The Cockrell butterfly center is a part of the Houston museum of natural science, but requires separate admission tickets ($15 per person). We bought tickets in advance as it is timed entry to control traffic flow within the exhibit and conservatory, which I think really improves the experience. I recommend going earlier in the day to avoid crowds. Tickets include admission to the Hall of Entomology / a kid friendly exhibit. My kids really enjoyed the interactive elements of this area and learned a lot about insects. They were even able to touch and feel a millipede. But the main attraction is the Rainforest Conservatory, a 3 story glass enclosure which feels like a tropical rainforest. There are several species and thousands of butterflies in this stunning space. My kids enjoyed spotting and identifying them. They also enjoyed seeing a green python, which was a cool bonus. We had an amazing time here and highly recommend it as a family friendly activity for all ages. read more

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Very cool place. Very well designed and obviously lots of butterflies. Having grown up in South Florida with a place called butterfly world, this was still noticeably better. I cannot say enough about how cool it was for what it is. It's exhibits about bugs and then a ton of moths and butterflies. My only hesitation is that that is all that is. The museum it's attached to is odd in that so many things are add on tickets. They should just charge more and combine it all and then it would Be five stars...it just ended up being a very expensive day as we added things on. read more

The Cockrell Butterfly Center is located in the same building as the Museum of Natural Science. It has a separate entrance and admission and entries are timed as only a limited number of people are allowed in the center. Pricing is $15 and they open at 10am every day. The center has an interactive hall of entomology as well as a kid friendly space to explore. However the main thing to see here is a giant 3 story glass house with a tropical rainforest. There's even a 50 foot waterfall. Over 50 species of butterflies are in the rainforest conservatory. Overall this is a must visit stop when coming to the Museum District. The variety of butterflies is impressive and it was fun seeing them in their natural habitat. read more

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If you're a sucker for blue monarch butterflies like I am, this is the place to visit. Inside they have three floors, and all of them are worthy of seeing. There are caves and a waterfall, along with humidity to create a nice, warm environment for them to fly around freely. read more

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I love it! We took with us my 3 year old godson, so I didn't have as much time to admire the butterflies as I normally would. Despite the brief visit, I plan to return soon to explore more. We purchased the tickets directly from their official website, which made the entire process quick and straightforward during our visit. read more

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Love the butterfly center! There is no other place like it. There are so many different types of butterflies. The butterfly area is very peaceful. My grandson really enjoyed the inside before the actual butterflies. He did some interactive things and saw some different types of insects. They even had chrysalis which you can watch butterflies emerge from if you are lucky. My grandson even got to touch a millipede. read more

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The museum and the exhibit itself is very cool. Lots of beautiful butterflies and a small educational exhibit on insects which my kids loved. Their staff on the other hand is less than welcoming. Not sure if they are paid poorly but my goodness so RUDE. And multiple of them. We're from out of town and it was sad to think this is an educational opportunity and experience for children and adults and you have these RUDE employees leading the charge. read more

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The Cockrell Butterfly Center is part of the Natural Museum of Science complex in Houston. Fortunately, you can buy tickets as a bundle to see a variety of things or as a single item to see just one of the building exhibits. When buying tickets, you can go to one of the many kiosks in the lobby or get in the queue to see a human. The Butterfly Center has timed entry, so you may have to wait before you can actually visit the center. We came on a Sunday during February. We parked at Hermann Park and walked around there first before deciding to visit the Butterfly Center. The ticket kiosks were near the doors and there was no line for any of them, so we bought our tickets this way. We couldn't get in right away at 12:30 pm, but fortunately the 12:45 slot was available. During the fifteen minute wait, we visited the snack bar and then sat outside in the sun. The ticket scanner does check your time entry and will ask you to wait if your time slot is not open yet. They can only have a certain number of visitors in the building at one time. The center is small and the pathway is somewhat narrow. For the most enjoyable experience with the butterflies, you don't want a lot of movement or crowds. Before entering, a human will go over the rules. Again, move slowly and don't reach out and touch the butterflies. If they land on you, leave them alone. Be sure to grab a laminated butterfly identification card before entering. It can be useful for spotting the different butterflies. As a group, you will enter into a double door safe room. This prevents the butterflies from escaping outside. Since all of the butterflies are imported from Central America, it is illegal for them to be released outside. Once inside, quickly move around the pathway to allow everyone in your group to enter so the double doors can be closed. It's hot and humid inside, so you may want to leave your extra layers and things back in the vehicle. The pathway meanders through a lot of tropical plants. There are benches along the way where you can rest and enjoy the flutter of activity. There are some food stations for birds and butterflies as well as natural plants that attract them. Some butterflies have a number on them. If you see one with a tag, be sure to take a picture and post it to the center's social media. These are part of a research study. For $20, you can release a butterfly in the center. This seems like a great way for the center to make money and keep the butterfly stock up. There were lots of butterflies. I definitely felt like we got our money's worth from the visit alone, but I'm sure some people would love the ability to do the butterfly release too. In addition to the butterflies, birds, and plants, there was also a large iguana hanging out on the wall. He didn't move while we were there, but he was fun to see. There is also a lovely waterfall and creek. It's a lovely way to spend an hour. There are double doors at the exit too. You will have to wait for your group between the double doors for a few minutes while everyone verifies that they don't have a butterfly on them. This holding room has mirrors everywhere so you can check your backside too. The exhibit beyond the conservatory has interesting facts about insects and butterflies. It's mostly geared for kids, but you can certainly learn something here. In my opinion, this was a very enjoyable experience. I wouldn't have thought about coming here, but since we were in the area, it was worth the visit. read more

