Plan your visit
The CBS Conservatory and Botanical Collection is currently closed to walk-in public visitors. Small groups of University of Minnesota staff, faculty, and students are welcome to drop in for a self-guided tour of the public side of the Conservatory between 9am and 3pm Tours of the restricted side of the Conservatory require advance notice. Please email rubin097@umn.edu to request a tour. Remember that the Conservatory is a working teaching and research facility, with hazards such as wet floors, open ponds, hard bench edges, and spiny or poisonous plants.
Class tours
Faculty and staff may schedule guided or unguided class tours or lab time. Please email rubin097@umn.edu at least three weeks in advance to plan your visit.
Self-guided tours
University of Minnesota staff, faculty, and students are welcome to drop-in for a self-guided tour. Please note that the greenhouse is a working teaching and research facility. As such, some hazards such as wet floors, open ponds, hard bench edges, and spiny or poisonous plants may be present.
Photography
Visitors are welcome to take photos and video of our collections. If you are interested in using the Conservatory for commercial photography or videography, please visit University Relations for the official policy and rate information. Contact Jared Rubinstein at rubin097@umn.edu with any questions
Directions and parking
1534 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
The Conservatory is located on the University of Minnesota's Saint Paul Campus in the Plant Growth Facilities West Building.
Directions and parking
The Campus Connector will bring you to the corner of Dudley and Buford. Walk one block North along Gortner Avenue to 1534 Plant Growth Facilities Building 415 West and follow the conservatory signage.
Public transit
The University’s Campus Connector stops at the corner of Dudley and Buford. Walk one block north along Gortner Avenue to the Plant Growth Facilities West Building and follow the Conservatory signage.
The University’s St. Paul Circulator stops on Gortner in front of the Christensen Laboratory. Cross Gortner to the Plant Growth Facilities West Building and follow the Conservatory signage.
The northbound 87 bus stops at the corner of Gortner and Dudley. Continue north along Gortner Avenue to the Plant Growth Facilities West Building and follow the Conservatory signage.
The southbound 87 bus stops on Gortner in front of the Christensen Laboratory. Cross Gortner to the Plant Growth Facilities West Building and follow the Conservatory signage.
Parking
Parking is generally available in the Gortner Avenue Parking Ramp. After parking, walk three blocks north along Gortner to the Plant Growth Facilities West Building and follow the Conservatory signage.
There are often metered spaces available on Gortner Avenue directly across from the Cargill Building. Campus Parking Maps
From Minneapolis via I-94
Use 280 North to the Larpenteur Ave Exit, turn right (East) onto Larpenteur Avenue to Gortner Avenue (stoplights) and turn right (south) to 1534 Gortner Ave, Plant Growth Facilities West 415.
From Saint Paul via I-94
Use 280 North to the Larpenteur Ave Exit, turn right (East) onto Larpenteur Avenue to Gortner Avenue (stoplights) and turn right (south) to 1534 Gortner Ave, Plant Growth Facilities West 415.