Indiana is home to some pretty famous family-friendly attractions. For example, did you know that the Indianapolis Children’s Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the world? The Indianapolis Zoo is another much-beloved destination for family trips in Indiana, but if you’re looking to avoid crowds… well, we’ll just say that those two options aren’t for you. So, what’s a family to do? Easy: head to a less-crowded place to enjoy your day. Lafayette is home to an amazing zoo where the kids’ imaginations will run wild. It’s home to all kinds of amazing and exotic critters, and best of all… there are butterflies. Tons of ’em. Visit this amazing butterfly garden in Indiana before meandering to explore the rest of the zoo!

Nestled in Lafayette is the delightful Columbian Park Zoo.
Columbian Park Zoo/Facebook
It's home to an array of fascinating creatures, intriguing insects, and more - and speaking of intriguing insects, Columbian Park Zoo is the setting for a splendid butterfly garden just begging to be seen and appreciated.
You and the kids will absolutely love setting foot in this stunning, well-kept slice of paradise where some of the most brightly-colored little creatures in all of Indiana come to roost.
Columbian Park Zoo/Facebook
...well, okay. They're not exactly "roosting" here, but the Monarchs do pass through here on their great migration, and many more species call the garden itself home.
You'll encounter butterflies native to Indiana, as well as a handful of other North American species.
Columbian Park Zoo/Facebook
Wander the Butterfly Sculpture Garden and don't forget to also check out Butterfly Bog, on the north side of the garden, and the Butterfly Garden Party cannot be missed.

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It's kind of funny: most people, should a moth land on them, are likely to scream and run as if the moth was somehow dangerous.
Columbian Park Zoo/Facebook
If a butterfly lands on the same person, however, the butterfly is more likely to be appreciated and looked at with a sense of awe and wonder. Fair? Nah. But do we get it? Yeah.

Not that we know anything about this from experience, though.
And, of course, you can't just stop at the butterflies!
Columbian Park Zoo/Facebook
Butterflies are awesome and beautiful and all, but the rest of the critters at Columbian Park Zoo would love to say hello, too!
Meet hundreds of species from all over the world!
Columbian Park Zoo/Facebook
Lions and tigers and hippos, oh my - they're all to be expected at Columbian Park Zoo.
So, what are you waiting for?
Columbian Park Zoo/Facebook
There are all sorts of adorable little guys just waiting to meet you! It's so much more than just a butterfly garden in Indiana; it's a whole experience.

Please note that this zoo is open seasonally, April through October. For more information about this wonderful zoo and butterfly sanctuary, please be sure to visit the official website. What’s your favorite animal? Tell us about them in the comments!

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20 N 6th St, Lafayette, IN 47901, USA