By Kate Bartlett
Hundreds of live butterflies take flight in the newly renovated Tropical Orchard for an immersive summer experience at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Tickets are included with admission price, and the experience will be open daily until August 3 from 10am-4pm.
For the first time in its 125-year history, visitors have the opportunity to experience the majesty of butterflies at the Botanical Gardens. The experience allows the public to be surrounded by hundreds of butterflies that are native to the continental United States. Guests can also to learn about the important role that these pollinators play in their ecosystems.
Hundreds of bold and brightly colored butterflies will fly through the exhibit with various species like swallowtails, monarchs, painted ladies, red admirals, and many more. The 1200 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. 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,” said President and CEO, Erin Grajek.
The Tropical Orchard was completely renovated in November 2024 and re-opened in January 2025. 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.
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens notes that their 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.
For more information, visit buffalogardens.com. Pre-purchased e-tickets are required to attend the Botanical Gardens during this time and are available for purchase online. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for students and seniors (62+), $9.50 for kids ages 3-12, and kids 2 and under and Botanical Gardens members are free but must have a ticket. The Butterfly Experience is proudly presented by M&T Bank.
Updates are 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.