ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, ECHO is Vermont's innovative science and nature museum on Lake Champlain waterfront. The museum's mission is to inspire and engage families in the joy of scientific discovery, the wonder of nature, and care of Lake Champlain. Discover over 100 interactive family experiences, 70 live species, seasonal changing exhibits, and our Northfield Savings Bank immersive 3D Theater. New in 2020, ECHO has been reinvented by all new permanent and highly interactive science exhibits, Awesome Forces and Engineer It. Visitors of all ages tackle daily engineering challenges at our tinkering bench and test zones as well as delight in discovering the amazing processes that have shaped the Lake Champlain Basin and our Earth.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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247 within 3 miles
Attractions
84 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
573 reviews
Excellent
231
Very good
182
Average
121
Poor
27
Terrible
12
gostartraveler
Forked River, NJ1,863 contributions
Aug 2021
What a great place! We got here later than I wanted, getting here at 3 (and they close at 5), but kid enjoyed the two hours here, building and racing a Lego racer, role playing in the Champ Lane area, and looking at the fish. Just enough time, although we could have spent longer. One of our regrets is that we didn't have enough time to watch a 3D movie, which looked interesting. Due to construction, the ECHO parking lot is inaccessible, but we parked at the adjacent lot (cards only, $10 for our stay, and there was only one price option; it wasn't per hour.) We'll definitely be back and stay longer next time we're in the area.
Written August 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DEP3
Binghamton, NY302 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
A fabulous science center that kids and adults will love. Lots of hands-on activities and fun learning opportunities. Also 3-D nature films for an extra charge. Free live demonstrations ( when we were there, a naturalist went around with a rat snake and talked about it , with lots of kids interaction). One. can easily spend hours here without children or adults getting bored. Has terrace that overlooks Lake Champlain outfitted with Adirondack chairs for taking a break.
Not inexpensive but if you have membership in another affiliated science museum, admission is free.
Definitely worthwhile visiting when you are in Burlington.
Not inexpensive but if you have membership in another affiliated science museum, admission is free.
Definitely worthwhile visiting when you are in Burlington.
Written June 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorenzo el Jefe
Ontario, Canada3,143 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Our two under 4 grand boys loved the museum:
Perfect for this age group.
Tons of strollers proved the point. Strollers available on site too.
Our 4 year old loves to fish and is great at the sport (5 pound small mouth this past summer)
while at the museum every one was gob-smacked by the live sturgeons in the tank.
Q-Trip: We lasted a full hour … worth every minute.
Please check our my photos for the venue.
Perfect for this age group.
Tons of strollers proved the point. Strollers available on site too.
Our 4 year old loves to fish and is great at the sport (5 pound small mouth this past summer)
while at the museum every one was gob-smacked by the live sturgeons in the tank.
Q-Trip: We lasted a full hour … worth every minute.
Please check our my photos for the venue.
Written January 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smg12657
Largo, FL27 contributions
Jun 2022
We took my 10 yr old grandson there. The adults had just as much fun as the kid!! There was exhibits of live aquarium animals and fish. Lots of interactive, fun exhibits. My favorite was the STEM center with staff to help the kids with a specific project of the day. That day's project was to build a "raft" from paper, plastic straws, paper clips and other items on a tray so it would slide down a rope angled downward without a little plastic turtle falling off. My grandson worked very hard and it took him 3 tries to make his design work but he did it! Great family place! The staff was amazing-friendly, helpful and all about the kids. We stayed all afternoon and only left because they were closing at 5 PM! Then we could walk the waterfront of Lake Champlain. Gorgeous!!
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frozenrop5
Attleboro MA54 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Rainy day in Burlington with not much to do. Headed over to the ECHO. Without Advance purchase of tickets we had to wait until 1030 to get in. Due to COVID-19 only 75 people are allowed in the facility at once. There was no fee to get in however donations were suggested.
Two floors local knowledge and lake ecosystems information including turtles frogs snakes and fish. They also offered a 20 minute movie on reefs, which was rather informative and engaging for the kids. Lastly, they have a STEM area for children to learn by playing. This time it was coding which both my 9 and 6 year old enjoyed.
