What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 5pm Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 5pm

ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

Name: ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
Address: 1 College Street, Burlington, VT, 05401, US
Telephone: (802) 864-1848
Price range: $
Rating: 4.4

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ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

Vermont's innovative science and nature museum on the Burlington waterfront. Visit echovermont.org or call 877-324-6386.
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Come explore Vermont's innovative science and nature museum on the Burlington waterfront. Discover over 100 interactive family experiences, 70 live species, seasonal changing exhibits, 3D movies, and more. Stop by the Champ Café for coffee, drinks, snacks, and the Museum Store for fun, educational toys.

11/13/2024

🔵🔺🟨 Play is serious business! Our Early Learning team presented at the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VAEYC) last month. Their presentation, "An Invitation to STEM Play: Fostering a Positive STEM Identity in Early Learners", engaged a group of about 45 early childhood educators. The team emphasized the importance of STEM play in developing a science identity. Participants got to experience an engineering design challenge along with rotating through multiple STEM Inspiration stations. Educators also got their very own supporting materials to bring STEM play back with them. Congrats Kate and Stacia!

11/12/2024

Did you know that you can still see our snapping turtle Animal Ambassadors when they’re not on exhibit?

Every day, experts from our Animal Care team join guests out on the museum floor for special presentations about the animals at the museum — including many found right here in Vermont — and how we care for them at ECHO.

Depending on the day, stopping by an Animal Care demonstration might mean watching Animal Care staff feed our collection of exotic frogs, playing a high-stakes game of animal trivia, or even getting to see one of our snapping turtle Animal Ambassadors who are “off exhibit” during our renovation.

We offer a rotating selection of Animal Care demonstrations with a range of topics and featured animals. For more information about which demos are happening on a specific day, check the screens around the museum or give the front desk a call at (802) 864-1848 during open hours and ask about that day’s Animal Care demos.

11/11/2024

⭐🫧 Thank you to everyone who joined us for EEL Night at the Museum!

Last week, we hosted a special night at ECHO for members of our ECHO Early Learning (EEL) program. Guests enjoyed playing and learning throughout the museum, then gathered for dinner followed by a special story time and book giveaway with our friends from Children's Literacy Foundation (CLiF).

We’re so grateful to all of our EEL families for joining us and to CLiF for donating their time and an incredible selection of books to our community of young learners!

11/10/2024

⭐️⭐️ Monday, November 11, is Veterans Day ⭐️⭐️ and ECHO is excited to offer free admission for all Veterans and active duty military personnel and their families. Just show your military ID at the front desk. We are open 10 am to 5 pm.

11/09/2024

🎒🎧🍦Congrats to ECHO's Creative Team for being recognized with two Publication Design awards in the New England Museum Association (NEMA) 2024 Awards. NEMA just held their annual conference this past week where all the museum winners were recognized. ECHO's design work has been recognized every year the competition has been running since 2017.

Branding for our Sensory Friendly Sundays Program and the environmental design for Champ's Legendary Creemees truck wrap both won awards. Both of these programs are critical to ECHO's mission to serving our communities and supporting science education.

Way to go everyone!

(psst, by the way the next Sensory Sunday is tomorrow, November 10. Sign up: https://www.echovermont.org/event/sensory-friendly-sunday/2024-11-10/)

11/08/2024

We’re sorry to report that the invasive golden clam has been found in Lake Champlain for the first time.

A volunteer made the discovery last month in South Bay in Whitehall, New York, while working with the Lake Champlain Committee's Champlain Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring Program (CHAMP). Staff from the LCBP and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation confirmed the specimen.

The clam, which is native to the eastern Mediterranean and Asia, can crowd out native species and increase occurrences of cyanobacteria blooms.

The NYSDEC and LCBP are assessing the extent of the population and the significance of the introduction.

If an established population is confirmed in South Bay, the golden clam will be the 52nd aquatic non-native/invasive species known to be in Lake Champlain.

Read more at https://www.lcbp.org/2024/11/first-invasive-golden-clam-confirmed-in-lake-champlain/.

