After a hiatus for several years while the Conservatory underwent construction, the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens will be bringing back one of our most beloved events, Butterflies in the Garden, this Spring!
Know Before You Go
The event runs from February 29 – April 12th
After years of long lines, they are now selling timed entries online.
Butterflies in the garden is held indoors, in the temperature controlled Conservatory. The building is made of glass, and houses tropical plants year round.
Even with my six year old running around, I find it extremely calming. There is something about watching 100’s of butterflies just fluttering about that is SO relaxing. After a few minutes, my oldest son did come and remind me that I wanted to take pictures instead of just sitting on a bench watching the butterflies dance among the beautiful blooms!
This year, the exhibit is featuring butterflies from Asia.
We were given a “butterfly map”, as my six year old called it. He and his brother decided to try to find one of each of the 20 different butterflies featured, and for me to photograph them. This one wasn’t on the list.
Neither was this one.
However, I wasn’t there to just take pictures of butterflies, and I loved walking up on them studying the “map” and snapping a few pictures before they noticed me!
There are some amazing plants in the conservatory, as well. These crazy stalks look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book!
This beautiful Black Mormon is on the list!
So is this Blue Morph, my favorite of the butterflies in the exhibit! These large butterflies flitted all around the garden, landing on those who moved slowly or not at all.
A garden volunteer showed us the “Pupae Castle”, where the chrysalis are kept until the butterflies emerge. They are then released into the garden.
My Mommy Tips:
- Make a potty stop before you go inside the conservatory.
- Dress for warm and humid, because it is. Drink plenty of water before going inside.
- Know your children’s limits. They will stamp your hand and allow for a later reentry. When my six year old needed a break, we went out to the gardens for a bit to run around, and then came back inside to find the last couple of butterflies on our list.
Break included, we spent about and hour and a half in the conservatory. Then we spent another two hours roaming the gardens. Many of the plants are just beginning to bloom, and it’s beautiful!
The Texas Native Forest Boardwalk was lots of fun for my kids. Interactive displays along the boardwalk were entertaining and informative. We were able to name several of the species of plants on the forest floor, and when we got home, my six year old ran outside to see how many he could find!
A series of connected pipes, the Whisper Tubes were fun for all of us!
Playing a life-size version of “Whack-a-Mole”.
A tree full of saucer magnolia blooms! The beautiful prelude to spring!
More to do near the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens
Trinity Park and the Trinity Trails are located right across University. Take a ride on the Forest Park Miniature Train which runs on weekends, and stops in Trinity Park.
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and Nature has plenty of activities for kids and kids at heart! Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!!!
Michelle
