Butterfly World, the largest butterfly house on Earth and the first of its kind in the United States, has been in business since 1986 and is home to more than 20,000 live butterflies. The 3-acre attraction was the brainchild of Ronald Boender, a former electrical engineer with a fascination for raising butterflies. He is also known for starting the “Bring Butterflies Back” campaign in 1988, which led to the creation of thousands of new butterfly habitats and an increase in butterfly populations across North America. Today, visitors of Butterfly World can not only interact with more than 50 butterfly species at any one time, but also admire tropical birds and feed lorikeets.
This Coconut Creek attraction, located about 15 miles north of downtown Fort Lauderdale, is a great place to bring children. Recent patrons said it was a beautiful and unique place to spend an afternoon, and they were amazed to see the butterflies flying all around them. Another highlight was feeding the birds in the lorikeet enclosure. No outside food is permitted at Butterfly World, but you can bring lunch to eat at designated picnic benches outside of the entrance. There are also two outdoor cafes on the premises that sell snacks and drinks.
Butterfly World is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Final admission every day is at 4 p.m., and the butterfly flight area and lorikeet encounter close at 4:30 p.m. General admission tickets cost $32.50 for adults and senior citizens and $22.50 for children between the ages of 3 and 11. Admission is free for kids 2 and younger. Butterfly World is a part of the greater Tradewinds Park complex, so there may also be a small gate fee to enter the property.