Butterfly Biosphere: A must see at Thanksgiving Point
The new Butterfly Biosphere venue at Thanksgiving Point was even better than I expected. From huge beetles to interactive playgrounds, this place has it all. We’ll definitely be going back.
So, this is NOT a sponsored post. We just enjoyed this museum so much that we wanted to share it with everyone. The Butterfly Biosphere is 40,000 square foot venue located in Lehi, Utah that houses more than 1,000 friendly butterflies. But that’s only part of it, there’s tons of creepy, crawly friends to look at and larger-than-life playgrounds for all ages.
Butterfly Biosphere pricing
As an annual pass holder at Thanksgiving Point, we got into the Butterfly Biosphere completely FREE! However, if you don’t have a pass, the regular admission prices are as follows:
- Adult Admission: $20
- Child Admission (ages 3-12): $15
- Seniors: $15
- Children ages 2 and under and Thanksgiving Point Members: Free
Although, I consider the admission prices a bit steep, you can make the most of your visit to Thanksgiving Point by purchasing an Explorer Pass. That way you can see multiple venues. Also, because of the limited capacity at the biosphere, you do have to reserve your tickets ahead of time.
Bugs and more bugs
One thing I didn’t expect, was to see so many living bugs. Apparently, it’s called an insectarium. They have 20 species of tarantulas, lots of beetles and many other insects from around the world. All of them are encased in their own happy cages. However, if you’re daring, you can hold and feel a hissing cockroach!!
I think my kids (and myself) got a little nervous when we realized that there are huge bugs out there in the world that actually exist.
Life-size bug world
You feel like you’re walking around the world of bugs. There’s a life-size lady bugs and caterpillars that you can climb right on top of. It’s the perfect setting for kids to run around, play and learn.
Costa Rica Climber
This was the highlight for most of my kids. It’s a 7,500 square foot nature-themed playground. It’s a big tree house that teaches kids all about the rain forest. It has a toddler area and a huge, twirly slide right in the middle. My two-year-old went down it a million times.
Butterfly Conservatory
After all that, we hadn’t even seen the butterflies yet! As you enter the conservatory, you have a waiting area in a separate room to ensure the butterflies don’t escape as you enter. The first thing you’ll notice as you enter, is that it’s hot inside. According to Thanksgiving Point’s website, this nearly 10,000 square foot glasshouse features dozens of tropical and flowering plant species to keep over 1,000 butterflies happy.
The cool thing about the conservatory is that it is a USDA containment facility so it can display insects from all over the world. It’s incredible so such beautiful creatures right in your backyard.
The butterflies are very friendly. If you’re lucky, one of them might even land on your should or finger. One of the workers even gave us a friendly tip. He recommended rubbing an orange peel on your index finger before you come and the butterflies will sit on your finger longer.
You can easily spend an hour or two walking around the conservatory just enjoying the unique plant life and gorgeous butterflies. If you can, try to visit the Butterfly Biosphere in the evening. Apparently the butterflies are trying to go to bed and they are much more docile.
Our family is so excited to visit the biosphere on a regular basis. I am sure it’s going to be a favorite for years to come. Plus, it’s completely indoors, making it the perfect place to visit all year round.
Here’s some other awesome things to see during your visit to Thanksgiving Point:
Related link: The best Lagoon rides according to height
