Vermont Zoos, Aquariums & Wildlife Centers

10+

Wildlife Facilities

17

Raptor Exhibits

70+

Aquatic Species

5

Free Attractions

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Featured Wildlife Attractions

🐟 ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

Location: 1 College Street, Burlington, VT 05401

Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Admission: Adults $18, Students/Seniors $16, Children 3-17 $14.50, Under 3 Free

Highlights:

  • 28,500 square foot facility with interactive exhibits
  • Over 70 species of fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and reptiles
  • 15,000-gallon freshwater aquarium (largest in Vermont)
  • Features lake sturgeon, Atlantic salmon, American eels, and lake trout
  • 30-foot 3D plesiosaur model of "Champ" (Lake Champlain's legendary monster)
  • Immersive 3D Theater with traveling exhibitions
  • Vermont's first LEED certified Green Building
  • Daily animal encounters and hands-on activities

Special Features: ECHO stands for Ecology, Culture, History, and Opportunity. Opened in 2003, the facility includes the largest solar canopy in Vermont (built 2018) for renewable energy. The only lake aquarium in the United States with LEED certification.

Website: echovermont.org

🦅 Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS)

Location: 149 Natures Way, Quechee, VT 05059

Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Admission: Varies by season (check website)

Highlights:

  • 17 raptor exhibits with hawks, eagles, vultures, falcons, owls, and ravens
  • Live educational birds including great horned owl and peregrine falcon
  • Daily raptor feeding at 2:00 PM
  • Forest Canopy Walk and nature trails
  • Songbird aviary with interactive exhibits
  • Wild bird rehabilitation center (licensed)
  • 50 acres of woodland adjacent to Ottauquechee River
  • ADA accessible facilities

History: Founded in 1972, the Raptor Center opened in 1987. The new VINS Nature Center facility opened in 2004 in Quechee. VINS holds federal and state permits for educational birds that cannot be released due to injuries or human imprinting.

Website: vinsweb.org

🔬 Montshire Museum of Science

Location: Norwich, VT (near Connecticut River and New Hampshire border)

Hours: Check website for seasonal hours

Highlights:

  • Over 100 acres with nature trails
  • 150+ interactive exhibits
  • Freshwater aquarium with local Vermont species
  • Fish, frogs, turtles, crayfish, and trout native to New England
  • Multiple freshwater habitat exhibits
  • Toads, turtles, and amphibian displays
  • Combination science museum and aquarium

Focus: Specialized in freshwater ecosystems and local aquatic life. Each aquarium exhibit represents different freshwater habitats found in Vermont and New England.

🐄 Billings Farm & Museum

Location: Woodstock, VT (1 mile north of village green)

Hours: Seasonal (check website)

Admission: Varies by season

Highlights:

  • Working dairy farm with over 70 Jersey cows
  • Four draft horses, pigs, goats, Southdown sheep
  • Chickens and turkeys in coops and fields
  • Calf nursery with seasonal baby animals
  • Petting opportunities in barns (safety guidelines apply)
  • Historic 19th-century farm founded by Frederick Billings
  • One of oldest registered Jersey dairy farms in the country
  • Baby Farm Animal Celebration with lambs, chicks, ducklings, piglets, bunnies

Note: Visitors can pet animals in barns but should not pet animals in pastures or lean on fences for safety reasons.

Website: billingsfarm.org

Aquariums & Science Centers

ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain Top Rated

Address: 1 College Street, Burlington, VT 05401

Phone: Check website

Hours: Daily 10 AM - 5 PM

Description: Vermont's premier science and nature museum featuring 28,500 square feet of interactive exhibits, over 70 aquatic species, and the state's largest aquarium. LEED certified green building with educational programs focusing on Lake Champlain ecology.

Montshire Museum of Science

Address: Norwich, VT (near NH border)

Hours: Seasonal hours vary

Description: Science museum with 100+ acres, 150 exhibits, and freshwater aquariums showcasing local Vermont fish, frogs, turtles, and amphibians. Each habitat represents different freshwater ecosystems.

