Como Conservatory versus ??

Minneapolitans take great pride in their parks. The city has an independently elected park board and has been a national leader on parks for decades. St. Paul, is not as well known for its excellent park system, but they do have their crown jewel: The Como Zoo and Conservatory.

Today, we look at the Como Park Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. The Como Conservatory is open year round and hosts thousands of tropical and other plants from around the world. It is stroller friendly. It is accessible. It is warm and humid even when outside is below zero. And best of all, it is free! (Although they do appreciate a two dollar donation if you can.)

If you want to look at orchids, watch gold fish swim among lilies, walk under huge ferns, take your senior pictures, or smell a stinking plant, Como is the place to go.

So what does Minneapolis have to compete? Well, for gardens there is the Longfellow Gardens. It's small though, and you can't go there in January. Or at least, you wouldn't get much out of it. Where can you go on a winter day in Minneapolis? The IDS Center's Crystal Court is warm, sunny and has a big fountain. It's free too. But the plants aren't all that plentiful or exotic.

Wait, Minneapolis does have a conservatory. The Cowles Conservatory is adjacent to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. You know, the place with the giant cherry on a giant spoon. The Cowles Conservatory is nice, but much smaller and much less known than the one over in St. Paul.

St. Paul wins.

Minneapolis: [6] / St. Paul: [4]