Central

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.