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Butterfly Tampa: A Fluttering World of Wonder

Discover a world of fluttering beauty and fascinating creatures at Butterfly Tampa, an enchanting destination that inspires conservation through education and immersive experiences in a native garden setting.

4.5

Butterfly Tampa offers a captivating and immersive experience into the world of butterflies, insects, reptiles, and native Florida flora. Located within the Little Red Wagon Native Nursery, this unique attraction combines education and natural beauty, making it perfect for families, nature enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a tranquil escape. Visitors can stroll through vibrant gardens filled with nectar-rich native plants, observe butterflies up close, and explore interactive exhibits featuring a variety of insects and reptiles. With seasonal events, workshops, and a focus on conservation, Butterfly Tampa provides an engaging and memorable adventure for all ages, fostering a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance of our ecosystem. It's more than just a visit; it's an opportunity to connect with nature and support local conservation efforts.

A brief summary to Butterfly Tampa

  • Monday 11 am-3 pm
  • Tuesday 11 am-5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 11 am-5:30 pm
  • Thursday 11 am-5:30 pm
  • Friday 11 am-5:30 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-5:30 pm
  • Sunday 12 pm-4 pm

Local tips

  • Visit during the weekdays for a quieter, more personal experience, especially if you're visiting with children.
  • Check the event schedule online before your visit to catch any special exhibits, educational workshops, or butterfly releases.
  • Bring a camera to capture the stunning butterflies, but remember to turn off your flash to avoid startling them.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll want to explore all the garden paths and exhibits at your leisure.
  • Consider visiting in the late afternoon when the butterflies are often most active and vibrant.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    For the final leg of your journey via public transport, several HART (Hillsborough Area Regional Transit) bus routes serve the area near Butterfly Tampa. From the Marion Transit Center in downtown Tampa, take bus route 19 or 36. Exit at the Henderson Blvd @ Sterling Av stop, a short walk from the attraction. A one-way fare is $2.90.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    If arriving by taxi or ride-sharing service (Uber/Lyft), simply provide the destination address: 4113 Henderson Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629. From the Westshore area, a typical ride-share fare will range from $12-$18, depending on demand and traffic.

  • Walking

    For those staying in the Palma Ceia neighborhood, Butterfly Tampa is easily accessible on foot. From the intersection of Bay to Bay Blvd and Henderson Blvd, head north on Henderson Blvd for approximately 0.3 miles. Butterfly Tampa will be on your right. Enjoy the local scenery during your walk.

  • Driving

    If driving, approach Butterfly Tampa via Henderson Boulevard. Limited parking is available directly behind Little Red Wagon Native Nursery, where Butterfly Tampa is located. Parking is $5.00. Additional street parking may be found on side streets, but be mindful of residential parking restrictions.

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Discover more about Butterfly Tampa

Butterfly Tampa is a delightful escape into the enchanting world of butterflies and native Florida wildlife. Nestled within the Little Red Wagon Native Nursery on Henderson Boulevard, this attraction offers a unique blend of education, conservation, and natural beauty, creating an immersive experience for visitors of all ages. As you step into Butterfly Tampa, you're immediately greeted by a kaleidoscope of colors as hundreds of butterflies flutter freely around you. The air is filled with the gentle rustling of wings and the sweet scent of nectar-rich native plants. This carefully curated garden mimics the natural habitats of these delicate creatures, providing ample opportunities for breathtaking up-close encounters and stunning photographs. Beyond the butterflies, Butterfly Tampa showcases a fascinating array of insects, amphibians, and reptiles, offering a glimpse into Florida's often-overlooked biodiversity. Interactive exhibits provide insights into the life cycles, behaviors, and ecological roles of these creatures, emphasizing the importance of conservation and habitat preservation. One of the highlights of Butterfly Tampa is the opportunity to witness the magical butterfly release, which typically occurs on weekends. Guests can watch as newly emerged butterflies take their first flight into the garden, a truly unforgettable experience that highlights the wonder and fragility of nature. Butterfly Tampa is more than just an attraction; it's an education center dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of pollinators and the natural environment. Through engaging exhibits, informative displays, and hands-on workshops, visitors can learn about the life cycle of butterflies, the role of native plants in supporting local ecosystems, and the simple steps they can take to protect these vital species. The vision of Butterfly Tampa began with Anita Camacho, also known as the Butterfly Whisperer. Anita has been an advocate for organic gardening and respect for nature since she was a young girl. She wanted to bring a butterfly conservatory to the Tampa Bay area for many years. After visiting many of them around the world, she felt it was a much-needed asset in our community. Butterfly Tampa is committed to inspiring dedicated conservation of butterflies and other pollinators through chemical-free native plant landscaping, public education and recreation. They aim to inspire people about the ease and joy of natural gardening for homes, businesses, schools, and farms. They intend to work with our city, and neighboring cities, to do the same in the hope of helping to reverse the ongoing destruction of butterfly and pollinator habitats in our local areas by providing a place to experience and understand nature and beauty. For those seeking a deeper connection with nature, Butterfly Tampa offers a variety of educational programs and events throughout the year. Children's nature camps provide hands-on learning experiences for young nature enthusiasts, while workshops for adults cover topics such as butterfly gardening, native plant propagation, and sustainable landscaping practices. Before leaving, be sure to visit the native plant nursery to pick up plants for your own butterfly garden and find the perfect nature-inspired gift in the gift shop. By supporting Butterfly Tampa, you're not only enriching your own life but also contributing to the conservation of these beautiful creatures and their habitats. Whether you're marveling at delicate butterflies in motion, exploring the secrets of camouflage in the insect and reptile displays, or simply enjoying the garden's serenity, Butterfly Tampa promises a memorable adventure filled with wonder and wildlife. It's a place where you can reconnect with nature, learn about the importance of conservation, and create lasting memories with family and friends. Butterfly Tampa is located inside Little Red Wagon Native Nursery. The dream of a true believer. Anita Camacho, Butterfly Tampa's CEO, has been an advocate for organic gardening and respect for nature since she was a young girl. People view the butterfly as a symbol of endurance, change, beauty, hope and life. Through education and outreach, their goal is to increase awareness about the importance of pollinators and our natural environment. In addition to butterflies, Butterfly Tampa will feature revolving exhibits of pollinator-friendly plants as well as bees, reptiles, insects, arthropods, moths and other creatures. Education programs will be offered to members and visitors, tour groups and students. Butterfly Tampa visitors will learn how these pollinators truly teach us about the health of our environment in an enchanted, living rainforest in our South Tampa education exhibit. Enjoy seeing live butterflies, their caterpillars munching on their host plants, and possibly witness a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis! While our main focus is butterflies and the native plants they rely on, there are many other creatures that rely on native plants and benefit our ecosystem. Visit our new living bug zoo in our Bug Bungalow and several native and exotic reptiles, amphibians and turtle residents of Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation's living exhibit!

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