Wings of Mackinac — Attraction in Mackinac Island

Overall, not a great experience. Super expensive for what is really just a 10-minute experience in a small enclosure. If you have small kids, think twice. I have a 1.5 and 3 year old who both love insects and butterflies, which is why I tried this. At one point, I saw an employee scold a child that had to be under 2 years old about plucking a leaf off a plant (totally understand why they don't want property damaged) and the child obviously didn't understand. I could see the parent felt bad, but it can be hard to react quickly enough to stop the kid before it happens. At another point in time, one of my kids tried to climb the bricks along the edge of the enclosure - I quickly stopped them, but an employee ran over to tell us the rules, which I understand. Here's what bugged me after: I could visibly see this same employee watching my kids like a hawk afterwards in a very dramatic manner that made me uncomfortable and feel singled out, which ruined the rest of the experience. I'm a rule-follower at heart, but it felt over-the-top, extreme, and weird - please give parents with toddlers/preschoolers some grace, OR if they don't like the hard to control behavior of small children, management should really consider a new rule: no kids under 5. I could get behind that, rather than being made to feel really bad during what should've been a...

We added wings to our carriage tour for $9pp x 2 adults, for a total of $18. While the cost wasn't astronomical, it also wasn't a bargain. I can't say that I'd do it again.

The space was small, tho well-maintained. Butterflies were plentiful, tho specimens were not as large of a variety as expected & none are local species. They were imported- so, something you wouldn't see while out & about. I have mixed feelings on that,: on one hand, it brought back memories from living in Panama, where these were the norm & a love for them developed. On the other hand, a butterfly garden is a great opportunity to plant native plants & educate tourists on local species. This is the butterfly equivalent of a roadside zoo - if you will.

The space was easily overcrowded & it was much like other butterfly houses I've seen, without seats be able to sit & reflect, possibly due to the want for quick turnover to the next set of visitors.

At times, frightened children swatted away the butterflies, others were very gentle & patient - showing great care not to harm or scare them. Other than the standard "don't touch the wings" statement on entry & a quick check for hitchhiking flutters, staff appeared disinterested in...

We visited this place as part of our tour and our son loved it. You enter a somewhat smaller than expected glass house where the butterflies are kept. I guess I expected it to be larger, it tends to get a little crowded if too many people are in there at once. You do have to watch your step as some of the butterflies may be resting on the ground.

Don't confuse this with the Butterfly/Bug attraction in downtown Mackinac Island as some unlucky others had and were not permitted in because they purchased the wrong ticket for this attraction.

The butterflies fly about freely and sometimes land on people offering good picture opportunities. Several had landed on heads, legs, backs or walk onto your hand if you hold it out. Had a good picture of my son with one in his hand - he kept trying to get them to crawl...