11/08/2024

Join us on Saturday, November 16 for a grr-ific day! Daniel Tiger will be at ECHO for the Vermont Public Kids Day! From 9-10 am, we'll have sensory hour for our sensory-sensitive families. Please rsvp for the sensory hour: https://echovermont.ticketing.veevartapp.com/tickets/view/list/sensory-mascot-hour

From 10 am–3 pm, we’ll have fun crafts and activities, a Daniel Tiger read along, a chance to win a Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood prize pack, and bring your camera for an opportunity to take photos with Daniel Tiger. Thank you to Vermont Public for their support in making this event happen!

📸 Meet & Greets with Daniel Tiger
9:15-9:45 am (sensory hour)
10:30 am–11 am
11:30 am–12 pm
12:30–1 pm
1:30–2 pm
2:30–3 pm

11/07/2024

📣 Calling all ECHO Members! Member Mornings have been extended through January 2025! We're excited to see you at ECHO during this special museum time just for you. Member mornings are every Saturday from 9-10 am. All exhibits and the museum store will be available to explore just for ECHO Members before the museum opens to the general public.

11/07/2024

If you’ve ever been out sailing on Lake Champlain, you may have noticed the rock formation between Juniper Island and Shelburne Point known to many today as Rock Dunder. In Abenaki folklore, however, this location holds spiritual significance as the resting place of the ancient being Oodzee-hozo.

Legend says that when the giant Oodzee-hozo first came into being, his legs grew so slowly that for a time his only limbs were his arms and head. Therefore, Oodzee-hozo used his arms and hands to dig into the Earth and drag his body, creating Lake Champlain and many of the mountains, rivers, and other natural landmarks in the region.

By the time he had completed his work, Oodzee-hozo’s legs had grown in; however, he was exhausted and chose to return to the Lake, where he turned himself into a rock so that he could enjoy his creation forever.

11/06/2024

Join us for Sensory-Friendly Sunday this weekend! From 9-10 am, admission is FREE for anyone with sensory-processing differences. The museum will be closed to the general public, and lighting and sounds will be adjusted to allow visitors to enjoy the museum in a calm environment. Interact with ECHO’s exhibits, visit the live animals, and access our sensory backpacks filled with sensory devices! RSVP: https://echovermont.ticketing.veevartapp.com/tickets/view/list/sensory-sunday

11/05/2024

Wondering where all our fish went while we’re renovating? Want an update on your favorite Animal Ambassador?

Find answers to all your questions and more when you join ECHO Animal Care Staff by the bubble tower for our special “Where Did the Fish Go?” presentation!

Learn about how our team of Animal Care experts moved all the fish out of the museum, see photos of our animals in their new temporary home, and even take a sneak peek behind the scenes at the construction progress in our Into the Lake gallery.

This special presentation is currently offered once daily every day that ECHO is open. Check the screens around the museum or ask the front desk for presentation times.

For more information about our Into the Lake renovation project, visit https://www.echovermont.org/animals-exhibits/into-the-lake-exhibit/

11/04/2024

For the past few months, many of ECHO’s Animal Ambassadors have been “on vacation” while we work on renovations and habitat updates. But what does that mean? Where did they go?

For these turtles, fish, and frogs, “vacation” actually means spending time in our off-site Animal Care facility, where they’ll stay until renovation is complete.

But don’t worry — while they may not be in the museum, the animals definitely aren’t lonely! Our expert team of Animal Care staff have been working hard every day to make sure our off-site animals receive the same world-class care they would here at ECHO.

Just like in the museum, caring for our off-site animals means more than just feeding and water changes. Animal Care staff carefully monitor the animals’ behavior and make constant improvements to ensure they continue to thrive. This can include anything from adjusting the animals’ feeding routines to modifying their habitats, such as installing new ramps to help hesitant map turtles climb to their basking platforms.

Once construction is complete next summer, these Animal Ambassadors will return to ECHO, where they’ll enjoy all-new expanded enclosures and upgraded habitats.

Learn more about our renovation plans & all-new Into the Lake experience at https://www.echovermont.org/animals-exhibits/into-the-lake-exhibit/

11/02/2024

You might recognize Piggie from her adventures in Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie books. But did you know that Piggie’s favorite foods are bubblegum and slop? Or that she likes to spend her free time dancing?

Now through January 5, stop by ECHO to learn more about Piggie and all of Mo Willems’ lovable pals in The Pigeon Comes to Burlington! A Mo Willems Exhibit. Have a hilarious conversation in the voices of Elephant and Piggie, spin the laundromat washing machine to uncover Knuffle Bunny, launch foam hot dogs at The Pigeon, and more!