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The Cockrell Butterfly Center is a peaceful, beautiful escape right inside the Museum of Natural Science. Walking through the conservatory surrounded by butterflies feels calming and surprisingly immersive. The space is well-maintained, educational without feeling stuffy, and great for both kids and adults. It's an easy visit to pair with the nearby museums and absolutely worth the stop. read more

It's absolutely beautiful in here. I loved seeing the different species & capture their beauty! I went on a Monday afternoon, and it wasn't too busy. Lots of space for little ones to roam around! I would stay in there all day just admire the beauty of this place if I could! read more

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Cockrell Butterfly Center is not just butterfly centric, but provides a world of information on arthropods, reptiles, and unique species of the world in addition to information specifically focusing on Texas and the surrounding areas. If you are squirmy do not fret, you are safe in front of some security glass and screens. (Well, technically not because the areas do need to be cleaned, right? Just kidding) If you opt for the butterfly experience you will have an assigned time. Once you go to the queue they will check your ticket and at this time you can go straight to the lepidopterarium or chose to wonder in learning about the birth and development stages of crawly things near and far. Before you enter the butterfly house the guide will give you some brief instructions and provide you with a double sided placard with the different species that are housed. The butterfly house is a comfortable temperature but high in humidity. As you walk around and observe the butterflies do not be surprised if one lands on you. If you have a keen eye, you might see a couple of lizards sunbathing in the most peculiar places. Side note: Upon exiting you have to go through a double-door that provides negative pressure to keep the happy butterflies in and you will have to inspect yourself to ensure no stranglers are hitching a ride outside. read more

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The Cockrell Butterfly Conservatory located at the Houston Museum of Natural Science has 1,500 live butterflies living in a 3 story biodome. The last time we were in Houston, we noticed this conservatory but didn't have time to visit. So this time, we made it a point to visit in the late morning. It is one of the parts of the Houston Natural Science Museum, each of which has their own admission price and entrance. It costs $12 for an adult, $10 for senior/child. It wasn't so busy, so were able to get an immediate entrance time for 11 am. The first part is an air-conditioned exhibit, with educational areas about butterflies (e.g. what is the difference between butterflies and moths?). It also contains small terrariums throughout with various beetles, flying insects, and small reptiles. Some interesting exhibits was seeing very large nests of wasps and hornets and an actual Hercules beetle. Once done, you get in line to enter the 3 story dome from the top floor. A guide provides information about what to-do and not to-do once inside. Once inside, you slowly make your way down to the ground level, stopping to admire whatever interests you (including various tropical plants). There were plenty of stops where super ripe fruit was left out to attract the butterflies for observation. It was busy enough to make quiet observation not possible, but everyone was mostly polite and respectful...you just have to keep moving slowly. There were cases where butterflies of the same species were flying/chasing together. There was one section where you could donate to release a newly emerged butterfly. And we learned that they are able to tag a butterfly, to help with understanding longevity. The center of the biodome is dominated by a 3 story tree, that looks real. On closer inspection, it was tagged as from the species (Replica artificialis). It's main job is to house the ventilation system that circulates fresh air throughout the rainforest. Before you exit, an employee will make sure you don't have any inadvertent passengers on your body. We were probably in the garden for about an hour, which we felt was enough time. read more

