There is a place in South Dakota where visitors can walk with more than 800 flying creatures and see hundreds of marine animals from across the world. It’s the Sertoma Butterfly House & Purdy Marine Cove in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Open year-round, visitors are able to step into a taste of the tropics to explore marine life, free-flying butterflies and other creatures. The butterflies come in chrysalis form from places like Central and South America, Australia, Asia and Africa. Butterflies are known to land on patient visitors and feed off of the tropical flowers and feeding dishes providing great photo opportunities.
The aquatic life from around the world, featured at the Purdy Marine Cove, call thirteen freshwater and saltwater aquariums home. The size of the aquariums range from 20 to 600 gallons. Children will be fascinated by the sight of their friends Nemo, a clown fish, and Dory, a Regal tang fish, from the hit Pixar film “Finding Nemo.”
The gift shop, “Fins & Flutters,” offers a variety of toys, keepsakes, home décor, jewelry and T-shirts. “Cecil’s Reading Room” is a place to explore nature through books, activities and play.
The Sertoma Butterfly House & Purdy Marine Cove is open during the winter months, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and on Sundays from 1-4 p.m. Extended summer hours are Memorial Day through Labor Day, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. They are closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.Admission prices: infants 0-2 free, children 3-4 $3.00, youth ages 5-12 $5.50, adults13-59 $8.50, seniors 60-91 $7.00, and ages 92+ are free. AAA members can present their cards for $1.00 off admission.
