Where: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Oakland.

How far: 15 minutes from Downtown.

How much: For nonmembers:adults, $10; seniors (62 and older) and students with ID, $9; kids 2 to 17, $7. Members and those under 2 free.

Why: Get a blast of warm, wonderful summer in the middle of winter. A new exhibit "Tropical Forest: Headwaters of the Amazon" opens tomorrow with new plants and displays. A special exotic orchid show in stunning colors also is on exhibit through March 8. If these don't turn up the heat enough, there's also the Desert Room, where you'll not only find cacti and succulents but artist Dale Chihuly's Desert Gold Star chandelier. See all the details at phipps.conservatory.org.

Fun factor: 10, because we've had it with winter.