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3 floors of butterfly mayhem. There are sooo many butterflies. Get to watch the. Swoop around and land on nearby feeders or quite possibly you. You do not need to pay to go into the museum to see the butterfly exhibit which is nice read more

It is a very nice butterfly center, the top floor is the education center about all bugs of all kinds some times they will have live bugs for you to interact with and then from there you make your way down through the butterfly center where you feel like you're in a rainforest with all kings of butterfly and plant and other animals for you to spot. There are turtles and birds to find. Just be careful because the ground will be very slippery, since most of the time it will be very wet. You make your way down to the waterfall for the exit where you have to follow strict guideline to make sure no butterfly is own you before you leave. The staff here are very helpful and nice. read more

This felt like the kind of place Professor Sprout would've run during her Herbology office hours at Hogwarts, LOL! Super green, super peaceful, and just full of quiet little magical moments. I went on a Saturday and was honestly surprised by how chill it was. It wasn't crowded at all. I got to wander at my own pace, which made the whole thing feel even more calming. Obviously, the butterflies are the main event, but what I didn't expect was how much I'd enjoy the rest of the exhibit too. There's A LOT of ifo on other bugs and their role in our ecosystem, bees especially. It was one of those learning experiences that doesn't feel like a lecture. It reminded me of the kind of place Luna Lovegood, would absolutely vibe in. if you're looking for something lowkey and beautiful enough without the chaotic attention of a huge audience, then this is a good one. Whether you're taking the kids, need a cute date idea, or just want somewhere to relax after a long week, this is the perfect place. Super underrated if you're into nature, chill adventures, or just need a little magic without the chaos. read more

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1 of my favorite places to visit in the Science Museum. Definitely recommend wearing bright colors so a chance a butterfly may land on you as they are attracted to certain colors. It can warm inside, so dress accordingly and be prepared to see many different species. Come early as parking can be challenging, although it has a parking garage that is adjacent to the building . read more

We loved this place!! For the price of $12 a person, this was so worth it! They have lots of insects to see and the garden with the butterflies is breathtaking! I could've stayed in there all day!! Would definitely recommend! read more

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This is located inside a bio-dome next to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, so visitors could easily spend a day seeing several different exhibits. The Cockrell Butterfly Center can be visited with a separate ticket, and plant to spend at least 1-2 hours enjoying all things about butterflies. A pleasant park is located just across the street to round out a block of 3-4 hours if time allows. read more

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Omg! Love! Anyone who knows me is aware that I'm obsessed with butterflies. So I was beyond excited to visit the Butterfly Center here. First, there's much more than butterflies. You can check out so many other insects/lizards/etc...including cockroaches, beetles, spiders, snakes and more. However, once we entered the butterfly exhibit...WOW. It's so tranquil and really feels like you're stepping into some rainforest. The warm temp, light mist...the sounds. It's so beautiful. There were so many gorgeous butterflies, some big, some small, some huge...just floating effortlessly around everyone. There were also so many colorful birds as well. In all, I really enjoyed myself and didn't want to leave. Also, be prepared to shake off your clothing and get a quick check from staff as you're leaving. I was obviously confused as to what was going on and was told it was to ensure that we weren't carrying any butterflies on us. I get it, No prob. I had a great time and look forward to returning. read more

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Came here for a weekend trip with some friends and we happen to pass by the museum and got to see the beautiful butterfly garden . It was huge with so many species to learn from and the beauty to see them in their natural habitat. read more

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Weeks ago before planning my Houston itinerary, I saw Kylie Jenner post on her live story spending a day with Stormi at the exhibit. We know Travis Scott hails from Houston, so I had to check it out. We visited on a humid Sunday afternoon. This was the perfect way to beat the heat. The exhibit is priced at $12 and a great activity for children. Other than the photo aesthetic adults won't get much out of this experience except that and free A/C. Stay as long as you want to and enjoy the butterflies. The butterflies can get pretty friendly and tend to linger so be mindful and cautious. read more

Cockrell Butterfly Center - Butterflies are spirit animals - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

