United States
Vermont (VT)
Norwich
Things to Do in Norwich
Montshire Museum of Science
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Montshire Museum of Science

See all things to do
See all things to do
Montshire Museum of Science
5
257 reviews
#1 of 9 things to do in Norwich
Science Museums • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Children's Museums
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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
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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.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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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
5.0
257 reviews
Excellent
208
Very good
40
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
1
travelgirl93463
Montrose, CO301 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.
Freebirdvt
Rutland, VT33 contributions
Highly recommend
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.
Written July 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Honor H
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.
fitzhoyt
Maryville, TN963 contributions
A fun place!
Jun 2022
This was a GREAT place for learning and also a lot of fun! Everyone with us also enjoyed it. All the exhibits were interesting!
Written June 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Honor H
Well that's wonderful to read! Thank you so much for visiting and exploring with us.
Written July 25, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lida l
Connecticut2 contributions
What a great place!
Jan 2022
We LOVED this museum! Our daughter is 7 and we spent hours doing all of the fun experiences. Well done Montshire!
Written January 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
agnitfom2000
Glastonbury, CT264 contributions
Great Science Museum + Hiking
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.
Written November 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David F
1 contribution
A must visit if you have younger children
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.
bethcousino
Gorham, ME4 contributions
Great Place to Visit
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.
timeznow51
Millsboro, DE153 contributions
Exciting
Oct 2019
This place will definitely put a smile on any childs face. It is jam packed filled with exciting hands on exhibits that will thrill them. We took our grandchildren ages 10 and 7 and they loved it.
Written November 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
50joanie
Greenwich, CT104 contributions
We love it here, so much fun!
Oct 2019
This is the most interactive museum for kids that I have ever been to. There is lots of fun for kids starting at toddler age. You could spend a few hours here. The kids go from one activity to another. They even have huge building blocks that the kids can pile up, climb on, and fall onto the padded floor, so no worries about them getting hurt. We could have stayed longer, but it was nap time.
They have presentations throughout the day. We watched an ant colony devouring leaves, and taking the small pieces back to their nests...like Hercules carrying big sections of leaves.
Great fun! Don't miss it!
Written October 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sam G
Melbourne, FL229 contributions
Fantastic for Adults and Kids of All Ages
Sep 2019
This is a hands-on museum where you are encouraged to touch everything from bubble machines to puzzles to musical instruments and way more. A lot of fun for everyone. They have a military discount and the admission price can be applied to an annual membership. Even on a rainy day, there was plenty to do. Our 3 year old grandkid had a great time (and so did his grandparents!
Written September 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Montshire Museum of Science (Norwich) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Montshire Museum of Science
Montshire Museum of Science is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM