Live 'Butterfly Experience' at Botanical Gardens

Hundreds of live butterflies take flight in newly renovated tropical orchard for an immersive summer experience

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Press Release & Photos

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens' new “Butterfly Experience” opens this weekend and will be open daily from June 7 to Aug. 3. Hundreds of live butterflies have taken flight in their newly renovated tropical orchard. The live butterfly exhibit will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at buffalogardens.com.

This weekend, the “Butterfly Experience,” presented by M&T Bank, welcomes visitors near and far to immerse themselves into the winged world of butterflies inside the Botanical Gardens' historic conservatory. For the first time in its 125-year history, visitors will be able to get up close and personal with a flock of live butterflies, flying high, low, here and there. The experience allows the public to be surrounded by hundreds of butterflies that are native to the continental U.S. to capture the beauty and magic of the butterflies while also learning about the important role that these pollinators play in their ecosystems. The experience will open Saturday, June 7, and will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sunday, Aug. 3.

Hundreds of bold and brightly colored butterflies will fly through the exhibit with various species like swallowtails, monarchs, painted ladies and red admirals. The 1,200-square-foot tropical orchard greenhouse will be home to the butterflies as well as dozens of fruit-producing and nectar-rich plants and flowers for them to feed on. The space will also feature a pupa display, known as an emergence case, that gives visitors an inside look at the beginning of their journey at the Botanical Gardens. Here, visitors will have to chance to see the butterflies emerge from their chrysalides as they make their way into their home.

The “Butterfly Experience” has been developing for many years, and the Botanical Gardens is excited to make this dream a reality for the first time this summer.

"We are ecstatic to share the news of our ‘Butterfly Experience’ with our community, and we look forward to seeing the magic that transpires for visitors,” President and CEO Erin Grajek said. “As part of our ongoing expansion and renovation project, this brand-new experience provides our visitors with a chance to learn about butterflies, the plants they need to survive, and encapsulates our mission. We hope we have created a new summer tradition for our community and beyond.”

“M&T Bank is proud to partner with the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens to bring this extraordinary ‘Butterfly Experience’ to life," said Don Elick, M&T Charitable Foundation regional manager. "At M&T, we are committed to fostering meaningful connections within our communities through enriching, immersive experiences. This exhibit offers visitors the awe-inspiring beauty of hundreds of butterflies up close while providing a memorable opportunity to engage with nature. We are honored to support a new tradition that will captivate, educate and inspire for years to come.”

The tropical orchard was completely renovated in November and reopened in January. The greenhouse features a new collection of fruiting plants from around the world – and also opened up two previously inaccessible doors with new, large winding pathways and lush garden beds. The renovation and pathways literally and figuratively opened new doors for the Botanical Gardens to be able to provide an expansive space and an environment for the butterflies to thrive in and make their home.

Visitors should arrive at the time listed on their ticket. Once checked in, visitors will be directed through the conservatory to enjoy 12 greenhouses. The overall visit time is expected to be between one hour and 90 minutes. The expected time in the butterfly space will be approximately 15 minutes. This window will provide plenty of time to see the butterflies and capture the magic of this special encounter with candid photos and selfies, and guests are permitted to reenter the exhibit during their visit.

While touching, holding or picking up the butterflies is not permitted, there is a chance that they briefly land on visitors, making for an exciting photo opportunity.

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens also notes the butterflies are sourced from USDA certified butterfly farms in Florida, Kentucky and South Carolina. Their butterflies have been raised specifically for educational purposes. The Botanical Gardens has provided a full list of what visitors can expect, guidelines, policies and more at buffalogardens.com.

More updates have been, and will continue to be, shared with the public through the Botanical Gardens' social media channels on Facebook and Instagram, and guests are encouraged to follow for updates, and post their own content and tagging @buffalobotanicalgardens and using the hashtag #FlutterbyBuffalo.

Prepurchased e-tickets are required to attend the Botanical Gardens during this time, as the “Butterfly Experience” is included with regular admission. Walk-ins or those that arrive late to their scheduled ticket time may be asked to wait or reschedule their tickets.