The roads had recently been cleared of snow and I was ready to leave the house to witness this wintery wonderland.  What better place to spend a cold, wintery afternoon than in the warmth of a conservatory?

From home, I arrived at the Krohn Conservatory within twenty minutes.  Bundled up for the cold, I entered the warmer temperatures to a humidity that only comes from the tropics.  It was a wonderful contrast to the bitter freeze outside.

I paid the attendant my admission fee and learned that I had arrived between two exhibits. Having missed the recent Christmas Exhibit, the conservatory was preparing for the Hatching Spring Blooms Spring Show.  Parts of the conservatory were closed during the renovations but I was able to explore The Palm House, Fern House, Desert House and the Orchid House.

I picked up the pamphlet for the self-guided tour and entered the Palm House located directly ahead.

Taking the ramp to the right,  I was greeted by palm trees and the soothing sounds of water.  Crossing the bridge,  I walked towards the back of the room where I noticed the waterfall.  The exotic trees surrounding me included the Rubber Tree, Coffee Tree, Banana Tree and the Banyan Tree.  The path led behind the waterfall for a unique perspective and continued on towards the exhibit’s exit.

Exiting through the handicapped door, to my immediate right was the Fern House,  I was fascinated with the trees named from foods such as the Chocolate Tree, Starfruit Tree, and the Pomegranate Tree.  The unusual Powderpuff Tree bore bright pink blooms that could have easily been found in a Dr. Seuss book.

Because the showroom was closed in preparation for the next exhibit, I exited the main building to reach the Desert House.   I couldn’t help but notice a light snowfall and snow covered trees.   

The Madagascar Palm was the first beautiful tree I noticed when I opened the door.  Is it a cactus or is it a palm tree?  An unusual plant, this palm is indigenous to the large island of Madagascar off the coast of southeast Africa.  The arid temperatures were the perfect climate for a variety of cacti that thrive in a humid climate.  Various pieces of artwork from clay sculptures to metal images were strategically placed around the exhibit.

Leaving the Desert House, I was excited to see the intense red blooms growing among thick thorny plants.  The placard identified it as the Crown of Thorns, the  Euphorbia milii.  Referred to as the Christ thorn, these thick spikes were driven into the skull of Jesus during His crucifixion.  I was surprised by the thickness and length of the barbs and could not imagine the pain He must have suffered at the hands of the Romans.

The final exhibit, the Orchid House is a small, intimate display.  Showcasing a handful of orchids, there were various species of its kind, each unique and beautiful.  Hearty, drooping clusters as well as dainty, fragile exhibits were available in a wide array of color.

An interesting selection of Carnivorous Plants was also thriving within the Orchid House.  The Pitcher Plant was one of the most unusual of species, similar to the Venus Flytrap.  In fact, they attract, trap and digest their prey, both in the similar manners.  Because of its bright colors and sweet nectar, the Pitcher Plant lures insects into its chamber where they are then digested at the bottom.

As I made my way towards the exit, I couldn’t help but think about the movie, “The Little Shop of Horrors.” Waiting for one of these meat-eating plants to bloom into a life sized human eating machine, I planned my way of escape and happy to be alive.

Are you looking for local attractions and educational opportunities to visit in Ohio during the winter season?  I would love to hear your recommendations of places to visit if you would kindly leave your suggestions in the comments below!  Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Krohn Conservatory
950 Eden Park Drive
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 421 5707

• Admission Fee:  Admission for adults is $7, for youth $4 (ages 5 – 17) and children 4 and under are free.
• Hours:  Open daily from 10AM to 5PM, closed on Mondays. Special hours on December 18 – 23:  10AM to 7:30PM; December 24: 10AM to 5PM and December 25: 10AM to 2PM
• Amenities:  rainforest, desert, butterfly show, seasonal exhibits, special educational programs
• Scenic View: Interesting plants and exhibits
• Length of Visit:  1 – 2 hours
• Tips for Your Visit:  There may be an additional fee for exhibits in addition to admission.   The holidays are the best time to visit for the decorated displays.

Where to Stay:

Renaissance Cincinnati Hotel
36 E. 4th Street
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 333 0000

Where to Eat:

Mt. Adams Bar & Grill
938 Hatch Street
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 621 3666

During my recent visit, I started out with the jalapeno ravioli, which was spicy and delicious.  Depending on my mood, I will either order the grilled Yellowfin Tuna Steak or the grilled Mahi Mahi which are both served over wild rice with peppers and onions.

Teak Thai Cuisine
1051 St. Gregory Street
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 665 9800

UPDATE:  This restaurant is now closed.