Ed Weed Fish Culture Station Free

Address: Grand Isle, VT

Hours: Check website for visitor center hours

Description: State fish hatchery featuring large aquariums in the visitor center with self-guided tour. Learn about fish stocking programs and native Vermont fish species.

Bird Sanctuaries & Raptor Centers

Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) Top Rated

Address: 149 Natures Way, Quechee, VT 05059

Hours: Daily 10 AM - 4 PM

Description: Non-profit environmental education organization with 17 raptor exhibits, daily feeding programs, Forest Canopy Walk, and wild bird rehabilitation services. Founded 1972, Raptor Center opened 1987.

Birds in Flight Sanctuary

Founded: 1991

Services: Wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and medical care

Description: Provides rescue and rehabilitation for sick, injured, and orphaned birds of prey and waterfowl, plus all wildlife species. Offers medical/surgical treatments, physical therapy, and release preparation. Non-releasable birds find permanent sanctuary homes.

Website: birdsinflightsanctuary.com

Owl Moon Raptor Center

Mission: Raptor rescue and rehabilitation

Description: Specializes in rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured, sick, and orphaned birds of prey. Returns raptors to the wild in sound, athletic condition. Provides public education about raptor conservation.

Website: owlmoon.org

Farm Animals & Petting Zoos

Billings Farm & Museum Historic Farm

Address: Woodstock, VT (1 mile north of village green)

Animals: 70+ Jersey cows, 4 draft horses, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys

Description: Award-winning outdoor history museum and working dairy farm. One of the oldest registered Jersey dairy farms in the country, founded by 19th-century railroad magnate Frederick Billings.

Shelburne Farms

Address: Shelburne, VT

Size: 3,800-acre agricultural estate

Description: Historic farm featuring Farm Barn with petting zoo, Children's Farmyard, cheesemaking facility, and organic bakery. Educational programs and scenic grounds.

Retreat Farm Free

Address: Brattleboro, VT (central southern Vermont)

Hours: Dawn to dusk daily

Description: Unique combination of animal preservation and artistic celebration. Features petting zoo, peaceful gardens, and open fields. Free admission and open to public year-round.

Champlain Valley Alpacas

Location: Green Mountains of Vermont

Description: Family-owned alpaca farm in the Green Mountains. Also operates Vermont Wedding Barn for events. Farm store with alpaca products.

Maple View Farm Alpacas

Address: Brandon, VT (2.5 miles north of town)

Size: 100 scenic acres

Description: Quality alpaca breeding farm with farm store. Visitors welcome to learn about alpacas and browse fiber products. Western Vermont location.

Silver Street Alpaca Farm

Address: 19 miles from Burlington, VT

Description: Small Vermont livestock farm focused on quality, selective alpaca breeding. Farm tours and educational visits.

Snowshoe Farm Alpacas

Address: Peacham, VT (Northeast Kingdom)

Description: Alpaca breeding farm owned and operated by Ron and Terry Miller. Northeast Kingdom location with scenic rural setting.

Animal Sanctuaries & Rescue Centers

Little Red Barn Farm Sanctuary

Address: Tunbridge, VT

Description: Farm sanctuary providing safe haven for agriculture's "undesirables" including ewes too old to breed, injured ducks, and young male sheep and goats slated for meat. Promotes friendship and lifelong bonds with farm animals.

Humane Society of Chittenden County

Address: 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, VT 05403

Phone: (802) 862-0135

Hours: Tuesday-Friday 1-5 PM, Saturday 12-5 PM, Closed Sunday-Monday

Description: Animal shelter and rescue organization serving Chittenden County.

Vermont Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) Free

Total: 100+ areas covering 133,000+ acres

Description: Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department owns over 100 Wildlife Management Areas throughout the state. Each area is open to the public for wildlife observation, bird watching, hiking, and educational opportunities. Diverse native plants and animals.

