Butterflies of Pennsylvania with Kids: A Nature Explorer Guide (+ Free Map)

Pennsylvania is a wonderful butterfly state, where the big yellow-and-black Eastern Tiger Swallowtail sails through gardens and woodland edges all summer, and meadows fill with Monarchs, fritillaries, and the bright orange of butterfly weed. From world-famous gardens like Longwood and walk-through butterfly atriums to the wild meadows of state parks, Pennsylvania makes it easy for families to find a rich variety of butterflies. In fall, Monarchs gather and stream south through the state on their epic migration to Mexico.

This guide maps the best spots to find butterflies in Pennsylvania with kids. Give your young explorer a mission before you go with Nature Explorer Club's Butterflies of Pennsylvania Activity Book to track every butterfly your family discovers.

Best Spots for Butterflies in Pennsylvania

We mapped the best butterfly locations in Pennsylvania so you can plan your adventure before you go.

1. Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square — One of the world's great gardens, whose vast flower displays and meadows draw an abundance of butterflies all season — a spectacular family destination.
2. Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia — A beautiful arboretum whose gardens and meadows attract swallowtails, Monarchs, and many other butterflies.
3. Hershey Gardens Butterfly Atrium — A warm, walk-through atrium where kids can see hundreds of living butterflies up close year-round — the easiest, most magical introduction.
4. Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary, Jim Thorpe — A dedicated butterfly sanctuary with walk-through habitats and guided experiences perfect for families.
5. Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, New Hope — A native-plant preserve whose wildflower meadows are designed to support native butterflies and their host plants.
6. Tyler Arboretum, Media — A historic arboretum with butterfly-friendly meadows and gardens, great for an easy family outing.
7. Presque Isle State Park, Erie — A sandy peninsula on Lake Erie that's a major fall Monarch gathering point, where the butterflies mass before crossing the lake.
8. Bushkill Falls, Bushkill — A series of waterfalls in the Poconos whose sunny trail edges and wildflowers draw woodland butterflies.
9. Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Gardners — A historic park along the Appalachian Trail whose meadows and forest edges host a variety of butterflies.
10. Shaver's Creek Environmental Center — A Penn State nature center with gardens and trails that draw butterflies, plus hands-on family programs.

Make the Adventure Real The Butterflies of Pennsylvania Activity Book turns your trip into a hands-on mission for ages 7–12 — with a species tracker, fun facts, drawing pages, games, and puzzles. Shop the Book Get the Full PA Set

Family Tips for Butterfly Watching in Pennsylvania

• Start at a butterfly atrium. The Hershey Gardens Butterfly Atrium and Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary let kids see living butterflies up close — the easiest way to spark interest.
• Visit Presque Isle in fall for Monarchs. In September, migrating Monarchs gather on the Lake Erie peninsula before crossing the water — a remarkable sight.
• Look for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail all summer. This big yellow butterfly is common in gardens and along woodland edges — an easy, dramatic first sighting for kids.
• Plant milkweed and native flowers at home. Milkweed feeds Monarch caterpillars, and natives like bee balm, butterfly weed, and asters bring butterflies to a Pennsylvania garden.

Frequently Asked Questions: Butterflies of Pennsylvania with Kids

Does Pennsylvania have a state butterfly?

Pennsylvania does not have an official state butterfly or insect, but the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is one of its most beloved and recognizable — a large yellow butterfly with black tiger stripes seen in gardens and near water all summer. The Monarch is another famous favorite.

Where can families see lots of butterflies in Pennsylvania?

The Hershey Gardens Butterfly Atrium and Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary offer living butterflies up close. For wild butterflies, the meadows at Longwood Gardens, Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, and Tyler Arboretum are excellent in summer.

When is the best time for butterfly watching in Pennsylvania?

Summer is the peak, when meadows are full of wildflowers and swallowtails, fritillaries, and Monarchs are most active. Late summer and early fall bring the famous Monarch migration, especially at Presque Isle. Warm, sunny, calm days are always best.

What is the largest butterfly in Pennsylvania?

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is among Pennsylvania's largest and most striking butterflies — bright yellow with black tiger stripes and a wingspan up to four and a half inches. Females can also appear in a dark form. It's a common, dramatic sight in gardens all summer.

How can families attract butterflies to their Pennsylvania garden?

Plant native nectar flowers like bee balm, butterfly weed, black-eyed Susan, and asters, and add host plants such as milkweed for Monarchs and spicebush for Spicebush Swallowtails. Provide a sunny, sheltered spot, avoid pesticides, and butterflies will visit all summer.

Turn Your Pennsylvania Adventure Into a Real Butterfly Watching Experience

Give your kids a mission before you go. Our Butterflies of Pennsylvania Activity Book is a nature journal for ages 7 to 12 — with a butterfly tracker, fun facts about each species, butterfly category guides, drawing pages, games, and puzzles.

Or get all four Pennsylvania nature books together — the Pennsylvania Nature Explorer Series bundles the Birds, Butterflies, Leaves, and Wildflowers of Pennsylvania activity books.

Also exploring Pennsylvania's nature? Read our family guides to Birds of Pennsylvania with Kids, Wildflowers of Pennsylvania with Kids, and Leaves of Pennsylvania with Kids.