The Vermont Institute of Natural Science, or VINS for short, is a very cool spot to visit. Opened to the public in 2004, its roots are based in environmental study, raptor rehabilitation and education. It is tucked into 47 acres of forest right along a river making it feel immersive and peaceful.
Initially, my personal motivator for getting out to this place was a kiddo who was interested in owls. (We love you Little Owl) However, as someone who would not describe myself as particularly interested in birds, I found the place fascinating! I learned a lot and their unique Forest Canopy Walk was beautiful.
Multi-Generational Friendly
Throughout our visit I noticed multiple features that showed they cater to all ages, 0-99. We were strolling around among fellow families with littles, adults with their parents, groups of adults and seniors. If you have family visiting or are trying to find a place that works for a group with a large range of ages, put the VINS Nature Center on your list!
A Day at VINS Nature Center
Our crew visited the VINS Nature Center in June and it unexpectedly filled our whole day. I had to pull two utterly exhausted kids off of the nature play area because they were closing. You can certainly get a good taste of it in just a morning or afternoon visit, but there are so many extra walks – especially if you have older kids – you can absolutely be busy here open until close. Here’s how we explored – all with a jogging stroller in tow.
First, the raptor enclosures
If you said “raptor” before I visited here, my brain would have translated that very differently. So to clarify for anyone else who doesn’t know, the term raptors refers to all birds that capture live prey: that means owls, hawks, eagles, falcons, etc.
All the birds kept in these enclosures came to the VINS Nature Center in need of rehabilitation and are left with an injury that prevents them from being released into the wild. We saw bald eagles, golden eagles, a peregrine falcon, many different kids of owls, hawks, ravens, american kestrels and turkey vultures.
One of the turkey vultures can no longer fly and is living safely in an enclosure of ladders that let it hop to where it wants to go. Throughout the day, we learned the stories of many of their residents and how they came to be living at the center.
The enclosures are all outside in the open air, connected by a covered walkway. The path is wide and there is information along the way about each resident as well as educational displays about raptors themselves. Plus: There’s buttons! So many different interactive things with buttons to push!
This display in particular really stood out to me. You squeeze the two metal bars and it measures the force of your grip compared to that of various raptors. Lesson learned, if a bald eagle grabs you in its talons – you in danger, girl.
Second, the songbird aviary
Make a note: Make sure you set up the Merlin app on your phone before you head to VINS.
The aviary is a moment to sit quietly and listen as the birds fly around you. To visit the aviary, I parked our stroller outside the door and we walked in. Technically the path is stroller friendly so if anyone was sleeping in the stroller I would have gone for it but the paths are a bit tight, the entrance/exit has the whole double door thing going on to keep the birds secure and I really didn’t want it to be the day I ran over a bird. Because yes that is immediately where my mind goes.
We timed our visit to the aviary to catch a presentation by one of the VINS docents. The docent spoke about how the aviary came to be and what kinds of birds were there. She was also very helpful in pointing out birds that I totally wouldn’t have seen if she hadn’t pointed out its little perch. I found it very interesting and she also had different things to pass around that everyone was able to touch and feel, keeping the kids engaged.
Live animal presentations
One of the reasons our visit ended up so long was the wonderful presentations scheduled throughout the day. We attended multiple and this grown-up learned something cool at each one! The main presentation area is right outside of the raptor enclosures and at the center of everything. There is plenty of room with all the benches and so you are treated to a sitting down, shady rest.
Lunch Break
We had packed lunch so we found a picnic table and took a break. There are picnic tables scattered around the entrance area with easy access to the parking lot. Most are full sun. There is no food service on site so you’ll want to bring all your provisions. There is a small drinks cooler and ice cream bars in the VINS Nature Center’s gift shop.
A hidden slide in the forest exhibit
If your kids need a kid-break, head over to the Forest Exhibit near the entrance to the Forest Canopy Walk. Kids go up the stairs inside, out to the balcony and then down the tunnel slide that lands them in the backyard. It is a quick walk over to the presentation area as well so they can play while you are waiting for one to start.
