Interested in Revolutionary War history? Contemporary art? How about petting baby lambs on a farm? Check, check and check: Museums in and around Burlington have got you covered. Here are some options for whiling away the hours, rain or shine.
→ Version française Interested in Revolutionary War history? Contemporary art? How about petting baby lambs on a farm? Check, check and check: Museums in and around Burlington have got you covered. Here are some options for whiling away the hours, rain or shine. Ethan Allen Homestead Museum 1 Ethan Allen Homestead, Burlington, ethanallenhomestead.org The namesake of this small museum led the so-called Green Mountain Boys in the Revolutionary War, famously capturing Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point from the British. His continued efforts helped establish Vermont's independence as a young nation struggled to shape itself. The general's modest house overlooking the Winooski River gives visitors a glimpse of what life on the northern frontier was like at the time. Some of Allen's philosophical writings are on view, along with archaeological and other exhibits. Outside, the homestead offers easy walking trails. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through October 31; last tour begins at 3:30 p.m. $5-8; free for children under 4. Birds of Vermont Museum 900 Sherman Hollow Rd., Huntington, birdsofvermont.org Birders and avian aficionados flock to this small rural museum, whose mission is to educate, nurture an appreciation for nature, and study birds and their habitats. Don't miss the 500 realistic bird carvings, most of them created by the late museum founder Robert Spear, representing 259 species. In addition, you can learn a new birdcall, explore changing exhibits and try your hand at woodcarving. Picnic tables and walking paths await outdoors. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through October 31; open by appointment starting November 1. $3.50-7. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain 1 College St., Burlington, echovermont.org Named for U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, this waterfront museum is devoted to the ecology, culture, history and opportunities for stewardship of Lake Champlain. Here, the "sixth Great Lake" inspires fascinating educational exhibits and fun interactive activities for all ages. An aquarium houses native fish, frogs, turtles and other creatures, and a National Geographic theater screens 2D and 3D films daily. Hungry? Sit down for a healthy, locally sourced lunch at the Sugarsnap Café. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; closed on Thanksgiving. $11.50-14.50; free for kids under 2. Shelburne Farms 1611 Harbor Rd., Shelburne, shelburnefarms.org Shelburne Farms is, in fact, not a museum. The 19th-century estate of Dr. William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb is a nonprofit devoted to conservation education; its 1,400 acres encompass…