While in Houston we visited this butterfly museum. When we first walked in we were greeted and given instructions to proceed with caution because the butterflies and other insects are free range and could land on you so don't be alarmed. You will also need to do several double checks to make sure the insects are not on you when you exit. There were several interactive games and trivia questions to partake in on the tour. We learned about the importance of bugs and insects and received insight on the nature and reproduction of them. The actual tour last about an hour but you could take as much time as needed. There is so much to explore but note it is a bit hot while walking around so dress comfortably. Great place for small child and families. Enjoy read more

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A friend and I were driving all over Houston and decided to stop here, impromptu. It turned out to be my favorite activity that weekend. It's $12 to get in and absolutely worth it. They have an indoor museum of sorts where you can see butterflies at different stages of development, scorpions, frogs, centipedes etc. The outdoor butterfly greenhouse has tons of butterflies, spans 2 floors, plants, is absolutely beautiful and you can spend a long time there just staring at butterflies. For $15, you can release one of the butterflies that recently grew out of their chrysalis shells (so to say) and watch them take their first flight. This is a great place to take kids too. Due to the size, it doesn't feel crowded. I recommend visiting if you've never been. read more

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As many times as I go to the museum I oddly haven't been to the butterfly center in over a decade. Deciding to go again was such a good idea and I might be visiting just to come here. I found myself sitting on the benches inside for so long just appreciating how beautiful it was. Another thing I didn't realize (since I haven't been in forever) was that there was a lot to see outside the main butterfly room. There's a big area with a lot of information and a lot of cool bugs right before you go into the butterfly room. And there's another small area after the butterfly room. It was overall start to finish a lot more time than I expected to spend there! I would say be very careful walking around since there are butterflies everywhereeee and keep a very very close watch on kids!! read more

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Kudos to the museum staff for a well-kept & inviting facility all around... And, the butterfly center is a favorite exhibit. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly, available to answer questions & educate visitors on the architecture, the flora, and the animals/insects. The exhibit is designed to resemble a small rainforest-like nook, housed in a closed glass dome, allowing in natural sunlight in a controlled environment. Although from start to finish it isn't a long path, there are some stairs & ramps, and the temperature is kept warm... so dress accordingly! You can take all the time you'd like, there are a few a benches to sit, so embrace the moments to admire all the beautiful colors & fluttering butterflies swirling around you. There are several kinds and so many... It is almost like walking into a fairytale garden. So pretty! It's a delightful place for a scenic stroll and, of course, have your camera ready in case one lands on you! read more

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Had a beautiful time with my niece and nephew. At first I thought it was gonna be just "something for the kids" but I had so much fun myself as the adult lol the exhibit before you get to the butterfly garden was truly awesome I loved learning about all the cool critters and we all had such a good time (except for my nephew when we got to the butterfly part he was not so much into the butterflies flittering around him and "peeing" he says lol) fairly inexpensive, fun, family activity to do, I recommend! read more

Cockrell Butterfly Center - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

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While visiting we came across this museum twitch a butterfly exhibit so we parked and walk to the building. Ticket price 12 per adult. It was me and my husband. Mask are required. Lots of information when you first walk in about butterflies and other insects. Once your ready you go through some doors where butterflies are present and flying around. Beautiful experience as I love them.. lots of colors but no Monarch was spotted. Nice place for child's awesome place for us butterfly lovers read more

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I don't know how many times I've been in this place but every time is just splendid. It's just a wonder to be surrounded by butterflies. read more

Cockrell Butterfly Center - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

Came here with my daughter and wife, my daughter had been here before with her boyfriend and she wanted to share it with us. Let me say that we came just for the butterfly center as we had gone to the museum before and were greatly disappointed, luckily they have separate admissions so we didn't have to pay to get in to the museum and were able to just pay for the butterfly center. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience. The walking paths through the butterfly habitat were very nice and clean. Even though it was crowded it's open enough that it doesn't feel crowded. they have a huge selection of butterflies as well as a few other surprises in the habitat. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience, and we would probably come back if we have guests visiting from out of town and they wanted to do something fun. read more

I enjoyed the Butterfly exhibit. To see the butterflies freely flying around was a beautiful experience. I was scared at first to be in their space but they were harmless. It really was magical. I even had a butterfly land on my finger! Super cool. read more

