Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, FL – A Wildlife Experience That Will Make Your Heart Flutter
While there’s no shortage of exciting things to do in Florida, its natural beauty and wildlife are some of the state’s main highlights. From the Everglades to the beautiful beaches, there’s a whole host of ways to appreciate Florida’s great outdoors. But, with so much to admire, it can be easy to forget about the smaller critters around us. That’s where Butterfly World comes in.
Butterfly World is the perfect balance of outdoor adventure paired with a relaxing day with family. From a staggering array of butterflies in their aviaries to a collection of exotic birds for you to befriend, Butterfly World combines beautiful greenery with all the fun of a day at the zoo. Here’s why Butterfly World deserves a top spot on your Florida vacation to-do list!
A Rare Peek Into A Bug’s Life
Butterfly World is one of those rare outings that’s truly fun for the entire family, in part because you can make your visit whatever you want it to be. In the mood for a relaxing stroll through gorgeous natural greenery? You’ll find that here. Eager to learn about bugs and wildlife? Check. Looking to befriend a live butterfly? You’ll definitely get that chance.
It’s an exciting destination whether you’re a butterfly and insect enthusiast, animal lover, gardener, or just love spending a day in the sun rubbing shoulders with some gorgeous animals and beautiful plant life.
There are plenty of things to do at Butterfly World and the surrounding properties, but here are just a handful to get you started:
Butterfly Kisses at the Aviaries
True to its name, the first thing you’ll probably gravitate towards at Butterfly World is their butterfly enclosures – six, to be exact, and you’ll certainly want to experience each one. Step inside the giant screened butterfly aviaries to admire the beautiful creatures as they flutter from plant to plant.
Even if you’re not normally an insect fan, who doesn’t love butterflies? Go on the right day, and if you’re lucky, one might just land on your shoulder. Make sure someone in your group has their phone ready to snap a quick picture for a once-in-a-lifetime photo op that’ll look amazing on your vacation Instagram reel.
You’ll want to take your time here, more than anywhere else. With over twenty thousand live butterflies in a variety of species, take a seat and take it all in. Make a game of finding the wildest-looking butterfly you can find, try identifying different species, or simply sit and reflect on life in this peaceful setting as gorgeous butterflies flutter around you. You’ll feel like you’ve just stepped into a fairyland, surrounded by some of the most beautiful creatures nature has to offer. It’s a moment worth savoring every second of.
Tour the Tropical Flowering Gardens
If a stroll through gorgeous greenery is more your speed, head to the tropical flowering gardens. There, you’ll find just about every tropical plant native to Florida you can think of. Stop and identify species if you like, or simply admire the natural beauty and fresh air.
Make Friends With a Tropical Bird
You probably didn’t hear “Butterfly World” and think you’d get to meet tropical birds there, but you’re in for a pleasant surprise. There’s no shortage of awe-inspiring birds at Butterfly World.
Hand-feed parrots in the Lorikeet Encounter (and make sure your buddy’s ready with a camera to capture the moment!). At Macaw Landing, watch the tropical birds fly high above and show off their colorful plumage for a rare up-close-and-personal experience.
Expand Your Mind at the Butterfly Museum
It’s hard to spend one-on-one time with butterflies without wanting to know more about the beautiful creatures. In the Butterfly Museum, you’ll learn about different butterfly species, their life cycles, and everything that makes the critters tick. It’s a great way to instill a day of nature appreciation with a dose of fun learning.
Brave the Bugs at the Bug Zoo
Embrace all things creepy-crawly as you explore the Bug Zoo. From preserved specimens on display to live insects for you to befriend, you never know what you’ll find! Just make sure to stop and say hi to the huge Silk Moth. You won’t believe such a massive creature of this type can truly be real.
Sip a Java at an Outdoor Café
Tired after an afternoon of awe-inspiring nature? Take a seat at one of Butterfly World’s outdoor cafes, get your caffeine fix, and drink in the natural beauty all around you. The peaceful setting will revitalize you just as much as the coffee will.
Pick Up a Regional Garden Guidebook
It’s hard not to get fired up about butterflies after spending time in the butterfly aviaries. Pick up a regional guidebook to keep the fun going and learn how you can get involved in helping butterflies thrive across the US and Canada. If you want to bring a little of the Butterfly Magic home with you, learn how you can plant a butterfly garden at home!
Gift Shop and Garden Center
This isn’t your typical gift shop. Stop by to find butterflies, hummingbirds, and nature-themed décor, as well as gifts, jewelry, clothing, books, and more. Many items are one-of-a-kind and are only available at this specific gift shop – no cookie-cutter souvenirs here. It makes for an even more intriguing shopping experience that’s definitely worth checking out.
One of the highlights is their selection of Nature’s Beauty artwork. Each piece showcases real preserved butterflies encased in acrylic so their beauty can be admired over and over again.
Then check out their extensive Garden Center, which boasts the largest selection of butterfly gardening plants in the region. Finally, pick up some outdoor decorations to turn your yard and garden into a butterfly paradise.
You can even buy butterfly pupae species native to the region. Pupae are the life cycle stage right before a butterfly gets its wings. So you can raise your pupae and take care of it as it transforms into a beautiful, fluttering butterfly. There’s no better souvenir than that!
Planning Your Visit
Butterfly World can either be a quick morning or afternoon outing; it only takes 2 or 3 hours to tour the whole park if you’re quick. But you can easily make it into an all-day trip, especially if you’re an insect or wildlife enthusiast.
Keep in mind that the park is mostly outdoors, so the weather will affect what kind of experience you’ll have. They have helpful guidelines about how the weather and outdoor temperatures can affect butterfly activity, so be sure to check those as you’re choosing what day to visit. Some visitor’s entire goal will be to entice an active butterfly to land on their shoulder, while others prefer to admire from a distance, so planning ahead matters!
They also often have events and promotions, so keep your eyes peeled for those on their website. Sometimes you can even get a pass for other nearby attractions included with your Butterfly World ticket! A great way to plan more than one adventure.
Has a butterfly ever landed on you? Would you ever raise a butterfly from the pupae stage? Does an entire museum devoted to bugs entice or spook you? Please tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!
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Photo: Pixabay
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