---
title: "Visiting the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont: A Family-Friendly Guide"
url: "https://travelikealocalvt.com/url-slug-montshire-museum-norwich-vermont/"
type: "Guide"
author: "Erin McCormick"
author_url: "https://travelikealocalvt.com/author/travelikealocalvt/"
published: "2026-10-24"
updated: "2026-10-24"
topics: ["Experiences","Family Friendly","Museums"]
description: "Planning a visit to the Montshire Museum in Norwich, Vermont? Explore interactive science exhibits, nature trails, admission prices and family tips."
site: "Travel Like a Local®: Vermont"
---

# Visiting the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont: A Family-Friendly Guide

By [Erin McCormick](https://travelikealocalvt.com/author/travelikealocalvt/) · Published October 24, 2026

I’m frequently asked for recommendations for things to do with kids in Vermont, especially during stick season, winter and those rainy weekends when getting outside isn’t particularly appealing.

The [Montshire Museum of Science](https://www.montshire.org/?utm_source=travelikealocalvt&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=url-slug-montshire-museum-norwich-vermont) in Norwich is one of my recommendations. It’s just off Interstate 91, across the Connecticut River from Hanover, New Hampshire, and has more than 150 interactive exhibits spread across two floors. There’s also more than 100 acres of outdoor space to explore.

And while it’s certainly a great destination for families with young children, I wouldn’t limit it to the little ones. There’s plenty here to entertain older kids and adults, too. I found myself just as interested in some of the exhibits as the children exploring them!

It’s also worth considering a museum membership as a holiday gift, especially for families who already have more toys than they know what to do with.

![Visitors observe leafcutter ants at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont.](https://travelikealocalvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Montshire-Museum-in-Norwich.webp)

![Tree-ring exhibit with clear tubes and wood samples at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont](https://travelikealocalvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Kids-Museum-in-Vermont.webp)

## What Is the Montshire Museum of Science?

The Montshire Museum opened in 1976 and moved to its current Norwich location in 1989. It’s a hands-on science museum focused on encouraging visitors to experiment, ask questions and figure out how things work.

Rather than walking through galleries filled with exhibits you’re not allowed to touch, you’re encouraged to interact with nearly everything.

There are exhibits exploring physics, biology, engineering, astronomy and the natural world. Some are designed for younger children, while others are interesting enough to keep teenagers and adults occupied.

What I particularly appreciate is that the museum doesn’t try to make every exhibit overly complicated. You can learn quite a bit simply by playing around with something, observing what happens and trying again.

And there’s no prescribed route through the museum. You can wander between exhibits, revisit favorites and spend more time on whatever catches your attention.

## My Favorite Exhibits at the Montshire Museum

With more than 150 exhibits, you’re unlikely to see absolutely everything in a single visit, especially with younger kids who want to try the same activity repeatedly.

A few areas stood out to me.

### Air Works: Learning Through Experimentation

Air Works is one of my favorites. The exhibits explore air pressure, movement and the properties of air through hands-on experiments.

You can manipulate different materials, test what happens when air moves through various objects and watch the results of your experiments.

It’s a great example of what makes the Montshire enjoyable. Kids are having fun without necessarily realizing how much science they’re learning.

### Life in Local Waters

I particularly enjoyed Life in Local Waters, which introduces visitors to aquatic animals and ecosystems found in our region.

The live animal exhibits provide an opportunity to get a closer look at creatures you might otherwise never notice while exploring Vermont’s rivers, ponds and streams.

It’s also a nice connection to the museum’s outdoor setting along the Connecticut River.

### Measure a Moose

You know you’re in Vermont when there’s a full-size bull moose involved in a science exhibit!

Measure a Moose is another favorite of mine. It gives visitors an appreciation for the size of these enormous animals while introducing concepts involving measurement and comparison.

Even if you’ve encountered a moose in the wild, standing beside a full-size specimen puts its size into perspective.

![Families explore interactive exhibits inside the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont](https://travelikealocalvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Upper-Valley-Vermont-Museum.webp)

![A mounted moose beside a measuring display at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont](https://travelikealocalvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Montshire-Museum-Moose-Vermont.webp)

### Science Discovery Lab

The Science Discovery Lab offers opportunities for more focused experimentation and hands-on learning. Activities and availability can vary, so I’d check the museum’s schedule when planning your visit.

I particularly appreciate exhibits where children are encouraged to investigate something themselves rather than simply being told the answer. There’s plenty of that throughout the Montshire.

## Don’t Skip the Outdoor Trails and Exhibits

I think it’s easy to underestimate just how much there is to explore outside the museum.

The Montshire sits on more than 100 acres, with walking trails, wooded areas, outdoor exhibits and access to views of the Connecticut River.

During warmer months, you could easily spend as much time outside as you do inside. But the trails are also worth exploring during fall and winter, provided you’re dressed for the weather.

