Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, Butterfly house in Niagara Falls, Canada

The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is a glass-domed butterfly house on the grounds of the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, about 9 km north of Niagara Falls. Its 1,022-square-metre greenhouse holds over 2,000 tropical butterflies from more than 45 species, with 180 metres of paths winding through foliage. Fine netting lines the inside of the dome so butterflies touching the glass are not harmed.

The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory opened in December 1996, operated by the Niagara Parks Commission on the grounds of the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture. It was built with a gift shop, a 200-seat theatre and auditorium, and a climate-controlled greenhouse. The glass dome covers 1,022 square metres and holds 180 metres of paths.

The conservatory keeps a constant 26.6 °C and 88% humidity under its glass dome, conditions in which tropical plants serve as caterpillar food and nectar sources. Food plants such as Lantana, Cuphea, Zinnia, Ixora, Liatris and Pentas are replaced every two to three weeks because caterpillars eat so much. Visitors who want butterflies to land on them should wear bright clothing, move slowly and use perfume or cologne.

The building is climate-controlled to maintain tropical conditions year-round, making it comfortable to visit in any season. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are recommended since paths wind through plant beds and can be wet or uneven.

Visitors can watch butterflies emerge from their chrysalis through special viewing windows, witnessing metamorphosis happening in real time. This rare opportunity lets people see one of nature's most dramatic transformations as it actually occurs.