Montshire Museum
- wondersofvt
- Aug 6
- 5 min read
We took a trip to the Montshire Museum on a Tuesday in early July. The Museum is conveniently located just off Interstate 91 at Exit 13. We arrived shortly after opening time which is 10 AM. This was definitely the best time to show up as it was not overly crowded like it was when we left. There was a bit of a line to get our tickets, but they got us through quickly. We began our visit on the first floor of the museum, then continued exploring each level before heading outside.
We were inside the museum exploring for 1.5 hours. I feel like my kids moved at a steady pace spending ample time at each exhibit they wanted. There were a few they skipped over but they were pretty thorough for the most part. I would think allowing yourself 2-3 hours inside would be plenty for most. They offer over 150 interactive exhibits—from bubbles, air, and water science to live animals, puzzles, music, and young‑children zones. My 5 year-old’s favorite part was seeing the fish, while my 11-year-old loved the entire first floor—especially the bubble exhibit. They both also enjoyed the Elevator bike (first floor by the elevator) where you challenge yourself to pedal fast enough and long enough to power a mini elevator. They both reached the top! One of the educators even brought out a live cockroach for us to observe. Even though I’m not a fan of them, it was really interesting to learn about and hear it hiss! I also enjoyed the honeybee exhibit on the 2nd floor.
Once we explored all floors of the museum we went outside (back side of museum) to the David Goudy Science Park which features an array of interactive water-based exhibits. When you first walk out to the left you will see the Ball Hopper, which holds a bunch of ping pong balls. Turn the crank until one of the balls pop out and then you can follow it along a little river. Note: there is no wading allowed in this spot. Next, we went to this area that had fountains for some hands-on fun. Do expect to get wet in this area. Next was a water area where the kids can wade, climb and play in. This was a popular spot especially on a hot humid day and My 5 year old absolutely loved it. I would suggest wearing swim clothes or pack a change of clothes. We spent 45 mins at the David Goudy Science Park. My 5-year-old would’ve happily stayed longer, but my daughter and I were ready to head to the nature trails. Note: The Science Park is only open during the warm weather months.
The Montshire Museum has about 100 acres of woodlands so they have several nature trails to choose from. We chose to take the River Loop which first brought us to Timber Tumble. This play area includes hand-crafted spirals, raceways, and ball runs all made from natural materials, designed to engage the senses and promote a sense of calm. This was another fun spot for both of my kids. After about 15 minutes we continued on to the River Loop trail. It's a 0.8-mile loop that winds along the Connecticut River. This was my favorite part of the day. Once we got to a spot where you could enjoy the river view, I noticed my 5 year-old sit down on the river's edge to take in the view. It was a proud mom moment, seeing him pause to truly appreciate the beauty around him. We did end up seeing a short cut towards the end of the trail and took it as it was really humid that day and we wanted to give my son another 10 minutes at science park to cool down. By the time we got back to this area it was more crowded but still plenty of space for all to have fun. We spent a total of 45 mins at Timber Tumble and River Loop Trail. Parent Note: On the left side of the building from the Science Park, there’s a walkway that leads back to the parking lot—perfect for avoiding the need to walk back through the museum when you’re ready to leave.
There isn’t a cafeteria at the museum, but there are plenty of great spots to enjoy a picnic. You’ll find picnic areas in the Science Park, at the Hughes Pavilion next to the Science Park, and even throughout the parking lot. Just keep in mind that food and drinks (aside from water) are not allowed inside the museum galleries. However, there is a small designated snack zone inside for off season picnic months. We didn’t pack a lunch as we had plans to head across the river into Hanover, NH, to eat at Molly’s Restaurant & Bar. My daughter is a patient at Dartmouth, and this has become our go-to spot after her appointments—so she was excited to bring her little brother along to experience it. She especially loves their bread with honey butter. There was about a 10-minute wait, but we discovered a small park out back that we hadn’t noticed before. The kids got to swing and play while we waited for our buzzer to go off to let us know our table was ready.
All in all, this was a super fun day. It had been years since we last visited, and it was my 5-year-old’s first time—which made it extra special. My 14 year-old chose to stay home, and honestly, that was probably the right call for him. While the museum is packed with engaging, hands-on experiences, it’s definitely geared more toward younger kids in my opinion. For the younger kids though, definitely add this Wonder of Vermont to your summer bucket list.
Montshire Museum Visit Recap
📍 Location: Conveniently located off I-91, Exit 13 in Norwich, VT. Just 10 minutes from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, making it a great option for patients, visitors, or families with appointments.
🕙 Best Time to Arrive: Arrive close to opening (10 AM) to avoid crowds.
🧪 What’s Inside: Over 150 hands-on exhibits including bubbles, water, air, music, puzzles, fish tanks, and live insects.
🌊 Outside Fun: David Goudy Science Park features splash areas, fountains, and interactive water play. Bring swim clothes or a change of clothes for kids!
🌿 Nature Trails: Multiple trails to choose from—River Loop (0.8 miles) is scenic and peaceful, with Timber Tumble play zone along the way.
🍽️ Food Info: No cafeteria, but plenty of picnic spots outdoors. Food and drinks (besides water) aren’t allowed in galleries.
🚶♀️ Helpful Parent Tip: Use the walkway to the left of the building for a shortcut back to the parking lot.
🧒 Best For: In my opinion, it's ideal for younger children—engaging, educational, and designed for active exploration. That being said, every child is different! If you have older kids/teens it could still be worth checking out.
🍴 Bonus Stop: Molly’s Restaurant & Bar in nearby Dartmouth, NH is a great family-friendly option after your visit (don’t miss the bread and honey butter!).
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