The Butterfly Experience is back at Brookside Gardens, offering visitors a chance to step inside a vibrant, living exhibit filled with hundreds of butterflies from around the world. The seasonal attraction opened Wednesday, April 1 and will run through Monday, September 7, 2026. A video of the experience can be seen below.
Located inside the South Conservatory House, the exhibit features a stunning display of live butterflies from the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Guests can walk among the free-flying insects as they flutter through lush greenery, nectar plants, and colorful blooms in a carefully maintained tropical environment.
The experience traces its roots back to 1997, when it first launched as Wings of Fancy, focusing primarily on native North American butterflies sourced from growers in Texas and Florida. After a pause due to renovations in 2017 and the Covid pandemic, the exhibit returned with a new name and expanded scope. Today, it showcases a much broader range of species, with shipments now sourced from regions across Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. Under current USDA permits, the exhibit can feature up to approximately 275 species.
Each visit offers something slightly different. The exact mix of butterflies changes regularly depending on seasonal availability and shipments from international suppliers. Some of the most elusive species tend to come from Africa, where breeding and transport are more challenging.
Inside the conservatory, staff maintain a steady climate of around 80 degrees to support species from multiple continents. Butterflies are typically most active during warm, sunny conditions, while cloudy or rainy weather often leads them to rest beneath leaves.
On average, about 50 butterflies emerge each day before being released into the exhibit. While visitors cannot see the emergence chamber due to federal regulations, the constant addition of newly emerged butterflies keeps the experience dynamic throughout the season.
The plants inside the conservatory are selected primarily to provide nectar for adult butterflies, along with fresh fruit feeding stations placed throughout the space. Due to USDA guidelines, host plants for caterpillars are not permitted, meaning the exhibit focuses solely on the adult stage of the butterfly lifecycle.
Brookside Gardens staff also carefully manage the exhibit to ensure butterflies remain inside the space. Visitors are checked upon exit to prevent any from inadvertently leaving, especially during busy periods when crowds increase the chance of a butterfly hitching a ride.
Beyond the visual experience, the exhibit is also helping spark broader conservation efforts. A new community science initiative launching this year will involve volunteers tracking native butterfly populations throughout the region, contributing to a better understanding of local species movement and trends.
For those inspired to support butterflies at home, staff say the most impactful step is planting native host and pollinator-friendly plants, along with delaying fall garden cleanup until spring to allow overwintering chrysalises to survive.
Tickets are required for entry and are sold in timed slots to manage capacity and enhance the visitor experience. Pricing is as follows:
• Under age 3: Free
• Ages 3 to 12: $10.99
• Ages 13 and older: $15.99
Advance purchase is strongly recommended, as same-day tickets are limited.
The exhibit is located at the Brookside Gardens Conservatory, about a 10-minute walk from the Visitor Center. Parking is available at both the Visitor Center (1800 Glenallan Ave.) and the Conservatory (1500 Glenallan Ave.).
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