Bugs and Butterflies in KC
From vibrant butterflies, to creepy crawly insects, to our favorite animated hive-keepers and giant bugs—Kansas City offers many great family outings for exploring and enjoying bugs and butterflies!
1609 NW US Hwy. 50, Kingsville, MO. 816.697.2600
The highlight of summer at Powell Gardens is the annual Festival of Butterflies. Powell Gardens’ signature festival is a grand celebration of the fantastical beauty of the butterfly. Festival admission is charged.
National Agricultural Hall of Fame
630 N. 126th St. Bonner Springs, KS. 913.721.1075
Learn about honeybees and their role in local agriculture through one of the many exhibits at the Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Local Butterfly Gardens
Lowenstein Park
1901 NW Lowenstein Dr. Lee’s Summit, MO. FREE
Lowenstein Park is home to a small butterfly garden with flowers that attract butterflies.
Butterfly Bio-Villa at Pendleton’s Country Market
1446 E. 1850 Rd. Lawrence, KS 66046. 785.843.1409. $3/person
The bio-villa is an indoor butterfly garden and certified monarch way station. Learn how the butterfly progresses from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to gorgeous winged creature, all in the course of a few weeks.
Linda Hall Library Urban Arboretum
5109 Cherry St. Kansas City, MO. 816.926.8747
Kansas City’s urban arboretum on the UMKC campus features 14+ acres and is home to 338 trees, as well as viburnum and tree peonies that attract beautiful butterflies.
8909 W. 179th St. Overland Park, KS. 913.685.3604. Admission charged.
The 300-acre arboretum features many wonderful gardens, including the Erickson Water Garden with many plants that specifically attract butterflies.
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
13800 Switzer Rd. Overland Park, KS 66221-7803. 913.897.2360. Admission charged.
Visit the butterfly garden, which includes wonderful photo ops for the kids who want to look like a butterfly or caterpillar.
K-State Insect Zoo and K-State Dairy Barn
1500 Denison Ave. Manhattan, KS. 785.532.BUGS
Open Tue.-Fri., 1:15-6:00 and Sat., noon-6:00 and by appointment. Admission charged.
Educational exhibits include a tropical tree/flooded Amazonian rainforest, tropical night-house (cave), observation beehive, a mock kitchen, a freshwater display and a number of terraria with numerous species of tropical insects, tarantulas and spiders, scorpions and other arthropods.