Inside Michigan's Oldest Butterfly House
The first exhibit of its kind is also home to the only known hedgehog living on the island
Mackinac Island — Year after year, Michiganders and tourists make their way to Mackinac Island for its historic sites, horse-drawn carriages, and waterfront views. But one hidden treasure many visitors don't realize exists is that the island is also home to not one, but two butterfly houses.
There's Wings of Mackinac in Surrey Hills, which offers a peaceful butterfly conservatory experience. But we decided to check out the Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House & Insect World—and we were not disappointed.
Located just behind St. Anne's Church, the Original Butterfly House opened in 1991. It was the first live butterfly exhibit in Michigan and only the third live butterfly and insect house in the U.S.
What began as a small greenhouse with a dirt floor and a handful of butterflies is now an 1,800-square-foot tropical garden filled with hundreds of butterflies from four different continents.
Inside, butterflies fly free throughout the greenhouse, sipping nectar and landing on visitors. The exhibit is designed to resemble a tropical ecosystem, complete with lush plants and feeding stations.
But the butterflies aren't the only animals drawing attention here.
Attached to the greenhouse is Insect World, home to more than 20 live exhibits featuring insects, amphibians, and reptiles from around the globe. Visitors can see everything from giant beetles and stick insects to frogs, reptiles, and other creatures many people would never encounter in the wild.
The exhibits aren't just for looking, either. During my visit, butterflies landed on me throughout the greenhouse, and I got the chance to hold a cockroach and pet their bearded dragon.
But the undisputed highlight of our visit was meeting Ziggy.
Ziggy is the only known hedgehog currently living on Mackinac Island and a very special part of the exhibit.
So if you happen to visit the island this summer and spot another hedgehog wandering around, you may want to let the staff know—Ziggy could probably use a friend.
Beyond the animal encounters, the Butterfly House also places a strong emphasis on education and conservation. Every staff member I encountered was incredibly knowledgeable about the animals, and informational displays throughout the greenhouse teach visitors about butterfly life cycles, pollinators, and the important role insects play in ecosystems around the world.
Visitors can also watch newly emerged butterflies be released during the facility's daily butterfly releases, held at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The attraction is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the season, and admission includes unlimited return visits during your stay on Mackinac Island.
Whether you're interested in butterflies, bugs, or simply looking for one of the island's more unexpected attractions, the Original Butterfly House offers a side of Mackinac Island that most visitors never expect to find.
