THE KEY WEST BUTTERFLY AND NATURE CONSERVATORY: IS IT WORTH VISITING?
If you’re visiting Key West and wondering if it’s worth checking out the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, you’re in the right place!
When we decided to visit Key West this time, the conservatory was one of the first things we added to our 2-day itinerary, since it seemed super interesting and quite unique. We had a lovely time there, so keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the conservatory and what our experience was like!
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you.
WHERE IS THE KEY WEST BUTTERFLY AND NATURE CONSERVATORY?
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is located in Key West, Florida, right on the most popular street in town, Duval Street. You’ll find it on the south end of Duval, close to the Southernmost Point area. You can easily walk there from most places in town, and it’s also very close to the Hemingway Museum and the Lighthouse. The conservatory is housed in a glass-front building adorned with butterflies, so you definitely won’t miss it!
HOW MUCH DO THE CONSERVATORY TICKETS COST?
Tickets for the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory are $17.50 for adults, $14.50 for seniors and military, and $12.50 for children ages 4 to 12, while kids aged 3 and under get in for free. These prices are before tax, so expect a few additional cents to be added at checkout. If you book online, tickets are slightly cheaper, starting at $15.50. The ticket includes access to a small museum, the tropical conservatory, and the gift shop at the end.
HOW LONG TO SPEND AT THE CONSERVATORY?
Most visitors spend about 45 minutes to 1 hour at the conservatory, and we spent roughly the same amount of time there. This gives you enough time to slowly walk through the tropical conservatory, watch the butterflies up close, take photos, and enjoy the calm atmosphere. If you like to linger or relax on the benches so the butterflies can land on you, you could easily spend up to 90 minutes there. Overall, you won’t need much time, but even an hour will be very memorable!
OUR KEY WEST BUTTERFLY CONSERVATORY EXPERIENCE!
We visited the Key West Butterfly Conservatory on a Saturday afternoon in November. Honestly, we were quite surprised that the crowds were not bigger, but because it was so calm, we were able to enjoy the conservatory fully.
We entered the building and bought our tickets at the register, so we paid around $36 for two people. If you book online, you simply need to show your ticket. After getting your tickets, you enter a small museum. It’s only one room, but there are a few interesting things to learn about butterflies, and you can also see a wall full of butterflies.
After passing through the museum, you reach the door that leads into the conservatory. The staff will remind you to watch your step because butterflies often rest on the floor when it’s warm, and you could accidentally step on them if you’re not careful.
Once you enter the conservatory, you’re surrounded by a stunning green garden filled with butterflies. I knew there would be butterflies, of course, but I was honestly shocked by how many there were. There are thousands of butterflies, along with birds and flamingos.
You have to be very quiet inside, but because of that, the experience is calm and relaxing. If you stop for a while or sit down, there’s a high chance butterflies will land on you. I had several on my bag and even one on my shoulder, and my partner had one land on his cheek!
At the end of the conservatory, you can see chrysalises that butterflies emerged from that very day, as well as others that are still developing. Before leaving, you’re asked to check yourself carefully to make sure you’re not accidentally taking any butterflies outside with you.
CONCLUSION: IS THE KEY WEST BUTTERFLY AND NATURE CONSERVATORY WORTH VISITING?
Overall, it was a quick visit, but it’s definitely worth stopping by. On our way to Key West, we stopped to talk to some locals, and they were really happy when we told them we had this attraction on our itinerary. They said people often skip it in favour of other attractions, which is unfortunate, and after visiting, I’d definitely agree.
It was an absolutely lovely experience. It won’t take too much time out of your day, but it’s quite magical to see thousands of butterflies in one building. It’s something I’ve never experienced before, and it was actually quite emotional for me. I’d highly recommend stopping by!
