Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens
Magic Wings is a wonderful butterfly conservatory in South Deerfield, Massachusetts.When first hearing about this facility, one might think it is rather boring. But a trip with children to this magical place will be sure to bring delight to all family members.
This indoor butterfly conservatory spreads out over 8,000 square feet. There are almost 4,000 exotic and domestic butterflies living here. There are tanks with a variety of reptiles including lizards and frogs, and Madagascar cockroaches. There is also a butterfly hatching area where visitors can observe butterflies hatching out of their cocoons. Exotic birds and quail also inhabit the conservatory, providing, even more, variety in the creature sightings at this magical place.The environment is quite tropical and calming with a variety of plants, a pond filled with Koi fish, and a small waterfall. It is quite warm inside the conservatory itself so bear that in mind when visiting.
In warmer months guests may enjoy and outside garden filled with plants that attract butterflies. There are benches to sit on and just observe the action and enjoy the colorful butterflies flitting around. The Conservatory specializes in butterfly education, recreation, and garden supplies.
A fascinating part of the butterfly observatory is that if visitors stand still, they are usually fortunate enough to have butterflies land on them. The butterflies particularly like scents so visitors wearing perfume or after shave are more likely to have a butterfly landing experience. To see the face of a child light up when a butterfly lands on a part of their body is an amazing treat for any adult.
To attract the butterflies to land on a body part, visitors should wear bright colors, especially bright yellow if possible. You have the option to purchase an inexpensive necklace of brightly colored beads (see the picture of my daughter in the blue shirt below) to attract butterflies to you. Visitors are not allowed to touch the butterflies due to their fragile wings, but they can choose to land on the visitors. If you take your family to visit Magic Wings, make sure to bring a camera to capture some amazing pictures.
For families who may want some refreshment before or after their visit to Magic Wings, there is a restaurant available on the premises, fittingly named, 'Monarch's Restaurant." Strollers are not allowed inside the conservatory. The aisles are rather tight, and guests trying to maneuver around the conservatory would have a much harder time trying to avoid tripping on strollers. There are two larger areas that are less congested. Young children and babies are often carried, or baby carriers can be used to help ease the congestion. Wheelchairs are allowed.
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory is open year round, and seven days per week, except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
These are the colored beaded necklaces we wore to attract butterflies:
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory
Have you ever visited Magic Wings in South Deerfield, Massachusetts?
Watch a family's visit to Magic Wings here
© 2012 Karen Hellier