The Butterfly Experience at Brookside Gardens

The Butterflies are Back!

A dazzling display of live butterflies from North America, Costa Rica, Africa and Asia await visitors at Brookside Gardens. Soaring among colorful flowers in the South Conservatory House, hundreds of these enchanting insects delight and amaze visitors with their intricate patterns and delicate aerial flight paths.

Discover the fascinating biology of lepidoptera, the vital role butterflies play in healthy ecosystems and how to ensure these beautiful insects thrive in our own gardens.

The Butterfly Experience at Brookside Gardens runs from April 10, 2025 through September 21, 2025. It is open daily with the following hours:

• April 10 - June 30: 10am - 4pm daily
• July 1 - August 31: 10am - 1pm weekdays, 10am - 4pm weekends
• September 1 - 21: 10am - 4pm daily

Entrance: The Butterfly Show at Brookside Gardens is located in the Conservatory. 

Parking: Parking is available at the Visitor Center (1800 Glenallan Ave.) or at the Conservatory (1500 Glenallan Ave.). Parking at the Conservatory is limited and fills quickly.

Tickets: Tickets must be purchased online. As tickets are limited, advanced purchase is recommended to ensure availability. All visitors are required to have a ticket. Ticket prices are:

• Ages 13+: $14
• Ages 3 - 12: $9
• Under age 3: Free

Tickets are purchased for a specific date and entry time. Please plan to arrive at the Conservatory a few minutes head of your scheduled entry time. 

Arrival: You will receive a digital ticket in your email inbox once your purchase is complete. Remember to check your spam folder if your ticket hasn't arrived within 30 minutes of your purchase. For entry, please have your QR code readily available for our team to scan at the entrance. 

Don't forget to visit the Brookside Gardens' Gift Shop at the Visitor Center to remember your butterfly experience! You can also purchase a hat or water bottle on those hot summer days as you explore the gardens.

Planning your visit:

• All visitors must have a ticket.
• Tickets are timed-entry with a specific date and entrance time for your arrival. Early/late admission is not guaranteed; however we will work to accommodate based on capacity.
• Arrive at the Conservatory a few minutes before your scheduled entrance time and have your QR code ready to be scanned. Each entry time allows for a 20 minute experience which ends at the listed time on each ticket. Therefore it is important to be on time.
• Tickets are non-refundable. You may change the date or time of your tickets on the website by accessing your order (see your confirmation email to "View & Manager Order") and initiating a transfer PRIOR to your ticketed date. Once a date has passed, tickets are non-transferable.
• Strollers are not permitted inside the Conservatory. There is a designated area outside the Conservatory where strollers may be left, however this area is not guarded and Brookside Gardens is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
• Tripods and Monopods are not permitted in The Butterfly Experience during regular business hours.
• Do not bring large bags or backpacks with you as they are not permited in The Butterfly Experience.
• The Conservatory is warmer than the outside air, and more humid. We encourage visitors to stay hydrated. Water bottles are available for purchase at the Gift Shop in the Visitor Center and can be filled at the fill station there. Open containers (such as cups of coffee) are not permitted inside The Butterfly Experience.
• Re-entry is not permitted, however visitors can purchase additional tickets at later timeslots to visit again.