Butterfly Conservatory

Step inside one of the largest glass-enclosed butterfly conservatories in North America and discover a tropical garden oasis. The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory features over 2,000 vibrantly coloured butterflies fluttering freely throughout winding pathways adorned with lush vegetation and trickling waterfalls. Your self-guided walking tour begins with a short, informative video presentation.

Year Round
Approximate Duration (60 min.) (varies)
Accessible
Self-guided Experience

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Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Butterfly Conservatory

Guests to the Butterfly Conservatory will now have the chance to take part in a new behind-the-scenes tour to learn more about everything that goes into housing the over 2,000 free-flying tropical butterflies at North America’s largest conservatory of its kind.

For the first time, explore the back-of-house infrastructure and discover where the butterflies come from, how they are transported to the conservatory and how they are cared for by our entomology staff once they arrive. The experience also includes the unique opportunity to tour the four greenhouse facilities that support both the Butterfly Conservatory and the Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture.

In the summer, tours are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. As of September 5, tours will be offered at 2pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Additional tour times may be added based on demand. Guided tours are purchased as an add-on to regular admission for an additional $10. Note that tour sizes are limited to a maximum of 10 people.

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Yours to Explore

Make your way through 180 metres of meandering pathways surrounded by towering tropical plants and gorgeous blooms. This tropical oasis is yours to explore! You’ll find feeding trays where butterflies gather for an up-close look, specially curated blooms that attract these fascinating creatures, and a picturesque waterfall creating a virtual rain forest atmosphere.

The Emergence Window

Experience a fascinating stage of the butterfly’s life cycle at the emergence window. Various species of butterfly, in their pupae stage, hang in this enclosed space. If you’re lucky, you might even see a butterfly emerge from its pupa, hanging to dry its wings before its first flight.

An architectural marvel

The Butterfly Conservatory was built in 1996. It remains the largest facility of its kind in North America. It quickly became a "must-see" attraction and has since welcomed millions of guests to explore and learn about the delicate beauty and fascinating lifecycles of butterflies in a tropical paradise environment. The facility includes an 11,000 square foot conservatory, video theatres, interactive displays and is also the teaching facility for the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture. It also includes laboratories and specialized greenhouses for rearing butterflies and growing plants.

Recognition for the Butterfly Conservatory

In 2020, the Butterfly Conservatory was selected by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the National Trust for Canada Prix du XXe Siècle jury to receive the 2020 Prix du XXe Siècle Award of Excellence. The award celebrates design quality, as well as enduring excellence, recognizing buildings that continue to be used as designs or that have successfully accommodated new uses without being altered in ways that detract from the original intent.