Located in Faust Park in Chesterfield, Missouri, the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House is an accredited butterfly zoo operated by the Missouri Botanical Garden. If you are exploring the St. Louis area, this dedicated insect facility offers a fascinating look into the world of invertebrates.
Inside, you can step into the Conservatory Garden, an 8,000-square-foot glassed-in indoor tropical habitat housing up to 80 butterfly species and 150 tropical plant species. As you wander under its soaring 36-foot vaults, you can observe the Miracle of Metamorphosis exhibit, where hundreds of chrysalides from around the globe are on display. Beyond the main glass conservatory, your visit includes rich educational exhibits throughout the main hallway. You can discover Small Wonders focusing on arachnids and invertebrates, explore Butterflies of the World, view Aquatic Invertebrates, or sit down in the Emerson Family Theater to watch the 17-minute introductory film, The Butterfly Effect.
Outdoors, you can stroll through the Butterfly Garden demonstration space overlooking a scenic reflecting pond at the Emerson Lakeside Terrace. Whether you are watching transformation in action or learning about caterpillar host plants, it is an enriching stop for curious travelers of all ages.
What to see at Butterfly House, Missouri Botanical Garden
- 8,000-square-foot Conservatory Garden housing up to 80 butterfly species
- Miracle of Metamorphosis display featuring hundreds of chrysalides
- Emerson Family Theater showing the 17-minute film The Butterfly Effect
- Main hallway exhibits covering arachnids, aquatic invertebrates, and global butterflies
- Outdoor Butterfly Garden demonstration area and Emerson Lakeside Terrace overlooking a pond
Visiting tips
Be sure to catch a screening of The Butterfly Effect in the Emerson Family Theater, which plays twice each hour to teach you about butterfly anatomy and behavior.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning or afternoon
How to get there & what’s nearby
Butterfly House, Missouri Botanical Garden is easy to reach on St. Louis’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Cahokia and Gateway Arch. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our St. Louis travel guide.
See the full St. Louis travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.