Houston Museum of Natural Science and Cockrell Butterfly Center
Badge of Excellence
Houston, USA
- 3 to 4 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
Overview
Avoid waiting in line to see the butterflies at the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Cockrell Butterfly Center when you book your ticket in advance. Immerse yourself in the world of butterflies and insects at the three-story center. Then continue to the Brown Hall of Entomology, where you can see both live and preserved specimens, and learn about them with interactive games and displays.
- Entrance ticket to CoPerfect for families and anyone interested in the natural worldckrell Butterfly Center at Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Save time in ticket lines by pre-booking your ticket
- Guarantee your admission to the Cockrell Butterfly Center
- Enjoy the flexibility of visiting independently and explore at your own pace
What's Included
- Cockrell Butterfly Center admission
- Houston Museum of Natural Science permanent exhibits admission
- Food and drinks
- Guide
Meeting and Pickup
Operating hours
- 02/11/2025 - 04/09/2027
Monday : 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday : 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday - Friday : 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday : 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday : 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Departure Point
- The Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030-1718
What To Expect
During your visit to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, head to the Cockrell Butterfly Center and show your entrance ticket to enter the exhibit.
Walk through a three-story glass structure that simulates a tropical rain forest, complete with a 50-foot waterfall. The glass-enclosed rain forest is home to exotic flowering plants and thousands of live butterflies that flutter around the exhibit.
Continue to the Brown Hall of Entomology to view live insects, mounted specimens, and larger-than-life insect models. In the displays, search for camouflaged creatures, watch leaf cutter ants at work, learn how insects can help solve crimes, see giant wasp nests, and check out some of Houston’s largest cockroaches.
Peek into an entomologist’s lab for a close look at insect specimens and listen to interviews with working entomologists. Learn about butterfly-friendly gardens, backyard beekeeping, and ways to control mosquitoes.
In the Chrysalis Corner, have the chance to see butterflies emerge from their chrysalis and dry their wings, then get released into the rain forest. Kids enjoy the The Land of Beeyond on the main level, where they can play in a giant beehive, make insect rubbings, read insect picture books, and put together puzzles.
Walk through a three-story glass structure that simulates a tropical rain forest, complete with a 50-foot waterfall. The glass-enclosed rain forest is home to exotic flowering plants and thousands of live butterflies that flutter around the exhibit.
Continue to the Brown Hall of Entomology to view live insects, mounted specimens, and larger-than-life insect models. In the displays, search for camouflaged creatures, watch leaf cutter ants at work, learn how insects can help solve crimes, see giant wasp nests, and check out some of Houston’s largest cockroaches.
Peek into an entomologist’s lab for a close look at insect specimens and listen to interviews with working entomologists. Learn about butterfly-friendly gardens, backyard beekeeping, and ways to control mosquitoes.
In the Chrysalis Corner, have the chance to see butterflies emerge from their chrysalis and dry their wings, then get released into the rain forest. Kids enjoy the The Land of Beeyond on the main level, where they can play in a giant beehive, make insect rubbings, read insect picture books, and put together puzzles.
1
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Your tickets will be held at the box office in exchange for Viator voucher
- Please be aware that this is a live animal exhibit, which can be overwhelming to service animals. If your service animal or the animals inside become agitated through vocalization, urination/excretion, or aggressive behavior, we may ask that your service animal step out of this area of the Museum.
- Strollers are not allowed in the Butterfly Center, but there is stroller parking available nearby.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 75 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.4
based on 109 reviews
Jenna_B, Nov 2025
Didn’t have enough time to get to everything. Mainly, went for the Butterfly sanctuary! Beautiful, peaceful, plants in there are gorgeous! Unique butterflies, birds and a waterfall!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
The Museum is vast! Apologies for not being able to experience it in its entirety however, very happy you were able to experience the Cockrell Butterfly Center. Thank you for your feedback.
Tony_H, May 2025
I used Viator to purchase tickets for events at the Muesum of Natural Science in downtown Houston. Viator made it easy and extremely convenient to reserve and pickup tickets. We had a great time and it was hassle free and no waiting in long lines.
Christina_S, Mar 2025
The exhibits here are amazing! Very informational and entertaining for both Adults and Children of all ages. The butterfly exhibit was spectacular!
Laura_K, Feb 2024
We had a great day visiting the museum! However the butterfly exhibit is closed through March, so we did not get to use that part of what we purchased. The museum gave us vouchers to do it in the future. I had asked if we could just trade the unused butterfly tickets for something else (like planetarium) but the vouchers for future butterfly entry were what was offered. We had a great time regardless, but we likely won't return any time soon just to visit the butterflies as we live about an hour away.
Sandy_M, Aug 2023
I could not get and neither could. Had to buy direct…. Horrible and embarrassing situation!!!!!!!! Will never ever use your services again!!!!!!!!!!
Maranda_M, Jul 2023
I’m visiting family in Texas. This was an amazing experience. Daughter had a great time. Had some butterflies land of us.
