8 Best Museums In Vermont
Vermont boasts some of the most fascinating museums with one-of-a-kind collections and exhibitions. For example, you will find the largest public collection of paintings by Grandma Moses at the Bennington Museum. Or, if you are a science enthusiast, you can make your way through more than 150 hands-on exhibits at the Montshire Museum of Science. Depending on your interests, you will find at least a couple of exhibits to excite you at each of the following fantastic Vermont Museums.
Shelburne Museum, Shelburne
The Shelburne Museum in the town of Shelburne prides itself on providing an unmatched experience when it comes to American art, history, and design. The museum sprawls across forty-five acres and includes 39 structures. It was founded by Electra Havemeyer Webb in 1947 as a place to keep and protect her family’s collection of horse-drawn carriages. Over the years, she relocated several historic buildings to the museum grounds. Today, visitors can see a covered bridge, a lighthouse, a jail, a schoolhouse, barns, and even a 220-foot steamboat here.
Some of the collections you can see at the museum (the building usually opens in May for the summer) include Norman Rockwell paintings and illustrations, a collection of needlework from the Garthwaite family, and a wide-ranging collection of objects dating from the 19th to the mid-20th centuries. The museum also hosts music concerts, so you can catch Ben & Jerry’s Concert on the Green after checking out the exhibits and artifacts. After visiting the museum, you can head to the Shelburne Vineyard three minutes away for a fun wine tasting experience. You can also make your way to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, just 4 minutes away from the Shelburne Museum. At the factory, you can see how each Vermont Teddy Bear is crafted and even visit the Vermont Teddy Bear Hospital.
Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, St. Johnsbury
St. Johnsbury is home to the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium. This museum combines natural science, a planetarium, and history. Overall, there are 30,000 objects to see, including specimens, artifacts, documents, and photographs. Collections include ethnology, anthropology, geology, zoology, and paleontology. You can see a collection of American birds here, antique toys, and exhibits on how maple sugar products are produced. There are mosaics made of dead bugs, as well as a stuffed moose and Bengal tiger.
At the on-site Butterfly House, you can see Monarchs, Swallowtails, Viceroys, Commas, and many more butterflies. Plus, the planetarium will take you on a journey of the night sky, introducing you to the stars, constellations, and planets that surround Earth. The planetarium (the only public one in the state) also offers presentations on extreme weather and the dinosaurs of Antarctica. After exploring space, you can take a five-minute drive to Dog Mountain, a 150-acre sanctuary created by late artist Stephen Huneck, which also includes a Dog Chapel. Then, stop by Anthony’s Diner in the historic St. Johnsbury downtown for a classic Vermont diner experience.
Bennington Museum of Art, Bennington
If you love all things art, you simply cannot miss out on a visit to the Bennington Museum of Art. It is here that you will find the largest public collection of paintings by American folk artist Anna Mary Robertson (Grandma Moses), who lived over in Eagle Bridge. There are also several pieces by Paul Feeley, Jules Olitski, and Rockwell Kent to view. The museum also holds one of the oldest ‘Stars and Stripes’ in America, the 1863 Jane Stickle Quilt, and even a 1924 Martin Wasp Touring Car. You can see the Grandma Moses Schoolhouse on the museum grounds and take the Hadwen Woods and George Aiken Wildflower Trail, which is open from dawn to dusk. The trail will take you through both meadow and woodland, where native species of wildflowers and plants are preserved.
Your Bennington visit does not have to end when you leave the museum. You can take a short walk to the old First Congregational Church to visit the grave of poet Robert Frost in the Old Bennington Cemetery. His epitaph is as poetic as his life was, stating, ‘I had a lover’s quarrel with the world.’ This line is from the last stanza of his 1942 poem, ‘The Lesson for Today.’ If you want to enjoy some lunch after your outing, head to Madison Brewing Company in downtown Bennington for a locally crafted ale and a delicious burger.
The Museum of Everyday Life, Glover
If you are a bit tired of the usual when it comes to museums, a quirky experience awaits you at the Museum of Everyday Life in Glover. This unique museum was founded by Clare Dolan in 2011 and stands in a 70-year-old barn on her property. The idea behind the museum is to celebrate everyday objects. This means you will find pieces of scrap on walls, old farm tools, pencils, and even toothbrushes. There is no entrance fee, but you can donate. You will also be asked to switch lights on and off as you come and go.
