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    Cockrell Butterfly Center

    4.7 (151 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 5:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Andrea H.

    The Cockrell Butterfly Center is part of the Natural Museum of Science complex in Houston. Fortunately, you can buy tickets as a bundle to see a variety of things or as a single item to see just one of the building exhibits. When buying tickets, you can go to one of the many kiosks in the lobby or get in the queue to see a human. The Butterfly Center has timed entry, so you may have to wait before you can actually visit the center. We came on a Sunday during February. We parked at Hermann Park and walked around there first before deciding to visit the Butterfly Center. The ticket kiosks were near the doors and there was no line for any of them, so we bought our tickets this way. We couldn't get in right away at 12:30 pm, but fortunately the 12:45 slot was available. During the fifteen minute wait, we visited the snack bar and then sat outside in the sun. The ticket scanner does check your time entry and will ask you to wait if your time slot is not open yet. They can only have a certain number of visitors in the building at one time. The center is small and the pathway is somewhat narrow. For the most enjoyable experience with the butterflies, you don't want a lot of movement or crowds. Before entering, a human will go over the rules. Again, move slowly and don't reach out and touch the butterflies. If they land on you, leave them alone. Be sure to grab a laminated butterfly identification card before entering. It can be useful for spotting the different butterflies. As a group, you will enter into a double door safe room. This prevents the butterflies from escaping outside. Since all of the butterflies are imported from Central America, it is illegal for them to be released outside. Once inside, quickly move around the pathway to allow everyone in your group to enter so the double doors can be closed. It's hot and humid inside, so you may want to leave your extra layers and things back in the vehicle. The pathway meanders through a lot of tropical plants. There are benches along the way where you can rest and enjoy the flutter of activity. There are some food stations for birds and butterflies as well as natural plants that attract them. Some butterflies have a number on them. If you see one with a tag, be sure to take a picture and post it to the center's social media. These are part of a research study. For $20, you can release a butterfly in the center. This seems like a great way for the center to make money and keep the butterfly stock up. There were lots of butterflies. I definitely felt like we got our money's worth from the visit alone, but I'm sure some people would love the ability to do the butterfly release too. In addition to the butterflies, birds, and plants, there was also a large iguana hanging out on the wall. He didn't move while we were there, but he was fun to see. There is also a lovely waterfall and creek. It's a lovely way to spend an hour. There are double doors at the exit too. You will have to wait for your group between the double doors for a few minutes while everyone verifies that they don't have a butterfly on them. This holding room has mirrors everywhere so you can check your backside too. The exhibit beyond the conservatory has interesting facts about insects and butterflies. It's mostly geared for kids, but you can certainly learn something here. In my opinion, this was a very enjoyable experience. I wouldn't have thought about coming here, but since we were in the area, it was worth the visit.

    Brandea B.

    It's absolutely beautiful in here. I loved seeing the different species & capture their beauty! I went on a Monday afternoon, and it wasn't too busy. Lots of space for little ones to roam around! I would stay in there all day just admire the beauty of this place if I could!

    Beetles
    Gary W.

    Cockrell Butterfly Center is not just butterfly centric, but provides a world of information on arthropods, reptiles, and unique species of the world in addition to information specifically focusing on Texas and the surrounding areas. If you are squirmy do not fret, you are safe in front of some security glass and screens. (Well, technically not because the areas do need to be cleaned, right? Just kidding) If you opt for the butterfly experience you will have an assigned time. Once you go to the queue they will check your ticket and at this time you can go straight to the lepidopterarium or chose to wonder in learning about the birth and development stages of crawly things near and far. Before you enter the butterfly house the guide will give you some brief instructions and provide you with a double sided placard with the different species that are housed. The butterfly house is a comfortable temperature but high in humidity. As you walk around and observe the butterflies do not be surprised if one lands on you. If you have a keen eye, you might see a couple of lizards sunbathing in the most peculiar places. Side note: Upon exiting you have to go through a double-door that provides negative pressure to keep the happy butterflies in and you will have to inspect yourself to ensure no stranglers are hitching a ride outside.

    Exhibits at the Natural Science Museum
    James A.