Nearby Zoos in Other States

Southwick's Zoo Massachusetts

Location: Massachusetts (2-3 hours from Vermont)

Size: 200 acres with 850+ animals

Description: Largest New England zoo. Features Skyfari Skyride, train tours through wetlands habitat, petting zoo with goats and alpacas. Open early April to end of October.

Roger Williams Park Zoo Rhode Island

Location: Rhode Island (2-3 hours from southern Vermont)

Description: Over 100 rare species including snow leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, endangered red wolves, and red pandas. Interactive exhibits with birds, primates, and sloths in Faces of the Rainforest.

Beardsley Zoo Connecticut

Location: Bridgeport, CT (3 hours from southern Vermont)

Description: Features two-toed sloths, maned wolves, marmosets, and over 300 animals (primarily North and South American species). One of Connecticut's top family attractions.

York's Wild Kingdom Maine

Location: Southern Maine coast (2-3 hours from Vermont)

Description: Combination zoo and amusement park with African lions, Bengal tigers, hand-feeding opportunities with deer, goats, and ducks. Walk-through parakeet aviary and butterfly house.

Zoo de Granby Quebec, Canada

Location: Quebec (1-2 hours from northern Vermont)

Description: Major Canadian zoo close to Vermont border. Popular day trip destination for Vermont residents.

Practical Information

Best Time to Visit

  • Spring (April-May): Baby animal season at farms, bird migration at VINS
  • Summer (June-August): All facilities open, outdoor trails accessible
  • Fall (September-October): Beautiful foliage, comfortable weather
  • Winter (November-March): Indoor aquariums open year-round, limited farm activities

Admission Tips

  • Free Options: Retreat Farm, Ed Weed Fish Culture Station, Wildlife Management Areas
  • ECHO: $18 adults, $14.50 children (3-17), free under 3
  • Memberships: ECHO and VINS offer annual memberships for frequent visitors
  • Group Discounts: Available at most facilities with advance reservation

Accessibility

  • VINS: ADA accessible facilities and trails
  • ECHO: Fully accessible, wheelchair-friendly exhibits
  • Farms: Barn areas generally accessible, pastures may have uneven terrain
  • Parking: Free parking available at all Vermont wildlife facilities

Planning Your Visit

  • Duration: 2-3 hours for ECHO or VINS, 1-2 hours for farms
  • What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, cameras allowed
  • Food: ECHO has café, most farms have picnic areas
  • Special Events: Check websites for seasonal programs and animal births

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Vermont does not have any AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited facilities. As of 2024, there are 240 AZA-accredited institutions nationwide, but Vermont is not among them. However, Vermont offers excellent wildlife centers, aquariums, and sanctuaries that focus on native species, environmental education, and wildlife rehabilitation. ECHO and VINS are highly regarded institutions that provide quality animal experiences and conservation education without AZA accreditation.

The ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington features Vermont's largest freshwater aquarium with a 15,000-gallon tank - more than double the capacity of previous exhibits. Opened in July 2024, this aquarium showcases Lake Champlain's native aquatic wildlife including prehistoric lake sturgeon, landlocked Atlantic salmon, American eels, and lake trout. The facility houses over 70 species of fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and reptiles across 28,500 square feet of exhibit space.

The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) in Quechee is the premier destination for viewing birds of prey in Vermont. VINS features 17 raptor exhibits housing hawks, eagles, vultures, falcons, owls, and ravens. Daily raptor feeding programs take place at 2:00 PM where visitors can watch care-givers feed the birds and learn about each species. VINS also operates a licensed wild bird rehabilitation center that treats injured and orphaned raptors. Additional raptor rescue facilities include Birds in Flight Sanctuary and Owl Moon Raptor Center, though these focus more on rehabilitation than public exhibits.

