This post is in partnership with Key West Butterfly Conservatory and The Florida Keys and Key West who hosted our visit. All opinions are my own. You can read my full Disclosure Policy here.
We had so many amazing experiences on our Florida Keys vacation, and one of the highlights of the days we spent in Key West was our visit to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. Located right on Duval Street, it’s the perfect thing to do with kids (or without!) during your vacation.
The entry leads you into the gift shop, which is huge and gorgeous. If you’re looking for a good place to get a Key West souvenir, it’s likely you’ll find something special here.
This is also where you’ll get your tickets to enter. Be sure to check the hours before planning your visit. They close at 5pm most days, and the last admission is at 4:30pm. You’ll probably want to give yourself at least an hour to see everything without rushing.
TIP: Your ticket will grant you admission to the Conservatory as many times as you’d like on that day, so if you go earlier in the morning, you can stop back later for a second visit if you’d like.
Rhett and Scarlett: Flamingos in Key West
The Key West Butterfly Conservatory is home to Rhett and Scarlett, two beautiful flamingos. We watched them for such a long time. They’re so entertaining, and they move in synchronicity a lot which is so cool.
Key West Butterfly Conservatory
The Conservatory is home to 50+ species of butterflies from around the world. Colorful little wings are flapping all around you as you walk through the building.
I could have spent hours here. It’s so relaxing and beautiful with spa music playing, and if the Florida heat is getting to you, this is a nice escape from the sun. It’s still warm and tropical, but much more comfortable, at least for this Pennsylvania family!
Plates of fruit are sprinkled around and usually covered with feeding butterflies. The staff here are amazing, and really spent a lot of time telling us about the different species we saw, and their behavior.
Can you guess what these two are up to? They found a spot where they blended in pretty well, but a staff person pointed them out to us.
Be sure to take your camera with you because there are tons of photo opportunities.
Things to Do With Kids in Key West
In addition to the butterflies, the Conservatory houses turtles who hang out near this bridge. Do you see the one in the water, too?
There are also over 20 exotic bird species found here, along with gorgeous tropical plants, and a waterfall. The atmosphere is relaxed and so peaceful. Soak it in!
A stop at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is a must-do while in Key West. It’s family-friendly, so you definitely can take the kids if you’re traveling with little ones. Visit their website for more information on planning your visit, and see more gorgeous photos on their social channels: Facebook | Instagram
The Florida Keys and Key West are the perfect place for a family vacation. Visit their website, and check out their social profiles for tons of ideas to help plan your adventure: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
HOW TO PLAN A FLORIDA KEYS FAMILY VACATION:
WHERE TO STAY IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
- Marker 88 Restaurant in Islamorada
- Angler & Ale Restaurant, Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key
- Morada Bay Beach Cafe, Islamorada
- Robbie’s of Islamorada: The Hungry Tarpon + Feed the Tarpon
- Turtle Kraals Restaurant in Key West
- First Flight Restaurant & Brewery: USA’s Southernmost Microbrewery
- 11 Best Places for Key Lime Pie in The Florida Keys
THINGS TO WITH KIDS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
- The Turtle Hospital, Marathon Key
- Dolphin Research Center, Marathon Key
- Robbie’s of Islamorada: The Hungry Tarpon + Feed the Tarpon
- Aquarium Encounters in Marathon FL: Coral Reef Encounter
- Bahia Honda State Park – Best Florida Keys Beaches
- Key West Butterfly Conservatory
- The Cats of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, Florida
- 15 Things to Do With Kids in Key West
safaritravelplus says
This place looks awesome for nature lovers. I am a butterfly lover so would really enjoy a visit here.
Lindsay Frank says
It’s gorgeous! Definitely worth a visit while in the Keys!