    The Cockrell Butterfly Conservatory located at the Houston Museum of Natural Science has 1,500 live butterflies living in a 3 story biodome. The last time we were in Houston, we noticed this conservatory but didn't have time to visit. So this time, we made it a point to visit in the late morning. It is one of the parts of the Houston Natural Science Museum, each of which has their own admission price and entrance. It costs $12 for an adult, $10 for senior/child. It wasn't so busy, so were able to get an immediate entrance time for 11 am. The first part is an air-conditioned exhibit, with educational areas about butterflies (e.g. what is the difference between butterflies and moths?). It also contains small terrariums throughout with various beetles, flying insects, and small reptiles. Some interesting exhibits was seeing very large nests of wasps and hornets and an actual Hercules beetle. Once done, you get in line to enter the 3 story dome from the top floor. A guide provides information about what to-do and not to-do once inside. Once inside, you slowly make your way down to the ground level, stopping to admire whatever interests you (including various tropical plants). There were plenty of stops where super ripe fruit was left out to attract the butterflies for observation. It was busy enough to make quiet observation not possible, but everyone was mostly polite and respectful...you just have to keep moving slowly. There were cases where butterflies of the same species were flying/chasing together. There was one section where you could donate to release a newly emerged butterfly. And we learned that they are able to tag a butterfly, to help with understanding longevity. The center of the biodome is dominated by a 3 story tree, that looks real. On closer inspection, it was tagged as from the species (Replica artificialis). It's main job is to house the ventilation system that circulates fresh air throughout the rainforest. Before you exit, an employee will make sure you don't have any inadvertent passengers on your body. We were probably in the garden for about an hour, which we felt was enough time.

    Caim S.

    This felt like the kind of place Professor Sprout would've run during her Herbology office hours at Hogwarts, LOL! Super green, super peaceful, and just full of quiet little magical moments. I went on a Saturday and was honestly surprised by how chill it was. It wasn't crowded at all. I got to wander at my own pace, which made the whole thing feel even more calming. Obviously, the butterflies are the main event, but what I didn't expect was how much I'd enjoy the rest of the exhibit too. There's A LOT of ifo on other bugs and their role in our ecosystem, bees especially. It was one of those learning experiences that doesn't feel like a lecture. It reminded me of the kind of place Luna Lovegood, would absolutely vibe in. if you're looking for something lowkey and beautiful enough without the chaotic attention of a huge audience, then this is a good one. Whether you're taking the kids, need a cute date idea, or just want somewhere to relax after a long week, this is the perfect place. Super underrated if you're into nature, chill adventures, or just need a little magic without the chaos.

    Gabby S.

    We loved this place!! For the price of $12 a person, this was so worth it! They have lots of insects to see and the garden with the butterflies is breathtaking! I could've stayed in there all day!! Would definitely recommend!

    Walter M.

    This is located inside a bio-dome next to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, so visitors could easily spend a day seeing several different exhibits. The Cockrell Butterfly Center can be visited with a separate ticket, and plant to spend at least 1-2 hours enjoying all things about butterflies. A pleasant park is located just across the street to round out a block of 3-4 hours if time allows.

    Chantilly A.

    Omg! Love! Anyone who knows me is aware that I'm obsessed with butterflies. So I was beyond excited to visit the Butterfly Center here. First, there's much more than butterflies. You can check out so many other insects/lizards/etc...including cockroaches, beetles, spiders, snakes and more. However, once we entered the butterfly exhibit...WOW. It's so tranquil and really feels like you're stepping into some rainforest. The warm temp, light mist...the sounds. It's so beautiful. There were so many gorgeous butterflies, some big, some small, some huge...just floating effortlessly around everyone. There were also so many colorful birds as well. In all, I really enjoyed myself and didn't want to leave. Also, be prepared to shake off your clothing and get a quick check from staff as you're leaving. I was obviously confused as to what was going on and was told it was to ensure that we weren't carrying any butterflies on us. I get it, No prob. I had a great time and look forward to returning.

    Monica R.

    Came here for a weekend trip with some friends and we happen to pass by the museum and got to see the beautiful butterfly garden . It was huge with so many species to learn from and the beauty to see them in their natural habitat.

    Butterflies are spirit animals
    Marissa M.

    Weeks ago before planning my Houston itinerary, I saw Kylie Jenner post on her live story spending a day with Stormi at the exhibit. We know Travis Scott hails from Houston, so I had to check it out. We visited on a humid Sunday afternoon. This was the perfect way to beat the heat. The exhibit is priced at $12 and a great activity for children. Other than the photo aesthetic adults won't get much out of this experience except that and free A/C. Stay as long as you want to and enjoy the butterflies. The butterflies can get pretty friendly and tend to linger so be mindful and cautious.

