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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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.