Amber_L, Jul 2023
The most memorable part of the butterfly exhibit was the whimsical atmosphere. I felt like I was in a forest dreamland with gorgeous butterflies all around me. Highly recommend!
Ronald_B, Jul 2023
The exhibits approaching the pyramid were interesting and engaging for the 6 through 9-year olds we took. Inside, there were lots of beautiful butterflies and moths and the girls were delighted!
Miranda_R, Jun 2023
It was my daughter’s 14th birthday so we decided to take her here to celebrate. What adventure we were on. We really enjoyed the butterflies, the waterfall and all the plants. It was beautiful.
mathewspam59, Jun 2023
The sheer beauty of the whole atrium with butterfly’s flutter flying around the entire atrium, around your head and body, and then to see them eating on the many food stations for them was an awesome experience. It was entirely beautiful.
ERICKA_C, May 2023
Enter into the rainforest to see butterflies. So many of different colors fly around, land in you, watch them eat fruit Up close
Angela_W, May 2023
Butterfly landed on my sister’s back as she is trying to take a picture of one like it.
The blue ones
Brian_T, May 2023
When the parking garage is full, uts raining, and the drop zone is 50 yards from a wheel chair ramo and entry, its not accommodating while dropping off an 88 year old mom and driving several blocks to find a space while hoping she can get to the entrance...no covered bench/sitting area nearby. Leaving was also a challenge that can be averted/remedied by the museum execs. with an accommodating drop zone.
Christian_R, Aug 2022
It was an amazing experience. Plenty of beautiful butterflies I’ve never seen before and I def recommend for friends and family to go.
Brandis_K, Aug 2022
Very interactive and educational. The combination of engagement through games plus ability to slow down and sit with the butterflies is unparalleled.
Stephanie_C, Jul 2022
Nice visit with Mom! Lovely day inside out. Rainy Houston and beautiful butterflies. Great weather in the arboretum .
Erin_T, Jul 2022
I had a wonderful day at the museum. The rain forest was incredibly fun. What a lasting and memorable experience we had.
Anthony_D, Jul 2022
I love how you walk in an area where you can educate yourself in the variety of different insects species before you get to the rainforest where all the live butterflies are located.
Irais_F, Jul 2022
it was cool looking at the insects and bugs. but the butterfly dome was super fun. very humid at the top tho but once u get down it’s nice and cool
Lacey_A, Jul 2022
It was a very beautiful and engaging experience. We will definitely be back to see this exhibit and museum again.
Angela_S, Jun 2022
Loved the blue butterflies and the space for all of them!!!!!! 10/10 would recommend to a friend. Had a great time
Sara_B, Jun 2022
Fun day with the butterflies. Love the waterfall. Great for toddlers with plenty of toddler size activity.
April_H, Jun 2022
Loved this.
So magical of a place!!
Will go back!
I will say, don’t bring your kids if they are scared of butterflies, it’s a little awkward for the people who do.
Plus they can potentially injure them.
Also, not letting kids just “grab” a butterfly.
Limited amounts of kids should be a thing, in my opinion but amazing place!!
Katherine_N, Jun 2022
Beautiful place full of exotic plants and butterflies. Loved having butterflies land on me and stay there while touring the rainforest
Greg_D, Jun 2022
The butterflies were amazing ; however it was very confusing how to enter the exhibit not very clear on signage ; also there were a large group of prom kids and parents who were stopping and taking pics blocking the walkway there should I have been an attendant in the exhibit to prevent the continually blocked path
Donald_F, Jun 2022
I purchased on line thinking it was going to work like other online ticket sites. No. Downloaded a paper that still makes you stand in line for over 30-45 minutes to get the actual tickets. Complete rip-off and extremely misleading.
John_S, Jun 2022
Such a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere! I enjoyed every second! I cannot for my next visit, I’ll be sure to bring my professional camera !
Cynthia_R, Jun 2022
Had a good trip short but sweet parking was rough but overall it was good. Nothing else to say about this trip
Ann_C, May 2022
The experience was amazing! Very educational and beautiful! A Rice Paper butterfly landed on my granddaughters dress. We were mesmerized watching it sit there for several minutes. My granddaughter did not want to leave and has been asking to go back for another visit! Very special!!❤️
Yasmin_S, May 2022
I bought 2 tickets online and when I got there I was told they were sold out… the guy at the front was no help and basically told me I would have to come back the next day and I asked what happens if they sell out again and I was told to come early so it doesn’t happen…
From $36.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Houston Museum of Natural Science and Cockrell Butterfly Center
109
4 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$36.00
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
Attractions in Houston, USA
- Hermann Park Tours & Tickets
- Tranquility Park Tours & Tickets
- Houston Zoo Tours & Tickets
- Wells Fargo Plaza Tours & Tickets
- Buffalo Bayou Park Tours & Tickets
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Tours & Tickets
- Holocaust Museum Houston Tours & Tickets
- Daikin Park Tours & Tickets
- Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park Tours & Tickets
- Houston Graffiti Building Tours & Tickets
- Sam Houston Park Tours & Tickets
- Houston Theater District Tours & Tickets
- Houston Museum District Tours & Tickets