Check out the New Butterfly House at the Toledo Zoo

The Toledo Zoo offers a wide array of animals, attractions and activities for families to enjoy. Recently on a trip to the zoo with my wife and children, we headed back to the newest exhibit at the zoo-the butterfly house. Located in the back of the zoo, opposite end of the large 12 acre African savanna, the butterfly house is set up near the aquarium.

The line leading into the exhibit is flanked with hands-on activity boards and information about the butterflies housed within. The facts are a fun way to keep the kids busy while patiently awaiting your turn in. Once up to the ticket counter, you are given a few options: If you are a Lucas county resident, admission is always free. A Toledo Zoo member is admitted for one free visit. Normal rates are $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children or seniors. Once paid, you are entered into a holding area, where one of the zoo's many volunteers explains the rules to entering the butterfly house. These include enjoying all of the beauty there is to see, taking as many pictures as you want, and watching where you step! The butterflies have a way of sometimes landing and staying on the walkways, so stopping to watch before you step is very important in the area.

We were lead into the viewing area where many different butterflies of all sizes and colors fluttered around us. Our children could not get enough of all the beautiful wings that flied around our heads. The butterfly house is a large greenhouse setting, with large glass windows letting in the wonderful sunlight but air conditioning units were there also to help cool off the room. Many different plants were in the house also, which gave the butterflies a chance to pose nicely for some photographs. I had an opportunity to capture some very nice pictures during our visit.

There is a room in the butterfly house with a glass window on the door that shows the cocoons and some of the emerging butterflies making their way out. This provided a nice opportunity to discuss the way the Caterpillar makes his way out and becomes the butterfly with my little ones. They marveled at the exhibit. Also of interest to the children was an activity table that was set up for drawing butterfly pictures and coloring them and stamping pictures of butterflies.

Walking around the exhibit, we had the opportunity to see a variety of different species of butterflies, all with unique color schemes and shapes. On your way out the door, you must stop in front of the mirror and check for any "stowaways" that may have landed on your body. Overall, the butterfly house provides another worthwhile opportunity to enjoy your time at the Toledo zoo. The quiet setting and intimate closeness to the animals is enjoyable and memorable.