10 Ways to Explore Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, Florida

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The blog has been filled with posts featuring Florida attractions this year (see the complete index here). This week, we’re sharing a post we never got the chance to publish from the last time we visited family in the Delray Beach area: our top 10 guide to Butterfly World, located 45 minutes north of Miami and 45 minutes south of West Palm Beach. 

Butterfly World in Coconut Creek is located in Tradewinds Park, which includes dozens of outdoor activities- see the full list here. Opened in 1988, it is the largest butterfly park in the WORLD and home to over 20,000 butterflies, as well as insects, birds, macaw and more!  Butterfly World typically has up to 50 varieties of live butterflies for guests to see each visit. There are both indoor and outdoor exhibits and most guests follow the one way path (and walk over the suspension bridge) through six aviaries, gardens, and a tropical rainforest. 

Travel Tips: 

  • The center is open 362 days a year- check here for updates on hours and admission rates and check here for a coupon. The center does allow same day reentry- make sure to get your hand stamped before leaving.
  • The center is open regardless of weather conditions; some areas are shaded or have coverings, but parts of the center are exposed to outdoor weather elements. 
  • There is plenty of free parking located outside, near the playground. 
  • Restrooms are located in the lobby near the gift shop.
  • No outside food is allowed. The Mariposa Cafe offers snacks, drinks, lunch options, and outdoor seating. 
  • There is a gift shop called The BW Shop and is located near the admission area; check the online gift shop here. The Butterfly Garden Center also stocks everything you’ll need to make your own butterfly garden and offers monthly tutorial classes. 
  • Check on special programs and events here.
  • Plan on two to three hours to fully explore the center and participate in a feeding or special program. See the full map here. 

10 Things to Do at Butterfly World:

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  1. Observe a scientist tending to growing butterfly eggs in the laboratory inside the Emmel Butterfly Research Center.
  2. Warm up in the (simulated) tropical rainforest and Paradise Adventure Aviary and watch out for thousands of free roaming butterflies and birds. 
  3. Listen to the “singing” of various tropical birds in the Vine Maze Aviary.
  4. Watch for colorful macaws flying and landing on nearby tree branches in Macaw Landing. They may even imitate your gestures and facial expressions and “talk” back to you. 
  5. Walk across the Tinalandia Suspension Bridge and feel the shifting and swinging of the bridge over the river.

  1. Get up close (safely) to scorpions, cockroaches, tarantulas, and millipedes in the Bug Zoo. Tucked safely behind glass enclosed habitats, the center is home to thousands of bugs. 
  2. Feed the lorikeets in Lorikeet Encounter.  Guests can purchase a cup of nectar and the lorikeets will literally eat right out of your hand. 
  3. Smell the wide variety of flowers in the Grace Gardens, which include a rose garden (20 varieties!) and secret garden.
  4. Climb, swing, and explore the playground, located just outside the entrance to Butterfly World. A majority of the playground is covered (great for hot, sunny days, or rainy days) 
  5. Explore Tradewinds Park, which is home to a great playground, frisbee disc course, fishing lake, athletic fields, biking and hiking trails, and model steam train rides! Find out more about the park here. 

Looking for more fun throughout Palm Beach County? Check out our full City Guide to Palm Beach County and dedicated posts to Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, Palm Beach Zoo,Sandoway Discovery Center, Butterfly World, and Loxahatachee National Wildlife Refuge. And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

New England based, part high school English teacher, part non profit founder, part road tripper who LOVES hopping in the family SUV to explore America. Our bucket list includes National Parks, MLB stadiums, presidential libraries, and eating wherever the locals eat!

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2 Comments

  2. I never knew about this sanctuary and the variety of activities available there. Love the pictures and possibilities. Another great adventure with the grandkids!

    Reply

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