your questions.