Iowa Girl on the Go

Those of us lucky enough to live in Ames and work at Iowa State often take for granted the special places on campus.

Reiman Gardens is one of those places. I go there often enough, mostly in the spring and summer, that I don’t think to visit there in the winter. But that’s a mistake, because there’s plenty to see there right now. Garden hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day); each Thursday in December the Gardens are open until 8 p.m., and admission is free after 4:30.

Now is a great time to see the holiday display “Snug as a Bug” in the Conservatory and shop for unique holiday gifts in the gift shop. The butterfly wing is another great place to visit during the winter because it’s toasty warm in there! The Conservatory displays change frequently. The current holiday display features oversized luna moths, orchids, poinsettias, decorated evergreens, lilies, and other spectacular blooms.

Farm House Museum is another interesting place on campus to visit during the holidays. This year the theme was “Greenery Galore: An 1880s Farm House Christmas.” The exhibit featured 19th Century Santa Claus prints, vintage Christmas trees, and other yuletide decorations.