Cockrell Butterfly Center

Key Highlights

• ✓Abundance of live butterflies flying freely, including interactive experiences where they may land on visitors.
• ✓Immersive 3-floor tropical dome environment featuring lush plants and a fantastic waterfall.
• ✓Comprehensive educational displays showcasing all stages of butterfly life, from live cocoons to unique caterpillars.
• ✓Indoor museum section with a variety of taxidermy bugs, live insects, isopods, and arachnids for close-up viewing.
• ✓Opportunity to participate in a butterfly release for a $20 donation, allowing a new butterfly to take its first flight.
• ✓A peaceful and unhurried atmosphere is possible on less busy days, allowing for detailed exploration.

Standout Features

• ⭐The direct interaction with butterflies, where they can land on visitors, creates a memorable experience.
• ⭐Educational exhibits on butterfly life stages, including live viewing of cocoons and caterpillars.
• ⭐The diverse indoor museum showcasing taxidermy bugs, live insects, isopods, and arachnids.
• ⭐The multi-level dome design with a tropical garden and a waterfall enhances the immersive environment.
• ⭐The unique opportunity to release a new butterfly as part of an interactive donation.

Perfect For

Ideal For

🍎Food Policy

• • Birthday Parties: Museum does not provide food services or allow third-party vendors for party programming. Guests may bring their own food and decorations. Alcoholic beverages, smash cakes, Sternos, chafers, crock pots, or any other equipment requiring fire or power are not permitted.
• • Summer Camp/Scouts (Hermann Park): Sodexo offers limited pre-ordered box lunch options from The Periodic Table Café and Elements Grill. Orders must be placed before 10:15 a.m. the day before. Campers are not permitted to purchase a meal during supervised lunch time.
• • Summer Camp/Scouts (Sugar Land): Campers/scouts must bring a lunch from home; no order option is available.
• • Weddings/Events: The Museum has several exclusive caterers contracted to provide food and alcohol service for events. No outside catering is permitted.

🛡️Safety Policy

• • Photography/Videography: Personal photography and videography are encouraged. Flash photography is strictly prohibited in all areas except the Cockrell Butterfly Center. Tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed. Professional use requires contacting ldavidson@hmns.org.
• • Birthday Party Decorations: No outside vendors are allowed for decorations or services. No balloons of any kind are allowed on the Overlook (regular party rooms are permitted non-helium balloons). Party decorations cannot be hung or taped to walls. Helium balloons, confetti/glitter, alcoholic beverages, traditional piñatas (pull-string piñatas are allowed), smash cakes, Sternos, chafers, crock pots, or any other equipment that may require fire or power are prohibited. Prohibited items will be confiscated.
• • Footwear: Shoes are required for entry into the Museum for all guests, including infants, toddlers, and guests using mobility devices.
• • Service Animals: Welcome if identified by ADA (dog or miniature horse) and trained to work for an individual with a disability. Must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless devices interfere with work or disability prevents. Emotional support/comfort/therapy animals and pets are not permitted. The Cockrell Butterfly Center, as a live animal exhibit, can be overwhelming for service animals.

📅Booking Policy

• • Tickets: Every person entering the Museum must purchase a ticket. For timed-entry venues (like the Butterfly Center), entry must be at the indicated time.
• • Private Tours: Call the Advance Sales line at 713-639-4629 for availability.
• • Private Museum Rentals: Contact specialevents@hmns.org for inquiries.
• • Field Trips: Groups can book by calling (713) 639-4659. The person who booked can add or subtract people at any time prior to arrival day. Groups fewer than 10 students will be charged for 10 students plus chaperones to receive the field trip rate.
• • Science Labs (Field Trip Add-on): Visit hmns.org/labs or contact educationquestions@hmns.org.
• • Outreach Programs: Book presentations at least one month in advance to avoid scheduling conflicts.
• • Birthday Parties: Secure date and time online (Hermann Park or Sugar Land). Recommended to book 4–6 weeks in advance. Spaces may be unavailable if booked within a month. Changes to party package can be made up to two weeks prior to the date. Full payment is required two weeks prior, or the party will be cancelled.
• • Birthday Party Rescheduling: One reschedule to another available day/time is allowed at no additional charge within a year of the original date. Parties cannot be rescheduled within 10 days of the originally booked date. Subsequent rescheduling is subject to a $50 fee per change. Contact reservations@hmns.org.
• • Summer Camps/Scouts: Online registration is required at hmns.org/education. No registrations accepted over the telephone. A waitlist is available if a camp sells out. Registrations are not transferable from child to child.
• • Weddings/Events: Contact specialevents@hmns.org to discuss venue, catering, and secure desired date. Site visits are available Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. by appointment.

🚗Parking Information

• • Museum Parking Garage: Discount offered for museum visitors. For Summer Camp/Scouts, a 'SUMMER CAMP PARKING PASS' hangtag provides free exit from the museum garage (emailed prior to camp week, also available at Education/Scout Office).
• • Alternate Lots: Several free lots and other parking garages surround the Museum (refer to Parking Map for more information).
• • Sugar Land Location: Surface parking lot in front of the Museum.
• • Birthday Parties (Hermann Park): Parking can be difficult on weekends; guests recommended to arrive early. Guests are directed to main entrance/Museum Store to Grand Hall, then Permanent Exhibit Hall Entrance. Birthday Party staff/signage available.
• • Birthday Parties (Sugar Land): Guests should park in surface lot in front of the Museum and enter through main entrance directly to party space.