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Plan Your Visit

The CBS Conservatory & Botanical Collection is closed to walk-in public visitors until further notice. 

Small groups of University of Minnesota staff, faculty, and students are welcome to drop-in for a self-guided tour. 

  • CLASS TOURS

    Faculty may schedule guided or unguided class tours or lab time.  Email rubin097@umn.edu at least three weeks in advance of your visit. Often courses are scheduled one year in advance.  Space is limited.

  • 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 + PARKING

    To get to the CBS Conservatory: 

    The new CBS Conservatory address is 1534 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108 and is located on the University of Minnesota's Saint Paul Campus in the Plant Growth Facilities West 415 West Building. 

    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.

    From Minneapolis via  I 94: use 280 North to the Larpenteur Ave Exit, turn left (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.      

    From the I 94 Snelling Exit North, turn west on Larpenteur Ave., go to Gortner Ave. (stoplights) and turn left (south).

    For an Online map, please use the Interactive Campus Map and search for Plant Growth Facilities West 415, ("CBS Conservatory").

    Parking is generally available in the Gortner Avenue Parking Ramp and at the State Fair Lot.

    There are often metered spaces available on Gortner Avenue directly across from the Cargill Building. Campus Parking Maps

  • CONSERVATORY USE POLICIES

    • Email Jared Rubinstein at rubin097koebl004@umn.edu(link sends e-mail)  at least three weeks in advance of your visit.

    • 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.

    • Move carefully in the greenhouses.

    • Stay on walkways.

    • Video surveillance is in place.

    • Email rubin097@umn.edu with questions.