G.T. Butterfly House & Bug Zoo Announces 2026 Season Grand Opening

The G.T. Butterfly House & Bug Zoo will welcome visitors back for its 2026 season beginning May 1, offering self-guided, family-friendly experiences that celebrate the beauty, diversity, and importance of arthropods, more well known as, 'bugs.'  Located at 8840 M-72 East in Williamsburg, just one mile east of the Casino, the attraction will be open daily from 10am to 4:30pm. 

Guests can step into a lush Tropical Butterfly Garden, where hundreds of exotic butterflies fly freely among the blooming flowers.  The immersive environment allows visitors of all ages to observe butterflies up close while learning about their life cycles and habitats.

Inside The Bug Zoo, visitors will encounter an impressive collection of insects, arachnids and amphibians from around the world (yes, we have an Axolotl on display!) Highlights include a Honeybee Observation Hive, which greets guests at the entrance and offers a rare look inside a working hive, as well as exhibits such as Tarantula Tree and Beetle Boulder, featuring unique species such as African assassin bugs, world's largest roaches, and beetles that play dead when alarmed. 

Another featured attraction is Duke Elsner's Crawl Space, an exhibit showcasing collected insect specimens from resident entomologist Dr. Duke Elsner.  A Traverse City local, Dr. Elsner has collected thousands of specimens and plays a vital role in insect education.  The exhibit features a different theme each year, providing new discoveries for returning visitors.  The Zoo's amphibian collection further emphasizes the critical role insects play in supporting ecosystems—Including those humans depend on.

The G.T. Butterfly House & Bug Zoo offers barrier-free access and encourages guests to plan ahead, as rainy days are especially popular.  Admission rates and group tour information are available at
www.GTButterflyZoo.com/admission, and questions may be directed to
info@GTButterflyZoo.com

For updates on seasonal programming and outreach events, the public is invited to follow the G.T. Butterfly House & Bug Zoo on Facebook and Instagram.