The Butterfly Pavilion551

The Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center - calling itself an insect zoo - is an educational facility for the study of insects and other invertebrates. Our young reviewers declare it one of the best spots in the Denver metro area for educational fun.

Visitors to the facility can take a stroll in the lush, tropical (think humid) Wings of the Tropics conservatory and find themselves surrounded by more than 1,600 free-flying butterflies. A chrysalis viewing area allows visitors to watch the amazing process of metamorphosis as adult butterflies emerge from their gem-like chrysalis. Visitors may not touch the butterflies, but the awe-inspiring experience of walking among them is reason enough to visit the conservatory.

The Pavilion hosts Butterfly Encounters each day at 12:30pm and 3:30pm, allowing guests to learn more about the butterflies and rainforest, discover the newest butterflies, and get an engaging look at the Wings of the Tropics exhibit.

In the Crawl-A-See-Em room, visitors can take a closer look at some of the world's most fascinating insects and their relatives, including various species of walking sticks, tarantulas (be prepared to be stunned by some of the tarantulas' sizes!), and cockroaches. Kids (ages three & up) can even discover what it feels like to hold a rose-haired tarantula from Chile named Rosie - those brave enough to do so get an I Held Rosie sticker to help boast of their accomplishment.

At the Water's Edge exhibit visitors can experience an up-close, hands on look at the animals that live in the fragile habitat of shoreline tide pools, including sea stars, sea hares, peppermint shrimp, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, hermit crabs, and other marine invertebrates. Several touch-tanks are available for the young set.

Spineless Spotlights are free educational programs offered at regular intervals throughout the day inside the pavilion. The programs are interactive and appropriate for all ages. All have an audience participation component; several feature live animals.

Outdoors, families can stroll the lovely Discovery Gardens and Gazebo, which are landscaped with all kinds of Colorado-native and butterfly-attracting flowers, shrubs, and trees. The gardens include a half-mile nature trail loop. It's a great spot for a picnic. Summer camps for kids ages five to 12 are also offered, including one-hour, half-day, and full-day science education camps focusing on a variety of insect-related topics during June through August.

Birthday parties begin at $198 (members) and $219 (non-members) for up to 12 children and include classroom time for 2.5 hours; set up, clean up, and party facilitation provided by Birthday Party Ambassador; plates, napkins, flatware, and decorations; and craft activity and educational zookeeper talk with live animals, among other features. Call the Private Events Coordinator at 720-974-1871 for more information or to book a party.