New York City’s American Museum of Natural History has a wonderful exhibit on butterflies. Best of all, after reading all about the butterflies and their habits, exhibit participants are able to fully interact with the butterflies!
The Natural History Museum is located on Central Park West at 79th Street and is open every day from 10 am until 5:45 pm. (212) 769 – 5100. The Butterfly Conservatory is located on the second floor and tickets are priced at $24 for adults, $14 for children (14 and under) and $18 for seniors and students. The museum plus one ticketing price includes admission to the Museum of Natural History, the butterfly conservatory and the Rose Center for Earth and Space (planetarium). The butterfly tickets provide timed entry so you can plan the rest of your visit around the time that you are scheduled to see the butterflies.
Walking into the exhibit, visitors are treated to pictures of and several facts about butterflies. For instance, did you know that the wings of butterflies are covered with thousands of tiny scales or that scientists monitor the patterns of butterflies because butterflies are very sensitive to changes in their environment and this keeps scientists aware of any changes in the environment?
Once a visitor has read about butterflies, the fun begins. Visitors are ushered into the conservatory through a set of double doors. Once the first door is closed, then visitors are able to go through the second door. Exits are performed in the same manner; after all it wouldn’t do to have the butterflies escape!
Upon entering be prepared for tropical temperatures as the conservatory is kept well with in the 80s. Butterflies of every color flutter freely within the space enjoying the various butterfly friendly plants and drinking nectar from specially set food stations. Photography is allowed, but please don’t grab at or otherwise disturb the butterflies or prevent them from making their rounds.
If you’re lucky, (like I was) you may be able to entice a butterfly to land in or on your hand. Go to a spot where the butterflies are congregating and hopefully less people are present (which is easier said than done due to the conservatory’s size) and slowly, very slowly stretch out your hand. Take care not t o make sudden movements and you may find that you’ve made a new friend!
If you’re interested in the butterfly conservatory, you should go as soon as possible as the exhibit is scheduled to close on May 31st. So go and you too will be able to enjoy your time with the butterflies.
