The Butterfly House

Picture of the Butterfly HouseButterfly House
979 Catawba Ave
Put-In-Bay, OH 43456

The Butterfly House – Experience Nature Close Up  Hands-On

Every trip to Put-in-Bay should include a stop at the Butterfly House. Located in the center of Perry’s Cave & Family Fun Center, this interactive oasis is full of a wide variety of butterflies, soothing music, and lush greenery.

The Butterfly House Particulars

Visitors will enjoy strolling along gorgeous walkways full of beautiful plants and secret passageways seeking to be discovered. In 2004, the 4000 sq foot aviary opened to the public and houses over 50 species of butterflies from around the world.

Keep a watchful eye for the stunning Central America Mosaic, Rose Swallowtails from Southeast Asia, and you will have to look extra hard for the Dead Leaf Butterfly from Southwest Asia. Dead Leaf Butterflies are a beautiful variant of blues and oranges on top but look just like a dead leaf from underneath. It will often sit motionless in a tree with its “stem” reaching out to touch the branches. It’s challenging to detect!

Visitors will also enjoy the lush floral displays and natural fauna that resembles a rain Forrest. The plants are cared for year-round to maintain the ideal environment for the butterflies.

Other Butterfly Species Found In the Butterfly House

• Green Peacock Swallowtail
• Constantine’s Swallowtail
• Scarlet Mormon
• Lacewing
• Great Eggfly
• Common Blue Morpho
• Queen Owl

The Butterfly House website includes an extensive Butterfly Identification chart where you can learn and explore before your visit. But the real magic is seeing these creatures up close and personal. It’s truly an experience you will not forget.

There are additional opportunities to expand your butterfly knowledge by checking out the butterfly specimens encased in glass. There are numerous things to see in both the gift shop and the aviary. The gift shop is well stocked with delightful items. They offer gifts such as jewelry, and crystal butterfly figurines and articles for the garden. Kids can choose from numerous fun and educational offerings. Put-in-Bay souvenirs are plentiful!

Perry’s Cave and Family Fun Center

Perry’s Cave and Family Fun Center is located on Catawba Avenue about a five-minute golf cart ride from downtown Put-in-Bay. This is decidedly the center of all family fun on the island. It is open daily during the season. Special pricing is available for groups and tours, as well as packages to make enjoying all of their attractions more affordable.

Perry’s Cave and Family Fun Center Attractions

• Perry’s Cave
• Gemstone Mining
• Miniature Golf War of 18 Holes
• The Butterfly House
• Fort aMaze’n
• Rock Wall
• Antique Car Museum
• DanDee’s Snack Shack

The development is built around Perry’s Cave, a historical marvel. The limestone cave provided water to Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and his troops during the Battle of Lake Erie. The cave was discovered  in 1813 by Perry.

Underground caves of this type are quite rare, and its levels rise and fall with the water levels of Lake Erie. While it hasn’t been officially explored, there is believed to be a hidden connection between Lake Erie and the cave. Guided tours are about 15-20 minutes in length.

It’s pretty easy to spend an entire day here. DanDee’s Snack Shak provides plenty of great food to keep you going and having fun. Other dining options nearby include Goat Soup and Whiskey and Joe’s Bar.

No matter how long you intend to visit Put-in-Bay, a trip to The Butterfly and Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center should be on everyone’s itinerary. You’ll always find something exciing to do there. This is also one of the stops for the famous Put-in-Bay Tour Train. Additional information can be found at the Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau website.