Butterflies are one of the most beloved of all insects, as they are beautiful, majestic, and oh-so colorful! Do you wish you could enjoy more than just a fleeting moment with these gorgeous creatures? You can, as Colorado is home to one of the largest butterfly conservatories in the U.S.:
Located in Westminster, the Butterfly Pavilion is a massive 30,000-square-foot oasis that is not only the largest butterfly house in the state but in the country.
Opened in 1995, the Butterfly Pavilion is the world's first accredited non-profit invertebrate zoo and houses some 5,000 butterflies, fish, and other creepy crawlies.
When you visit, you will be treated to several fascinating exhibits, beginning with Crawl-A-See-Em and its dozens of species of arthropods and the famous Rosie the tarantula (pictured).
Next, it's time to go underwater via Water's Edge, a small, hands-on aquarium that pays homage to the "invertebrates that inhabit the deep ocean floor."
Featuring 7,200 square feet, the Wings of the Tropics will make you think you have left the Centennial State for a tropical rainforest with its 200 plant species from around the world and thousands of colorful butterflies.