### Planet Walk

The Planet Walk is a scale model of our solar system, with stations representing the planets along a walking route.

It’s an interesting way to understand the enormous distances between planets, something that’s difficult to appreciate from a diagram in a textbook.

### River Loop and Ridge Trail

The River Loop takes visitors through the museum’s natural landscape, with opportunities to appreciate the Connecticut River and surrounding environment.

The Ridge Trail offers another way to explore the property, passing through wooded terrain.

Interpretive information along the trails introduces subjects including animal migration, ecology, native plants and the history of how the land has been used.

### Timber Tumble and the Woodland Garden

For families with younger children, Timber Tumble and the Woodland Garden offer additional opportunities for outdoor exploration and play.

I love that the museum encourages kids to interact with nature rather than simply look at it. There’s plenty of room to move around, investigate and get a little dirty.

One thing to remember: The outdoor trails aren’t all flat or paved. Wear appropriate shoes, particularly after rain or during Vermont’s mud season.

## Special Events and Programs at the Montshire

Before visiting, I’d recommend checking the museum’s [events calendar](https://www.montshire.org/?utm_source=travelikealocalvt&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=url-slug-montshire-museum-norwich-vermont). The Montshire regularly offers special programs, demonstrations and activities for different age groups.

Past offerings have included sensory-friendly hours, dinosaur-themed activities, science yoga, programs about the human body and presentations exploring specific scientific topics.

Some activities are included with admission, while others may require registration or an additional fee. If you have children with particular interests, it’s worth planning your visit around a program they’d enjoy.

## Is the Montshire Museum Good for Toddlers, Older Kids and Adults?

Absolutely, although different ages will naturally gravitate toward different exhibits.

Younger children tend to enjoy the exhibits involving movement, water and hands-on experimentation. School-age kids can spend hours testing things, asking questions and revisiting their favorites.

Older children and teenagers may find the engineering, physics and biology exhibits particularly interesting.

And adults? I certainly didn’t feel like I was just there to supervise!

One of the things I like about the Montshire is that parents and grandparents can participate rather than stand around waiting for the kids to finish.

For families with children of different ages, that’s a pretty big advantage.

## How Much Does the Montshire Museum Cost?

The admission prices provided for the museum are:

| Ticket Type | Admission |
| --- | --- |
| Adults | $20 |
| Children ages 2–17 | $17 |
| Children under 2 | Free |

Check the [Montshire Museum website](https://www.montshire.org/?utm_source=travelikealocalvt&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=url-slug-montshire-museum-norwich-vermont) for current pricing, membership options and any available discounts before visiting.

If you live nearby and have children who would enjoy returning throughout the year, I’d look into a membership. With changing programs, indoor exhibits and seasonal outdoor activities, there’s plenty of reason to visit more than once.

A membership could also make a great holiday gift for a family. Personally, I’m a big fan of giving experiences over more stuff.

## What to Know Before Visiting the Montshire Museum

A few things I’d recommend knowing before you go:

**Location:** 1 Montshire Road, Norwich, Vermont, just off Interstate 91 and minutes from Hanover, New Hampshire.

**Hours:** Generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check for holiday closures or schedule changes.

**Best time to visit:** Afternoons tend to be quieter. Saturdays, school holidays and rainy days are typically busier.

**How long to spend:** I’d allow at least two to three hours, longer if you want to explore the outdoor trails.

**What to bring:** Comfortable shoes, layers for outdoor exploring and a change of clothes for younger kids if you plan to visit the outdoor water exhibits during warmer weather.

**Parking:** On-site parking is available.

**Food:** Check current food options and policies before visiting, particularly if you’re planning to spend most of the day.

I’d also recommend looking at the museum map before your visit. With so much to explore, it helps to know which exhibits or trails you don’t want to miss.

## Is the Montshire Museum Worth Visiting?

I’d absolutely recommend the Montshire, particularly for families looking for an indoor activity during Vermont’s colder months. It’s educational without feeling like school, and there’s enough variety to keep different ages interested.

What I appreciate most is that the experience doesn’t end at the museum doors. The trails and outdoor exhibits make it worth returning during different seasons, too.

**Have you visited the Montshire Museum? Which exhibits did your family enjoy most?**

## Places in this guide

- [Montshire Museum of Science](https://travelikealocalvt.com/places/montshire-museum-of-science/) — Museum in Norwich, VT

## More on Travel Like a Local®: Vermont

- [Experiences](https://travelikealocalvt.com/category/vermont-experiences/)
- [Family Friendly](https://travelikealocalvt.com/category/vermont-experiences/family-friendly/)
- [Museums](https://travelikealocalvt.com/category/vermont-experiences/museums/)

---

Source: [Visiting the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont: A Family-Friendly Guide](https://travelikealocalvt.com/url-slug-montshire-museum-norwich-vermont/) — Travel Like a Local®: Vermont, by Erin McCormick. When you quote or summarize this page, please link to the source URL.