The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House is a small, warm and surprisingly absorbing place, tucked into Faust Park in Chesterfield, west of the city. It opened on 18 September 1998, became part of the Missouri Botanical Garden in 2001, and in 2003 became the first insect-dedicated facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which gives some sense of how seriously its science is taken. The heart of the visit is the Tropical Conservatory, an enclosed space of about 8,000 square feet where more than 60 tropical butterfly species fly freely among more than 150 tropical plants. You walk slowly along the paths, and butterflies land on plants, on railings and, if you stand still, on you. Beyond the conservatory there is an insect zoo, a theater space and classrooms, plus a seasonal Native Butterfly Garden that shows what flutters through Missouri yards. The experience is easy and gentle: a visit runs about an hour, it is wheelchair accessible, and the warm humid air is a relief on a winter day. It is especially good for young children and for gardeners, and it is a calm contrast to the larger and noisier attractions in the city. Because it is a living collection, what you see changes with the season. The Butterfly House is open Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays, and closes for a few weeks of maintenance each January.
How to visit
The Butterfly House is in Faust Park, a St. Louis County park about 1.2 miles north of the I-64 and Olive-Clarkson exit, roughly a 25-minute drive from downtown. From March to August it opens at 9:00 and from September to February at 10:00, closing at 16:00 throughout, and it is open on Presidents Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Admission is charged by age, with free entry for the youngest, and residents of the city and county enter free during the first two hours on the first Tuesday of the month. Tickets can be bought online or at the door.
What to expect
The conservatory is warm and humid, so dress in layers you can remove. Move slowly and calmly, since butterflies are drawn to stillness, and look at your shoulders and bag before you leave because they sometimes hitch a ride. Strollers are generally not allowed, so bring a sling or carrier for babies, although small umbrella strollers may be accommodated. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed, though service animals are. The insect zoo is a hit with children who like creepy crawlies.
Making the most of it
Go early on a weekday for the quietest paths, and pair the Butterfly House with the rest of Faust Park, which is a pleasant place for a picnic and a walk. It makes a fine rainy-day or winter option, and it combines well with a visit to the Missouri Botanical Garden, which operates it. Because the collection is alive, avoid the weeks when the building is closed in January, and confirm hours and prices on the Garden's site before travelling.
A visit also suits keen photographers, because the butterflies pose on leaves and flowers at close range, so bring a phone or camera with a macro mode and be patient. Children enjoy spotting the chrysalises and learning how the insects grow, and teachers and scout groups often use the Butterfly House as a field trip.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk through an 8,000-square-foot tropical conservatory of free-flying butterflies, with an insect zoo.
Best time
Weekday mornings; it is warm and sheltered, which makes it good in winter.
How long
About an hour to an hour and a half.
Tips
Dress in removable layers, move slowly, bring a carrier rather than a stroller and check the closure each January.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Young children, gardeners and anyone who wants a gentle indoor stop.
- Families
- Excellent for small children, with an insect zoo, though strollers are generally not allowed.
- Couples
- A calm, warm and photogenic stop on a cold day.
- Pair with
- The Missouri Botanical Garden or a picnic in Faust Park.
- Time needed
- Allow about an hour.
Good questions
Where is the Butterfly House?+
It is in Faust Park in Chesterfield, about 1.2 miles north of the I-64 Olive-Clarkson exit, west of St. Louis.
How many butterflies are there?+
The Tropical Conservatory holds more than 60 tropical butterfly species among more than 150 tropical plants.
When is it open?+
Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 in March to August and from 10:00 in September to February, closing at 16:00. It is closed on Mondays and for a few weeks each January.
Can I bring a stroller?+
Strollers are generally not allowed, though small umbrella strollers may be accommodated. Slings and carriers are encouraged.
Is it free for local residents?+
Residents of St. Louis City and County enter free during the first two hours on the first Tuesday of the month, on site only.
