Service Dogs are always welcome. Other dogs under 50 pounds that are well behaved and on a short leash or are carried will be admitted. Note that some dogs will not do well in the Butterfly House and if that happens, you and they will have to leave with no refund. No dogs in any of the fountains or flower beds, and please pick up your dog’s poop unless they can do it themselves. Any dog that appears to possibly be a problem will not be admitted and/or removed. 

Doggie admission is $5.

Please do! We encourage photography both indoors and outdoors as long as you are not taking photos for commercial purposes or performing a photoshoot. Examples of this include: Senior portraits, engagement photos, proposal photos, family photos, and styled photos.

If you are taking photos that could include others that are not in your party, please advise them accordingly and ask permission.

Professional photographers (i.e., if you're selling your photos or plan to) please review our Photography Policy here:

All photoshoots must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. If less than 2 weeks, please call about availability.

There is a fee for any portrait session or photoshoot in the Gardens, Butterfly House, or Building. Photo sessions are available in 2-hour increments between 10 am and 5 pm. A photoshoot is any photo being taken using a professional camera and equipment, being taken of subjects on a paid, non-paid, or commercial basis.

Photography fees are waived for venue rental clients at Texas Discovery Gardens. Contact our Venue Department for details.

No alcohol, inappropriate attire, confetti (including eco-fetti), loose glitter, glass, piñatas, or balloons are allowed. No harming plants or trees with decorations. NO FAKE FLOWER PETALS. All decorations must be immediately removed by the party.

With Changing Room

If you need to book a photography session with a changing room, the fee is $175. The fee includes admission for two models and one photographer and use of our Bridal Room for two hours. The photography can take place anywhere on TDG property, including the Butterfly House.

Without Changing Room

If your model comes ready to go and does not require a changing room, the photography fee is $150. This includes admission for one photographer and two models. Please note that our public restrooms may not be used for makeup application or as a changing room. You'll much prefer the space, lighting, and vanity in the Bridal Room! The photography can take place anywhere on TDG property, including the Butterfly House.

Additional Guests

All other guests in the photo shoot will pay regular admission. If more than 10 people are coming to the shoot, our group pricing may be applied.

Schedule Your Photoshoot

To schedule your photo shoot please submit the form below or email [email protected]. Please include your name, the number of people in your group and the date/time you are interested in coming.

Photoshoots can be scheduled Monday- Sunday: 10am-5pm.

After-Hours Photoshoots can be scheduled on Monday-Thursday. This includes 2 hours (5:00pm - 7:00pm), the fee is $500.

We have picnic tables in various locations throughout the gardens and welcome you to bring a picnic to enjoy on our lawns. Food or drink is not allowed inside the Butterfly House. Catering restrictions apply for rentals. A picnic is family members/individuals picnicking. For birthday parties and other events, please visit our birthday parties page.

Texas Discovery Gardens has small, packaged snacks and assorted drinks available in the gift shop. You are welcome to bring in outside food except for any alcoholic beverages. Food or drinks are not allowed in the Butterfly House, but everywhere else is acceptable.

Yes! Email [email protected] for questions or find more details here.

We maintain several hundred butterflies in the exhibit. The number of butterflies vary due to new butterflies arriving on a weekly basis. New butterflies are released in the Butterfly House every day at Noon.

The butterflies are all exotic, and come from a variety of international sources. Outside in the gardens are the domestic local butterflies native to this region.

• For insect questions, call our Entomology Department at (214) 428-7476 x 220.
• For plant questions, contact our Horticulture Department at (214) 428-7476 x 210.

The butterflies in our indoor butterfly house are exotic and come from all over the world. They are not suited to be released into an outdoor environment locally and in fact it is illegal under FDA regulation. 

We do have a butterfly release opportunity in the Butterfly House that can be reserved and pre-purchased.

Call our friends at DFW Wildlife Rescue at 972.234.9453.

Contact Ryan Giesecke at Honey Bee Relocation Services. 214.577.9562

Dallas County Lepidopterist Society is free to join.

It’s the last Friday in September through the third Sunday in October every year. Don’t forget that TDG free parking is not available and State Fair admission applies if you want to visit Texas Discovery Gardens during the Fair.

As a TDG Member you can utilize the State Fair tickets TDG provides for admission to the State Fair pursuant to the rules.

By Car:

From the West on I-30 take the Second Ave/Fair Park exit, keep to the right at the Y, Second Ave turns into Robert B Cullum Blvd, cross the railroad tracks and the next light is Gate 5/Grand Ave, continue on to Gate 6/Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and make a left into Fair Park, after the gate make an immediate right turn onto Second Ave and then another immediate right into the TDG parking lot 6B.

From I-45 or 75/Central Expressway, exit to I-30 East and follow the directions preceding.

From the East on I-30, exit at First Ave and follow the Fair Park signs, you will end up on Robert B Cullum. Enter Fair Park through Gate 6. After the gate make an immediate right turn onto Second Ave and then another immediate right into the TDG parking lot 6B.

After you park, cross the street and take the sidewalk to our front door. At times there are other events taking place at Fair Park that do charge for parking, just tell the attendant that you are going to Texas Discovery Gardens, and they will waive the charge.

By Train/DART:

From any line on the DART system, take a train to connect with the GREEN Line Train. You can get off at the Fair Park Station (A little longer walk from TDG) or the MLK Station (1 block from Gate 6).