The Pigeon Comes to Burlington! A Mo Willems Exhibit is co-organized by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. TM & © 2024 Hidden Pigeon, LLC.

Local support for The Pigeon Comes to Burlington! is provided by Vermont Humanities, Physician’s Computer Company, Hanson + Doremus Investments and Planning, Vermont Public, and Generac DR Power Equipment.

11/01/2024

🐯 We have a grr-ific day coming up for you! On Saturday, November 16, join Daniel Tiger at Vermont Public Kids Day at ECHO! From 10 am–3 pm, we’ll have fun crafts and activities, a Daniel Tiger read along, a chance to win a Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood prize pack and bring your camera for an opportunity to take photos with Daniel Tiger.

Note: We will open early for a sensory-friendly hour from 9–10 am too.

📸 Meet & Greets with Daniel Tiger
10:30 am–11 am
11:30 am–12 pm
12:30–1 pm
1:30–2 pm
2:30–3 pm

11/01/2024

This Native American Heritage Month, ECHO is proud to join museums and institutions across the country in celebrating the diverse cultures of our nation’s first people and recognizing their important and ever-dynamic contributions to our nation.

The Abenaki, our region’s first people, have lived within and around the Lake Champlain Basin for 13,000 years. Throughout the month of November, we’re using our social media to highlight Abenaki stories and traditions regarding the land and nature in and around the Basin.

10/31/2024

🎃🧪👻 Happy Halloween, ECHO fans! We’re open regular hours today, 10 am – 5 pm. Costumes welcome!

10/31/2024

💡Looking for opportunities to connect with your community and share your passion? Join our volunteer team and engage guests to get hands-on and explore science by doing in our Engineer It gallery. No engineering or science background needed! Engineer It Volunteer Facilitators guide guests through hands-on problem-solving STEM activities by asking questions, and encouraging guests to think like engineers.

Time commitment is a minimum of 4 months of volunteer service and one 3 hour shift per week. For more information go to: https://www.echovermont.org/join-support/volunteer/ or contact Grayson Grau, Educator & Volunteer Coordinator, at (802) 864-1848 x132 or [email protected].

Address

1 College Street
Burlington, VT
05401

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm
Sunday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

(802) 864-1848

Website

https://www.echovermont.org/

Alerts

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Videos

Elephant & Piggie are coming to ECHO!

In their defense, the job application did say we're looking for team players... Elephant Gerald and Piggie will be working together at ECHO all this weekend, October 12 & 13! Come take a photo with your favorite Mo Willems pals and enjoy Elephant & Piggie story time with local librarians right here at ECHO. Learn more at https://www.echovermont.org/event/elephant-piggie-biggie-weekend/2024-10-12/

Hello, Baby Turtle!

👋 Hello, baby turtles! Our Turtle Egg Incubation Station is very active these days. This timelapse video shows a baby map turtle breaking through shells, dirt, and rocks before making its debut into the world. The eggs were collected from nests as part of a Vermont Fish & Wildlife nest monitoring program. Nest monitoring protects hatchlings from predation and provides valuable information to biologists. The babies in this video hatched last Sunday and when we're sure they're healthy and strong, they'll be released into the Lake near their nest site.

Whether you're visiting Frog World or exploring the shipwreck, always make sure to be demure and mindful (or, more importantly, safe) while enjoying ECHO 💛

National Aviation Day

It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it’s National Aviation Day! In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt named August 19th National Aviation Day in celebration of Orville Wright’s birthday. Since then, aeronautical technology has dramatically evolved. Over 2.7 million people fly through U.S. airports every day!

ECHO Science & Stories: I am an Engineer!