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"We had a flutterrific time at the @CockrellButterflyCenter! We snapped some breathtaking shots with thousands of butterflies and moths flying around - it felt like we were in a very special spot. #ButterflyLovers #PeacefulVibes" read more

Cockrell Butterfly Center - Blue butterfly - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

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A must see when visiting Houston! My mom was able to ride her electric scooter through the three levels bc they had an elevator with access to all. We were mesmerized, there were so many different kinds of butterflies. My mom even had one land on her shoulder. This was her favorite memory coming to Houston. I'm so glad we were able to make it happen. It's located inside the history museum so you can choose to do all the activities they offer as well. Everything is priced separately. They even have an iguana, very big one. He's pretty cool! I'd definitely go back! Highly recommend. read more

Cockrell Butterfly Center - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Love this place, especially around holiday season when they bring in the white butterflies. With the membership, it's only $4 to get in. There is a small exhibit before you see the butterflies, and a few exhibits at the end as well. Allot a half to full hour for this experience, but you can take as much time as you would like! read more

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I have been to the butterfly center a couple times and it's such a relaxing place to be. As a college student tickets are only $10 with my students ID and the ticket is worth it every time. The exhibits before the actual butterflies are so fascinating and full of information with various other animals too such as tarantulas and cockroaches. They provide a nice little guide before you enter the rainforest center so you can know which butterfly is which. Other than taking a couple pictures and admiring the beauty of the butterflies and occasional tortoise you see in the tree areas there's not much else to do. It also tends to get very crowded very quickly but for the price of admission I feel it's something that everybody should see at least once. read more

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lots of different kinds of butterflies. costs $12 for only the butterfly part of the museum. there's some beautiful looking scenery and good lighting. read more

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I give it a 4.5 just because it was alil packed when I went but it's very beautiful if you love looking at butterflies and nature it's nothing compared from looking outside in definitely recommend for a cute date or even time with family and also for some very cute photos read more

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I absolutely love visiting the Cockrell Butterfly Center when I come to Houston. It's one of my favorite places to go to when I'm in town. Imagine a huge green house with all sorts of beautiful butterflies flying around you, landing on your shoulders, hair, fingers, and posing with you too. It's the coolest experience. I'm intrigued by all things nature and love to learn and soak in everything I can about these things. I had a lovely time and think it's a wonderful place for children and adults alike. This was one of my first dates with my boyfriend and we reminisce about it from to time. How often do you get a chance to take selfies with butterflies anyway? :) PARKING Available in a covered lot (paid). read more

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I've been to the museum several times and this was my first time visiting the butterfly center. I went with my 3 year old. I love the fact that you can purchase tickets just for the exhibit (anything more would've been overwhelming for my toddler). It is a timed exhibit but we were able to go in fairly quickly. There were so many beautiful butterflies. Lots of oohhhs and ahhhs. Parking was a breeze. We parked near the centennial gardens and walked a short distance to the museum of natural science. I'm sure it's even more enjoyable in the "fall." read more

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Absolutely amazing!!! Worth every dollar. I would go back over and over again! Would be nice to have more variation of butterflies. read more

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Whew, when I tell you this exhibit really exceeded my expectations, I really mean it! The Cockrell Butterfly center is one of the coolest, most beautiful exhibits I've ever been to! These butterfly's are really living their best lives here haha. We spent about an hour and a half at the exhibit, as we enjoyed every bit of it. The designer of the dome did a fantastic job on the layout so that you can get up close to the hundreds (maybe thousands) of butterfly's as well as enjoy beautiful foliage's and waterfalls. Benches are placed throughout the path so that you can sit down and really soak in your surroundings. Outside of the exhibit there is a concession stand filled with snacks and drinks. Restrooms are also available. My only warnings would be: To buy your tickets online beforehand! ($12 for an adult, $10 for a child) We bought our tickets at the Hall and waited in a Kiosk line for about 20minutes because the Kiosk had broken down so everyone in line had to wait for the repair.... This was pretty frustrating because of the time it took to fix the machine when they could just hire people to distribute tickets rather than pay for a machine to do it. Also, If you go on a weekend, parking can be difficult to find as it is shared with the Science Museum, Hermann Park, Zoo, and Miller Theatre. My suggestion would be to go before 11am so that you can try to beat the crowds. Suggestion to Cockrell: Consider adding a gift shop at the end of the exhibit! I would have loved a memorabilia read more

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