CityBuddy
Butterfly Wonderland
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings are best, when crowds are smallest and staff often restock feeders for good photo ops. Cooler months make the conservatory more comfortable, but butterflies are active year-round.
Budget tips
General admission is typically $20–$25 for adults, with lower child and senior rates; check the official website for current prices and online combo tickets with nearby attractions to save money. No regular free days, and infants under 2 are usually free.
Recommended for
Families, Photography enthusiasts, Nature lovers, School and educational groups
Plan your visit
1-2 hours
About
Quick facts: Walk through a living rainforest where hundreds of vividly colored butterflies flutter around you, often landing on sunlit shoulders or camera lenses. Conservation programs at the site rear more than 3,000 butterflies each year, including rare tropical species that sip nectar from orchids and citrus blossoms.
Highlights: Step into a 10,000-square-foot glass atrium, humidity and the sweet scent of damp leaves wrap around you as monarch orange and jewel-toned morphos flash by. A daily behind-the-scenes ritual lets staff move chilled pupae into warm racks so visitors can watch 20-30 fresh adults emerge, unfold their wings, and take flight within an hour.
Insider tips
- Wear breathable layers and comfortable shoes, the conservatory is warm and humid.
- Bring a telephoto or macro lens and use a fast shutter speed for crisp shots of fluttering wings.
- Start in the emergence gallery to see chrysalides hatch, then move into the main atrium before crowds build.
- Avoid peak weekend afternoons, instead visit weekdays or right after opening to dodge school groups.
Book a FREE walking tour in Scottsdale, United States
The best way to experience a city with a local tour guide.
Tip: We strongly recommend a free walking tour on your first day to get to know the city with a local guide. They usually cover all main attractions and you can ask for personal recommendations based on your interests for the next days. Book early as spaces fill up fast!
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