Butterfly House and Aquarium in Sioux Falls, SD

If you’re in Sioux Falls and love butterflies, a stop by the Butterfly House and Aquarium should be on your list!

My family and I recently spent a weekend in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Sioux Falls is right by the Minnesota boarder and is a rest spot for many people on the way to the Badlands and Mount Rushmore. It seemed a little weird it was our travel destination, but also I was pleasantly surprised with the city and all the fun things we got to do!

I was so excited to visit the Butterfly House and Aquarium! I am a huge fan of butterflies so anytime I find a place with a butterfly habit, I’m in! The Butterfly House and Aquarium is s the only public saltwater aquarium in the Dakotas and one of only a few butterfly houses nationwide that are open year-round. I want to share this– this place isn’t gigantic, but it is a fun visit for younger kiddos and anyone who loves butterflies.

When you enter the building, the first place you’ll visit is the aquarium. It’s one big room with tons of fish, jellyfish, string rays, coral and so much more. There’s several tanks and wading pools with ample ways to check out the fish and underwater sea life.

From there, you’ll enter the Butterfly House. It is a USDA APHIS regulated facility so please note, no strollers are allowed inside. You’ll be checked going in and out for the safety of the butterflies. Once you enter, you’ll see tons of butterflies flying around, some may even land on you! There’s also gorgeous koi fish, turtles and tiny quails. The birds actually eat the ants that can sting the butterflies!

Please keep in mind, it’s VERY hot in the Butterfly House. So plan on bringing a layer you can take off- we all got very hot quickly. You can come and go as you please as many times during your visit if you need to cool off.

In addition to the butterfly area and the aquarium, there were also some kid friendly interactive exhibits and activities. All my kids liked playing with the puppet show and learning about Violet the Butterfly’s Journey in a light up and fully interactive display.

The Butterfly House and Aquarium is located at 4320 S Oxbow Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106. Hours are 10am – 4 pm daily. Admission is $15 + tax for adults, $13 + tax for seniors, $11 + tax for youth ages 2-17 and free for under 2.

If you visit, don’t miss a stop at Seratoma Park right next to the Butterfly House and Aquarium (they even share a parking lot!). In addition to the cool Seratoma climbing dome, there’s 5 playgrounds surrounding a gigantic picnic pavalion with tons of play opportunities and ample shade.