Experience the lush tropics or arid desert any day of the year--without leaving Seattle.. The Experience
Plant lovers and people who just want to get warm in the winter will enjoy a walk through this conservatory in Volunteer Park. The turn-of-the-century structure is divided into five greenhouses all stocked with exotic, and sometimes fantastical, plants such as the bizarre Dutchman's Pipe, the unusual passion flower or Baby Toes and Brains cacti. The palm, fern and bromeliad houses have tropical climates, the Cactus House is desert-like and the Seasonal Display House (showcasing an impressive array of orchids and a profusion of whatever's currently in bloom) hits in between, with a temperate clime.

The Background
The grand, glass-paned conservatory was erected in 1912, as part of the famous Olmsted brothers' legacy. Signs of continuing deterioration prompted the Friends of the Conservatory to form and encourage renovation in 1980.…