Montshire Museum of Science
Montshire Museum of Science
5
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
The Montshire is an award-winning hands-on science museum. You'll experience over 140 exciting exhibits relating to the natural and physical sciences, ecology, and technology. As a 110-acre museum on the Connecticut River, there's always plenty to explore, both indoors and out! Open daily 10-5. Summer Admission (May 17-September 7) $19 for adults, $16 for children 2-17. Regular Admission: $17 for adults, $14 for children 2-17 Two day passes available. Free for members and children under 2 years of age. Water exhibits in outdoor Science Park are on mid-May through early October.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
261 reviews
Excellent
210
Very good
42
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
1
David F
1 contribution
Aug 2020
We were in VT to baby sit for our grandson as his parents had to return to work post-Covid-19. We were looking something to do with a 9 month old while maintaining social distancing. The Museum turned out to be the perfect choice. There are a lot of hands on activities for all age groups. We are in our 50's and found several of the exhibits interesting. We were extremely impressed by the museum staffs ability to clean and sanitize each activity before and after we used them. We felt extremely safe during our entire visit. We were so impressed that we purchased a season pass for our grandson and his parents. For future visits during the pandemic and I am sure we will be renewing for years in the future.
Written August 13, 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.
agnitfom2000
Glastonbury, CT293 contributions
Jun 2021
This is a nice museum of science. It has great indoor exhibits, especially for children. The theme when I visited was "Summer of Dinosaurs". It takes about an hour to see the interior exhibits. The museum also has a nice gift store.
The museum also has several outdoor exhibits. The largest is the solar system walk, where the planets and the distances between them are to scale. I only got to Saturn, about 1.4 miles out. To get to Pluto, you have take the public trail further. Several other trails exist. As I recall, to cover all the trails takes 2.5 - 3 hours. If you do take the trails, wear hiking boots and bring bug repellant.
The museum fee includes both the interior museum and exterior trails. To get the most out of your visit you should do both. The trails can be snow-shoed or cross-country skied in the winter.
During COVID, you have to wear a mask indoors. They also have no food service, so if you want to picnic you must bring your own. I believe they had water in the gift shop, but don't count on it.
The museum also has several outdoor exhibits. The largest is the solar system walk, where the planets and the distances between them are to scale. I only got to Saturn, about 1.4 miles out. To get to Pluto, you have take the public trail further. Several other trails exist. As I recall, to cover all the trails takes 2.5 - 3 hours. If you do take the trails, wear hiking boots and bring bug repellant.
The museum fee includes both the interior museum and exterior trails. To get the most out of your visit you should do both. The trails can be snow-shoed or cross-country skied in the winter.
During COVID, you have to wear a mask indoors. They also have no food service, so if you want to picnic you must bring your own. I believe they had water in the gift shop, but don't count on it.
Written November 4, 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.
bethcousino
Gorham, ME4 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
The Montshire Museum of Science was awesome! I visited with my two young children, ages 4 and 2, and there was so much to do. Everything was hands on, great play areas for young kids, although we were told that “Andy’s Place” (one of the kid play areas) would be closing soon. My children were entertained for the 3 hours we were there, could have easily made an entire day out of our visit. Some of our favorite things were the music area where you could actually play some of the instruments, the tower with the skeleton and x-ray exhibit, and the fog exhibit. I would love to visit again in the warmer months, as there are several trails to walk on and there appeared to be some great outdoor areas as well.
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.
travelgirl93463
Montrose, CO352 contributions
We wasted our money. This was not for adults and teens but a CHILDRENS Museum! A lovely setting tho!
Oct 2022 • Family
So here is the bottom line - this lovely venue is simply misnamed. It should be called Montshire CHILDRENS Museum!!!! It was quite expensive for us to attend (2 adults and one teen grandson) and we were very excited to spend several hours at a science museum as part of our Revolutionary War tour of Vermont (we are from Colorado). We asked the lady at admissions as we looked around and saw many young families. We had read the Trip Advisor review. No one told us this was truly suited only for young children. After our brief 20 min walk through we returned to the front desk and said we were extremely disappointed. She said she was sorry but did not offer us a refund. We loved Vermont and all the wonderful sights and history but this was simply not advertised properly. We absolutely felt we should have received a refund. It was not appropriate for adults and teens. Please rename this lovely venue to reflect its true intent - a science museum for CHILDREN!
