Butterfly House

The butterfly house will be open for the first time this spring at our Nature Day Event June 9th.  (only for participants of Nature Day) It will then open to the general public on  June 12th through Labor Day (weather permitting) our 12 x 24' outdoor* butterfly house is filled with native butterflies. Our butterfly house offers visitors a total immersion experience for the young and old as it introduces visitors to the wonders of metamorphosis. 

HOURS: Open Wednesday through Sunday 11:00 am-3:00 pm. 
Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Also closed on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.  

Admission:

• TNC Members: Free 
• Get your membership now and visit the Butterfly House all summer long!
• Non-members: $5 (for 1 adult and 2 children).
  
• Additional Children: $5 (for up to 3)*
• Young children who will be held off the floor by an adult the entire time inside the house are free.
  
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  

This seasonal exhibit showcases several beautifully colored butterflies sipping nectar and taking flight, offering guests the opportunity to better understand and appreciate their life cycle and importance to the ecosystem. Inside the exhibit you will be welcome to chat with staff or volunteers, ask questions, or simply relax and enjoy the space while butterflies flit and fly about. See if a butterfly will land on your nectar stick or just watch them fly around you as they move between nectar plants. Observe butterfly chrysalis in the chrysalis box. Maybe you will be lucky enough to see a butterfly emerge!

Contact our Public Engagement Coordinator Alex Braunstein for more information.

Visitors are encouraged to show off pictures of their visit on social media using the #TNCButterfly #Tenaflynaturecenter

Interested in encouraging butterflies in your yard? This document lists nectar and host plants for NJ butterflies and moths.

*butterflies are less active when temperatures are cool (below 70 F) or if it is overcast and/or raining.