2017 Convention – Trips

Gesneriads Gone Wild!
July 4 to July 8, 2017

Monday, July 3 – In 2014, The website TripAdvisor announced the top 25 zoos in the world. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo topped that list, beating the San Diego Zoo (#2) and the St. Louis Zoo (#4). But what makes our zoo so special?

We feature the largest cat complex in North America; the world’s largest glazed geodesic dome, which houses the world’s largest indoor desert biome above ground; the world’s largest nocturnal exhibits – the Kingdom of the Night below ground; and the Lied Jungle, which has the world’s largest indoor rainforests. How do we boast such huge honors? A quick reminder that Omaha, Nebraska is the headquarters for none other than the Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company – a name you might remember from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom!

The Henry Doorly Zoo began in 1894 as Riverview Park and by 1898 had over 120 diverse species of animals. In 1963, Margaret Hitchcock Doorly donated $750,000 to the zoo with the stipulation that it be named after her late husband. Thus the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium was named. Over one million attendees from all over the world come to Omaha to visit our zoo. As a city, we take great pride in that.

On Monday, July 3, convention attendees will get the chance to see all the reasons why our zoo continues to be a popular destination. This will be an all-day event with a catered picnic lunch, tickets to the Imax theater, and rides on the tram, train, carousel, and Skyfari. Come join this fun kickoff trip at our 2017 Gesneriad Society Convention!

Tuesday, July 4 – Situated on the bluffs along the west bank of the Missouri River, Lauritzen Botanical Gardens covers a little over 100 acres of four-season horticultural exhibits. Founded in 1982 by Helena Street (the former Omaha World Herald Garden Parade columnist) and five other individuals, continuous improvements and additional gardens have been added over the last 30-plus years, including a rose garden, hosta garden, and children’s garden.

We’ll ride the tram through the gardens, allowing us to explore these ever-expanding displays without expending too much energy. It’s often said that you could spend a whole day in the gardens and still not get to experience all that Lauritzen has to offer.

Some of the newer displays include The Sunpu Castle Gate and Mt. Fuji replica, a tree peony garden, The Garden of Memories, and a Victorian/English “hidden” garden. In the spring, the garden boasts many varieties of magnolias, redbud trees, and thousands of blooming bulbs of hundreds of varieties. Fortunately during our convention, the Song of the Lark Meadow should be in full bloom, affording us the experience of visiting a true Nebraska prairie filled with wildflowers and native grasses.

We hope you will join us all for what promises to be a beautiful tour!