Written November 12, 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.
dotdee
Camden, ME13 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
I would rate the museum more highly. However I was disturbed during a recent visit by all the signage. The museum portrayed many scientists doing various things. Each picture had the caption ‘This is what a scientist looks like’. Funny thing is, they were all women. Women dressed in headscarves, scuba gear, hard hats maybe. A women who was a double amputee. The message — any woman can be a scientist. But apparently, no men look like scientists.
When I complained to the front desk, the woman explained that this was to right historical wrongs. Well, my grandson is not historical, nor are all the young male visitors to the museum. The anti-male bias is disturbing.
When I complained to the front desk, the woman explained that this was to right historical wrongs. Well, my grandson is not historical, nor are all the young male visitors to the museum. The anti-male bias is disturbing.
Written October 15, 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.
Freebirdvt
Rutland, VT88 contributions
Jul 2022
Took my two grandchildren ages 4 and 6. This was an amazing experience for them with hands on inside and out. We went on a weekday and it was not crowded. I expected to spend a few hours, but we ended up spending the day, picnicking on the pads in parking lot.
Many of the displays were Vermont related which the children enjoyed since they are from SC.
Bring food, towels and either a bathing suit or change of clothes, as the outside water features invite the children together wet.
Highly recommend.
Many of the displays were Vermont related which the children enjoyed since they are from SC.
Bring food, towels and either a bathing suit or change of clothes, as the outside water features invite the children together wet.
Highly recommend.
Written July 8, 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.
This is such a wonderful review to read! Thank you for spending the day with us and thoroughly exploring inside and out. Thank you for sharing your advice also. To all reading in the summer: please bring a towel!
Written July 25, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jim T
Austin, TX1,172 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
We brought our five year old granddaughter and it was a good call. She enjoyed the exhibits and hands on displays. There is a nice area for picnics outside along the parking lot. While is is mostly geared towards kids, adults can find it fun, too.
Written July 14, 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.
shutrixie
Brooklyn, NY48 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
As a science tea he to expected this to be fun and always anticipate it catering to children but the prices of admission is ridiculous for a small "museum" and for the fact it caters to 6 year olds and below! They do not have teacher or student discounts or elderly.... Not worth a visit unless you have little little kids
Written June 23, 2015
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.
Int_Bus_Travel
West Hartford, CT729 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
We enjoyed our afternoon on a rainy summer day. We were there on the 4th of July so the crowds were minimal and we had access to all activities. We visit many science centers and activities are often repeated but this museum had many different stations. Both kids (ages 7 and 10) liked that the activities were challenging. Build your own doodle bot (tinker lab) was a hit. The adults even had fun at many stations.
Written July 4, 2015
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.
Gareth P
Berlin, Berlin, Germany28 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
Took our 2 kids, aged 4 and 6, and was an excellent way to spend an afternoon. Inside, there were really fun interactive and educational exhibits, outside a fun water play area as well as walks through woods. Was fun for the adults also. We could have spent a full day there had we the time, thoroughly recommended.
Written June 25, 2015
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.
Not that I’m aware of... we just purchased tickets for the day
Written March 8, 2020
Are wheelchairs or other transport available?
Written October 8, 2016
My apologies for not responding sooner—somehow this is the first time I saw your questions. Yes, we do have a wheelchair available for use. The first two floors are accessible as are some of the trails.
Thanks again
Written April 12, 2017
Yes, the first two floors of the Museum are handicap accessible as are some of the trails. Please feel free to call if we can be of further assistance. 802-649-2200
Written November 30, 2015
Would teenagers be engaged, and about how long should a visit take? Are there price breaks for students/seniors?
Written March 16, 2015
Absolutely—people of all ages find the Montshire engaging. We would recommend at least2–3 hours for a first-time visit. While we don't offer discounts, you receive $2 off admission foe everyone in your party when you subscribe to the Montshire eNews on our website. Please feel free to give us a call if we can answer any other questions. Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Written March 16, 2015
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