Travel Journal: Glorious Gardens

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Michigan's Glorious Gardens

If you're eagerly waiting for those May flowers to bloom, get your floral fix ahead of time at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, in Ann Arbor. Its all-glass conservatory can be enjoyed even when there's an April shower. Inside, lush tropical vegetation is on display, with an orchid exhibit that changes weekly. Also check out the painstakingly pruned bonsai trees. Just beyond the conservatory lie several acres of formal gardens and more than 10 miles of walking trails (www.mbgna.umich.edu; admission to the outdoor gardens is free, a donation is suggested for the conservatory). After your visit, you'll find this college town has plenty to hold your attention. Hungry? Head to Zingerman's Delicatessen, an Ann Arbor institution that serves fat pastrami sandwiches (www.zingermans.com). Stay the night at Weber's Inn, which has a four-story atrium and a pool (www.webersinn.com; rates start at $75 a night).

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