Visitor Information

Butterfly Pavilion is the first stand-alone, Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited non-profit invertebrate zoo in the world. Our immersive exhibits provide guests the opportunity to discover the wonders of nature's hidden heroes through hands on, interactive experiences catered to all ages.

 

We are conveniently located just 15 minutes from downtown Denver off Hwy 36 at 104th Avenue at 6252 W. 104th Avenue Westminster, CO 80020

Hours of Operation 

  • Butterfly Pavilion is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm with timed entry. Doors to the facility close at 4:15pm.
  • We are closed on the fourth Thursday of November (Thanksgiving Day) and December 25th (Christmas Day). 
  • We close early on December 24th (Christmas Eve) with last entrance at 12:00 pm, closing at 1 pm, and on December 31st (New Year’s Eve) with last entrance at 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm. 
  • We open late on January 1st (New Years Day) with first entrance at 11 am. 

General Admission Tickets 

Butterfly Pavilion no longer requires online reservations. We are keeping online reservations, however, for those who wish to secure their spot, as well as to provide information on the capacity remaining when you choose to visit. 

A few other details to note:  

  • Guests can arrive any time during the day of their tickets. No matter when you come in, you’ll have as much time as you need to enjoy the facility!
  • In accordance with the Jefferson County Public Health Order, masks are optional in our facility.

For ticket reservations: 

  • General Admission will be $14.95 for adults, $12.95 for seniors (65+), $9.95 for children (ages 2 – 12) and free for children under age 2. Tickets are non-refundable. Click here to get General Admission tickets.  
  • Members will continue to receive free admission. 
  • Discounted Tickets: SNAP/EBT holders will continue to receive $2 admission per person for up to 10 people. Butterfly Pavilion accepts SNAP, EBT, WIC, P-EBT, and cards from out-of-state. To access these discounted tickets, guests need to come in person and present their card to the front desk. The discount is not available online. Guests may also continue to use free passes for General Admission by redeeming them in-person at the front desk. 
  • Library pass holders are not required to reserve tickets ahead of time. Library passes must be redeemed in-person on the printed date of use.

Reserve your tickets!


Health and Safety Measures 

Butterfly Pavilion is taking several steps to ensure a safe environment:  

  • Masks are strongly recommended.  Per state of Colorado “clear” guidelines, masks are no longer required for children under 12 or fully-vaccinated adults.  
  • All staff will conduct frequent hand-washing, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer and wear gloves when necessary. Hand sanitizing stations and sinks in the public restroom will also be available for guest use. 
  • All facility areas will be sanitized  throughout the day by our custodial team. In addition, exhibit staff will also have sanitation supplies to do additional cleaning as needed. 

Three Day Weekends

We’re excited to offer our guests the new Butterfly Pavilion Three-Day Weekend. Every Monday beginning September 19, 2022, we won’t schedule school groups or other large groups, easing the crowding guests might find on the weekends or mornings during the school year.   

For those who can’t come on a Monday, you can still find off-peak times to enjoy Butterfly Pavilion. In general, the best time to visit Butterfly Pavilion during the week is after 1 pm as early mornings are the best times for school groups. On the weekends, it’s generally better to show up early, right when we open, and the busiest time is 2 pm to 4 pm. 

Reserving your tickets online is the best way to find out how many people will be in the facility when you plan to come. If you navigate to our ticketing page, view the calendar, and then hover over the time slots, you’ll see how many spots are still available. You can also visit our “Current Occupancy” page to see how many guests are in the building in real-time! 

We hope you’ll join us on Mondays for a fun, safe, educational experience connecting with fascinating invertebrates – the tiny giants on whom our world depends. 

 Reserve your tickets!

View our current occupancy

Exhibits

Pollinator Place

Explore the incredible world of pollinators and how their survival ensures our own. Learn the importance of these impactful invertebrates and how they shape ecosystems and economies. ​

Colorado Backyard

This immersive exhibit connects guests to the rich and diverse life that surrounds us, and inspires a greater commitment to conserve all of our natural treasures in Colorado and beyond.

Wings of the Tropics

Walk among free-flying butterflies in a tropical paradise.

Survival

Transport yourself to the Survival exhibit, home of Rosie the tarantula and other small wonders! Explore and learn about dozens of species of arthropods. Sharpen your observation skills as you discover animals hidden in their native habitats.

Water’s Edge

Explore the incredible diversity of underwater invertebrates.

Outdoor Gardens

Experience the wonder of Colorado’s wild invertebrates! The outdoor gardens at Butterfly Pavilion are designed to provide habitat for native invertebrates with a focus on native pollinators, while also providing four-season beauty and a place to wander, relax, and learn.

Daily Programs & Showtimes

There’s always something new to discover at Butterfly Pavilion! Join Butterfly Pavilion’s interpretive specialists to learn more about the amazing plants and animals at the zoo. Daily programs can include feeding demonstrations, animal encounters, guided tours, and interactive presentations.

Upcoming Events

Free Invertebrate Investigator Classes (K-12th grade)

Every Monday
Butterfly Pavilion and Denver Premium Outlets (DPO) are delighted to announce FREE STEAM education to J27 and Adams 12 school districts as part of an innovative partnership dedicated to educating the community about the crucial role of pollinators in our world.

Bugs and Brews

September 21, 2023, 5:00 -7:00 PM
Welcome to “Bugs and Brews,” an enthralling 21+ adult night at Butterfly Pavilion after hours!
Register now!

Butterfly Quest-After Hours

Are you interested in learning about the fascinating life of butterflies? Look no further than Butterfly Quest, a community science initiative designed to track the lifespans of butterflies in our conservatory.
Get Tickets!