Calling all ECHO Engineers! Elizabeth is back for Science and Stories – and she needs your help! Do you think you can build a cozy fort for Elizabeth’s stuffed turtle? What about a boat that doesn’t need an engine? Or a rocket ship that will fly all the way to Mars? Saturdays starting August 3, join Elizabeth on our YouTube for ECHO Science & Stories: I am an Engineer! In each episode, Elizabeth will read one of her favorite story books and introduce an exciting engineering-themed activity for you to try at home. 🚀 August 3: I am an Aerospace Engineer! I imagine, create, and improve spacecraft. ✈️ August 10: I am an Aircraft Engineer! I imagine, create, and improve airplanes. 🏠 August 17: I am an Architectural Engineer! I imagine, create, and improve buildings 🚗 August 24: I am an Automotive Engineer! I imagine, create, and improve cars and trucks. 🧪 August 31: I am a Chemical Engineer! I imagine and create new things by mixing stuff together — and then I figure out how to make a lot of it. 🛣️ September 7: I am a Civil Engineer! I imagine, build, and improve roads, tunnels, and bridges. 🛥️ September 14: I am a Marine Engineer! I imagine, create, and improve ways to make boats go. ⚙️ September 21: I am a Mechanical Engineer! I imagine, create, and improve machines. 🤖 September 28: I am a Robotics Engineer! I imagine, create, and improve machines that can do some of the things that humans do. 🧸 October 5: I am a Toy Engineer! I imagine, create, and improve toys.

Meet ECHO's newest employee this Saturday and Sunday, June 29 and 30, at our Meet the Pigeon Weekend! Join this wily city bird for meet and greet sessions throughout the day from 10:30 am to 4 pm, with a special sensory-friendly hour on Sunday, June 30 from 9-10 am. Learn more and register for the Meet the Pigeon sensory-friendly hour at https://www.echovermont.org/event/meet-the-pigeon-weekend/2024-06-29/

The Pigeon Comes to Burlington exhibit is open now at ECHO!

📕Step into the whimsical world of beloved children's book author, Mo Willems, and his lovable characters! Spend the day with best friend duo Elephant and Piggie, faithful companion Knuffle Bunny, and The Pigeon — the wily city bird best known for his antics in Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Pigeon Comes to Burlington! A Mo Willems exhibit is now open thru January 5! Only at ECHO. The Pigeon Comes to Burlington! A Mo Willems Exhibit is co-organized by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. TM & © 2024 Hidden Pigeon, LLC. Local support for The Pigeon Comes to Burlington! is provided by Vermont Humanities, Physician’s Computer Company, Hanson + Doremus Investments and Planning, Vermont Public, and Generac DR Power Equipment.

When you only visit Engineer It for the zipline

Luckily for you, our current Engineering Design Challenge is to design and test a zip cart – which means you can use the zip line as many times as you want 😎

The Pigeon Comes to Burlington!

⏰🐦 TODAY IS THE DAY for the grand opening of The Pigeon Comes to Burlington! A Mo Willems Exhibit. Step into the whimsical world of Mo Willems and his lovable cartoon characters such as The Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny, and best friend duo Elephant and Piggie. The Pigeon Comes to Burlington! A Mo Willems Exhibit is co-organized by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. TM & © 2024 Hidden Pigeon, LLC. Local support for The Pigeon Comes to Burlington! is provided by Vermont Humanities, Physician’s Computer Company, Hanson + Doremus Investments and Planning, Vermont Public, and Generac DR Power.

This Saturday, May 25, come celebrate the opening day of our creemee truck on the waterfront! Vermont Teddy Bear will be on site to give away a Champ or Yeti plush to the first 50 groups to buy a creemee. (1 per group) From May 25 thru early October, Champ’s Creemees will be open daily to serve legendary, locally-produced, refreshing treats on the Burlington waterfront. All proceeds go to supporting ECHO, Vermont’s science and nature museum.

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Our Story

ECHO is an innovative science and nature museum located on the Burlington, Vermont waterfront and overlooks Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.

Our mission is to inspire and engage families in the joy of scientific discovery, wonder of nature, and care of Lake Champlain. We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a science-savvy community where people and nature thrive together.

Through more than 100 interactive exhibits; 70 species of fish, reptiles, and amphibians; major changing exhibits; a 2,500-square foot early learning interactive space; ECHO encourages visitors to view the natural environment as part of their neighborhood and to explore, learn about, and consider opportunities for stewardship. This work is delivered by a dedicated team of 27 staff, 175 volunteers and interns who serve more than 16,000 volunteer hours per year, and more than 45 community partners. ECHO is home to a consortium of organizations working for public and academic engagement in science: the Lake Champlain Basin Program; the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory and research vessel; US Sea Grant Watershed Alliance; and the Lake Champlain Navy Memorial located in Hoehl Park.

Visit our website for more information: www.echovermont.org