Year-Round Butterfly Fun at Hershey Gardens

Before you even say it, I know what you're thinking- "butterflies and small humans don't mix, AP!" and while I definitely had reservations bringing all three of the boys into the Butterfly Atrium at Hershey Gardens, in retrospect it was an outing I'm so glad we took advantage of and one that the boys still talk about today, more than two months after our visit. 
I'd be lying if I said it wasn't also the most perfect exercise in "Gentle Hands," if you know what I mean!
If you're a guest of either the Hershey Lodge, Hotel Hershey property or the Hersheypark Camping Resort, tickets to Hershey Gardens are complimentary and completely worth popping over to. 
If expansive gardens, impressive architecture and rolling hills aren't your thing, you'll definitely want to check out The Children's Garden which features tons of fun, colorful flowers and trees to delight every sense as well as some really neat play features (instruments, pirate ships, fountains and more!) 

While our most recent visit took place over quite possibly the hottest weekend of the summer, the boys still had a blast running through the gardens, stopping to smell the roses and cooling off beneath the shade of Weeping Beach trees and massive White Oaks. 
Our most favorite attraction at the Gardens, however, was The Butterfly Atrium, a year-round, indoor tropical experience that's only 1 of 25 like it in the country, located right inside the Conservatory.

Once the boys realized that if they stood really, really still that a butterfly friend might come to land on them, it quickly became their favorite part of the visit. They loved seeing who could stand more still than the next and collect tiny "hitchhiker" friends on their shoulders and heads! 

While our 2 year old was the wildest of wild cards in the exhibit, (gentle hands are not exactly his strong suit), he behaved much better than expected and was truly captivated by the butterflies who were enjoying a sweet, juicy snack. 

The Chrysalis Cabinet toward the back of the atrium was an unexpected hit with our 4 year old. He couldn't believe he was getting to witness, in person, the life cycle of the butterfly. Talk about a "mind blown" moment, it kept us laughing each time he'd exclaim, "Mom, can you believe creepy crawly caterpillars turn into such pretty things?"

Interested in visiting Hershey Gardens or the Butterfly Atrium? Be sure to check out their website which features helpful information such as hours of operation, admission prices and exciting upcoming events such as Pumpkin Glow! Be sure to make Hershey Gardens a must-see stop along your next Hershey, PA visit!
This post is part of my Hershey's Sweetest Moms ambassadorship. While I received complimentary admission and a stay at Hotel Hershey, the opinions expressed above are honest and my own.