    Tanya C.

    While in Houston we visited this butterfly museum. When we first walked in we were greeted and given instructions to proceed with caution because the butterflies and other insects are free range and could land on you so don't be alarmed. You will also need to do several double checks to make sure the insects are not on you when you exit. There were several interactive games and trivia questions to partake in on the tour. We learned about the importance of bugs and insects and received insight on the nature and reproduction of them. The actual tour last about an hour but you could take as much time as needed. There is so much to explore but note it is a bit hot while walking around so dress comfortably. Great place for small child and families. Enjoy

    Elizabeth M.

    A friend and I were driving all over Houston and decided to stop here, impromptu. It turned out to be my favorite activity that weekend. It's $12 to get in and absolutely worth it. They have an indoor museum of sorts where you can see butterflies at different stages of development, scorpions, frogs, centipedes etc. The outdoor butterfly greenhouse has tons of butterflies, spans 2 floors, plants, is absolutely beautiful and you can spend a long time there just staring at butterflies. For $15, you can release one of the butterflies that recently grew out of their chrysalis shells (so to say) and watch them take their first flight. This is a great place to take kids too. Due to the size, it doesn't feel crowded. I recommend visiting if you've never been.

    Beautiful gold chrysalis
    Taylor C.

    As many times as I go to the museum I oddly haven't been to the butterfly center in over a decade. Deciding to go again was such a good idea and I might be visiting just to come here. I found myself sitting on the benches inside for so long just appreciating how beautiful it was. Another thing I didn't realize (since I haven't been in forever) was that there was a lot to see outside the main butterfly room. There's a big area with a lot of information and a lot of cool bugs right before you go into the butterfly room. And there's another small area after the butterfly room. It was overall start to finish a lot more time than I expected to spend there! I would say be very careful walking around since there are butterflies everywhereeee and keep a very very close watch on kids!!

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    3 years ago

    Great customer service and a wonderful experience for the babies! I have to go back and get photos since everything is on my older phone.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Cockrell Butterfly Center

    Do they require mask for vaccinated people?

    Mask's are not required at this exhibit. They do not check nor ask if you are vaccinated.

    Is there room to walk comfortably with a stroller?

    Yes it's pretty big but there are a few steps

    The exhibit is outside, so if it's 90 degrees out, will it be 90 degrees inside?

    Yes on the outside. Outside is seasonal.. Some of the exhibit is inside though..

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Cockrell Butterfly Center

    The Cockrell Butterfly Center is a peaceful, beautiful escape right inside the Museum of Natural Science.

    Mentioned in 17 reviews

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    Houston Museum of Natural Science - This guy is 25 years old

    Houston Museum of Natural Science

    4.2(826 reviews)
    0.1 miMuseum District

    The museum never disappoints the science lover in me. From the regular exhibits to the special…read moreexhibits on loan, there is always something interesting. The pictures are of the outside of the museum and the butterfly exhibit. There is a nice sloping walkway in the butterfly house. Also they have several benches to sit on if you want to just sit and be one with the butterflies while they fly around you. For $5 you can release a new butterfly into the butterfly house. It might be a cool experience for a child to release a butterfly. Aside from the butterfly house they have an IMAX, planetarium and the regular and special exhibit museums. There is a McDonalds in the lobby and restrooms throughout the museum. They have a parking garage that requires a fee (might be free with a membership). But on a rainy day this extra charge might be worth it. They sometimes run out of parking space though, so you might have to walk from free lots a ways away.

    I visited the Houston Museum of Natural Science with the family and had a decent experience-- but…read moremy wallet felt drained. The museum has a parking garage that is convenient but fills up quickly. The cost is a $30 flat rate and the spaces are tight, so reverse parking is key. General admission, planetarium, butterfly exhibit, and special exhibits are all individually priced. We spent $226 for a family of four to see two special exhibits (including general admission + parking). The Terracotta exhibit was smaller than we hoped -- more smaller artifacts and limited interactive elements and terracotta warriors on display. The King Tut exhibit was more memorable-- more immersive, better videos, and a clear narrative about his life, death, and discovery. Food is the biggest drawback. The Element Grill closes at 3pm, so late-day visitors are left with pre-made café items from the Periodic Table next door. This included cold cut sandwiches, burgers/hot dogs sitting under warmers, canned soda and bags of chips at a premium price. Recommend to visit the HMNS on a Tuesday 5-8pm for free general admission or consider a membership to save on costs. Plan ahead and eat beforehand or bring food and enjoy a nice picnic across the street!

