Vermont - Science and Nature

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.

Quechee Gorge State Park
190 Dewey Mills Road
White River Junction, VT
Phone: 802-295-2990

One of the most splendid natural sites in all of Vermont, Quechee Gorge is a scenic canyon worth rolls of camera film. Visitors may also go hiking, fish the Ottauquechee River, and enjoy the picnic areas. Walking trails double as cross-country ski trails in the winter. A public campground is also available.

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.

Burton Island State Park
Box 123
St. Albans Bay, VT  05481  
Phone: 802-524-6353  802-524-6353

This park is set on an island on Lake Champlain, and is accessible only by ferry. The park itself features a playground, hiking trails, a nature center, fishing area, beach. Great scenic views of Lake Champlain. A campground is open to the public.

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.

Knight Island State Park
North Hero, VT
Phone: 802-524-6353

This small and remote park is located on North Hero Island, just a few miles north of North Hero village. Visitors there will enjoy trails, nature observation, and primitive camping facilities.

Lake Carmi State Park
460 Marsh Farm Road (Route 236)
Enosberg Falls, VT  05450  
Phone: 802-933-8383

The waterfalls at Enosberg are the centerpiece of this park, which features a public campsite, beach, canoeing, fishing and picnic areas.

Woods Island State Park
St. Alban's Bay, VT
Phone: 802-524-6353

On an island in the middle of Lake Champlain, this remote park is accessible only by private boat. On the island there is a perimeter trail system, fishing, and ample opportunity to observe wildlife. A public campsite requires prior reservation, and has no facilities.

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.

Jamaica State Park
Off Route 30
Jamaica, VT
Phone: 802-874-4600

Visitors can enjoy hiking and fishing. There is a public campsite available. Within this park is Hamilton Falls, on Cobb Brook. Please use caution if you hike in to see these falls.

Lake Shaftsbury State Park
262 Shaftsbury State Park Road (Route 7A)
Shaftsbury, VT  05262  
Phone: 802-375-9978

A remote park on Lake Shaftsbury, featuring a nature trail, canoeing, boating, fishing, a beach, and swimming areas. A public campground is available.

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.