Did you know Westminster is home to the world's only stand-alone Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited invertebrate zoo? It's the Butterfly Pavilion! Their goal is to transform the way people think about invertebrates. Most people shudder at the thought of tarantulas and cockroaches, but they are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom.
My kids (ages 8, 7, 5, and 3) and I visited the Butterfly Pavilion this past week. We started our visit in the Survival room. Here you learn how invertebrates survive in the wild. There are several displays of different invertebrates from cockroaches to tarantulas to millipedes. The highlight of the room is the famous Rosie the tarantula. Kids and adults have the opportunity to hold her. My boys did this and said she tickled their hand. There is a see-through beehive where you can see bees flying in and out to get pollen. A few interactive exhibits are also in the room to help kids learn more about invertebrates.
The next room is Water's Edge where you explore underwater environments. Various aquariums house many different underwater invertebrates. There is a tank where you can carefully touch a sea star.
Then we moved to the star attraction - the Wings of the Tropics room. Here you encounter over 1600 butterflies flying all around 200 plant species from around the world. My kids loved seeing all the different colors of butterflies and watching to see where they would land. If you stand still long enough, you may even be lucky to have a butterfly land on you! Before you leave this room, be sure to check out the chrysalis display where you can see a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis right before your eyes!
The final area is the newest - Colorado Backyard. In this room kids explore Colorado's ecosystems through play. There's a treehouse with a slide, a canoe, two prairie dog holes to climb in and on, and a camper. My boys enjoyed the exploration station where they dug through dirt to find beetle larva. There is also an area just for the 3 and under group called Tikes Peak. The adjacent room has displays of invertebrates found in Colorado. Finally, take advantage of the various insect props and get a photo of your little bugs in front of the mountain background.
Be sure to check out the wonderful outdoor area as well which includes a couple garden areas, a giant praying mantis statue, a picnic area, and the Big Dry Creek Nature Trail. As we walked along the trail, we saw prairie dogs, a duck, ants, and several different types of birds.
Butterfly Pavilion Discounts!
The Butterfly Pavilion has some great opportunities for families. There is a $5 day on Thursday, July 25 where you can get in for just $5 a person! *From now until August 29, you can get 1/2 off admission on Monday through Thursday from 2 pm - 5 pm. There are also low sensory mornings a few times a year. With natural lighting, quiet tones and limited admission, this event provides an enjoyable, low-key experience just for kids who need this. The two remaining this year are September 5 and November 14. Check out other upcoming events on their website.
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Butterfly Pavilion
6252 W 104th Ave
Westminster, CO 80020
Hours: Open 7 Days a Week from 9 am - 5 pm with last entry at 4:15 pm. Check the website for holiday hours and closures.
Prices: Adults $12, Seniors (65+) $10, Westminster residents (with ID) $10, Children (ages 2-12) $8, Children under 2 are free.
Visit butterflies.org for more information.
This article was sponsored by Butterfly Pavilion. My family was offered free admission to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
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