What to Eat: 

• Skyline Chili:  My go-to meal at Skyline is the 4-way chili with onion served with oyster crackers and hot sauce.  I always pick up two York peppermint patties after cashing out.  Cincinnati chili is a beef based sauce served over spaghetti noodles and cheese.  Additional toppings include onions and beans.
• LaRosa’s Pizza:  A local chain pizzeria, this Sicilian style pie is made with a sweet crust and sauce.  My favorite menu item is the Caprese pesto Flatbread Pizza.
• Graeter’s Ice Cream:  It’s the French Pot process that makes Graeter’s Ice Cream so decadent and rich.  Towards the end of the process, they pour chocolate into the mix creating large chunks of yummy goodness.
• Montgomery Inn BBQ:  Visiting the original Montgomery Inn BBQ at the boathouse is a culinary and scenic experience.  Their ribs are served with a sweet and tangy sauce that has since made them the “Ribs King” and a favorite among locals.  Load up on their amazing BBQ flavored Saratoga chips,
• Glier’s Goetta:  While it looks like a slab of corn beef hash, this breakfast staple is made of sausage and oats, cooked until crispy.  Most breakfast restaurants carry it as a side, especially the local cafes and diners.
• BonBonerie:  One of the most decadent pastry shops in Cincinnati, their rich confections are absolutely amazing.

Where to Drink:

Moerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 421 2337

Books to Read: 

• Eligible:  A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice, by Curtis Sittenfeld
• Running, by J.T. Cooper
• Dead Witch Walking, by Kim Harrison
• Beloved, by Toni Morrison
• Double Dutch, by Sharon M. Draper
• Romiette and Julio, by Sharon M. Draper

Photo Guide for Cincinnati (as provided by Chris Thompson on FourSquare):

• The John A Roebling Suspension Bridge
  • Pick a spot near the Covington pier and shoot north toward the Cincinnati skyline.  Shoot at sunset and underexpose by a few stops to get the lights just right.
  • The new lights on the bridge create excellent stars when you photograph them using a narrow aperture (~f/16 and above) on your camera. That means you’ll need a longer exposure (and thus a tripod).
• General James Taylor Park
  • Shoot from the top of the flag pole mound to get more building reflections in your shot. Shoot at sunset or sunrise for great lighting.
• Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
  • Arrive first thing in the morning when the sun is coming up
• The Fountain at Fountain Square
  • For great photos of the fountain: set your camera on a tripod and use a long exposure (2-5 seconds) to capture the running water. Get Carew or the colored lights above Rock Bottom in the background.
• Fountain Square (look for reflections in puddles)
• Celestial Restaurant in Mount Adams – The restaurant is now closed, but you may still be able to use the parking lot.
• Carew Tower Observation Deck
  • Provides some neat photos of the highways snaking around the city. Set your camera on a tripod and use a long exposure to get moving car trails. It’s only open at sunset a few days each year.
• Engine Company 46, 2733 Erie Avenue (at Michigan), Cincinnati
  • One of the most beautiful historic firehouses in all of Cincinnati. The firefighters here are used to having their photo taken while they work. Ask nicely and you can get some cool shots.
• Cincinnati Observatory Center
• Krohn Conservatory
• Great American Ball Park
  • Shoot the front of the stadium around sunset to get a nice color blue in the sky. Get one of the player statues in your shot for extra effect.
• Devou Park
  • The overlook next to the Drees pavilion affords a great view of the Cincinnati skyline. Shoot at sunrise or sunset for the best lighting. Underexpose slightly to get the city lights just right.
• Newport Central Catholic for fireworks
  • Shoot the Riverfest fireworks from this location. Bring a long lens and a tripod. You’ll want a long-ish exposure (5-10 seconds) to capture the bursts, but make sure the skyline isn’t overexposed.
• Riverfront Park
  • The colorful fountains make a great subject, but you need to use a relatively fast shutter speed (>1/20 or so) to catch the lights before they change color, leaving your pic with plain white lights.
• American Sign Museum
  • Be sure to bring a tripod to capture all the signs. Manual white balance is the way to go, because there are so many crazy colors of lights that your camera won’t know how to react.

Coming from the westside of Cincinnati from 50, heading east

Driving through downtown Cincinnati, heading towards Eden Park

The African Statue at the Krohn Conservatory

The Outside Snowy View from Krohn Conservatory

The Desert House

 The Orchid House

The View of the Ohio River from Eden Park

A View of Covington, Kentucky and the Ohio River from Eden Park

 Are you looking for local attractions and educational opportunities to visit in Ohio during the winter season?  I would love to hear your recommendations of places to visit if you would kindly leave your suggestions in the comments below!  Happy Travels!

The Madagascar Palm