Attractions

Sertoma Butterfly House. Photo by minnemom on flickr.

Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Sertoma Butterfly House is an educational facility that both children and adults enjoy.  Upon entering the large room, visitors can follow the paths through the gardens and view a wide variety of butterfly species.  Volunteers are on hand to share guide sheets, answer questions, or point out feeding areas. 

Butterflies Feeding at Sertoma Butterfly House. Photo by minnemom on flickr.

Sometimes the butterflies just fly around, but occasionally they’ll land on your arm or head.  My children liked watching the butterflies eat, as well as looking at the cocoons.  If you’re lucky, you might visit as a butterfly is emerging from its chrysalis.

Chrysalis at Sertoma Butterfly House. Photo by minnemom on flickr.

We like to visit in the winter, when the butterfly house is a welcome change from the cold outdoors.  We’ve been told that the butterflies are more active on sunny days.

We’ve been to other butterfly gardens, but the one in Sioux Falls is my favorite, both for its size and because it’s open year-round.

If you go, you’ll need to know that strollers are not allowed, in order to keep stowaway butterflies from leaving their home.  Entrance and exit are through a double-door area for the same reason.  Hours vary by season; check the Sertoma Butterfly House website for details.  Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for youth, with ages 3 and under free.

We’ve found many family-friendly things to do when visiting Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but one of our favorites is the Sertoma Butterfly House.

Linda (minnemom) writes about family travel in Minnesota and beyond at Travels with Children.

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