17. Palm Room

Though the picture doesn't do it much justice, the Palm Room is the best spot in Alberta's legislature building.

It holds five palm trees given to Alberta by the state of California in 1932. This is a serene and open space, with grand windows and superb view of the city and the river. It was once used for tea parties, though the layout of the building makes the room difficult to access. After navigating some twisting hallways, to make the door one has to climb a staircase so narrow and irregular that it's hard to imagine making it up without spilling the tea entirely (and forget about the scones).

The center of the room is open, and one can look down to the fountain three floors below. The palm trees are now around 20 feet tall, and the room is empty except for them and their huge silver pots. The Palm Room is mainly used, I think, by the security staff when they're on a smoke break.