When you are done pondering the meaning of toothbrushes and matches, you can catch a show at the Bread and Puppet Theater. If you prefer to explore the outdoors, you can drive to Daniels Pond, a freshwater lake where you can fish or swim. You can also bike or hike in the surrounding area. Should you visit during winter, there are plenty of opportunities for snowmobiling and ice fishing.
The Madsonian Museum of Industrial Design, Waitsfield
The Madsonian Museum is the ideal attraction for anyone interested in design and innovation. There are more than 2,000 objects to see, including cars, motorcycles, and toys. Some of the collections you can see in this building that sits along the Mad River also include innovative hand tools, sporting equipment, chairs, and model trains, planes, and boats. You can also book a stay at the experimental Madsonian House designed by architect David Sellers. The house includes a concrete bathtub, sliding beds, skylights, and a rain shower. By staying in the house for a day or two, you support the museum while enjoying one of the most unique buildings in Vermont.
During your stay, you can venture to the Mad River Glass Gallery to see distinctive glasswork that has been featured in museums and galleries throughout America. Or take a walk to the stunning Historic Waitsfield Covered Bridge. The 105-foot wooden bridge spans the Mad River and was completed in 1833. It is also the longest single-span bridge in Vermont.
Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich
You do not have to be a science expert to appreciate the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich. The focus at this museum is the pure joy of learning, and there are several activities to enjoy, in addition to the more than 150 hands-on exhibits. You can start by taking a walk in the Healing Forest. The forest can help you slow down and be mindful of your surroundings. There is a play area that is great fun for the entire family, and you will have a chance to take a sound bath in Timber Tumble. In the old forest glen, you will find a waterfall, gorgeous rock formations, and a woodland garden. Inside the museum, you can explore the Air Works exhibit, which details everything you need to know about air. You can create and innovate in the Creative Building Center, and there is an aquarium where you can see fish, frogs, and turtles up close.
You will need quite a few hours, if not more than one day, if you want to see everything this incredible museum has to offer. When you have had your fill of science and outdoor excursions, you can visit the King Arthur Baking Company, which is around eight minutes away. You can watch the bakers at work and grab a mouthwatering pastry for lunch.
Vermont History Museum, Montpelier
No ‘museum road trip’ is complete without at least one history museum. You can learn all about the Green Mountain State’s history at the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier. The museum is located in the Pavilion Building downtown and features several fascinating exhibits. Currently, you can see the Illustrating History exhibit, which features reproductions of illustrations depicting events from the last 250 years. You can also see the Lady of the Hills exhibit and the Vermont Firsts Collection. The ‘firsts’ are depicted in paintings, ranging from industry to skiing.
Within walking distance of the museum, you will find one of the country’s oldest operating state houses, the Vermont State House. You can tour the building before heading to Hubbard Park for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. There is also a staircase that takes you to the top of a 54-foot stone observation tower completed in 1930. From the top, you will have a panoramic view of the Worcester Range.
Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, Brattleboro
Finally, at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, you can view the Common Threads exhibit that revolves around the life of Ray Materson. You can also see the paintings of Erika Ranee or Elliott Katz’s first solo museum exhibition titled The Purpose of Your Trip. The museum was founded in 1972, and in 2026, it is one of the best contemporary art museums in Vermont. Some upcoming exhibits to look forward to include Deirdre Hyde’s Fragments of a Tropical Life and the wonderful watercolors of Ribin Crofut-Brittingham. If you visit during the spring, you can see The Living Room, a space that invites you to spend some quality time with art.
If you are in Brattleboro on the first Friday of the month, you can join the Gallery Walk. During the walk, local businesses open their doors to showcase local painters, musicians, and sculptors. You can also enjoy a great pint on the rooftop deck of Whetstone Beer Co. as you reflect on the art you have experienced.
Finding Inspiration in Vermont’s Museums
Vermont’s museums each feature a unique narrative on the state’s history. They also clearly prove that museums are far more than a rainy-day escape. When you visit these museums, you will get a first-hand glimpse into unmatched craftsmanship, scientific curiosity, and historical resilience. You are not just walking past artifacts, but you are actively participating in preserving human ingenuity. From the smallest towns in Vermont to the corners of the Northeast Kingdom, you will find museums that inspire you to learn more and to understand more. And, along the way, you might just discover that the best part of your museum tour is the stories that only the local museums have knowledge of.
