Cockrell Butterfly Center
Houston is full of amazing museums, many of which are within a short distance of each other. While checking out the Houston Museum of Natural Science, be sure to visit the Cockrell Butterfly Center. The center is a great place for the entire family to explore and learn more about the amazing world of bugs (not just butterflies).
First, you must walk through the butterfly habitat, chock full of hundreds of exotic butterflies and other insects. The species that appear in the habitat rotate through, so each visit may not be entirely the same. Of course, you will see some beautiful butterflies, such as the Blue Morpho with its stunning iridescent blue color, and the Owl Butterfly with its dramatic eyespots, but you’ll encounter more than just butterflies in this exhibit! 
The Butterfly Center butterfly habitat is also home to cockroaches, beetles, grasshoppers, and the numerous beautiful plants that make the habitat a pollinator’s paradise. Come for the butterflies, stay for the gorgeous plants, and maybe leave when you find out there is a bug called the whipscorpion in there…
Butterfly Center visitors can also view the Rainforest Conservatory structure. This three-story experience contains a 50-foot waterfall at its heart. Live butterflies will dance through the air, even landing on a lucky visitor or two, while they enjoy the tropical vegetation and the incredible rainforest views. This experience will have you believing you’ve left Texas and traveled straight to Brazil.
No trip to the Cockrell Butterfly Center is complete without a visit to the Brown Hall of Entomology. Families can learn more about insects at the three levels of exhibits. The upper level is all about the incredible arthropod. These insects (and other similar animals) are known for having an outer shell or skeleton for protection.
This exhibit focuses on the insects of the arthropod world. Visitors can view live and preserved specimens, as well as larger-than-life models of the bugs! Interactive games and activities are sure to keep the entire family engaged and learning for the duration of your visit. Be sure to check out the Chrysalis Corner to see if you’re in time to watch some butterflies being released!
The lower level of Brown Hall is all about why we need insects. Real-life entomologists help teach families more about how our world relies on insects, and even allow you a peek into a real entomology lab. Insect specimens are available for up close and personal viewing here! You can also learn more about making a butterfly friend garden, beekeeping right in your backyard, and getting rid of those pesky mosquitoes!
Before you go to the last level of Brown Hall, be sure to stop off for a snack. But not just any snack – one made with an arthropod! A unique vending machine will teach you about how various cultures around the world bring insects into their diets. You can then try out a treat or two – containing bugs, of course!
Lastly, the final level is called “The Land of Beeyond” and focuses on activities for the youngest visitors. A giant beehive for climbing and playing, insect rubbings, puzzles, and picture books are the highlights of this space!