ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
1 College St, Burlington, Vermont
To understand the science and nature of Lake Champlain, go to ECHO. Formerly the Lake Champlain Basin Science Center, this museum specializes in immersive, hands-on exhibits that aim to inspire everyone to care for Lake Champlain, especially kids and pre-teens. Toss in the wonder of nature and the spark of scientific discovery, and you’ve got ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain.
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, is right on the shores of the eponymous lake, steps from downtown Burlington and Waterfront Park. Nearly every Burlington visitor will find themselves here at some point, and anyone interested in science, nature, and caring for Lake Champlain should stop by. There are three floors of immersive exhibits and aquarium displays, not to mention classic Vermont creemees—a state-beloved ice cream treat—offered in the on-site cafe, from May through October.
ECHO is a popular spot on the waterfront and is featured on most Burlington walking tours, scavenger hunts, and downtown audio tours. If you’ve got kids, this one’s a no-brainer.
The museum is typically open daily, though hours can vary.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door—timed reservations are not required.
The museum is fully accessible for wheelchairs, with elevators connecting every floor.
Sensory programming is available, with Sensory-Friendly Sunday sessions hosted once a month.
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is adjacent to downtown, right on the Champlain waterfront. Parking is available on-site for a fee, which can be paid at the lot kiosk or via the ParkMobile app—parking is available across downtown as well. Otherwise, considering ECHO’s central location, taxis, rideshares, walking, and biking are great options, too.
There’s no bad time to explore ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, and the museum doesn’t typically get too crowded. Most visitors will tack it onto their time in downtown Burlington—just be sure you have at least 2–3 hours to explore the exhibits, aquariums, and programming, as the museum usually closes around 5pm.
One of ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain’s many delights is its 3D movie theater, which runs multiple shows daily, every half hour. From giant 3D whales to the microscopic world of fungi to dolphins and otters, this is a can’t-miss part of the museum. With 12+ showings daily, you can catch a spur-of-the-moment show, no planning required.
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