VINS Nature Center’s Forest Canopy Walk
Fueled up and refreshed from lunch, it was time for the forest canopy walk! Built to be accessible to wheelchairs, the main path is stroller friendly. There are a few platforms off the main path that do require climbing stairs. We parked the stroller to the side and adventured up.
The path through the trees is .2 miles. Built into the side of a hill, while you walk into the forest the ground gets further and further away and you end up walking among the tree tops. All along the path are interesting facts to stop and read – and make sure to stop and take in the trees around you! There are also helpful graphics, like how many giraffes high you are, to help kids (and grown-ups!) conceptualize the height.
There are two highlight stops along the trail: The Spiderweb and the Tree House. The Spiderweb was closed when we were there but we did check out the Tree House.
I found myself wishing for our binoculars a few times during our day. For seeing the smaller birds up close, checking out the trees and more, pack everyone their binoculars! These are the ones we love for our adventurers.
The Forest Canopy Walk Tree House
At the top of a few flights of stairs, you will be rewarded with a unique view of the forest canopy behind you and the view in front of you. The last flight of stairs is a metal spiral staircase while all the rest are regular stairs.
Make sure you turn around for some magic.
Make sure to take the moment to turn around – not at the view over the river but back into the forest to just watch and observe. Unlike any other overlook, you are tucked into the top of a large forest’s canopy. It is a rare opportunity to see the habitat above the trees. Birds and insects going about their business where the sun hits the forest.
In addition to the Forest Canopy Walk, there are multiple trails through the surrounding forest. We didn’t adventure through any because there was so much else to do but we saw plenty of other visitors coming and going from the various trails. At least one, the McKnight Trail is also maintained for wheelchairs and strollers to access.
VINS Nature Center’s Adventure Playscape
A perfect example of a cherry on top, our last stop of the day was the Adventure Playscape. This natural play area is huge and tucked behind the welcome center. Full of fun features that really take advantage of the space and the hill around it, I think plenty of kids would be happy to just spend their whole visit here!
The play area is full sun with some shade sails over the benches. Right next to the benches is a climbing wall. Built into the side of the hill, when they reach the top they can climb up and put their feet on solid ground for an easy descent.
Then there is a giant rope spider web for climbing. This is a similar design to the spiderweb on the Forest Canopy Walk, but much closer to the ground! If you have anyone who was uncomfortable on the high spider web, this one gives them a chance to explore without the heights.
After the spiderweb there is a long tunnel that goes around the inside corner of the hill – so when you look in the end, you can’t see light at the end! Will your explorers adventure through?
There are lots of other features scattered around including musical instruments, a large centerpiece to climb around on and a cool little fort both made out of tree trunks. The groundcover is woodchips and grass. There are not any picnic tables in this area, only the benches.
VINS Nature Center: Quick Facts
| Main Highlights | Raptor enclosures, live animal presentations, songbird aviary, Forest Canopy Walk, Adventure Playscape natural play area |
| Additional Features | Educational exhibits, hiking/walking trails, some resident reptiles |
| Notable things to pack | Merlin app, binoculars, lots of water and lunch/snacks, sunscreen and hats |
| Bathroom | Large private bathroom at the welcome center fits stroller inside and has a changing table. |
| Full Sun | Thanks to the forest there are sections of shade but the picnic tables and Adventure Playscape are full sun |
| Parking | Large unpaved parking lot |
| Lunch | There are lots of picnic tables but no real food or water service onsite. You need to bring everything with you. The gift shop has some drinks and ice cream bars. |
| Admission Fee | VINS Nature Center website |
| Stroller friendly | Our visit above was done with a jogging stroller in tow. |
| Scenic stop | Right around the corner from the scenic Quechee Gorge Bridge overlook |
| Address | 149 Natures Way, Quechee, VT |
For another natural play area, visit the Beaver Brook Association in Hollis!
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