Vermont science and nature centers offer a world of unexpected adventure
Green Mountain Perkins Academy
Route 106
South Woodstock, VT 05071
Phone: 802-457-3779
Open: July-August, Sunday, 2-5 p.m.
The 3-story, 19th-century school in original condition serves as a repository and archival center for material related to the academy and 19th-century community activities in South Woodstock. Admission is free.
Montshire Museum of Science
One Montshire Road
Norwich, VT 05055
Phone: 802-649-2200
Open: Year-round, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
This hands-on museum offers dozens of exhibits relating to the natural and physical sciences, ecology, and technology. The building is located on a 110-acre site near the Connecticut River, and the museum’s outdoor environment is a large part of the visitor experience. Science Park is a two-acre exhibit area in a park-like setting. Also outside is a network of easy-to-moderate walking trails for visitors of all ages and fitness levels. Cost: Adults, $9; children age 3 to 17, $7.
Morse Farm Sugarhouse and Museum
Main Street
East Montpelier, VT 05651
Phone: 802-223-2740
Open: year-round, daily
Free sugar house tours and tasting, multimedia displays in a real woodshed theater, a nature trail, country store, and an outdoor Vermont farm life museum make up the Morse Farm experience, and whimsical carved folklife characters.
New England Maple Museum
Route 7
Rutland, VT 05763
Phone: 802-483-9414
Open: Daily, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 pm.
Visitors to this museum will learn all about the manufacture of Vermont maple syrup. Exhibits include demonstrations of sap collecting, candy-making, and syrup making. A slide show and tastings are included, and a gift shop is open on the premises.
Robert Frost National Forest
Middlebury, VT
Phone: 802-388-4362
This small forest, named for Vermont's greatest poet, offers nature trails, picnic areas and a rest facility. In the winter, the trails are available for cross-country skiing.
Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center
6565 Woodstock Road (Route 4)
Quechee, VT 05059
Phone: 802-359-5000
Open: Year round, daily, May 1-October 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; November 1-April 30, Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day
Outdoor exhibits of owls, eagles, falcons and other birds of prey, flight demonstrations, ecology programs about the landscape and wildlife of Vermont, walking trails, and a nature shop featuring science kits, field guides, binoculars, toys and gifts. Cost: Adults: $8; children 3-16, $6.50.
Birds of Vermont Museum
900 Sherman Hollow Road
Huntington, VT 05462
Phone: 802-434-2167
Open: May 1 - October 31, daily, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; in winter by appointment
Exhibits feature carvings of over 450 species of birds, including an archaeopteryx and other extinct and endangered species. There is a wild bird observation area, as well as nature trails, carving demonstrations and a gift shop. Cost: Adults, $6; seniors, $5; children age 3-17, $3; family, $15.
Echo at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
1 College Street
Burlington, VT 05401
Phone: 802-864-1848
Open: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Discover 60 species of fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and reptiles, over 100 hands-on experiences, traveling exhibits, and the Awesome Forces Theater. Live animal feedings. The 2.2-acre site also includes the Lake Champlain Navy Memorial, Eclectic Gift Shop, and seasonal café. Cost: Adults over age 18, $9; seniors over age 62 and students, $8; children age 3-17, $7.
Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium
1302 Main Street
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
Phone: 802-748-2372
Open: Year-round, Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m.; also open Monday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., April- October. Call for planetarium show times.
Natural science collection of 160,000 objects housed in a landmark Victorian building. The historical collections contain examples of 19th-century agricultural, industrial, and household life. The natural history collection houses New England mammals and birds, rocks and minerals, shells, butterflies, insects, bird nests and egg sets, and hummingbirds. Exhibits on astronomy and rural history. Cost: Adults, $6; seniors and children age 5-17, $5; family, $18; planetarium show, $5.
American Museum of Fly Fishing
Route 7A
Manchester, VT 05254
Phone: 802-362-3300
Open: Year-round, daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed major holidays
The American Museum of Fly Fishing, home to the world’s largest collection of angling art and angling-related items, brings the history of fly fishing alive for anglers and others. The museum contains an impressive exhibit gallery space, a library and reading room, a museum store, and other resources. The exhibit’s opening section contains an illustrated timeline, which takes the visitor from Aelian’s comments on fly fishing in 200 A.D. to the developments and issues surrounding the sport today. Cost: Adults, $5; children over age 10, $3.
Ball Mountain
Jamaica, VT
Phone: 802-874-4881
The US Army Corps of Engineers Ball Mountain Dam Flood Control project has mountain and lakeside scenery. Visitors will enjoy hiking and nature trails, and cross-country skiing in the winter. Hunting for big and small game, as well as waterfowl, is permitted.
Southern Vermont Natural History Museum
Route 9
Marlboro, VT 05344
Phone: 802-464-0048
Open: Late October through Memorial Day; hours vary; please call ahead.
This natural history museum in the foothills of the Green Mountains offer mounted specimens of 600 native New England birds and mammals as well as live hawks and owls. The museum presents an amphibian and reptile exhibit and a wildflower exhibit in the summer and fall. A good side trip is a hike up nearby Mount Olga. The museum has one of the largest collections of mounted birds to be found in New England, containing over 600 birds in 100 small dioramas. Raptor center has live exhibits of owls and hawks. Cost: Adults, $5; children, $2; seniors, $3.
