Three-story glass conservatory filled with tropical plants and hundreds of live butterflies fluttering freely in a rainforest environment.
General Information
Last entry at 5:30pm
Children (3–11): $12
Seniors (62+): $12
Military (with ID): $12
Infants (2 and under): Free
Members: Free
How to Get There
Take I-45 South from downtown Houston, exit at Hermann Park/Calumet, and follow signs to the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Overview
The Cockrell Butterfly Center is a living exhibit nestled within the Houston Museum of Natural Science, offering a lush, immersive experience that transports visitors into a tropical rainforest teeming with life. Inside its soaring glass conservatory, guests can walk among hundreds of free-flying butterflies from around the world, surrounded by exotic plants, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant flowers. The center also features the Brown Hall of Entomology, where visitors can explore interactive exhibits and larger-than-life insect models that highlight the fascinating world of arthropods.
Beyond its visual splendor, the Cockrell Butterfly Center serves as an educational hub, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity and conservation. Guests can witness the butterfly life cycle up close, from chrysalis to first flight, and even participate in butterfly releases. With its blend of science, beauty, and hands-on learning, the center is a favorite destination for families, nature lovers, and curious minds of all ages.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Cockrell Butterfly Center, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
