After a fabulous week in Tucson we made the relatively short drive to Phoenix for a week. We began our time there with a visit to Butterfly Wonderland which is part of the Arizona Boardwalk in Scottsdale AZ.

Welcome to Butterfly Wonderland Scottsdale AZ

Gorgeous iridescent butterfly loves this Palm!

Butterfly Wonderland Scottsdale AZ

Scottsdale is a beautiful, upscale suburb of Phoenix that we have visited on a couple of previous trips to Arizona. And as soon as I learned that they had a butterfly park, I knew we had to go.

Butterflies love this bush!

Beautiful black and red butterfly is well hidden by the red powder puffs on the pretty bush.

I have a thing for butterflies! I always have. When we lived in our sticks and bricks home we made sure to plant as many bushes that attract butterflies as we could fit in our garden. I found it so calming to watch as a beautiful assortment of butterflies went fluttering from flower to flower. They represent freedom to me. As the saying goes “butterflies are free”. I even have a couple of gorgeous Swarovski crystal butterflies and a fabulous turquoise butterfly necklace that belonged to my beloved Aunt Rhoda (aka RhoRho)!

Resting Butterfly

Butterfly pollinating purple flowers.

Butterfly facts

Did you know that there are about 28,000 species of butterflies in the world? In North America alone there are about 800 different kinds of butterflies. Arizona is home to 334 species. There are butterflies everywhere except for Antarctica.

Butterfly resting on a rock.

The smallest butterfly is the Western Pygmy Blue which is about a half inch. And the larges is the female Queen Alexandra Birdwing that is up to 12-inches.

The lifespan of a butterfly is only about two weeks. Although some generations of Monarchs can live up to 9 months. The butterflies in the Conservatory live longer due to lack of predators and the controlled weather conditions.

At Butterfly Wonderland Scottsdale AZ we got to explore the rainforest in the largest butterfly conservatory in the United States. Guests of all ages are transported to the rainforest while being immersed in the world of butterflies and other rainforest animals.

Live Chrysalis emerging from cocoons at Butterfly Wonderland Scottsdale AZ

The first thing we did was learn about the Monarch migration by watching a captivating 3D movie. We were able to observe live chrysalis as they emerged naturally into beautiful butterflies. From there we strolled leisurely through the conservatory with hundreds of butterflies enjoying their natural habitat. Some even landed on us and then flew away to new landing place. We were also able to get up close and personal to unique reptiles that inhabit rainforests around the world. Though we could indulge in edible insects, we did not!

Butterfly Wonderland is home to the friendliest butterflies

Koi Pond at Butterfly Wonderland

Crazy Chickens at Butterfly Wonderland

The conservatory is a rainforest paradise filled with thousands of butterflies that have traveled (via express post) from all over the world to greet guests each day. We got to watch as up to 70 different species meet for the first time, sip nectar from beautiful flowers, bask in the brilliant Arizona sunshine, and dance the day away. Our tropical paradise is also home to dozens of colorful Koi fish, some tiny tropical finches, and two amusing chickens.

Honey Bee Extravaganza

Honeybees are the hardest working animals on earth! At Butterfly Wonderland Scottsdale AZ, we were able to observe foraging honeybees all a-buzz with activity as they went about their daily chores. Those girls spend their days collecting nectar and pollen from the native desert plants and gardens all around Scottsdale.

Once we had spent enough time with the butterflies we continued on our rainforest tour to take a glimpse into tropical wetlands, woodlands and tree canopy habitats of Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia. We were even able to spot camouflage experts such as the Asian Water Dragon and the Green Tree Python, but it wasn’t easy.

Explore the Amazon

Can you spot the lizards playing hide and seek?

A playful pair of turtles

The Amazon is the most biologically diverse ecosystem on our planet. We got to view Dart Frogs of many colors, Dwarf Caiman Crocodiles who are always smiling, and a Mata-Mata turtle named Groot.

Our next stop was the tropical island of Madagascar which was filled with incredible animals including the panther chameleon, tomato frog and giant leaf-tailed geckos with wild eyes.

Animals that dwell above and below the forest floor

We were able to learn about the lesser known, but no less spectacular creatures that call the rainforest their home. Orchid Mantids and scorpions that glow, a giant bird-eater Goliath tarantula, as well as other strange, fascinating and unusual creatures. All of which I found very cringe worthy! Glad they were behind glass!!!

Spineless Giants

Pink tropical fish looks translucent.

Fabulously colored pink and purple tropical fish.

Lots of tropical fish to enjoy at Butterfly Wonderland Scottsdale AZ

We discovered underwater treasures from the tropical oceans, rivers, and lakes. Gorgeous and colorful tropical fish of all shapes and sizes engaged us as we strolled through this last exhibit.

The World’s Tallest Man and moi!

Steve must be a Toys ‘r’ Us Kid – he’ll never grow up!

There’s so much to do at Butterfly Wonderland that you could spend several hours. So if you get hungry there’s even a café. And if you want souvenirs to remember this adventure, there’s a fabulous gift shop!