Discover the Beauty of Bugs at Imaginari a Brand-New Insect-Inspired Exhibit

You might not think much of bugs, but the newly opened Imaginari exhibit aims to change that. Located on the northern tip of the family-friendly Tribeca neighborhood, Imaginari has collaborated with artists of different mediums to bring you a little closer to the world of insects, inviting you to take a look at the hidden beauty behind these ubiquitous critters. The exhibit is fun for all ages, bringing kids (and adults!) eye-to-eye with some of the smaller inhabitants of our planet. Here's what to expect from this buggy new exhibit.

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A whimsical world of art and imagination awaits when you enter Imaginari. 

Highlights of a Visit to Imaginari

Themed Rooms

Every room in Imaginari is designed to make you look at insects in unexpected ways. The space is chock-full of art by more than 10 artists: Stunning up-close macrophotography by Thilina Hettiarachchi and Thorben Danke, beautiful fiber sculptures by Yumi Okita, and a little town of insect homes by the world-renowned Marlene Huissoud, among others.

Each section is centered around a different aspect of the insect world. As you walk through the exhibit, you'll see beetles up close and personal, look up from a huge caterpillar to see hanging chrysalises, walk among a field of 2-foot-tall ladybugs, and say hello to a disco-dancing praying mantis, all surrounded by giant, delicate flowers that reach up toward the high ceiling.

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Come eye-to-eye with a monarch butterfly at Imaginari. 

The art here can be approached from different perspectives and appreciated at any age: Older visitors will appreciate the theme of rebirth and new beginnings inspired by a pairing of monarch butterflies with a blooming cherry blossom tree, while younger visitors will simply marvel at its beauty.

Information panels can be found in each room if you want to learn more about any of the art or artists featured in the exhibit. There's also a 7-minute, award-winning film featuring incredible closeups of bugs that magnify beyond what the human eye can see located in a spacious theater with cushy seats a little over halfway through the exhibit. It's a great place to take a breather if little feet need a break.

And, of course, there are photo-ops around every corner! My personal favorite is a field of clouds with sculptures of large blue morpho butterflies flying overhead.

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Little ones will love the ladybug field—and putting spotted stickers on the walls.

Visiting Imaginari with Toddlers

Kids are welcomed in Imaginari the moment they walk in with the option of borrowing adorable bee wings and antennae. Don't worry, adults: There are massive, beautiful butterfly wings to borrow for you as well, and the backdrops provide spectacular photo-ops for the whole family.

Little kids will love exploring the rooms full larger-than-life insects, but there are also several activities scattered around the space to keep them engaged. One station is by the eye-catching towers of Picasso bugs, where paper and markers are provided for kids to design their own version of the colorful insect.

The ladybug field is another space where kids can play around—ask any guide for help and they'll pull sticker dots out of their pockets that kids can use to decorate and make designs on the walls.

Please note that while some displays are sturdier than others (like the ladybugs and dung beetles' huge ball of, well, dung), others are more delicate. In those cases, kids can look, but not touch. (If you're unsure, you can ask a staff member.) And, as tempting as it may be, climbing on the sculptures is prohibited!

And a word of warning: The animatronic bee just past the clouds is activated by a motion sensor. This makes it seem like it comes to life as you approach, which is very cool, but can spook younger visitors.

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Art meets nature around every turn at Imaginari. 

Winding Down at Imaginari's Busy Bee Room

The "Busy Bee" room is easy to miss since it's located to the right of the entrance, away from the main exhibit space. But make sure to stop by, as fun activities await for kids, and it's a nice place to play or relax before or after you stroll through the space. There's a soft window-side bench and extremely sturdy, huge, purple balls to bounce around or sit on.

The main activity rotates regularly, but it's always something kid-friendly. During our visit, the activity was candle making, which consisted of rolling up a sheet of beeswax over a wick—a great activity for little hands.

Imaginari Guided Tours and Workshops

Imaginari occasionally hosts workshops related to insects and nature, like floral design workshops for adults or kids. Keep an eye on its Instagram account to be the first to know about upcoming events.

While workshops are one-and-done events, guided tours are something you can get any time you visit. Helpers are stationed throughout the exhibit rooms and are available to answer questions or help keep the little ones engaged.

Better yet, ask for a tour of the space—everyone I met was incredibly friendly and eager to share their wealth of information about the exhibits, the stories behind the art, and random facts about insects.

For instance, did you know the praying mantis only has one ear, and it's located on its abdomen? My wonderful guide taught me that. Engaging with the staff at Imaginari is the best way to make the most of the exhibit.

Know Before You Go to Imaginari

Ready to head out? Here are a few final tidbits of information to keep in mind before you visit Imaginari:

• The space is larger on the inside than it seems, so make sure you set aside about 60-90 minutes to explore.
• There's stroller parking by the black and white beetle mural near the entrance, so you can wander around un-encumbered.
• There are spacious bathrooms, a water fountain, and a changing table.
• The gift shop sells a wide range of goodies, like adorable bee plushies, fun wooden puzzles, coffee table books, and even hand-made insect jewelry.
• Don't miss the loom from NYC-based ANYBAG, which transforms plastic bags into reusable totes (it's easy to overlook because it's tucked away in a corner of the gift shop).
• The closest train is Canal Street on the 1 or A, C, E trains, but it's also a pretty quick walk from the Q, N, R, 6, and J train Canal Street station.
• Finally, there's no food at Imaginari, but family-favorite Bubby's is just four blocks south!

Unless noted, photos by the author