Niagara Falls is a short 3 1/2 hours away for us, so it’s great for a weekend getaway. One place that I’d always wanted to visit was the Butterfly Conservatory, located at 2565 Niagara Parkway on the grounds of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, so one weekend, Dennis and I decided to drive up.
We started out on a Saturday morning in June and crossed the Peace Bridge in Buffalo. You can use the Rainbow Bridge at the Falls, but usually it’s more crowded. American citizens ages 16 and up need a passport; those under 16 only need certified copies of their birth certificate unless traveling without a parent or guardian.
After a stop in Niagara-on-the-Lake for lunch and a little shopping, we headed down the parkway towards the falls. It’s only about a 20 minute drive (about 10 miles). The gardens are open from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. this time of year, but the Butterfly Conservatory is usually only open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. (8:00 p.m. on Saturdays). Admission is $15.00 (Canadian, of course) for adults ages 13 and up and $9.75 for children ages 6-12. Children, toddlers, and babies ages 0-5 are free. It is also wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly. There is a restaurant/snack bar on the premises and a gift shop. Be sure to check the current hours and prices before you go.
Following a short
film, visitors enter the glass-domed conservatory for self-guided tours. Over 2000 butterflies flit from feeders to flowers, fluttering through the air, delighting tourists of all ages as they follow the winding path. The beautiful surroundings include a variety of tropical plants and landscape features like waterfalls and rocks. It’s a place to observe, relax, and let your worries float away.
For more information, visit the Niagara Parks website here. To learn whether you’ll need passports for your family to visit the Butterfly Conservation, click here to read the border requirements for U.S. citizens.
I’ve only visited Niagara Falls once, and we didn’t hit the conservatory. I think a return trip may be in order.
I had been to Niagara falls but I had no idea about this butterfly conservatory. I would love to visit when I visit Niagara falls next time. Adding to my travel list. Thanks for sharing.
Ahhh! I had no idea about this butterfly conservatory in Niagra Falls! I will be adding this on the list..we love butterflies 💕
I will sure make it a point to visit this on my next trip to Niagara falls. seems like fun
Sounds like a wonderful time! Butterflies are such gorgeous little creatures! I once went to a butterfly conservatory overseas but it was during my childhood, so I would definitely like to go to one now!
-Madi xo | http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com
Butterflies are beautiful but personally, I think seeing so many of them at once might scare me a little…but i think visiting this place is something i should try. I might scream at first but trust me ,I’ll get over it
I love places like this! We have one here as well and I could stay for hours looking at all the amazing butterflies.
I love butterfly conservatories! We have a few here in az and they are always a fun time!
I never knew about these butterfly conservatory near Niagra Falls! I have been to many other butter fly parks in different parts of the world. They are usually wonderful! It must be so cool to live near the Niagara Falls.
Lovely photos – vibrant colours and happy faces. I can see a butterfly sitting on your arm. In my culture, that means you are going to hear good news soon.
All my friends keep talking about how wonderful the Niagara experience is. Your post gives me the strong resolve to visit soon.
Awesome! We have s butterfly conservatory here in Houston and it is so neat! The one at the Audobon Insectarium in NOLA is amazing too.
Niagara Falls is about six hours from us. We went there last summer on the way home to Michigan from New York. It’s an amazing place and the best falls I have ever been!
I bet it’s so magical! We have a butterfly conservatory near us, but we have never actually visited. I think we need to change that, and we of course need to visit Niagara Falls.
Aaaaand now I need to go to Niagra Falls. lol This trip sounds extremely enjoyable. I think I have a friend who went with his wife and they had blast. And as an amateur entomologist, I’d definitely enjoy being around all those butterflies!
Oh my word. This is now at the top of my must-see list! This sounds like such an amazing place to visit.
Great post and experience !. Nothing beats getting close to mother nature at it’s finest.
We have a butterfly conservatory close to us as well and it is just the most magical place!! Reading your post reminds me I should bring my kiddos there in the near future. Thanks for sharing!
seems cool to live near Niagara Falls. I have visited once when I was young. Not going to lie, being around all of those butterflies would freak me out!
I’ve been to Niagara Falls so many times but never knew about these butterflies. Thanks!
My parents and I are thinking about going to Canada this Summer, so hopefully we can go see this.
Next time i go to Canada, I will have to go there!
Looks like a very fun place to be!
butterflies are so small but are really pretty.
I love Butterfly’s a lot. LoL
wowie sounds fun
I went to Canada maybe four or five years ago with my grandparents. I didn’t do much though, I got to look at the falls and around malls and such. It’s cool to know about the Butterfly Conservatoy. If I go again I’ll definitely check it out the next time I go!
The Niagara Falls seems like it would be a fun place to go to cause it has butterflies and i like butterflies. I want to go there on time cause it seems like it would be cool.
This is SO cool! We’ve been in butterfly tents before and I’m always terrified that my small kids are going to trample them, but they end up being so gentle. There’s just something instinctive to treat them delicately because they’re so amazing!
I had no idea that Niagara Falls had a Butterfly Conservatory, that is so cool. We have one here in GA at Callaway Gardens that we love to visit, but I to see the varieties in Canada would be pretty neat. Plus my husband has never been to Niagara so I got to take him 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experience about this beautiful place. This sound really wonderful and I also love to see butterflies.
OMG this sounds like so much fun. I absolutely love butterflies. This sounds like a beautiful and relaxing place to visit.
Wow! You’re lucky that you live so close!! I’m super jealous, & definitely have to put this on my bucket list!