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    Museum of Fine Arts Houston - Christian Louboutin- Louvre Couture Collection

    Museum of Fine Arts Houston

    4.3(583 reviews)
    0.2 miMuseum District

    I visited this museum specifically to view the Friday Khalo exhibit but found myself spending…read moreseveral hours exploring the rest of the museum. MFAH is a vast space that houses an impressive collection of arts and artifacts. Among its renowned pieces are works by Monet, Van Gogh, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Henri Matisse, and many more. The museum also features an Islamic Art Collection, Roman Catholic collection, and African Gold exhibit. Additionally, MFAH offers numerous immersive and interactive experiences for visitors. I particularly enjoyed walking through Ernesto Neto: SunForceOceanLife. A great experience for both adults and kids. Frida: The Making of an Icon, a captivating exhibition, graced the halls of MFAH in January and will leave May 17. This remarkable exhibition showcases over 30 works by the iconic artist. Among the treasures on display are her authentic dresses, back braces, corset, and boot, offering a glimpse into her life and artistic journey. If you are a fan, this is a must visit. You will not be disappointed. Note: Special exhibitions like Frida's is only $10 on Thursdays.

    The MFAH is huge with some works from famous artists and many artworks from around the world. The…read moreexhibits are pretty standard art museum galleries that you could find anywhere, but they sometimes have temporary exhibits that are more interesting and eclectic. They have free admission every Thursday, and we paid $10 each to get the all access pass for temporary exhibits. Parking is $10 in the garage. We went to see a Frida Kahlo exhibit and an interactive playground-like exhibit by Ernesto Neto. They gave us hospital grippy socks to climb on the structure. Kusama's Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity was cool as well, although one minute of standing in there was definitely sufficient. The least enjoyable "immersive" exhibit was the James Turrell one where we just sat on a bench for one minute to watch something, except that nothing happened. I am not an art person, so I wasn't super engaged by this museum as it is pretty similar to other art museums, but I think it's a good one for patient people who enjoy art.

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    Japanese Garden - Squirrel

    Japanese Garden

    4.6(72 reviews)
    0.2 miMuseum District

    Peaceful, zen, bit of nature within the museum district's Herman Park…read more Parking was free since we went on a Sunday and we were able to find a very close spot within the lot. We want on a day with gorgeous weather, not too hot and plenty of sunshine. We saw squirrels, turtles coyfish and various birds. There was a decent crowd but we were able to move around easily and get some cute pics. This is a beautiful weather day must.

    This was my first visit to the Japanese Garden in Houston, and it left a gentle impression on me. I…read morecame toward the tail end of winter, just as spring was teasing its way in. Here and there, I spotted a delicate cherry blossom and a few early blooms, though I wish I had visited at the peak of flower season. The garden itself is exquisitely designed and every corner seems crafted for peace, and I truly enjoyed the calm atmosphere. It felt like a small escape from the city hustle. That said, I did notice the cleanliness was a bit of an issue; the garden could definitely use some extra care to keep it pristine. Another small drawback was the restroom situation. There are only two available, and both were quite busy, so I ended up waiting a while and eventually decided it wasn't worth it. Still, the park draws a lovely crowd with people come to stroll, reflect, and soak in the beauty. If I'm in Houston again at a better time, I'll absolutely return to see the garden in full bloom. It has so much potential, and with a little more attention to detail, it could be a true hidden gem.

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    The Menil Collection - Front Entrance

    The Menil Collection

    4.2(403 reviews)
    1.2 miMontrose

    I have never been to a worse museum. Thank god it was free because I wouldn't pay a single penny to…read morego here again. They should've owned me money for going. The security guards are rude as hell. Apparently you can't point at the art and god forbid you had your PAMPHLET open while you are walking. To the man who told me to close it, you are insufferable. The pamphlets are for the people and they can do whatever the hell they want with it. He must be so bored standing around doing nothing with his life that he decided to make an issue with my PIECE OF PAPER. The art is utter dog sh*t. I don't need to go to art school to say the art was awful. The art looks like someone took their poop and smeared it on canvas with scribbles. I think a toddler can create better art. Everyone looked so depressed to be working there which I can see why if I was staring at bullsh*t all day. I've been to so many art museums over the years and I have never had such an awful experience with the pieces and the staff. Rude staff, crap art. Only people who know nothing about art will enjoy this "collection". Make sure to not take pictures of the trash work, point at it, or have your pamphlet open because they will cause an issue with you.

