Dahlonega Butterfly Farm — Attraction in Georgia

It’s mid-October, so I’m guessing it’s near the end of their season. They must be closing soon, because most of the plants and flowers (except the zinnias) were dead or dying. There were only four zebra longwing butterflies in the “flight house,” and sadly, each had tattered wings. We never found the caterpillar hut or butterfly breeding area—just some cute painted signs like “Caterpillar Crossing” and several dying potted plants.

The remaining zinnias were impressively tall, but the plants for sale under the tent looked as sad as the butterflies inside the flight house. The paints for rock painting were muddy and mixed, with no information about where to find the rocks (just a sign noting it cost $1). There were several crumpled laminated scavenger hunt sheets, but no markers provided. The hula hoop was broken, and the tic-tac-toe game was missing pieces.

Overall, signage and labels were lacking. We only found the feeding sticks with nectar (tucked away on a side ledge in the flight house) because we saw someone else grab them—no assisting staff were around, despite the website noting there would be. It would have been nice to have more visible information about the butterflies, plants, life cycles, and the property as a whole.

The cashier was friendly, but some staff presence, an informative handout, or clear signage would’ve made a big difference. Outside, we did see two caterpillars on labeled fennel plants. Since there was no information posted, we looked them up and learned they were likely monarch caterpillars.

Maybe there’s more information provided during school or educational tours, but overall this place just felt like it was winding down for the season. It has so much potential — lots of spots for relaxing or taking photos when everything’s in bloom. I bet it’s wonderful in spring or summer, but we drove 1.5 hours to visit and were quite disappointed. The saving grace for our kiddos was the two large bubble strings in a...

I had the pleasure of visiting the Dahlonega Butterfly Farm in mid-July, and it turned out to be a truly enchanting experience. The weather that morning couldn't have been more inviting, setting the perfect stage for my adventure.

From the moment I stepped onto the property I was greeted by the warmth and friendliness of the staff. In the gift shop, where I purchased my ticket, I was greeted by Jacob who took the time to tell me about all the amenities available and offered recommendations on areas I might enjoy exploring.

One of the highlights of my day was the Butterfly House, where Ben taught me how to feed the butterflies. This hands-on experience was both thrilling and educational, not just for me but for all the children present. I enjoyed watching the wonder in their eyes as butterflies delicately landed at their fingertips.

My favorite experience was the serene and mystical setting of the nature trail. Since I visited early, I had it all to myself other than a brief encounter with another friendly staff member, Merritt who was maintaining the trail and gardens. The unexpected sighting of a wild turkey added a delightful touch of wilderness to the experience. The fairy gardens were also a whimsical discovery along the trail.

For anyone living in or planning a visit to Dahlonega, the Dahlonega Butterfly Farm is a must-visit. It’s not just an attraction but a gem that offers a blend of education, wonder, and natural beauty. I left with a heart full of joy and a mind filled with memorable...

I was looking forward to visiting the Dahlonega Butterfly Farm, but it turned out to be a disappointing experience. Beyond the green house/butterfly conservatory, there was not much there. Unfortunately, I did not have the chrysalis room tour because the staff member who conducts the tour was out. The grounds were surprisingly bare but included a large pile of painted rocks that seemed to have no purpose (at least for butterflies). From the FAQ page on the Butterfly Farm website, I was expecting to see gardens with numerous varieties of flowers that attract and host pollinators. Without the needed habitat on the farm, butterflies won’t come. Besides the flower gardens, another thing that was missing was a focus on education. So many missed opportunities to educate people about the lifecycle of a butterfly and lifespan, what butterflies eat (common native plants that attract butterflies), habitat needs, and how butterfly habitat is threatened. A printed brochure containing this information would have been great. If there was a souvenir shop, I did not see it. I imagine visitors would be interested in things like Dahlonega Butterfly Farm T-shirts, hats, visors, or mugs (plus, it’s free marketing!). And how about butterfly earrings and pendants? People love butterflies! The Dahlonega Butterfly Farm has so much potential yet, it seems to...