Something Completely Different From the Falls
After my cousin Joleen and I had seen just about everything on our Niagara Falls list, we found ourselves with a little extra time. We decided to visit the Butterfly Conservatory, and I’m glad we did. It was a nice change of pace from the crowds and activity around the falls.
Located at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, the conservatory is home to more than 2,000 butterflies from around 45 different species.
Walking Among the Butterflies
The conservatory is filled with tropical plants and a pathway that winds through all the greenery. As you walk along, butterflies are flying everywhere. They aren’t behind glass, and you don’t have to search for them. They’re right there with you, and some will even land on your arm or back and stay for a while.
I loved being able to see them so close. Some were tiny, some were brightly colored, and others had patterns I probably never would have noticed from a distance. You never knew what was going to fly past you next.
You do have to watch where you step. The butterflies sometimes land right on the pathway, and you definitely don’t want to step on one!
There was also a viewing chamber where you could see butterflies emerging from their chrysalises. If you caught one at just the right time, you could watch it emerge.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
You can buy your tickets when you get there, so we didn't need to plan ahead. We spent about an hour and a half at the conservatory, which gave us plenty of time to walk through.
Since we didn’t have a car, we used the WEGO bus to get there. WEGO is a hop-on, hop-off bus system serving Niagara Falls. You can find route maps and information about the different passes on its website. Our hotel actually gave us a free one-day pass to use during our stay. If you do have a car, there is paid parking on-site.
Worth the Stop?
Absolutely. Niagara Falls is obviously the reason most people visit. After all the rushing water, mist, crowds and big attractions around the falls, though, the Butterfly Conservatory was a completely different experience. It was quieter, slower and just really pretty.
This is definitely not just an adult stop. There were plenty of kids there when we visited, and they seemed to enjoy it every bit as much as the adults. There were also interactive activities for kids and plenty of information about butterflies for everyone. Watching butterflies fly right past you—or possibly land on you—is pretty fun no matter how old you are.
Been There. Walked with butterflies. Loved That.