Places to Visit

Looking for places to visit with your mentee? We have compiled this list of places to visit within Chittenden County. Check the individual websites for more information and upcoming events at these sites. Have a great place to add to the list? Please let us know!

Nature, Science and Agriculture

  • UVM Horticulture Farm. Also known as the “Hort Farm,” the horticulture research center is open to visitors on certain days. Check the website for more information (Burlington).
  • Burlington Farmers’ Market. Held every Saturday weekly from May to October and every other Saturday in the winter. Check website for entertainment and special events (Burlington).
  • ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center. More than 100 hands on exhibits and 60 animal species. Check the calendar for admission costs, hours and upcoming events.
  • Vermont Wildflower Farm. Gardens open to the public from late May until October (Charlotte).
  • Sam Mazza’s Corn Maze. Open early September through October. 3 mile corn maze great for older kids, petting zoo and more. Check website for costs and information about other seasonal festivals and events (Colchester).
  • Audubon Society. The Green Mountain Audubon Society has several hiking trails and offers a number of free and low-cost activities throughout the year. Check their online calendar for upcoming events and programs (Huntington).
  • Shelburne Farms. Environmental education center and working farm with walking trails, children’s farmyard and seasonal events. Check the website for events and admission rates (Shelburne).

Libraries and Museums

  • Fleming Museum. Art and artifacts from Ancient Egypt, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas fill the Fleming Museum at UVM. Check the calendar for Community Family Days and other kids events. Admission is free with Mobius card (Burlington).
  • Fletcher Free Library. Check the events calendar for youth programming each month (Burlington).
  • Perkins Geology Museum. Geology exhibits, fossils, and hands on activities. Free admission, but must call ahead (Burlington).
  • Brownell Library. Check the website for hours and monthly events calendar. (Essex Junction).
  • Shelburne Museum. Unconventional museum housed in 30 buildings with lots of room for kids to roam. Reduced admission for residents, check website for events (Shelburne).
  • St. Albans Free Library. Check the website for the monthly events calendar and hours (St. Albans).
  • Vermont Ski Museum. The Vermont Ski Museum operates with the mission of preserving and celebrating Vermont’s skiing history. Suggested donation of $3 for admission, check website for hours (Stowe).
  • Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. Check the website for hours and monthly events calendar (Williston).

Sports and Outdoor Adventure

  • Burlington Parks. Burlington Parks and Recreation maintains a number of great parks that are available year round. Check the website for more information and for their list of free wintertime activities in the parks including snowshoeing, xc skiing and sledding (Burlington).
  • Greater Burlington YMCA. The YMCA is open daily and offers youth classes and open gym times for families. Check the websites for schedules and costs (Burlington).
  • Northern Lights Rock and Ice. Northern Lights has many year-round activity options including rock climbing, hiking, geocaching, sledding and much more. Costs vary by activity and reservations are required. Check the website for more information (Essex Junction).
  • Hard’ack, Inc. Hard’ack provides affordable access to winter outdoor activities including downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skating and sledding. There is no charge, but donations accepted. Check the website for hours (St. Albans).

Tours

  • Lake Champlain Chocolates Free Tours. The Lake Champlain Chocolates location on Pine St. offers tours weekdays from 9am-2pm on the hour. Check the website for more information (Burlington).
  • Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks. Morse Farm is one of many sugar houses in the area, but is open year round. Offering free tours daily, a woodshed theater and Vermont farm life museum. Check the website for more details (Montpelier).
  • Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour. The ice-cream factory is open year-round and tours are offered daily. Visit on a weekday to see ice cream being made. Check the website for tour times and costs (Waterbury).
  • Cold Hollow Cider Mill. The cider mill is open year-round and offers free self-guided tours of the cider making process (Waterbury).
  • Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. Tours offered daily year-round, free for kids ages 12 and under. Check the website for times and more information (Shelburne).