Did you know that butterflies taste with their feet? Or that the fastest they fly is 12 miles per hour. If you are interested in this beautiful insect, why not check out the prettiest butterfly gardens around the country. From one to a flutter (which is what a group of butterflies is called), these spots will have you marveling at these beautiful flyers.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles currently has hundreds of free-flying butterflies at their seasonal Butterfly Pavilion, which is open through September 2. The exhibit features 20 species of butterflies native to California as well as subtropical varieties from Florida and Texas. This is a lovely outdoor exhibit and visitors should note that the butterflies will grow and change as the season progresses, so you’re always seeing a different exhibit. For more information visit nhm.org.
The museum is about an hour’s drive from Soledad Canyon RV Campground
Sturbridge RV Resort
Nearly 4,000 domestic and exotic butterflies can be seen at the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens located in Deerfield, Massachusetts. This indoor conservatory is open daily (except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 8,000-square foot conservatory mimics a tropical rain forest so the butterflies definitely fly freely here and have been known to alight on visitors! A truly magical experience. Visit magicwings.com for admission prices and more information.
Magic Wings is about 60 miles from Sturbridge RV Campground
The Cockrell Butterfly Center, which is part of The Houston Museum of Natural Science, provides a stunning, educational experience for visitors that includes a walk through a three-story glass structure which serves as the tropical habitat for hundreds of butterflies. The Rainforest Conservatory includes tropical plants and a 50-foot waterfall in which butterflies flutter freely around. The Brown Hall of Entomology provides several exhibits that provide an in-depth look at arthropods that includes the Chrysalis Corner where visitors can see the remarkable transformation of a butterfly. For information visit hmns.org.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is about an hour’s drive from Lake Conroe RV Campground
Pine Country RV & Camping Resort
More than 40 species of butterflies fly freely in the 2,700 square-foot greenhouse at the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, which is part of Chicago’s Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Experience the thousands of butterflies that make their home here and don’t miss the daily First Flight Release, at 2 p.m., where newly emerged butterflies are released into the Haven. Visit naturemuseum.org for more information.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is approximately 75 miles from Pine Country RV Campground
Gettysburg Farm
Pennsylvania’s Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary features a “flutterarium” where the butterflies fly free and also provides visitors an opportunity to hand feed butterflies. The Sanctuary opens April 23 but the big event is set for May 25-27 when the Sanctuary hosts “Welcome the Butterflies Back”, which is open to the public and promises all kinds of activities and educational events. For information visit bearmountainbutterflies.com.
Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary is about 80 miles from Gettysburg Farm RV Campground
To search for butterfly gardens in other states, visit www.butterflywebsite.com or www.thebutterflysite.com. To find a campground near a butterfly haven, visit www.thousandtrails.com and make your reservation today!