    Absolutely loved the exhibits at the Menil Collection! This Montrose museum has an amazing,…read morethoughtfully curated collection of modern and contemporary art, with pieces ranging from Surrealism to African and Pacific art. The galleries are spacious and serene. Admission is free, and I feel I can't complain, but the vibe was off because of the security. They were overly watchful and grim and it was off putting and took away from the visit. Not sure what happened in the past but but they should revisit their approach IMHO.

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    Art Car Museum

    Art Car Museum

    4.4(105 reviews)
    3.5 miWashington Corridor, The Heights

    I've lived in the heights when I was a kid/teen for like 20 years. Not sure how I never been here…read more I always saw it and wanted to go. Saw the parade from time to time. Out of the the times we come by to this museum it was the showcase for owners collage artwork. Talk about being very lucky! The exhibit was top notch. I got air of ideas for art at this exhibit. Great ideas and pieces. This is a true gem in houston Texas. If you haven't stoped by don't be like me and wait 20 years. So glad I got to see her work. The museum is free. They sell merch so support them that way. I'll definitely keep this one in rotation as they change the exhibit every few months. Very happy we were able to stop by and see her work and mural. I will add the older lady at the front working the ticket booth needs to relax. dropping all these art names and organizations and acting all shocked like we didn't know who they were. Relax lady. We are not absorbed into the art scents like you are! Then she had the nerve to say something about someone winning some 400k award. She emphasized 400k. I wanted to say, is that the first time you seen 400k but I was trying to be more like god and let her make it.

    This was my first time here! It's been on my list of museums. It's a unique, albeit small, museum…read more It fits only about 3-4 cars inside and other artwork among the small and larger rooms. When we went, the artist was also there talking about his art pieces. It's like when you visit the art galleries at Sawyer Yards. Pretty cool. You can leave donations for this free museum. There's a painting of Mrs. Jones, chihuahua, which she was introduced to us when we came in during our appointment time. For same-day appointments, you call to schedule. Anyway, she was so cute walking around the museum. We were told that the art changes every 4 months, so it'll be nice to come back and see what's new. I also want to see the art car parade next time. There's parking in front of the museum about 4 spaces like when you park in a driveway at home or street parking within walking distance that fits about 7 vehicles.

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    Art Car Museum
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    The Health Museum - Get a heart @ the HCMS Medical Student Mixer

    The Health Museum

    3.5(153 reviews)
    0.2 miMuseum District

    I found this to be a very interesting museum if you are interested in all elements of the human…read morebody. Parking was free across the street, but on a weekend, there wasn't any available spaces. We had to stop and wait on the lot for someone to move. We only had to wait a few minutes, but I presume there are arguments over spaces because there is a sign upon entry that says no holding spaces. When we walked to the museum, we noticed that there was a paid museum parking lot right in front of the main entry. The cost is only $8.00 and there were half of the spaces empty. We'll do that next time. All in all, it was a good experience and I encourage others to visit.

    I've lived in Houston for years and never made it to The Health Museum until today. I decided to…read morevisit at the very last minute remembering that many of the museums offer free admission on Thursdays. Take note that admission is free on Thursday but you must make a reservation in advance, available in 30 minute reservation time blocks. These blocks allow you a 30 minute timeframe to enter but once inside, you're welcome to stay until close. After arriving, I was not surprised but still a little overwhelmed with the number of small children and families with baby strollers. As several other reviewers mentioned, this is really a Children's Health Museum with the exhibits featuring larger than life organs and elementary interactive displays geared towards a child. I'll admit I did enjoy walking around the displays such as the enormous human eye and massive beating heart, but wished there had been more information on modern medicine and some of the advances like prosthetic joints and transplantation. They did have a current exhibit featuring the rise of microplastics with a focus on the waste collection efforts at Buffalo Bayou and some statistics about Houston plastic usage. This was a nice touch to have a local feature. For logistics, the museum is located right in the middle of the museum district making it super easy to walk to other surrounding museums and some of the great parks and gardens in the area. It's just two or three blocks from the metro rail line and they do have parking onsite for $8 for all day parking. This is convenient but I honestly recommend just going with metered street parking. I paid just over $2 for an hour. Overall, a great spot for kids.

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    The Health Museum - Heart exhibit

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    Cockrell Butterfly Center - museums - Updated May 2026

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