Two floors local knowledge and lake ecosystems information including turtles frogs snakes and fish. They also offered a 20 minute movie on reefs, which was rather informative and engaging for the kids. Lastly, they have a STEM area for children to learn by playing. This time it was coding which both my 9 and 6 year old enjoyed.
Written August 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MK_in_VT
Burlington, VT406 contributions
Dec 2019
The Roaring 20's dance at Echo was such a blast; with two bands, one of which was an 18 piece big band, several bars throughout the entire museum, passed hor d'oeurves (bacon and chocolate)! - all in and around the interestingly lit rooms and displays on two floors inside the museum. Lots of people - lot of dancing- lot's of fun. They should do this annually!
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cosmopolitan820842
Thanks so much for your review. The Roaring '20s party was part of the Highlight Event, Burlington's city wide New Year's celebration and the creation of Jaquline Rieke aka Nutty Steph. We plan to continue this partnership with Signal Kitchen and Burlington City Arts, hosting a party and other day time events annually. I am not sure what the theme of the party will be next year but I am sure it will be a blast!
Written January 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gregory M
Westchester, IL274 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
ECHO is a fantastic, hands on experience for kids from 2 to preteens. There are 3 floors of exhibits, many are hands on. There are periodic events like feedings which are announced and the staff does a good job explains what the various animals are and what is their habitat. Most of the fish, amphibians and reptiles are native to the Lake Champlain region. There are geologic exhibits describing the glaciers and rocks left behind as well as how the native population made use of them. There is even a television display explaining how a “green board” works and then lets you do your own newscast. There is currently a butterfly exhibit running through September, 2020 which includes a tropical butterfly house where you can wander and see butterflies close up and if you are lucky enough, one may even land on you. This is definitely a fun educational center especially for families with young children.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacques C
Westfield, VT42 contributions
Jul 2019
If you have a couple hours to do something very interesting and fun, you must go visit the ECHO center. You will be impressed with the professionally created exhibits. There is plenty of interactive activities to do. Situated on the shore of beautiful Lake Champlain!
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mckenziec561
Jupiter, FL354 contributions
Sep 2022
This was better than we'd hoped for when we brought our little family for a visit. My toddler was so excited and entertained and they even had interactions for our 8mos old baby! We spent two hours here then walked the beautiful waterfront.
I definitely recommend visiting if you're in Burlington and have little ones!
I definitely recommend visiting if you're in Burlington and have little ones!
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathleen L
116 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We stopped here with three kids (14,11,1.5) and they had a great time. Lots to do and touch and play with- but educational too! There’s great views of the lake off the back as well. Military gets free admission, which was a pleasant surprise!
My daughter had a blast - I wish there were more places like this.
My daughter had a blast - I wish there were more places like this.
Written July 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sthurl
Newtown, CT14 contributions
Is this place interesting to teens as well?
ECHOvt
Burlington, VT
Hi, thanks for getting in touch. Yes! This is a great place for all ages to learn about the history, mythology, and ecology of Lake Champlain. ECHO is also home to more than 70 species that live in the basin (native and invasive). The Lake Champlain Basin Program resource room is a great spot for older learners, as it offers a more academic look at the work being done locally and regionally. One add-on I might recommend for teens is our new behind-the-scenes tour. It costs a little bit more but it absolutely worth it - these tours are led by our animal care staff, who bring guests into their world and show them just what they do each day with our "animal ambassadors." Thanks again!
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain (Burlington) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
- ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain:
- (0.20 mi) Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain
- (0.26 mi) Hotel Vermont
- (0.24 mi) Courtyard Burlington Harbor
- (0.19 mi) The Burlington Hostel
- (0.33 mi) Hilton Garden Inn Burlington Downtown
- Restaurants near ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain:
- (0.00 mi) Ice Cream Bob's
- (0.09 mi) Splash At the Boathouse
- (0.11 mi) Burlington Bay Market & Cafe
- (0.20 mi) August First
- (0.17 mi) Shanty On The Shore