Yes, Vermont offers several free wildlife attractions. Retreat Farm in Brattleboro is free and open daily from dawn to dusk, featuring a petting zoo, gardens, and open fields. The Ed Weed Fish Culture Station in Grand Isle offers free admission to its visitor center with large aquariums and self-guided tours of the state fish hatchery. Vermont also has over 100 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) covering 133,000+ acres that are free and open to the public for wildlife observation, bird watching, and hiking. The Nature Museum in Grafton has a suggested donation of $5 per person or $15 per family, and its outdoor areas (Chapman Meadow and Magic Forest Playscape) are free daily from dawn to dusk.

Vermont is the only New England state without a seacoast, which means all Vermont aquariums focus exclusively on freshwater ecosystems rather than marine life. ECHO specializes in Lake Champlain ecology and freshwater species, while the Montshire Museum focuses on local rivers and streams. This freshwater specialization allows visitors to learn about native Vermont aquatic species including lake sturgeon (a prehistoric fish), landlocked Atlantic salmon, American eels, lake trout, and various amphibians. Vermont aquariums emphasize environmental education about local watershed conservation rather than tropical or ocean species.

Yes, several Vermont facilities offer hands-on animal encounters. Billings Farm & Museum allows visitors to pet animals in the barns, though for safety reasons, animals in pastures should not be approached and visitors should not lean on fences. The farm features dairy cows, draft horses, a dwarf goat, and seasonal baby animals during their Baby Farm Animal Celebration. Shelburne Farms has a Children's Farmyard and petting zoo in their Farm Barn. Retreat Farm in Brattleboro offers petting zoo access with free admission. For safety and animal welfare, always follow facility guidelines and supervise children during animal interactions.

Vermont has licensed wildlife rehabilitators who provide professional care for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. VINS operates a wild bird rehabilitation program that treats most common birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians (except deer, moose, bear, and wild turkey). Birds in Flight Sanctuary, founded in 1991, rescues and rehabilitates birds of prey and waterfowl, providing medical treatments, surgical care, and physical therapy with the goal of releasing animals back to the wild. Owl Moon Raptor Center specializes in raptor rehabilitation. All wild birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to keep or treat them without proper federal and state permits. If you find an injured animal, contact your local state game warden or a licensed Vermont rehabilitator through Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

Vermont residents have several excellent zoo options within 1-3 hours' drive. Southwick's Zoo in Massachusetts (2-3 hours) is the largest New England zoo with 200 acres and over 850 animals, featuring a Skyfari Skyride and train tours. Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island (2-3 hours from southern Vermont) houses over 100 rare species including snow leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, and elephants. Zoo de Granby in Quebec, Canada is only 1-2 hours from northern Vermont and is a popular day trip destination. York's Wild Kingdom in southern Maine (2-3 hours) combines a zoo with an amusement park and offers hand-feeding opportunities with deer, goats, and ducks.

Spring is the best season to see baby animals at Vermont farms and wildlife centers. Billings Farm & Museum hosts an annual Baby Farm Animal Celebration where visitors can meet newly born lambs, chicks, ducklings, goats, calves, piglets, and fluffy bunnies. The farm's dairy herd has calves throughout the year that can be found in the calf nursery, but spring brings the highest concentration of baby animals. Most Vermont farms time births for April through June when weather conditions are favorable. VINS also sees increased activity during spring bird migration season, and their rehabilitation center often cares for orphaned baby birds during this period.

Yes, ECHO is Vermont's first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified Green Building and the only lake aquarium in the United States with this certification. When it opened, ECHO was the third LEED certified building in all of New England. The facility practices what it teaches about environmental conservation through sustainable building design. In 2018, Vermont's largest solar canopy was built on-site to capture renewable energy for the facility's operations. This commitment to sustainability makes ECHO a model for how educational institutions can minimize environmental impact while teaching visitors about ecology and conservation.

Related Vermont Resources

Last updated on November 27, 2025