Visitor Information
Butterfly Pavilion is the first Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited, stand alone, non-profit invertebrate zoo in the world. Our immersive exhibits provide guests with the opportunity to discover the wonders of nature's hidden heroes through hands-on, interactive experiences catered to all ages.
Table of contents
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 seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with timed entry. The facility’s doors close at 4:15 p.m for the last admission.
- We are closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day on December 25th
- We close early on December 24th (Christmas Eve) with the last entrance at 12:15 p.m., closing at 1:00 p.m., and on December 31st (New Year’s Eve) with the last entrance at 2:15 p.m., closing at 3:00 pm.
- We open late on January 1st (New Year’s Day), with the first entrance at 11:00 a.m.
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. 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!
- General Admission
- General Admission is $17.45 for adults, $15.45 for seniors (65+), $12.45 for children (ages 2-12), and free for children under the age of 2.
- Members receive free admission by reserving tickets online through their membership account. They may also present their membership card or provide their name to the front desk upon arrival for entry.
- Discounted Tickets
- SNAP/Museums for All: As part of the Museums for All program, Butterfly Pavilion offers SNAP card holders admission for $3 per adult/senior (65+) and $2 per child (ages 2-12) for up to 10 tickets per card. Butterfly Pavilion accepts valid SNAP, EBT, WIC, P-EBT, and cards from out-of-state.
- Prior to entering, please bring your SNAP/EBT card with you. If you are unable to provide eligibility, you will be charged full price for entry.
- Westminster Resident: Residents of Westminster receive discounted admission at $15.45 per adult.
- Prior to entering, please bring a valid form of ID with your Westminster address listed on it. If you are unable to provide eligibility, you will be charged full price for entry.
- Military: Butterfly Pavilion offers $2 off an Adult General Admission ticket for enlisted/veteran military personnel only. Personnel must present their military/veteran ID to the front desk upon arrival, or they will be charged full price.
- AAA: Butterfly Pavilion offers $1 off Adult General Admission tickets for AAA cardholders only. Cardholders must present their AAA member card to the front desk upon arrival, or they will be charged full price.
- Library Pass: Butterfly Pavilion currently partners with over 20 different library districts to provide library patrons passes for free and reduced admission. Patrons must reserve these passes through their local library for use at Butterfly Pavilion. Library pass holders are not required to reserve Butterfly Pavilion tickets ahead of time, and passes must be redeemed in person on the printed date of use.
- Five by Five: The Five by Five program allows those enrolled admission for the student, along with one adult and up to five additional family members. The student must check in via QR code at the front desk and present the green “OK” screen to redeem their tickets.
- Growing Scientist: The Growing Scientist program allows cardholders free admission for up to 10 people. These tickets can only be accessed in person by presenting the Growing Scientist card to the front desk.
- Accessible Adult & Caretaker: Butterfly Pavilion offers incoming adult day groups and adults with intellectual disabilities reduced admission at $8 per person. Caretakers/Nurses are offered free admission when they are coming in to facilitate the experience of another individual(s).
- Free Passes: Guests may use free passes for General Admission by redeeming them in person at the front desk. Free passes may not be redeemed past their listed expiration date.
- SNAP/Museums for All: As part of the Museums for All program, Butterfly Pavilion offers SNAP card holders admission for $3 per adult/senior (65+) and $2 per child (ages 2-12) for up to 10 tickets per card. Butterfly Pavilion accepts valid SNAP, EBT, WIC, P-EBT, and cards from out-of-state.
Health and Safety Measures
Butterfly Pavilion is taking several steps to ensure a safe environment:
- All staff will conduct frequent handwashing, 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.
Accessibility
Butterfly Pavilion’s facility complies with American Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Wheelchairs and strollers are always allowed for entry. Wheelchairs are available to rent at the front desk – rentals are free so long as we can hold onto a valid ID during use.
Noise-canceling headphones and weighted vests are available upon request. Butterfly Pavilion also has a quiet area in our Colorado Backyard exhibit that guests are welcome to utilize at any point during their visit.
Accessible Adult and Caretaker tickets are available to purchase at the front desk upon arrival. Accessible Adult tickets are applicable for incoming adult day groups and for adults with intellectual disabilities at $8 per person. Caretakers/Nurses coming in to facilitate their experiences are offered free admission.
Service Animals
Butterfly Pavilion welcomes service animals into the facility free of charge. Only a dog or a miniature horse is recognized as a service animal by the ADA; any other animal species must be turned away.
Service animals do not require any identification or documentation, but they must always be under the handler’s control. Butterfly Pavilion may ask a handler to remove their service animal if the animal is disruptive, aggressive, or not housebroken.
Emotional Support or Therapy Animals will not be granted entry into the facility but are welcome to explore the outside gardens and open space. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their animals. Emotional support animals are defined as animals that provide comfort, support, and/or companionship, while a service animal is trained to perform a task in relation to specific medical emergencies to either avoid or lessen its impact.
Sensory Friendly Afternoons
On the last Wednesday of every month, Butterfly Pavilion hosts Sensory Friendly Afternoons, where you can come experience our exhibits in a unique way that meets the needs of your family. With natural lighting, quiet tones, and limited admission, this event provides an enjoyable, low-key experience just for them. Each Sensory Friendly Afternoon offers guided interpretation in each exhibit, optional activity guides, and access to our playroom.
Sensory Friendly Afternoons admission begins at 3:00 pm, and the event lasts through 5:00 pm.
Photography/Photoshoot Policy
Interested in taking photos at Butterfly Pavilion? Check out our Photography/Photoshoot Policy and General Photography Guidelines below!
Lost and Found
Please contact Butterfly Pavilion via phone (303-469-5441) or email (VisitorServices@butterflies.org) if you have lost an item during your visit. We will do our best to help you get your item back.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that Butterfly Pavilion resides on the lands forcibly taken from the Arapaho, Ute, Cheyenne, Shoshone, Lipan Apache, and numerous other Native Nations. These tribal nations and their people are the original stewards of the land and habitats of invertebrates. The community fostered at Butterfly Pavilion commits to improving and enhancing engagement with Indigenous Peoples locally and environmental issues globally.
Facility Map
For more information on Butterfly Pavilion indoor and outdoor locations, click the link below to view our map.
Parking Information
Butterfly Pavilion offers free onsite parking, including accessible parking, oversized spots for larger vehicles or trailers, and overflow parking. Parking onsite is limited – in the event that our main lot is full, Butterfly Pavilion guests are also welcome to utilize free offsite parking at the Westin Westminster or the Armed Forces Tribute Garden.
Westin Westminster Hotel walking route
Armed Forces Tribute Garden walking route
Need more assistance! Click the link below to read through our frequently asked questions.
Public Transit
Guests can take public transit to Butterfly Pavilion. The Denver and Boulder Station Flatiron Flyer stops are only a 15-minute walk away. These buses run about every 15 minutes Monday through Saturday, and every half hour on Sundays.
Eastbound Flatiron Flyer from Downtown Boulder – US 36 and Church Ranch Station, Gate A
Westbound Flatiron Flyer from Denver Union Station – US 36 and Church Ranch Station, Gate B Click here for the bus schedule.
US 36 and Church Ranch Station Gate A walking route
US 36 and Church Ranch Station Gate B walking route
