Experience the magic of Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale, Arizona—home to the largest butterfly conservatory in the U.S. with 3,000+ butterflies, lush rainforest exhibits, and family-friendly attractions.
Disclosure: We received complimentary tickets to Butterfly Wonderland in exchange for sharing our review with you. All opinions expressed are my own.
Butterfly Wonderland is a gorgeous display of color through butterflies and plant life in a tropical oasis in Scottsdale, Arizona. Featuring the largest butterfly rainforest a large variety of species on flying freely in the butterfly conservatory. The experience of 3000 fluttering butterflies is quite magical!
We found true beauty and peace in the butterflies and flowers in the rainforest at the Butterfly Wonderland. The Butterfly Rainforest is so colorful and calming as you walk around, every turn in a new type of butterfly or plant with gorgeous flowers. In the center of the butterfly conservatory, it features a large waterfall and pond that even has Koi fish. As you explore indoors the experience continues even more with rainforest animals in the reptile, insect, and aquatic animal areas. Plus a food court for when you need to grab a bite.
Click here to learn more about Butterfly Wonderland
Butterfly Wonderland
There’s something so magical about watching a butterfly flying from flower to flower! We visited the Butterfly Wonderland featuring the largest butterfly conservatory in the country with over 3,000 fluttering butterflies. I’m excited to share with you all of the fun exhibits here.
Considered to be the largest butterfly conservatory in the country, this luscious exhibit transports guests of all ages to the rainforest by immersing them in the world of butterflies and other rainforest animals. Live exhibits connect people to nature through a sensory experience that educates and entertains guests for hours.
As you enter the Butterfly Wonderland you emerge into the world of butterflies with a short 3D movie “Flight of the Butterfly” about monarch butterflies’ lifespan and their yearly migration to Mexico.
Once complete you step into an emergence gallery area to experience one of the large amount of live chrysalis on display awaiting for them to emerge into beautiful butterflies and fly freely in the butterfly conservatory. Some of the chrysalis look like gold, others like dried leaves and many had butterflies emerging before our eyes.
There’s even an education cart with hands-on items for the kids to explore, including the shipping containers the chrysalis arrive in, a neat space for visitors to wait their turn to go step into the butterfly world.
One suggestion I would love for them to include in their daily schedule is Butterfly Release time during the day, a favorite feature at our local Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of History.
Entering the butterfly rainforest is quite magical. The entire area is swarming with butterflies you almost don’t know where to start to enjoy the amazement of it all. We did several circles around the whole rainforest and every time was a different experience.
Plan to spend time here to enjoy and observe the mesmerizing experience of it all simply. There were a few benches towards the back, but I wish there were a few more spread out throughout the conservatory.
The sounds of the waterfall in the middle and the mist falling from the sky made a tropical oasis that honestly the kids and I didn’t want to leave. The Native American Flute Music was a special surprise that made it so relaxing.
It was very well-managed crowd control, they don’t let too many visitors in any one space at a time so everyone can enjoy. It was very beautiful and informative including the butterfly, insect, reptile and aquatic exhibits.
TIP: The number of butterflies you see flying around largely depends on the time of day. Mornings are best to see lots of butterflies flying. Later in the afternoon, butterflies tend to settle on trees and bushes, where they are better camouflaged.
The Glass Garden at Butterfly Wonderland
Throughout the garden on display for a limited time is The Glass Garden exhibition of Hand Blown Glass Art by Newt Grover. They were absolutely gorgeous, my pictures don’t do them justice. (Available for limited time on display)
Rainforest Reptiles at Butterfly Wonderland
Butterfly Wonderland has a special exhibit room called Rainforest Reptiles. This Exhibit features reptiles and amphibians that are from all around the world!
Take a glimpse into tropical wetlands, woodlands, and tree canopy habitats of Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and Australia and you’ll discover camouflage experts like the Asian Water Dragonor Green Tree Python. Then explore the Amazon, with Blue and Black Dart Frogs of many brilliant colors, Caiman crocodiles and a Mata-Mata turtle. The next stop is the tropical island of Madagascar – filled with incredible animals including the panther chameleon, tomato frog and giant leaf-tailed geckos.
Animals that dwell above & below the forest floor
Learn about the lesser known, but no less spectacular creatures that call the rainforest their home. Orchid Mantids and scorpions that glow, a giant bird-eater Goliath tarantula, as well as other strange, fascinating and unusual creatures.
Spineless Giants at Butterfly Wonderland
Meet some of our world’s largest arthropods! From moths and butterflies to millipedes and walking sticks. Many of our insect friends have changed very little (except for their size) since prehistoric times.
Tropical Waters of the World at Butterfly Wonderland
Discover underwater treasures from the Amazon in our large, freshwater aquariums that house African Cichlids, Amazon Pacu fish and other colorful exotic fish. My girls enjoyed the education cart with items that they could touch from the ocean.
I suggest spending a couple of hours and then grabbing lunch at one of the fun restaurants (keep your ticket for re-admission) and taking another stroll through the butterfly hatching room (100 chrysalis) and of course back through the garden (probably saw about 50 hatched butterflies if not more).
Click here to learn more about Butterfly Wonderland Tickets
Can’t make it in person? Explore these Butterfly Virtual Field Trips for Kids!
Final Thoughts on Butterfly Wonderland
Our visit to Butterfly Wonderland was truly a magical and peaceful escape into nature. From the moment we stepped into the conservatory surrounded by thousands of butterflies, to exploring the rainforest animals, glass art, and interactive exhibits, it was an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Whether you’re visiting Scottsdale or live nearby, this is a must-see destination that blends beauty, education, and wonder all in one place. We left feeling inspired, relaxed, and full of appreciation for the natural world—and we can’t wait to visit again!
I would encourage you to look into the combo tickets that are available for all of the attractions at the Odysea in the Desert. We did a combo ticket to the OdySea Aquarium to save money. Here’s a peek at our visit.
The Butterfly Wonderland is a treasure in the Arizona desert in Scottsdale. Thanks to Butterfly Wonderland for having us as your guests at this gorgeous location in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Bring Back the Butterflies Resources to help you invite butterflies to your own backyard and help to build a small garden in an effort to reverse the ongoing destruction of butterfly habitats in their local area. Here’s a peek at our Butterfly garden we started in our yard.
Here’s a few butterfly activities to continue your butterfly exploration at home…
