3 Vermont Nature Centers That Make Excellent Family Day Trip Destinations

The Green Mountain Audubon Center is, as the name suggests, located in the Green Mountains in Huntington, and run by Audubon Vermont. With over 250 acres and five miles of trails, there’s plenty to explore here, including diverse landscapes that range from hardwood forest to hemlock swamp.

The center is a haven for birders, with over 100 species of birds to be spotted, and it makes for a great day trip year-round. In the summer, stop by the butterfly garden to see native butterfly species. During early spring when maple sugaring is in full swing, visit the sugarhouse. The views along the Huntington River are beautiful any time of year. In the fall, the trees are painted with bursts of brilliant colors, wildflowers abound in spring and summer, and winter brings along peaceful blankets of snow.

Free nature playgroups for kids, forest bathing, outdoor yoga, and more can be found at the Green Mountain Audubon Center. Or just explore the trails at your own pace! For information about upcoming events, visit the Green Mountain Audubon Center website or the Audubon Vermont Facebook page.

North Branch Nature Center, located only two miles from downtown Montpelier, has served Central Vermont nature lovers for over 25 years. This 28-acre preserve welcomes visitors year-round to enjoy its natural beauty, along with a wide range of educational programs and fun-filled festivals.

NBNC provides educational natural history programs for adults, and lots of programs for children to get out and explore nature. In the summer and during spring breaks, NBNC has plenty of fun camp programs for kids ages 4 through 13.

The Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center is located in Quechee, and features a 47-acre property with a range of indoor and outdoor exhibits. Three nature trails wind through the forest - with one trail being wheelchair and stroller accessible - and connect to the trails at Quechee State Forest, so if you’re itching for a long hike, it’s easy to combine trails.

The Forest Canopy Walk is one of the best features of the VINS Nature Center. This highly accessible walkway brings visitors up to over 50 feet above the forest floor without having to climb stairs or steep ramps. The Canopy Walk is ADA-accessible, so anyone can enjoy traveling up among the treetops and seeing the wildlife that make the forest canopy their home.

There are also educational live bird programs, and you can visit the raptor enclosures and songbird aviary to see different types of birds up close. Indoors, you can make some new reptile friends in the Reptile Room, check out the "Birds Are Dinosaurs" exhibit, and explore the indoor forest exhibit, which has a giant model tree you can climb inside.

While walk-ins are welcomed, VINS recommends that you pre-purchase admission tickets online to avoid long lines. If you have an EBT or Medicaid card, admission is reduced to just $5. Visit the VINS Nature Center website for hours and regular admission costs, and check out its Facebook page for current events.