What an amazing place. At first I was thinking $23 to see butterflies are you kidding me? But after spending a couple hours inside this magical place, it was well worth every penny.
We arrived shortly after they opened at 9 on a cool Friday and started our visit with a short 3D movie that showcases the amazing migration monarch butterflies take each year-really well done.
Next we entered a room where a variety of bitterly cocoons hung that were near to hatching. We even saw one hatch before our eyes,
Next we entered a large gymnasium-sized room that was warm and humid-an indoor rain forest of sorts- with lots of flowering trees and thousands of brightly colored butterflies of all sizes fluttering around. We had to watch where we stepped as some were perched on the ground in sunbeams filtering in through the glass-topped roof.
We spent well over an hour watching and taking pictures of so many beautiful species. Later a 2nd grade field trip showed up which added a bit of frenzy to the peaceful setting but it was still wonderful. You can stay as long as you wish inside. When you are ready to leave you enter a small quarantine room to make sure no butterflies are tagging along on your back in an attempted jail break.
There are also some other exhibits with bugs, reptiles and fish, but we skipped those and the gift shop.
A great place to spend an hour or two.
Highly recommended