Just a few short blocks from the Southernmost Point, the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is a nice break from the hustle of Duval Street. The conservatory has over fifty species of butterflies and twenty species of tropical birds from around the world, including the famous Florida flamingos Rhett and Scarlett.

This is a great daytime activity for families or anyone looking to spend some time admiring beautiful butterflies and birds. Read on to learn more about this hidden gem in Key West! 

Planning Your Visit

As mentioned above, the conservatory has over fifty species of butterflies, tropical birds, and a beautiful collection of tropical plants. Operating hours are from 9:00 – 5:00 PM, with the last admission at 4:30 PM. Tickets are $17.50 per person, with discounts for locals, military members, persons over 65, and children.

They offer several special events, including twilight tours and a small group tour to have some one-on-one time with their resident flamingoes, Rhett and Scarlett! They even offer small and intimate spaces for wedding or commitment ceremonies. For more information, check out their special events page here!

TRAVEL TIP!

The butterflies may land on you, but don’t freak out! Just make sure to check in the mirrors provided for any extra friends as you exit.

The Butterfly Garden

There are over 15,000 butterflies in the conservatory of all different species. As you walk through the enclosure, they will flutter all around you and might even land on you! If you stand off to the side, you’ll really start to notice all of the butterflies, especially the bright blue ones (pictured below)! Most commonly found in Central America, the blue morpho has light-reflecting wings, making them easy to see throughout the garden.

While you explore, make sure to keep an eye out for colorful tropical birds. The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory has over 20 species of birds from Central and South America. It’s hard to miss the brightly colored flamingoes, Rhett and Scarlett!

You’ll also find tons of tropical flowers and plants, as well as small waterfalls and ponds throughout the habitat. It really makes you feel that you’re in a tropical rainforest! Make sure to take a quick break at the center gazebo for some beautiful views and photo ops.

The Learning Center & Gift Shop

Don’t miss the learning center at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory! Here, you can learn all about their butterflies, including where they come from, their life cycles, and how important they are to local environments. Like bees, butterflies help pollinate plants and flowers and are an essential part of the environments they live in.

Butterflies typically have a short life span, so the conservatory receives about 300-500 pupas (baby caterpillars) every week. That’s a lot of babies. The baby caterpillars are stored in glass containers so you can watch their transformation!

There’s also a small gift shop that has handmade gifts by artists from around the world. They have paintings, dishware, and even garden furniture. Not enough room in your suitcase? No worries! You can shop their online store here!

My Experience

I really enjoyed my time at the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory! My favorite part of the experience was just wandering through the enclosure. Surrounded by beautiful plants, sweet flowers, and brightly colored birds, I felt that I had been dropped into a tropical paradise. I loved watching the birds and butterflies interact with each other and fly around me.

Interested in visiting? I’d recommend visiting either first thing in the morning or right before close at 4:30 PM. This will allow you to take your time walking through the enclosure without a ton of crowds. I visited around lunchtime, and it was a little crowded, but I was still able to step to the side and admire all of the beautiful butterflies! Make sure to add this to your Key West itinerary!