Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory - A Colorful, Tropical Paradise

When it comes to being magical, there are few places more magical than aptly named, Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory.  Located in South Deerfield, MA, the conservatory opened in October of 2000.   The 8,000-square foot conservatory houses nearly 4,000 native and tropical butterflies year round. The conservatory has an 80-degree tropical-like environment all year round and in addition to butterflies, visitors can enjoy Chinese Button Quails, Akbar, a 31 year old Senegal Parrot, as well as a number of reptiles and a wide array of tropical plants.  Stepping into the conservatory is a little like stepping into a fairytale where you find yourself emersed into a toasty, relaxing environment where butterflies soar over and around you, sometimes even landing on you.  Catching a glimpse of each of the many varieties is a little like a treasure hunt and being able to capture a photo of each of them can be a little challenging.....but that only enhances the fun to be had.  I missed a few and probably captured a few less than on our previous visits, but we thoroughly enjoyed our visit just as much as previous visits.  Here's a sampling of what we saw:

Magic Wings is about a two-hour drive from Albany and is located at 281 Greenfield Road, in South Deerfield MA.  It is very close to the Yankee Candle Flagship Store and Historic Deerfield Village - both worth a visit while you're nearby.  The conservatory is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last admission of the day sold at 4:30 p.m.

CLOSED Monday. CLOSED Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day.  Admission is Adults: $16.00

Seniors (age 62 and over): $14.00. Seniors pay $12.50 on Wednesdays. Children (age 3 through 17): $10.00  Also $10.00 for students up through age 22 with valid student ID. Children under age 3: Free  For more information, you can check out their website: https://magicwings.com/ and their Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/magicwingsma

Thanks for reading and for taking time to check out Life As I See It.

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Summer Getaway - Day 3, Rockport and Gloucester

It may have been our eighth visit to Rockport, but I promise the view never gets old. This view, the photo above, is the view from the sidewalk on Beach Street where the street borders Front Beach.  Front Beach is a fabulous beach, large enough for locals and really perfect for seniors and families with small children.  Just a little short walk from Bearskin Neck (even shorter by car), Front Beach is popular with guests who stay at Captain's Bounty Motel, The Cove at Rockport or the Beach & King Street Inn (once a b & b and now a weekly rental).  We enjoyed Beach & King a couple of times back when it was a b & b, and before we discovered the Bearskin Neck Motor Lodge.  

 

If shops are more your thing, downtown Rockport and Bearskin Neck is where you want to be.  Whether you enjoy watching the fishing boats and kayakers come and go, browse the shops, or enjoy some fresh seafood or afternoon treat, or peruse the many art galleries in town, you'll never run out of places to explore in downtown Rockport.

Or if you stay at the Bearskin Neck Motor Lodge you don't even have to leave your room. You can just linger on your balcony all day and enjoy the view.  If you missed my first post of this series about the wonderful accommodations at the Lodge - check it out - When Going Away Feels Like Coming Home

On our way home, we spent the morning in the charming fishing town of Gloucester....specifically on the fishing docks near the Maritime Museum.  These docks are the home of the Schooner Ardelle and the Schooner Adventure.  Across the harbor is the famous Tarr and Wonson Paint Factory and just a few steps away you can see the Gorton Seafood Company.  Check out both posts to read more about those beauties.  We love wandering the docks, watching the fishermen and sailors work the boats.

Schooner Ardelle

Tarr & Wonson Paint Factory

Schooner Adventure

Schooner Roseway that docked in front of our Lodge overnight.

If you weren't already convinced, you should be by now.....Rockport and Gloucester are definitely a favorite destination for us.  If you've never been or have only passed through, I urge you to check out my blog Directory under the category 'Destination-Massachusetts' for stories about several wonderful places to explore there, including Hammond Castle, Beauport - The Sleeper McCann Estate, Halibut Point State Park, and another wonderful b & b in Rockport, Beech Tree B & B and many more there and in the state of Massachusetts.  Also if you missed the earlier post about our encounter with the cast of Wicked Tuna.... check it out now....Not Your Mama's Tuna

Thanks for letting me share.  Don't forget, if you enjoy my posts, you can always subscribe to receive each new post (and nothin' else) in your email. Just click: Subscribe  Stay cool and don't forget.....collect moments and make memories!

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