Georgia's Most Amazing Places to See Butterflies
Watching colorful, light-as-air butterflies flutter from flower to flower is one of the many magical natural sights you can experience in Georgia. Because butterflies can be unpredictable to spot in the wild, several attractions throughout Georgia make it easy to get close to the insects to admire their beauty and learn about their life cycle and important role as pollinators. Bring your camera when you visit these nature centers, gardens, parks, and events to experience the wonderful world of butterflies in the South.
Butterfly Attractions & Events in Georgia
1. Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Resort & Gardens in Pine Mountain
No day at Callaway Resort & Gardens is complete without a visit to the multi-story, LEED-certified Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, which features more than 1,000 butterflies flying freely around visitors’ heads. You'll also see tropical plants and birds along with the colorful winged jewels in one of North America's largest, glass-enclosed tropical conservatories.
2. The Dahlonega Butterfly Farm in Dawsonville
Get up close to more than 20 species of butterflies in the Dahlonega Butterfly Farm's tropical conservatory. Learn about the life cycle of butterflies in the Chrysalis Room, where you can see the transformation of chrysalids into butterflies, and walk through the outdoor caterpillar habitat. Enjoy a peaceful stroll on the walking trails, keeping an eye out for gnomes hiding among the flowers, and shop for unique gifts, including butterfly-friendly plants.
3. Butterfly Encounter at Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell
This seasonal exhibit, which takes place June 9 - August 31, 2025, at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, puts butterflies front and center and provides families with educational experiences. Explore the enclosure with hundreds of native butterflies and colorful nectar plants, and attend special events like photography workshops, breakfast with butterflies, and more.
4. Butterfly Experience at the Dunwoody Nature Center in Dunwoody
On Sept. 6-7, 2025, visit the Dunwoody Nature Center for a weekend of butterfly-centric, family-friendly fun. Experience hundreds of beautiful, native butterflies as well as live music and entertainment, animal shows, arts and crafts, food, drinks and more. While you're there, stroll through the center's 2 miles of woodland trails through a variety of habitats, including Piedmont forest and wetlands.
5. A Garden with Wings Butterfly House at Smith-Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw
In June and July, you can discover the enchanting world of butterflies at Smith-Gilbert Gardens. Tucked into the gardens' 17 acres, the Garden with Wings Butterfly House features native butterflies and their host and nectar plants. Encounter butterflies in all stages of life, from egg to adult. Look for caterpillars on host plants such as tulip poplar and passionflower vine, and spot adult butterflies on lantana and butterfly weed. During your visit, don't miss the pollinator garden, where you'll find more butterflies, as well as honey bees and hummingbirds among the beautiful blooms.
6. Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail
More than 250 public gardens throughout Georgia are stops along this trail, which was inspired by Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter to help increase habitat for Monarch butterflies. The Carters' hometown of Plains has 15 public gardens on the trail, including one at the Georgia Visitor Information Center. Stop by to admire the flowers and look for butterflies in their natural habitats.
7. Butterflies & Blooms in the Briar Patch in Eatonton
Explore the pollinator habitat at the Briar Patch Trail Park in Eatonton, which was created by volunteers to support and encourage native butterfly reproduction. Watch for butterflies as you stroll the quarter-mile trail or relax at picnic tables and on benches.
8. Georgia State Parks
Georgia State Parks are excellent places to look for butterflies in the wild, and rangers often lead walks to look for the pollinators in action. Look for butterfly-focused events on the Georgia State Parks events calendar.
