Come face-to-face with exotic, vibrant butterflies fluttering atop a lush tropical canvas of foliage and flowers as you experience the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History's newest permanent exhibit. The screened vivarium houses subtropical and tropical plants and trees to support 55 to 65 different species and hundreds of free-flying butterflies. Guests can stroll through the Butterfly Rainforest on a winding path and relax to the sounds of cascading waterfalls year-round.

There are live butterfly releases on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., weather permitting.

Inside, the McGuire Center public exhibits gallery showcases the "Wall of Wings," which captures the eye with thousands of preserved and photographed butterfly and moth specimens. The wall is a stunning tribute to the research and collections mission of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity. Also, for the first time at the Florida Museum, visitors will be able to get a close-up view of scientists at work in the world's largest research facility devoted to Lepidoptera.

African butterflies are making a transatlantic debut in the Butterfly Rainforest to complement the "Inside Africa" traveling exhibit, which opens March 15 and runs through Sept. 7. An added bonus? Your entry ticket helps conserve coastal forestland in Kenya. Learn more...