Marjorie McNeely Conservatory: Como Review

A post discussing my experience at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como in St. Paul, MN in October of 2021.

This post is part of a Como Review series from a visit in October 2021. You can read the first portion detailing the Zoo portion here and the second part covering the Visitor Center and Tropical Encounters Exhibit here. This post will cover the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory portion of Como.

A collage of the various taxidermied wolves with information placards in front of them about their types with further specific information included.

Before the plant part of the Conservatory, there is an exhibit room (when you enter from the Visitor Center side). In October of 2021, the exhibit was about wolves. There was only one other person in this room, but they just stood in front of one display for so long that I had to delay my departure to the next section to acquire a photo of that section with all the rest. This person was totally unaware that I was trying to snap a pic of what they were looking at, but it gave me a test in patience & creativity when I finally just took a photo of what they were looking at in an angle that didn’t include them in the picture.

Beyond the signage discussed below, there is also a clear box on the left for monetary donations and information near the door on the right on how to join Como Friends today!

There were a number of signs alerting visitors that a one-way path was about to start, 6 feet apart social distancing protocol was recommended, no food or beverage is allowed, and there is no re-entry to the Zoo or Visitor Center portion once you enter the Conservatory. Personally, I love the signs as they both are in my preferred form of communication (writing) and clarify the expectations of this section.

For some reason this one way sign indicating arrows in two opposing directions just reminds me of the Mome Raths and their path in the animated Alice in Wonderland movie.

While all Conservatory traffic was set up to flow from the Visitor Center towards the Zen Garden on a one-way path, there are still multiple tracks you could choose from. There are a couple areas where the path splits and you have to Choose Your Own Adventure to decide which side you will pick to proceed.

This may not be the largest waterfall, but the tiny trickle flowing down the rocks surrounded by lots of vegetation is a welcome attraction in the Fern Room.

The first room of plants is aptly named the Fern Room. From Como’s website:

“In 2005 the Fern Room and Orchid House was added to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. The new fern room houses tropical ferns from around the world together with eleven species of tree ferns. The room also features a cascading waterfall, three pools, and photovoltaic cells on the glass roof.”

Wish that I was whimsical enough to throw money away in the hopes of securing something better. I’m way too practical and would rather save my coins to turn in for something I desire.

I assume that the coinage in this body of water is what gives it that color. Unsure why people throw change in here because it is a waterfall, not a fountain. Perhaps Como drags it and adds the currency to their cash donations to help with upkeep?

Of all the photos I’ve taken at Como throughout the years, this one of the greenery-covered octopus statue emerging from the pond surrounded by ferns might be my favorite.

The plant-covered octopus emerging from this pool is beautiful and whimsical. Every time I look at it, I smile.

Especially when there aren’t as many people around, signs like the slippery floor warning and social distancing request help create a safer environment where expectations are communicated up front.

More signage from the Conservatory. There was a yellow triangular sign on the floor warning people of a slippery floor, a reminder to keep 6 feet or one fan palm leaf apart, and a sign advising that this is the last bathroom available. As someone with IBS, I thought it was wonderful to not only have publicly accessible bathrooms available but to also have the knowledge that there wouldn’t be anymore facilities past this point.

Unsure exactly what this statue on the fountain represents. There is so much artwork and various plaques (like the one on this fountain) around Como.

The beginning of the Palm Dome has a statuesque fountain flowing prior to the entrance of the Sunken Gardens.

More signs at the entrance to the Sunken Garden. The signs include an orange triangular one on the floor advising of Wet Floor, a warning that No Posed or Group Photos are allowed, and a sign indicating there is a lift for wheelchair users or people with strollers to use to obtain access for the lower level instead of using the stairs.

Some might look at this photograph and think the signs detract from the beauty within, but for me, all the thought and energy put into these signs helps me feel more comfortable in this space.

Of all the yellow, orange, and red flowers around the water feature with lily pads and large statue at the end of the Sunken Garden, I look towards the vertical bushes on the edge of the windows and wonder what kind they are so I can plant them in my yard.

If the Conservatory is my favorite part of Como, the Sunken Garden is my favorite part of the Conservatory. I have fond memories of going to the Groovin’ in the Garden concert series when it used to be held here. Now, the Groovin’ in the Garden series is back, but it is held outdoors in front of the conservatory. (In bad weather, it will be inside the Visitor Center Porch next to the Water Gardens.)

A closeup of the blooming flower in the lily pad plant in the water channel in the Sunken Gardens.

The plants in the Sunken Garden are changed out seasonally, so what it looks like today will be different than these snaps from October 2021. Unsure if the ever-rotating greenery is one of the main reasons I enjoy this section, but it sure doesn’t hurt!

Even though I am claustrophobic, I rarely have that feeling within a canopy of greenery enclosing a path.

Back in the Palm Dome, the passage away from the Sunken Garden is an uneven stoned path where the foliage grows together to create a canopy. This is especially lovely when you visit in the cold weather as you can enjoy nature without suffering the Minnesota weather elements.

A couple of people sit on a bench in the background near the water attraction in the foreground.

In the Palm Dome, there are multiple water attractions and benches to sit awhile. I have no idea who these people are in this pic, but they were one of only a few small groups of people that were present near me here.

Unsure if there is something nearby this statue that I read to make me believe this is St. Francis or if I assume all statues of monks in robes placed in nature are of St. Francis due to my Catholic upbringing.

There’s a statue of what I presume to be St. Francis nestled in between the water and the vegetation. One of the best things about Como is all the artwork intermingled among the plants and animals.

The Koi within this water attraction are very friendly and not scared of humans.

Another nook with a water area that is filled with Koi fish. More signage is here requesting visitors Please do not pick plants or feed the Koi.

Even more signs at the very end of the road indicating there is No Return to Zoo or Visitor Center and an arrow indicating in what direction the Japanese Garden and Exit can be found.

I’ve established that the Conservatory is my favorite part of Como, and I love all the signs throughout. I haven’t visited since this trip in October of 2021, but I hope even with other pandemic-era protections being rolled back elsewhere that the one-way path remains in the Conservatory going forward. I found this visit to be the most enjoyable as I was never caught up between people headed in opposing directions around me like I was prior to the one-way track being implemented.

Next time, the post will cover the The Ordway Gardens Bonsai Collection at Como.

~The Overstimulated