Butterfly Pavilion is the world’s first stand-alone, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited non-profit invertebrate zoo, located at 6252 W 104th Ave in Westminster, Colorado, just 15 minutes north of downtown Denver along the U.S. Highway 36 corridor. Founded in July 1995, the 30,000-square-foot facility combines a glass-enclosed tropical rainforest conservatory housing 1,600 free-flying butterflies with interactive marine, terrestrial, and native Colorado invertebrate galleries. Visitors come to walk beneath fluttering morphos and swallowtails, hold a gentle Chilean rose hair tarantula named Rosie, touch live intertidal sea stars, and explore 11 acres of outdoor prairie gardens fronting Big Dry Creek.
What to Expect at Butterfly Pavilion
The centerpiece of the facility is Wings of the Tropics, a climate-controlled 7,200-square-foot glass conservatory kept warm and humid year-round to support lush tropical foliage and roughly 1,600 butterflies representing dozens of species sustainably farmed in Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Winding stone pathways lead past waterfalls, nectar-rich hibiscus and lantana blooms, and the Chrysalis Viewing Window, where visitors watch newly emerged butterflies pump fluid into their wings before staff release them into the atrium during daily scheduled flights. Before exiting the conservatory, guests pass through a double-door vestibule with mirrors to check clothing and bags for hitchhiking butterflies.
Beyond the rainforest, the indoor galleries examine spineless creatures across diverse biomes. In Crawl-A-See-Um, educators introduce visitors to giant African millipedes, scorpions that glow under ultraviolet light, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, and the zoo’s signature ambassador, Rosie the Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula, whom guests of all ages can hold in their open palms. Guests can also book a private 30-minute encounter with Goldie the Golden Knee Tarantula. Adjacent galleries include Water’s Edge, featuring cold-water Pacific Northwest and Atlantic intertidal touch tanks with sea stars, anemones, and horseshoe crabs, and Colorado Backyard, an indoor play and discovery zone accompanied by outdoor nature trails along the Big Dry Creek open space.
- Wings of the Tropics Conservatory: Walk through an indoor tropical rainforest filled with 1,600 free-flying butterflies, including electric-blue morphos, owl butterflies, and paper kites, plus a live chrysalis emergence chamber.
- Hold Rosie the Tarantula in Crawl-A-See-Um: Overcome arachnid fears with guided, hands-on opportunities to hold a docile Chilean rose hair tarantula or book a 30-minute VIP encounter with Goldie the Golden Knee Tarantula.
- Water’s Edge Touch Tanks: Dip your hands into chilled saltwater tide pools under staff guidance to gently touch sea stars, sea urchins, hermit crabs, and Atlantic horseshoe crabs.
- Colorado Backyard & Outdoor Nature Trail: Explore an indoor-outdoor habitat zone with honeybee observation hives, burrowing themes for young children, and native pollinator gardens overlooking the Front Range.
- Seasonal Monarch Magic & Pollinator Programs: Experience themed seasonal exhibits such as November’s Monarch Magic, daily chrysalis releases, and invertebrate feeding talks included with admission.
Butterfly Pavilion at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 6252 W 104th Ave, Westminster, CO 80020 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Westminster Promenade / U.S. 36 Corridor |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Timed entry; last admission at 4:15 PM) |
| Admission / Price Range | Paid timed-entry tickets ($–$$); discounts for Westminster residents, seniors, and children under 12; children under 2 free |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free on-site surface parking lot; RTD Route 104W bus or US 36 & Sheridan Flatiron Flyer station |
| Official Website & Phone | butterflies.org | +1 303-469-5441 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Butterfly Pavilion operates on a timed-entry system seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; booking tickets in advance via the official Plan Your Visit page guarantees your preferred entry window, especially on weekend mornings and school holidays. Arrive between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM when natural morning sunlight warms the glass roof of the conservatory, triggering peak butterfly flight activity, or time your route around the daily chrysalis release. Wear bright solid colors—red, yellow, orange, or pink—if you want butterflies to mistake you for a flower and land on your shoulders, and dress in layers so you can shed jackets inside the warm, humid conservatory.
Located just off the 104th Avenue exit on U.S. Highway 36 (the Denver-Boulder Turnpike), the facility offers a large, free surface parking lot with designated accessible spaces right outside the main entrance. The entire single-level indoor building and conservatory paths are step-free and wheelchair- and stroller-friendly, and sensory-friendly backpacks with noise-reducing headphones are available at the front desk. After your visit, walk across the parking lot to the Westminster Promenade for lakeside dining and family entertainment, stroll the paved Big Dry Creek Trail directly behind the pavilion, or head five minutes south to the Westminster City Park Recreation Center and Standley Lake Regional Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Butterfly Pavilion’s hours and the best time of day to visit?
Butterfly Pavilion is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the final entry time slot at 4:15 PM. Late morning between 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM offers the highest butterfly activity inside the Wings of the Tropics conservatory, especially on sunny Colorado days when warmth filters through the glass ceiling.
Do I need advance tickets, and how much does admission cost?
Timed-entry tickets are required and can be reserved online through the official Hours & Admission page. General admission falls in the affordable $–$$ range, with reduced rates for children ages 2–12, seniors 65+, and Westminster residents, while children under age 2 enter free.
How much time should I budget for a visit to Butterfly Pavilion?
Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2.5 hours exploring the indoor galleries, holding Rosie the tarantula, touching marine invertebrates at Water’s Edge, and walking through the butterfly conservatory. Families who walk the outdoor nature trails along Big Dry Creek or book a private 30-minute Tarantula Encounter should allow up to 3 hours.
Is Butterfly Pavilion accessible for strollers and wheelchairs?
Yes, all indoor exhibition halls, touch tanks, restrooms, and the winding pathways inside the Wings of the Tropics rainforest conservatory are step-free and fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Guests can also check out free sensory-support kits at the admissions desk.
When planning your Thornton travel guide or comparing verified attractions and event venue in Thornton, pair this stop with standout local spots including Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, Chuze Fitness, and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Denver – Westminster (3.8 km away).
