See New England butterflies and
tropical species from all over
the world. Walk along a winding
pathway. Observe butterflies
sipping from flowers, basking in
the sunshine and flying freely
in a natural habitat. Enjoy our
koi fish and quail birds which
live among the butterflies.
Visit the “show and tell bench”
where a staff member is always
available to answer your
questions and help make your
visit fun. See eggs,
caterpillars or other
interesting creatures up close.
Visit
the Observation Area!
Watch a 15 minute, continuously
running video which explains the
butterfly life cycle and shares
fun facts. Explore exhibits
where you may observe eggs,
caterpillars, cocoons and
chrysalides. Each display gives
information about the species
featured.
Visit
our Gift Shop!
Take home a Butterfly Hatching
Kit so that you can hatch and
release your own live butterfly
or moth. We make it easy and
fun! We also offer gift
certificates and a wide range of
unique butterfly-themed gifts,
jewelry, books, inexpensive
souvenirs, and educational
materials. Many of our most
popular items are also available
online.
Enjoy
your visit!
Parking at The Butterfly Place
is free and plentiful. All areas
are handicapped accessible, and
strollers are welcomed and
encouraged. The butterfly flight
area is kept at 80-85 degrees as
butterflies need warmth to fly.
Dress appropriately. There is
air conditioning in all other
areas. Most visitors spend about
one hour to enjoy their visit.
Your admission is valid for the
entire day, so you may “come and
go” as you please. There is no
place to eat inside. The
Butterfly Place does offer an
outdoor picnic area, where there
is a covered tent available from
April through the end of the season (see schedule). In
addition, there are nearby
places to go for coffee, lunch
or ice cream. Don’t forget
your camera!
Home of the Butterfly Hatching Kit
A gift of anticipation for your home, preschool or school! Each kit contains
2 Painted Lady Caterpillars in vials with food and complete instructions.
Available late March - September 30th, although we offer an option that may be
purchased year round, with a coupon that may be redeemed for the caterpillars
when they are in season.
Butterfly Hatching Kits provide a great educational experience that younger children in particular will want to witness again and again. The magical metamorphosis is sure to fascinate and be long remembered.
Children (and adults!) will learn about the life cycle of the
Painted Lady Butterfly with our kits. They will get to watch the daily
transformation from the egg state all the way through the final
metamorphosis to the adult butterfly. The process takes about 3 weeks.
Once the butterflies emerge from their cocoons, or pupae, the children should watch them for a day or two before they are released into the wild. Children will also be pleased to know that they are helping to save a butterfly species.
In either a home or school setting, children will learn some basic responsibilities – as well as a respect and appreciation for pets, wildlife and other living things – that might be instilled and applied more broadly as part of their daily lives. All in all, our Butterfly Hatching Kits provide a wonderful – and inexpensive – learning experience!
